Who will make Ange Postecoglou’s final cut when he announces his Socceroos 30-man squad?

THE moment of truth is here for the players dreaming of going to Brazil. Join us from 11am EST Wednesday for Ange Postecoglou’s announcement.

THE moment of truth has arrived for Australia’s best footballers.

At 11am EST on Wednesday, Ange Postecoglou will announce his preliminary squad of 30 players — to be whittled down to a final 23 — to take on the might of Spain, Netherlands and Chile in Group B of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

In football terms, the stakes don’t get much higher.

It’s set to be a watershed day for the A-League, with a record number of players selected.

SOCCEROOS POWER RANKINGS — WHO WILL MAKE ANGE’S TOP 30?

Join us from 11am EST for a live stream and blog of the Socceroos World Cup preliminary squad.

GOALKEEPERS

CERTAIN: Mat Ryan, Mitchell Langerak

CONTENDERS: Eugene Galekovic, Brad Jones, Mark Birighitti, Ante Covic

Mat Ryan’s manager might have dismissed rumours of a spectacular mooted move to Real Madrid, but no one can deny the Club Brugge stopper his spot in the Socceroos’ squad, ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Mitchell Langerak.

Brad Jones got the call-up for the Ecuador friendly, but is severely lacking game time having spent the season behind Simon Mignolet at Liverpool.

Eugene Galekovic was the No. 3 in South Africa and the Adelaide United goalkeeper would be a popular selection, while Newcastle Jets No. 1 Mark Birighitti had a solid A-League campaign and was part of the mini train-on squad camp held in Adelaide last week.

Goalie's Mat Ryan and Mitchell Langerak.

DEFENDERS

CERTAIN: Matthew Spiranovic, Curtis Good, Ivan Franjic, Jason Davidson

LIKELY: Ryan McGowan, Trent Sainsbury, Luke Wilshire

CONTENDERS: Alex Wilkinson, Osama Malik, Bailey Wright, Josh Brilliante, Michael Zullo

Experience is thin on the ground besides two-time World Cup veteran Luke Wilshire, and plenty will be expected of Matthew Spiranovic after his accomplished A-League season with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Curtis Good’s hip and Trent Sainsbury’s knee have thrown a real spanner in the works, with the latter in such doubt he might not even be included in the 30.

Ivan Franjic should retain his squad spot along with Leckie and Cahill.

Franjic and Davidson will be front-runners for the right and left-back roles, but who else will fill the centre-back availability? McGowan looks a solid option, given he is playing regularly in China and has utility value. Joenbuk Motors centre-back Wilkinson’s international credentials are still not quite established, while 21-year-old Bailey Wright, who was scouted by Postecoglou earlier in the year, could be a late bolter as he also vies to guide Preston North End to the English Championship.

Osama Malik, Tom Rogic, Adam Taggart and Josh Brillante in training last week.

Jets utility Josh Brilliante and Adelaide United defender Osama Malik will have their hopes lifted by their inclusion in Auerelio Vidmar’s mini train-on squad.

MIDFIELDERS

CERTAINTIES: Mile Jedinak, Mark Bresciano, Tommy Oar, Mark Milligan, Matt McKay, James Holland

LIKELY: Tom Rogic, Dario Vidosic, Adam Sarota, Massimo Luongo, Oliver Bozanic.

CONTENDER: Luke Brattan

The Socceroos fare a lot better in midfield, with some promising attacking options mixed with central players who have enjoyed regular game time across the globe.

Likely skipper Jedinak sent a scare through the Aussie camp when he hobbled out of Crystal Palace’s final Premier League game against Fulham, but has declared he will be fit for kick-off.

Mark Bresciano still has a key role to play.

A-League candidates Milligan and McKay will be rewarded for their regular contribution to the Socceroos; faith will be kept with Bresciano despite his four-month lay-off that ended earlier this year, while Holland (Austria Wien), Vidosic (FC Sion), Sarota (FC Utrecht) and Bozanic (Luzern) will all benefit from having played regular for their clubs throughout Europe.

Matt McKay gets tackled by Dario Vidosic and Tommy Oar.

Swindon Town’s Luongo looks to have timed his run to perfection, with Postecoglou a fan of the former Tottenham midfielder’s perseverance in England’s third tier, where his technique and strength have withstood the helter skelter nature of League One.

Six months ago, we were hoping for big things from Rogic in Brazil, but his injury-riddled return to the A-League has tempered those expectations a touch.

Massimo Luongo of Swindon holds off pressure from David Luiz.

FORWARDS

CE RTAINTIES: Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy, Matthew Leckie

LIKELY: James Troisi, Adam Taggart, Ben Halloran

Two Socceroos favourites are certainties to be included, with talisman Cahill and qualification hero Kennedy nabbing two spots, but there is a strong A-League flavour to the rest.

Former Adelaide United starlet Leckie and Gold Coast and Brisbane graduate Halloran will provide pace to the green and gold attack. FSV Frankfurt attacker Leckie has been a regular recent face in Socceroos circles while Halloran’s run of form in Bundesliga 2 is just at the right time as he steps up as a candidate to fill the void left by Robbie Kruse.

Ben Halloran brings pace and directness to the green and gold.

Postecoglou’s ties the A-League are well known, and we’re likely to see two of this season’s stars rewarded for their form. Taggart won the Golden Boot and Troisi, signed by Postecoglou, was outstanding for Victory. Both could provide gold scoring impetus and variety to the attack.

Adam Taggart with his Golden Boot.

Originally published as Who will make Ange Postecoglou’s final cut when he announces his Socceroos 30-man squad?