Asian Cup 2015: Mile Jedinak passed fit, Aziz Behich and Jason Davidson battle for left-back spot
SKIPPER Mile Jedinak has been cleared, but who will join him in midfield and who gets picked between Aziz Behich and Jason Davidson? VOTE HERE.
Asian Cup
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SOCCEROOS captain Mile Jedinak will lead the side for Thursday’s Asian Cup quarter-final after completing Tuesday night’s session in Brisbane.
The light session barely lasted an hour, but Jedinak played in a small-sided game and looked unhindered by the ankle ligament strain that kept him out since the opening game against Kuwait 12 days ago.
Coach Ange Postecoglou has taken a cautious approach with the players after the stifling humidity in Brisbane last Saturday in the loss to South Korea.
Massimo Luongo, Mathew Leckie, Tomi Juric, Trent Sainsbury, Ivan Franjic and Matthew Spiranovic wore sneakers and trained separately to the main group with conditioning coach Craig Duncan.
BEHICH OR DAVIDSON? PICK YOUR SOCCEROOS XI FOR CHINA IN OUR SQUAD SELECTOR
They merely did light stretching having featured prominently in the group stages, and all aside from Spiranovic are likely to play against China on Thursday.
Mark Milligan, Matt McKay and Robbie Kruse then joined the group after doing a more intensive warm up.
Jedinak was part of the main group for the first time since straining ankle ligaments, and played in a training game, before being told to stand aside for the final 10 minutes as a precaution, where he continued kicking a ball.
Though the Socceroos didn’t work on shape, the Crystal Palace captain looks set to replace Mark Milligan in defensive midfield, despite the latter doing a sterling job deputising for Jedinak.
Attacker Mathew Leckie said Jedinak’s return would cause China headaches.
“It will be great, it’ll be tough for the other team to deal with, knowing that our captain’s back and he’s a strong presence in midfield,’’ Leckie said.
“He breaks down a lot of play and it’ll be a massive boost for all of us.
RACES FOR CHINA PLACES
Postecoglou’s selection quandaries for Thursday’s quarter-final
Left-back: Aziz Behich v Jason Davidson
Behich’s regular club football in Turkey gave him first crack but Davidson has been a regular since Postecoglou took charge and looked okay against Oman. A close call.
Midfield (no.8): James Troisi v Mark Bresciano v Tommy Oar v Matt McKay
Massimo Luongo’s spot assured, leaving one spot beside him. Troisi started game one and scored, while McKay played the last two. Bresciano has experience but hasn’t started in this tournament, while Oar has youth, a good club season under his belt and a point to prove.
Midfield (no.6): Mile Jedinak v Mark Milligan
If Jedinak is passed fit, it’s widely assumed that he will return, but Milligan has been outstanding in the last two games and if there’s any doubt at all, Postecoglou won’t hesitate to stick with Milligan.
“He’s a great player, he’s had a year and when they see him back they’ll be worried as well.’’
The contest between Aziz Behich and Jason Davidson for left-back remains one of several spots up for grabs as the knockout phase commences.
The Socceroos have used 18 players in the three group games, and Alex Wilkinson will become the 19th when he replaces suspended Spiranovic in central defence.
Only Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis and back-up keepers Mitch Langerak and Eugene Galekovic have been unused subs, while Aston Villa’s Chris Herd was ruled out with an achilles injury.
The Cahill-Kruse-Leckie is expected to be reinstated after all three started on the bench against South Korea, but midfield spots remain up for grabs, with Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht) and Qatar-based veteran Mark Bresciano all pushing for a start.
Turkey-based left-back Behich was recalled to the side in last Saturday’s loss to South Korea after making way for Davidson for the Oman clash in Sydney.
“It’s in the boss’s hands. I just have to make sure I am prepared well and if I am called upon I have a job to do,’’ Behich said.
“It’s been made clear every squad player is going to be needed. Nothing has been said.’’
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Mile Jedinak passed fit, Aziz Behich and Jason Davidson battle for left-back spot
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