Asian Cup: Socceroos midfield a puzzle for Ange Postecoglou with five players chasing one spot
STUDS UP: With Ange Postecoglou yet to decide his Socceroos XI, there’s plenty to talk about as five players potentially vie for one spot.
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THE players have been left in the dark as the Socceroos coaching staff are locked away in tactical meetings over the next 48 hours to decide their first XI for Friday’s Asian Cup opener.
And midfield is giving Ange Postecoglou and his lieutenants the biggest headache as they weigh up five players for the final midfield position.
With captain Mile Jedinak playing defensive midfield, experienced Mark Bresciano looks set to hold down the second of three midfield spots.
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But with the Socceroos moving to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation, the final position is the most hotly contested in the squad.
Mark Milligan has held down the position recently for the Socceroos, but Matt McKay, Tommy Oar, James Troisi and Massimo Luongo are all vying for the spot.
Chat below with David Davutovic in STUDS UP LIVE and scroll below to continue reading this piece.
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“I’ve got some real options and some decisions to make,’’ Postecoglou said.
“I’ve got an idea what that starting XI looks like for the first game, but there’s a couple of guys that may push into it at training. Then during the game I’ve got some real options.
Training will be a big guide as to who starts on Friday, but the core of the first XI will be guys who’ve played in previous games.’’
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Bresciano said the new formation will suit the Socceroos.
“It just shows the style of football the coach wants to play, attacking,’’ Bresciano said.
“It’s a good time to change because in the Asian Cup we’ll be hoping to be the team dominating and having most of the possession.
Oar has a point to prove after an underwhelming World Cup and his ability to run at players compliments the technical Mark Bresciano.
“That formation might make it easier to break defences down because some teams will park their team behind the line of the ball and try and defend to keep it low scoring.’’
Troisi has shone since joining Belgians Zulte Waregem, while Luongo has pushed forward more this season for his English club Swindon Town.
Sydney FC’s Terry Antonis is the only one certainly out of contention for Kuwait, but he is almost certain to get minutes at the Asian Cup.
“They’re quick turnarounds, there’s one less day to recover than the World Cup, and we’ll rotate the squad,’’ Postecoglou said.
THE BATTLE FOR MIDFIELD - the five players competing for one spot against Kuwait
17. Matt McKay, Age: 31, Caps: 50, Goals: 1, Club: Brisbane Roar
STYLE: Mr reliable, whose directness and stamina is perfectly suited to Australia’s system and his performance against the Netherlands did wonders for his confidence.
5. Mark Milligan, Age: 29, Caps: 33, Goals: 2, Club: Melbourne Victory
STYLE: Started in the World Cup opener against Chile before injury struck. The more attacking formation isn’t ideal for Milligan, whose strength is his defensive awareness, but he can play.
11. Tommy Oar, Age: 23, Caps: 20, Goals: 1, Club: FC Utrecht
STYLE: Formerly a winger, his club now uses him more centrally and he’s adapted well. He’s capable of beating players and setting up goals, though he’s still most dangerous from set pieces.
14. James Troisi, Age: 26, Caps: 16, Goals: 1, Club: Zulte Waregem, BEL
STYLE: His move to Belgium will fill the lightning quick attacker with confidence, after netting four goals in 14 games. The left-footer is more suited to the central role and will get minutes.
21. Massimo Luongo, Age: 22, Caps: 5, Goals: 0, Club: Swindon Town, ENG
STYLE: The big bolter since the World Cup, where he made the 23-man squad but didn’t play. On fire playing attacking midfield with his club and it’s showed in his Socceroos performances since Brazil.
DAVUTOVIC’S VERDICT:
Tommy Oar: Based in the Netherlands, he’s playing at the highest level of the five and though he hasn’t scored he’s racked up seven assists in 12 games (only Ajax’s Davy Klaassen, 8, has more).
Originally published as Asian Cup: Socceroos midfield a puzzle for Ange Postecoglou with five players chasing one spot
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