Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos squad depth to be tested against Oman

ANALYSIS: The Socceroos may have kicked off their Asian Cup in style, but don’t be surprised if several changes are made for Tuesday night’s clash with Oman.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Nathan Burns of Australia celebrates after Australia defeated Kuwait during the 2015 Asian Cup match between the Australian Socceroos and Kuwait at AAMI Park on January 9, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

THE Socceroos may have kicked off their Asian Cup in style against Kuwait, but don’t be surprised if several changes are made for Tuesday night’s clash with Oman.

Captain Mile Jedinak has been cleared of serious injury by the medical staff after rolling his ankle, but I suspect he’ll be wrapped in cotton wool.

Mark Milligan or Mark Bresciano will come in and play the No.6 role that Jedinak played perfectly on Friday as both a watchdog and playmaker.

A-League top scorer Nathan Burns played with ridiculous confidence after coming on in the 71st minute and could come into the first XI, with Mathew Leckie or Robbie Kruse to make way.

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Nathan Burns could be a Socceroos starter against Oman as Ange Postecoglou looks to rotate his squad.

Coach Ange Postecoglou must take into account a potential schedule of six games in 23 days for certain players if Australia advances to the final, and a cautious approach for Kruse is advisable.

Oman is the best chance to rotate, because South Korea in game three won’t be, nor the quarter-finals.

Right-back Ivan Franjic was brilliant, involved in the first three goals, but he and Trent Sainsbury are the big fitness question marks, and Postecoglou must assess if they can get through three games in nine days and/or four in 14 days incorporating the quarters.

Franjic’s last game was the Japan friendly on November 18, while stopper Sainsbury missed three weeks of training with a hamstring strain.

Aston Villa’s Chris Herd and Korea-based defender Alex Wilkinson would be the respective inclusions.

In-form Dutch-based midfielder Tommy Oar was stiff to miss out on the first XI and Postecoglou may use the ANZ Stadium (Sydney) clash to throw him in a player who’s used to the big stage, having started all three games in Brazil and reached 20 caps.

Had Massimo Luongo not produced a first-class performance he may have made way but it was probably no coincidence that he was subbed before the end, with goalscorer James Troisi likelier to be freshened up after an industrious 90.

Mark Milligan or Mark Bresciano are expected to replace Mile Jedinak in midfield.

It was a coin toss between Aziz Behich and West Brom’s Jason Davidson for left-back, so that’s another change Postecoglou will consider, though he would prefer to keep as much of the back five together as possible considering it was the first time they’d played collectively.

Then the big question, whether to rest talisman Tim Cahill or not.

Postecoglou would love to give a start to striker Tomi Juric and Oman will be his best chance, though Cahill will be fresh after coming off 20 minutes into the second half.

I suspect he will make four changes with Oar, Burns, Herd and Bresciano or Milligan to come in

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos squad depth to be tested against Oman