Socceroos v Syria: Playmaker Aaron Mooy dropped to the bench for crucial World Cup playoff match

SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou has made a shock change for tonight’s World Cup play-off with Syria, dropping Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy to the bench.

Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy, pictured left with Craig Goodwin, will start from the bench against Syria in Sydney tonight.

SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou has made a shock change for tonight’s World Cup play-off with Syria, dropping Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy to the bench.

Though Mooy was one of Australia’s brightest performers in last week’s 1-1 draw in the first leg, The Daily Telegraph understands that he will play only a bit-part role tonight.

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Tom Rogic comes into the side but not as a replacement for Mooy - instead Mathew Leckie will move from the central role where he was so effective in the first leg out to the right wing, replacing Josh Risdon.

Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy, pictured left with Craig Goodwin, will start from the bench against Syria in Sydney tonight.

The decision to drop Mooy is likely to be seen as a calculated gamble by Postecoglou, given the high stakes involved in tonight’s game.

Outstanding for Huddersfield since their promotion to the EPL, he has had to play a different, deeper role for his country.

If the Socceroos falter there will be huge questions asked over Mooy’s omission, though Postecoglou made clear he intended to shake-up his attacking stocks for the second leg.

Australia needs to win or achieve a goalless draw to go through to a final play-off against the fourth-placed side from the Central and North American region, with the winner of that qualifying for the World Cup.

Postecoglou has dropped substantial hints that Tim Cahill will lead the attack tonight.

Originally published as Socceroos v Syria: Playmaker Aaron Mooy dropped to the bench for crucial World Cup playoff match