Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos to test squad depth as Ange Postecoglou rotates his players

COACH Ange Postecoglou will tinker with a winning team to ensure the Socceroos’ Asian Cup is not derailed at the business end of the tournament.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Ange Postecoglou, coach of the Socceroos congratulates Matthew Spiranovic and Trent Sainsbury after the 2015 Asian Cup match between the Australian Socceroos and Kuwait at AAMI Park on January 9, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

COACH Ange Postecoglou will tinker with a winning team at Suncorp Stadium to ensure the Socceroos’ Asian Cup campaign is not derailed at the business end of the tournament.

With his team having already qualified for the quarter-finals and only needing a draw tonight against South Korea to top Group A, Postecoglou would not be blamed if he chose to field a second-string XI, particularly considering Brisbane’s oppressive heat and humidity.

But while ruling out wholesale changes to the team that thrashed Oman 4-0 on Tuesday night, Postecoglou said he would make a few alterations, just as he did after Australia’s tournament-opening 4-1 win over Kuwait.

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Ange Postecoglou says he will rotate his squad for the game against South Korea.

“The changes we make are made to ensure we have a team that can win the game,” he said.

“It will be the same (against South Korea). Not make too many changes but we will make enough to see team perform optimum level.”

The lesson has been learnt after last year’s World Cup in Brazil, where the Socceroos produced encouraging, albeit losing performances against Chile and the Netherlands, but were flat and lacklustre in their 3-0 loss to Spain.

“To go through tournament with core group of players just wouldn’t work,’’ Postecoglou said. “We found that out at the World Cup. We ran out of petrol after the second game.

“Whether we need to renew the energy levels of our players or in areas where (South) Korea are going to make some changes, that’s where we will focus our changes on.’’

Attacking weapon tommy Oar is in contention for his first start, while left back Aziz Behich is tipped to be recalled at the expense of Jason Davidson.

There is also a chance that Tim Cahill will be rested, which would give Tomi Juric a starting opportunity.

Mark Milligan is set to again start unless captain Mile Jedinak makes a miraculous recovery from the ankle injury that kept him out of the win over Oman.

“Mile is very keen to play and is doing everything right in his rehab but the team we put out (against South Korea) will be the team that we think will give us the best chance for success,” Postecoglou said.

“If that includes Mile that will be great but if not, he’ll definitely be right for the quarter-finals.”

South Korea coach Uli Stielike is wary of the Socceroos’ attacking options.

South Korea coach Uli Stielike had no interest in discussing Postecoglou’s selection options.

“I cannot control if he’s playing Davidson or Behich, I cannot control if he’s playing (Matt) McKay or (James) Troisi, I cannot control if he’s playing Juric or Cahill, so I don’t waste my time with this,” Stielike.

“They are strong enough. That’s what they’ve showed us until today.’’

South Korea also have a quarter-final berth booked but must beat Australia to top Group A.

“If you ask me what is more important, the game against Australia or the quarter-final, no doubt about it, it will be the quarter-final, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to fight for first position,” Stielike said.

“The big pressure, after achieving qualification, is out of the heads of both teams. I expect that both teams will offer a good spectacle because there will be a lot of people in the stadium, they’re paying good money and we have to look to play good football.’’

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos to test squad depth as Ange Postecoglou rotates his players