Even with the absence of star Shinji Kagawa, Japan's individual quality was always going to be difficult for the Socceroos to suppress. Nagatomo, Endo, Hasebe, Okazaki and the most talented of them all, Keisuke Honda; these are the types of players who can win an Asian Cup. As it turned out Australia did more than enough to keep them from dominating the final, not to mention getting on top of Japan as a whole, but in the end it wasn't enough.

One horrible error in judgement was enough for the Blue Samurai to punish Australia for their wastefulness. It could have been a familiar story had the lesser opposition we faced earlier in the tournament been able to capitalise or if Mile Jedinak and Harry Kewell hadn't managed something special. This time, though, a strong team performance - featuring an attacking mindset, expectedly tight defence and a midfield capable of dealing with Japan's desire to play through them - wasn't rewarded by the players themselves.

Matt McKay could have given Australia an early lead, Harry Kewell should have put the game to bed and, ultimately, David Carney definitely shouldn't have gone chasing that leprechaun he thought he'd seen at Mark Schwarzer's post; all avoidable mistakes which shouldn't shadow what was a pretty good major tournament.

Topping Group C was a fair achievement in its own right. Korea Republic played some fantastic football at times and would have been worthy finalists. To qualify ahead of them, albeit on goal difference, is a major positive. Just as we had the better of the chances against Japan so too did we against the Koreans, let alone a pasting of semi-finalists Uzbekistan. If anyone doubted whether Australia could mix it with Asia's best they have been proven incorrect.

But now Holger Osieck faces a big question, potentially a defining one for Australian football: if the ageing stars of the current squad weren't able to win the Asian Cup, is it finally time to make the transition?

Surely it's time for a few of the '06 heroes to be phased out.

Who stays and who goes will be determined by Holger Osieck's plan for team structure and style. The German will have to identify how he wants this team to play, what he sees as the best way to keep the national team improving and which types of players fit his model. If the end result of that process is that all of the remaining veterans from the Golden Generation can stay then so be it, however I can't see that as beneficial for the Socceroos development towards Brazil 2014.

Considering form and competition for places, Jason Culina and Brett Emerton should be the first to move on. With his exceptional physical condition it is possible that Emerton may be able to carry on near his best, though Nathan Burns is looming as weapon not to be neglected.

The toughest decisions will surround the futures of four players who all had fine tournaments. Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski built a formidable partnership which contributed more than any other factor to Australia reaching the final, but at their respective ages of 32 and 31, it unfortunately cannot be a long term pairing. Matt Spiranovic, Rhys Williams, Shane Lowry and Luke DeVere are mature talents deserving of an extended run at international level. As the lesser accomplished of the two, Ognenovski's career in the Green and Gold is probably over before it really began - the type of reality the will have to be embraced by Osieck.

Mark Schwarzer and Harry Kewell's Socceroos careers are in equally delicate positions. It's a big risk to gamble on either being around in mid-2014 but both are legends in close to career-best form. The solution to such a conundrum will lie in the performances of their successors.

As a bare minimum, each and every friendly from now should be used to blend a squad of players who will carry the Socceroos through World Cup qualifiers and to the event itself. If the current senior-aged 'Roos - Schwarzer, Neill, Ognenovski, Emerton, Kewell - are able to maintain form and fitness at club level then they can integrate into squads for competitive fixtures as is necessary. The experience of each will mean upsetting the balance shouldn't be an issue and will leave Osieck to decide whether or not they can function in his game-plan.

An over-reliance on the long-ball for goals is the only cross next to Holger's name thus far. I am hopeful that with the opportunity to put his own stamp on the team he will strive to implement a strategy with greater avenues to goal.

So, once again, Australian football finds itself essentially facing the end of an era. But that doesn't mean it's an overhaul. Fresh faces with the talent to build successful international careers came to the fore in Qatar and will continue to present themselves as progress is made. Until the new mob gets a run we won't know how close they are to emulating the achievements of the Golden Generation. This is what makes it an exciting time in Australian football and I have enough faith - without being 100% convinced - that Holger Osieck can lead us right.

Let's just hope he doesn't persist with David Carney at left-fullback.