Ange Postecoglou faces selection dilemma ahead of Socceroos’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Japan

YOU’RE only as good as your last innings. And the Socceroos were excellent last time out. So, does Ange Postecoglou pick and stick or bring in the big guns?

YOU’RE only as good as your last innings.

And the Socceroos were excellent last time out.

This poses a huge selection dilemma for coach Ange Postecoglou ahead of Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier against Japan, considering arguably his three most in-form stars were left out.

Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy and Celtic’s Tom Rogic did not play while Hertha Berlin’s Mathew Leckie only came off the bench in the meritorious 1-1 draw with then world No.4 Chile at the Confederations Cup.

Postecoglou faces a serious selection dilemma ahead of the Japan clash.

It was a bold performance noteworthy for the perfect execution of a high-tempo, physical pressing game which bullied the free-wheeling Chileans out of rhythm.

That level of intensity, both on and off the ball, has to be a non-negotiable for the 11 picked to start in Saitama.

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And while it would be bold of Postecoglou to leave out his best players for what is Australia’s most important game in years, the coach has to ask himself if the guys he brings in are able to execute his game plan in the way those did in the last match.

The only starter from that day not in Japan is left-sided Aziz Behich, who wasn’t picked.

Brad Smith is favourite to reclaim his position after he missed the Confeds Cup through injury, but then again Alex Gersbach was very impressive against Cameroon.

Will Ange including Aaron Mooy in his starting side?

Whether Mooy and Rogic can operate effectively in the same team is a huge point of conjecture.

The creative midfielders are in blistering form for their clubs, but the question has to be asked as to whether the team loses some of its collective pressing ability if they are both included.

And if they do come in, who of those who played against Chile misses out?

Jackson Irvine and Massimo Luongo were the holding midfielders that day and were mobile and adept going both ways.

Goalscorer James Troisi was named man of the match, while his fellow attacking midfielder - Tim Cahill - led from the front with his tackling pressure.

Any of that quartet would be stiff to miss.

Leckie could be a like-for-like replacement for Robbie Kruse on a wing, but Chile was Kruse’s best game for Australia in some time.

It is said that many players looked quizzically at each other when Postecoglou revealed the starting line-up to play Chile.

But if that match has done anything it’s that it has shaken up the idea of what Postecoglou’s “best XI” looks like.

So there will be no questioning the coach’s call when the teamsheet is unveiled on Thursday.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou faces selection dilemma ahead of Socceroos’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Japan