Names including Tony Popovic, Graham Arnold, Guus Hiddink and Marcelo Bielsa were previously tipped to take the top job. Postecoglou was tasked with regenerating the Australian national team, which was deemed to have been too reliant on members of their Golden Generation of 2006, subsequently leading to a stagnation of results, culminating in successive 6-0 defeats to Brazil and France. In Postecoglou's first game as Australia's manager, a home friendly match against Costa Rica on November 19, Australia won 1–0, couresty of a goal from Tim Cahill. The goal was Tim Cahill's 29th goal for Australia, tying him with Damian Mori as Australia's leading international goalscorer. The win and performance by Australia were seen as positive signs for the team and the new coach, with many claiming it to be the start of a "new era" for the national team under Ange Postecoglou. For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Australia were drawn in Group B alongside reigning Cup holders Spain, 2010 runners-up Netherlands and Chile. Their first match was off to a lacklustre start, having conceded only a goal from Tim Cahill before losing to South America's Chile, 3–1. Their second match against the Netherlands was a close one, but their efforts ended in a 3–2 loss, thus earning their early exit along with the Spanish team. Australian fans praised the team for their outstanding efforts in a tough group. In the end, Australia finished Group B with a third defeat to former world champions Spain, 3–0. Australia's competitive World Cup performances in a difficult group lead to belief that a new Golden Generation was about to begin. In their first international match since the World Cup, Australia played World Cup quarter-finalists Belgium in Liège, with Australia going down 2–0. 4 days later, Australia achieved their first international win in 10 months, and just their second win under Ange Postecoglou, with a 2–0 victory of Saudi Arabia in London. After drawing against the United Arab Emirates, and suffering successive losses against Qatar and Japan, combined with previous poor results earlier in the year, saw Australia slip to 94 and 102 in the FIFA World Rankings, Australia's lowest ever FIFA World Rankings. Australia ended the year ranked 100th in the world. As the host nation of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Australia automatically qualified for the tournament. Australia's first game of the tournament was against Kuwait at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Despite falling behind in the 8th minute of the match, Australia won the match 4–1, courtesy of goals from Tim Cahill, Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and James Troisi.