Asian Cup 2015: Socceroo Matt McKay admits midfield competition has him unsure of his spot

MATT McKay is certain the Socceroos will beat China in Thursday night’s Asian Cup quarter-final. He only wishes he was as sure of his own selection.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Matt McKay of the Socceroos is congratulated by team mates after scoring a goal during the 2015 Asian Cup match between Oman and Australia at ANZ Stadium on January 13, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

MATT McKay is certain the Socceroos will beat China in Thursday night’s Asian Cup quarter-final. He only wishes he was as sure of his own selection.

The return of skipper Mile Jedinak from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for Australia’s past two matches has further complicated Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s options ahead of the Suncorp Stadium showdown.

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Matt McKay admits he is uncertain of his spot in the Australian midfield.

Emerging star Massimo Luongo was the only Australian midfielder who started in the Socceroos’ three Group A matches.

McKay and Mark Milligan were starters in the Socceroos’ past two games, while stalwart Mark Bresciano has had to be content with two cameos off the bench.

It has been worse for Tommy Oar, who can play in either midfield or up front.

The former Brisbane Roar prodigy, who has been in terrific form for his Dutch outfit FC Utrecht and started in Australia’s three matches at last year’s World Cup, has had just 13 minutes of game during the Asian Cup.

Former national coach Pim Verbeek, who gave Oar his Socceroos debut in March 2010, recently said that it was time for the 23-year-old Gold Coast product to produce his best form at international level.

“His best six years are still to come,” Verbeek said of Oar, who has been linked with a move to Ajax.

McKay backed his former Roar teammate to deliver if chosen on Thursday night.

“Given an opportunity, he won’t disappoint,” McKay said.

“He tries his heart out all time.”

Tommy Oar has yet to make his mark at the Asian Cup.

As does McKay, but heart and courage won’t be enough to secure himself or Oar a spot against China.

It could be a case of one or the other, or they could both start on the bench, as was the situation in Australia’s tournament-opening 4-1 win over Kuwait, when James Troisi played in the midfield alongside Jedinak and Luongo.

“You can only have 11 on the field and we’ve got (22) that can play and do quite well. Everyone’s been training hard and will be available and whatever team Ange thinks will win the game will come out,” McKay said.

“Knockout football, everyone knows what it is. We’ve had pressure in all three games and this won’t be any difference. We’re not going to lose.”

A part of the Socceroos team that lost the 2011 Asian Cup final 1-0 to Japan, 32-year-old McKay is desperate to go one better four years later.

“I’m really enjoying my time and just excited be part of it. I want to win something and everyone is doing everything to be available and be ready and help the side,” he said.

“Our side’s got confidence and if we’ve got confidence, nothing’s going to stop us.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroo Matt McKay admits midfield competition has him unsure of his spot