Injury-hit Aussies face uphill battle to retain title

A raft of injuries and retirements look to have severely dented Australia's hopes of retaining the Asian Cup, with the continent's traditional powerhouses poised to pounce.

Having only joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006, the Socceroos lifted their first Asian Cup on home soil four years ago, defeating South Korea 2-1 after extra time in the final.

Australia, though, is not fancied to repeat the feat in the United Arab Emirates at a tournament expanded from 16 to 24 teams.