It's not easy to dominate the headlines in an Australian sporting summer. With Big Bash cricket, Australian Open tennis, cycling's Tour Down Under and countless other sports events, the back section of many newspapers are full of sporting heroes.

But, with the Socceroos just one game away from winning the Asian Cup, the country's journalists have again turned their attention to Ange Postecoglou's team with renewed vigour.

"Ange's angels on brink of history," wrote "The Australian" newspaper, while the "Sydney Morning Herald" predicted the final would be "an absolute belter."

The media response is no surprise really: a win in the final against South Korea on Saturday evening in Sydney would be the first major men's trophy in Australian soccer in 93 years. The team was created in 1922 and has been fighting for silverware ever since.

Too successful for the AFC?

Should Australia win on Saturday, it will mean it is the region's reigning champions of club and international football, as well as being past female Asian champions. Australia has also proven a dominant force in World Cup qualification, getting through on both occasions since their admission to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006.

On Thursday, Australian newspapers were awash with statements from AFC president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa to a Dubai newspaper where he apparently claimed that "desire exists among the confederations of west Asia to evict Australia [from the AFC]."

But in a statement released on Friday, Salman said the statements were false and assured Australia of its place in the AFC , saying it had been "working diligently to make a contribution at all levels."

Whatever the real story, the Socceroos are seen by some to be "taking away" a spot from the rest of the confederation. Middle East nations - already not as strong as Japan and South Korea and worried by the rise of China and India - see their international chances affected by Australia's involvement. It is not exactly the type of discussion that the Socceroos will want on the eve of the biggest match in its footballing history.

Good fan base

Still, despite the increased media coverage that comes with each World Cup, soccer in Australia remains an outsider. Behind the country's traditional winter sports of rugby union, league and Australian Rules, the sport continues to struggle for exposure. This is despite football improving its professionalism since the rise of the A-League, the country's latest attempt at a national soccer league.

The Asian Cup has proven a hit with the locals though, especially the country's many Asian immigrants, who have flocked to the games with enthusiasm. A win for the home side in the final against South Korea in Sydney on Saturday night would be the icing on the cake.

Still, for the sport to have any long-term success it needs a few more local heroes. At the moment, that role is being more than covered by Tim Cahill. The 35-year-old striker's two goals against the United Arab Emirates in the semifinal were spectacular and once again made sure that soccer headlined the sports bulletins on the country's TV news. He, more than anyone, realizes that the Socceroos have got a point to prove when they walk out on Saturday night in Sydney.

"I am really proud of the boys, the staff and everyone that has backed us from the start," he said after the 2-0 victory over UAE.

"During the 14 months the journey has been amazing," Cahill said. "Now we have to focus on one of the biggest games in Australian football history."