2015 Asian Cup: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou loves flexibility squad offers

THE Socceroos’ Asian Cup fate could be attached to the impact made by the seven inclusions from the World Cup squad, including Robbie Kruse and Nathan Burns.

OSAKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 18:Robbie Kruse of Australia dribbles the ball during the international friendly match between Japan and Australia at Nagai Stadium on November 18, 2014 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images)

THE Socceroos’ Asian Cup fate could be attached to the impact made by the seven inclusions from the World Cup squad.

The core comes from the remaining 16, who are expected to perform at least on par with the World Cup, including captain Mile Jedinak, talisman Tim Cahill, star midfielder Mark Bresciano and composed stopper Matthew Spiranovic.

But the squad’s depth is best measured not by the five friendly results since Brazil that have seen Australia’s FIFA ranking plummet below 100, but the new boys.

Robbie Kruse replaces Ben Halloran, Chris Herd (Ryan McGowan), Trent Sainsbury (Bailey Wright), Aziz Behich (Oliver Bozanic), Terry Antonis (James Holland), Tomi Juric (Adam Taggart) and Nathan Burns (Dario Vidosic).

Five of the seven inclusions are multi-position players, who are priceless during such tournaments.

But most importantly three of the ins look set to start (Kruse, Behich and Sainsbury), with Kruse having the potential to be the chief attacking weapon depending on his confidence/physical state, after recently returning from a knee reconstruction.

Herd’s recent performances suggest he is pushing Ivan Franjic hard for a role at right-back, while Antonis and Burns are two of the A-League’s form players and will feature.

Juric is a curious one - an inconsistent striker whose best has been brilliant and coach Ange Postecoglou hopes he can cause Asian national team defences as many problems as he caused club defences in the Champions League.

He is likely to be used in an impact role for or alongside Cahill, and could even start a game or two depending on form.

“I’ve got a lot more flexibility with the team I can put out there and off the bench than I had at the World Cup,’’ Postecoglou said.

“Going to Brazil there was a core group of players I was pretty confident about but there were quite a few I hadn’t worked with and there were only three lead up games I’d seen them in.

“It’s not so much about their ability to play, but their ability to play the kind of football I want them to.

“And all the (Asian Cup) inclusions can play the type of football we want to play.’’

Postecoglou has used 44 players since taking over in October 2013, and has a good idea of his XI for the Kuwait opener on January 9.

But the 12-day Melbourne training camp gives some of the fringe players a chance to impress.

Swindon Town’s Massimo Luongo has arguably been the find since Brazil while Antonis’ Sydney FC form has been stunning, with the pair pushing Mark Milligan in the no.8 position.

While Postecoglou will be keen to assess James Troisi and Tommy Oar, who’ve had breakthrough campaigns for their European clubs.

“I’ve got an idea of what the starting 11 will look like for that first game, but there’s a couple of guys who may push into it through their training and then during the game I’ve got some real options,’’ Postecoglou said.

“We’re going to have to rotate the squad because they’re quick turnarounds, there’s one less day recovery compared to the World Cup.

“If you look at a tournament situation, the areas where you’re likely to get changes with substitutions and rotations in midfield and up front and we’re carrying extra numbers and I expect everyone involved in those areas to play at some point.’’

Originally published as 2015 Asian Cup: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou loves flexibility squad offers