Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou keeps everyone guessing on starting line-up for Thailand clash

ANGE Postecoglou has kept Thailand guessing ahead of this week’s crucial and unique World Cup qualifier, where the Socceroos’ Russia 2018 hopes are on the line.

Tim Cahill leads the Socceroos as they jog laps during training at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Sunday, September 3, 2017. Australia plays Thailand in their final group qualifier on Tuesday. AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING

Ange Postecoglou has kept Thailand guessing ahead of tomorrow night’s crucial and unique World Cup qualifier, where the Socceroos’ Russia 2018 hopes are on the line.

While Tim Cahill sat alongside the coach in the official pre-game press conference, Postecoglou would not confirm whether the Melbourne City attacker would come into the XI.

HOW CAN THE SOCCEROOS QUALIFY?

It is customary for the captain to attend the press conference with the coach and with Mile Jedinak out injured Cahill, who has won 101 international caps, would lead the side if he started.

Mark Milligan wore the armband in Japan, but Cahill is in contention to join midfielder Aaron Mooy and striker Tomi Juric as inclusions.

Tim Cahill’s selection remains unconfirmed.

“No not really (can we assume Cahill’s in the XI),’’ Postecoglou said.

“I’ll make those decisions, to be fair looking at the turnaround I probably won’t make the decision until tomorrow.

“The beauty of it is everyone’s recovered well from the first game. Having Tomi Juric and Aaron available now, they’re 100 per cent which is a bonus for us.

“It gives me a chance to look at the whole squad and put together an 11 that I think will get the job done tomorrow. Timmy’s certainly in those thoughts.

“I believe if we put in a strong performance give ourselves a chance of winning the game and winning it well.

“It’s exciting knowing that tomorrow night or the early hours of Wednesday morning we’ll know whether we’re in the World Cup or not.’’

Cahill, who came off the bench in the 2-0 loss to Japan, said the players were focused.

“We all know what’s on the line, there’s no special onus on this game,’’ Cahill said.

“The only thing that matters to us is winning and making sure we play great football.

“We have to stay compose and go out there and do what we normally do.’’

SOCCEROOS’ JAPAN WORRY

WORDS are one thing, actions are another.

So the noises being made by the Japanese camp are positive for the Socceroos, but the players they are leaving behind are not.

Japan plays Saudi Arabia in Jeddah at 3.30am on Wednesday in what is a dead rubber for the Japanese, given they have already qualified for next year’s World Cup on the back of last week’s 2-0 win over Australia.

But we need the Samurai Blue to do us a favour, by either taking points off the Saudis or at least avoiding a heavy defeat in order to help us sneak through with the second automatic qualification slot.

Otherwise, it’s the dreaded playoffs.

Players such as Leicester City star Shinji Okazaki and Southampton’s Maya Yoshida have vowed to maintain the rage in Jeddah.

But with captain Makoto Hasebe and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa being withdrawn from the travelling squad, there are suggestions that coach Vahid Halilhodzic might field an experimental line-up tomorrow.

And that, with the Saudis knowing exactly what they need to do to qualify, would not be a good result for Australia.

THE MATCH

SAUDI ARABIA v JAPAN

Wednesday, Jeddah, 3.30am

TAB odds: Green Falcons $2.20, draw $3.30, Samurai Blue $3.10

TV: Live on Fox Sports 4 from 3.30am