Tim Cahill urges his ‘unknown’ teammates to make a name for themselves in green and gold

SOCCEROOS pin-up boy Tim Cahill said some of his young “unknown” teammates can put themselves on the map, starting with the send-off game.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Tim Cahill of Australia warms up during an Australian Socceroos training session at ANZ Stadium on May 25, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

SOCCEROOS pin-up boy Tim Cahill said some of his young “unknown” teammates can put themselves on the map, starting with the send-off game against South Africa.

Cahill will wear the captain’s armband with skipper Mile Jedinak (groin) ruled out of the clash at ANZ Stadium, leading a side that’s likely to resemble the team to face Chile on June 13.

Likely to play up front in a 4-3-3 formation, Cahill said no-one’s spot was safe and hailed the impact the younger players had made in training.

Matthew Leckie, James Holland, Ben Halloran, Massimo Luongo and A-League top scorer Adam Taggart were among the youngsters set to feature tonight in front of 50,000-plus fans.

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Cahill, who announced himself with a stunning double after coming on against Japan in Kaiserlautern in 2006, said tonight was a great chance to provide a shot of confidence ahead of Brazil.

“I’m hoping for mature young athletes that are going to contribute tomorrow night and the future,’’ Cahill said.

“Now it’s up to them to grasp the opportunity and who knows, this World Cup one, two or three of them could be the heroes of our team.

“They’re the unknown and that’s what’s even more special about our team, when you’re young and fearless you do things and you don’t know what’s going to happen and it can end up in the back of the net.

“This is the start of their career, the start of some big things and hopefully they can be consistent and realise that professionalism and a good attitude can take them a very long way.

“A good performance breeds confidence for themselves and the team and the belief in each other.

“The depth is great, nobody is safe.’’

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Mat Ryan at training.

Club Brugge’s Mat Ryan is set to play a full game after coach Ange Postecoglou quipped he was hoping not to use three keepers again after sub Mitch Langerak was sent off against Ecuador.

Postecoglou said while there were other objectives, tonight would be a test run for their World Cup opener in Cuiaba.

“It won’t be an exact replica but certainly some of the elements of it will be stuff we want to work on for the Chile game. A lot of our focus in this build up will be on that first game,’’ Postecoglou said.

“This game has become an important part of our preparation, both in terms of getting match fitness up for some of the players who haven’t played for a while and working on our game style and shape.

“Some of the players will be in because they’ve trained well, others because they may need a game or we want to have a look at the in certain areas.’’

Although Kaizer Chiefs sharpshooter Bernard Parker was among several South African omissions, coach Gordon Igesund quashed claims that his team was in crisis.

Led by Ajax Amsterdam’s attacking star Thulani Serero, Igesund declared Bafana Bafana would put on a good show.

“There’s a couple of so-called big-name players missing, but it’s a new generation and it’s a formidable team and a highly talented squad,’’ Igesund said.

“The squad I’ve got ere is part of a group of about about 34 that I’ve selected to take us forward for the 2015 African Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup.’’

AUSTRALIA

Coach: Ange Postecoglou

Likely line-up: 4-3-3

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Ryan

Franjic McGowan Spiranovic Davidson

Bresciano

Holland Milligan

Leckie Oar

Cahill

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SOUTH AFRICA

Coach: Gordon Igesund

Likely line-up: 4-2-3-1

Ranthie

Patosi Serero Phala

Kekana Letsholonyane

Mokeke Mkhwanazi Nthethe Ngcongca

Williams

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Originally published as Tim Cahill urges his ‘unknown’ teammates to make a name for themselves in green and gold