Asian Cup 2015: Ange Postecoglou sticks true to faith in youth with Luongo, Sainsbury inclusions

ANGE Postecoglou has never been afraid of throwing raw talents into a cauldron and will show that tonight with Massimo Luongo and Trent Sainsbury tonight.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Trent Sainsbury of Australia poses during an Australian Socceroos headshot session at the InterContinental Hotel, on January 3, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ANGE Postecoglou has never been afraid of throwing raw talents into a cauldron.

He did it at South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, and with the stakes higher than ever he will gamble on youth once again.

Massimo Luongo and Trent Sainsbury have just nine Socceroos caps between them but they look set to be the shock inclusions for Friday’s Asian Cup opener against Kuwait.

At 22 and 23 they’re young in Australian terms, but along with James Troisi, they will signify the new generation when they start at AAMI Park.

Troisi made one substitute appearance at the World Cup, replacing Tommy Oar against Spain and ironically it was those two competing for the one starting spot.

Stopper Trent Sainsbury was due to go to the World Cup but busted his kneecap landing on a sprinkler, though his four caps have come since Brazil, coupled with good form for Dutch side PEC Zwolle.

Despite training strongly in Brazil, Luongo never got a chance with Postecoglou throwing Matt McKay, Oliver Bozanic and Troisi in ahead of him.

Luongo has blitzed this season, albeit in England’s third tier, and the skilful and energetic midfielder produced his best Socceroos performance last outing away to Japan to secure his Asian Cup starting berth.

Trent Sainsbury of Australia poses in his Socceroos jersey in front of the flag.

Speaking last week, Mark Bresciano - the man Luongo’s likely to displace in the first XI - predicted a bright future for his younger teammate.

“Massimo Luongo is the player I would have my eye on,’’ Bresciano told the Herald Sun.

“He didn’t have an appearance at the World Cup but I think he can come forward and help the team.

“I’m not sure if he’s going to play or how much game time he’ll have, but I see some good qualities in him and he probably just needs that bit more game time with the Socceroos and confidence.’’

While Kuwait is a potential banana skin, the real Group A tests will come against Oman just four days later and South Korea on January 17.

Wily Bresciano will play a key role going forward and Postecoglou hinted that A-League top scorer Nathan Burns will feature, though most likely off the bench.

He said that the bulk of the 23-man squad will be used in the Asian Cup.

“We’re very mindful there is another game in four days’ time and we’re going to need everyone in the squad,’’ Postecoglou said.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Ange Postecoglou sticks true to faith in youth with Luongo, Sainsbury inclusions