Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos players about to learn fate for tournament opener against Kuwait

WEDNESDAY is the first time Socceroos players will get an idea of the starting XI for Friday night’s Asian Cup opener against Kuwait at AAMI Park.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 06: Australian Socceroos Coach Ange Postecoglou speaks to the media at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on January 6, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

WEDNESDAY is the first time Socceroos players will get an idea of the starting XI for Friday night’s Asian Cup opener.

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As was the case in Brazil, media will be locked out 15 minutes into Wednesday morning’s training session, and that’s when the serious tactical work will commence.

After 11 days of training, the coaching staff would’ve used Tuesday’s rest day to gather their thoughts on individuals’ training performances, and discussed their club form and recent Socceroos performances.

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Now coach Ange Postecoglou would have a good idea of his first XI for the Kuwait clash at AAMI Park.

His starters will line up against the rest and he will chop and change throughout the X1 v X1 game at Lakeside Stadium.

If someone isn’t performing well, injury hits or one of the new inclusions blitzes, then his XI may change.

Right-back (Ivan Franjic or Chris Herd), stopper (Alex Wilkinson or Trent Sainsbury), left-back (Aziz Behich or Jason Davidson) and midfield (one of Tommy Oar, James Troisi, Mark Milligan, Matt McKay or Massimo Luongo) are the hotly contested spots.

These players won’t know whether they are in Postecoglou’s first XI plans or not until he hands out the bibs at around 10.30am.

Ange Postecoglou will be the centre of attention on Wednesday

Only keeper Mat Ryan, superstar Tim Cahill, stopper Matthew Spiranovic and captain Mile Jedinak would have gone to bed on Tuesday night confident of a starting berth.

Veteran Mark Bresciano and wingers Robbie Kruse and Mathew Leckie may have been restless, but they will sleep better in the knowledge that they should start.

I believe Franjic’s scintillating spell against Chile before getting injured will get him the nod at right-back ahead of Aston Villa’s Herd.

Behich’s regular football (he’s played every game) with Turkish side Bursaspor and impressive run against Japan edges him ahead of West Brom’s Davidson.

Who is going to make the Socceroos cut for Friday?

Wilkinson should get the nod over Sainsbury, who returned to full-scale training a week ago after his hamstring strain, but if overlooked the latter would probably get his chance against Oman four days later.

Having moved from wing to midfield with FC Utrecht and enjoying a breakthrough season, Oar could get the chance in midfield.

But Troisi’s Belgian form and Luongo’s impressive showing against Japan puts them in the frame, while experienced pair Milligan and McKay won’t let the coach down.

Some who miss out will get a chance to start the second game against Oman with the quick turnaround.

Tommy Oar is ideally placed to take a midfield role.

Come game three against South Korea in Brisbane, Postecoglou will basically pick his best XI from the first two games.

So while the first XI for Kuwait is on the verge of being settled, it could be a different side come quarter-final time on January 22.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos players about to learn fate for tournament opener against Kuwait