Asian Cup 2015: Five things to look out for as Socceroos play Oman in vital Group A clash

MILE Jedinak’s absence and the promise of squad rotation have set the scene for the Socceroos’ crunch clash with Oman tonight. Here’s what we can expect.

AFTER a stirring opening performance against Kuwait on Friday, the Socceroos can put one foot in the Asian Cup last eight with a win at Stadium Australia tonight.

Standing in their way is Oman, the gulf nation against whom Australia had to fight back from two goals down to snatch a draw the last time they met - funnily enough at the same venue, in a World Cup qualifier in March 2013.

The Omanis – led by former Socceroos coaching target Paul Le Guen – are ranked 93rd, seven places higher than Ange Postecoglou’s side, and provided stern tests in the four matches against Australia during 2014 World Cup qualifying – winning one and drawing twice home and away.

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With inspirational skipper Mile Jedinak out with an ankle injury and Postecoglou promising to rotate his players, the clash should provide a solid gauge as to how serious the Socceroos’ Asian Cup credentials are.

Here are five things to look out for tonight.

START ME UP!

The Socceroos were slow out of the blocks in their World Cup opener against Chile and clearly didn’t learn, conceding scrappily from a corner inside eight minutes against Kuwait to start their Asian Cup in the worst possible fashion. A strong second-half showing ensured it didn’t cost them. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan admits it’s become a problem but is confident the team can rectify things, starting tonight.

“It’s been mentioned to us many times in camp and it’s difficult against teams like this when you do fall behind because they have that bit of quality still too punish you,” he said.

“Now we have to grow up, learn from it and not let it be an ongoing thing. If we keep doing that at this tournament we’re going to find it difficult to keep progressing.

“Hopefully there’s a quick fix for that and I’m sure there will be with the analysis we do here and it will get sorted.”

Matthew Spiranovic says getting the three points, despite the early concession, eased the nerves and has given the squad plenty of confidence.

“There was a big build up to the Kuwait game, and the boys were pretty pumped – so predictably there were a few early nerves.

“But that’s behind us now and we’re off the mark now with three points, which should give us a lot of confidence.”

The Socceroos need to switch on from the start against Oman.

MILLY FOR A MILE

Mile Jedinak’s sore ankle means he’ll be restricted to the stands, with Melbourne Victory’s Mark Milligan set to take his place.

Postecoglou is keeping his cards close to his chest, but has no doubts whoever he calls upon will fill the void left by Australia’s bearded skipper.

“While it is not ideal for Mile to miss the game I’m confident we have the players and depth to be able to cover for not having him out there,” Postecoglou said.

Milligan hasn’t played a competitive game since being sent off for a stray elbow on Sydney FC’s Terry Antonis on December 13, ironically one of the men he is competing with for Jedinak’s vacant spot.

Jedinak’s composure on the ball and ability to build attacks from the back was decisive against Kuwait and Milligan will have to do the same to break down what should be a stubborn Oman – who were beaten 1-0 by South Korea in their Cup opener.

CAPTAIN CAHILL

Jedinak’s absence will also see Sydney boy Tim Cahill don the captain’s armband, and Australia’s record goalscorer couldn’t be prouder.

“To captain the Socceroos in my home city is a massive honour. I’ve always said from the start I don’t need an armband to be a leader, especially of this team and any team I’ve played with. But it’s going to be exciting because it’s a massive tournament,” he wrote in today’s News Corporation column.

“They are a very difficult side to beat. We’ve experienced in the past that it’s not easy to beat these countries — like Kuwait showed in the first few minutes you can definitely be hit hard if you’re not concentrating and defending probably. We’re definitely going to have to be careful.”

The evergreen striker – who scored his 37th national team goal with Australia’s opener against Kuwait – says he’ll lead bye example, and Postecoglou will be hoping so, with Cahill having scored three times against the Omanis in the past.

The New York Red Bulls striker wasn’t heavily involved on Friday, but he stood up when it counted. The onus tonight will be on the wide men – whether it be Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie or Tommy Oar – to provide faster service to the skipper.

NEW FACES GET ANGE AUDITION

Jedinak isn’t the only player to sit out tonight, with Postecoglou to shuffle the pack to ensure his players are fresh as the games start to pile up in the knockout stages.

Postecoglou lamented fatigue issues in the final group game of the World Cup against Spain, and is determined to not make the same mistake. Robbie Kruse is still recovering from a long-term knee injury and could be rested, while James Troisi’s spot in midfield is also up for grabs.

The back five could also be tinkered with, early reports suggesting Jason Davidson will be given a shot at left-back ahead of incumbent Aziz Behich.

Mark Milligan, Tommy Oar, Matt McKay and Nathan Burns could be given chance to impress. With a spot in the starting XI for the latter stages (should Australia get there) up for grabs, expect the new faces to come out firing in a bid to catch Postecoglou’s eye.

Oar’s delivery could be a real asset in delivering opportunities for Cahill and Tomi Juric, McKay’s energy in midfield tempers Jedinak’s absence and Burns almost guarantees goals, as he almost showed against Kuwait, with only the crossbar denying him in an exciting cameo off the bench.

YOUTH OF A NATION

The average age of Postecoglou’s backline against Kuwait was 24, and in Massimo Luongo, Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse, it’s the most youthful Socceroos side in a very long time. On Friday, Luongo was immense, capping his energetic performance in the middle of the park with a goal and an assist, and is after more of the same tonight.

“I was confident to try to get in the box a bit more because I knew that he’d be in the right areas if it broke down. The formation helps, the players we have helped, and it’s something I want to do — get in the box a lot more to try to score some goals,” he told News Corporation.

Trent Sainsbury, 23, offered assuredness at heart of defence next to Matthew Spiranovic – himself only 26 – the pair’s composure and ball-playing ability crucial to setting up attacks and getting it into wide positions quickly.

With Postecoglou continuing to reinforce the “four-year plan”, it’s tournaments like the Asian Cup that will serve to give these youngsters the highest level of experience that will hold them in good stead for Russia 2018 and beyond.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Five things to look out for as Socceroos play Oman in vital Group A clash