Arnold weighs new shape after losing Rogic

Graham Arnold has foreshadowed a potential Asian Cup quarter-final formation change.

Socceroos players celebrate with Mat Ryan after one of his penalty saves

Graham Arnold has foreshadowed a potential Asian Cup quarter-final formation change to paper over the void of suspended playmaker Tom Rogic.

The Socceroos will be without the key to their attack against the United Arab Emirates on Friday, after Rogic collected his second yellow card of the tournament in the 4-2 penalty shootout win over Uzbekistan.

The Celtic man had been the resplendent star of the show against group opponents Syria and Palestine.

And although his influence was markedly diminished in front of what Arnold called Uzbekistan’s “brick wall”, his absence robs the coach of his most creative weapon.

Rogic went into the book 20 minutes in for accidentally standing on Jalolidden Masharipov’s foot as he attempted a nutmeg, adding to his first caution in the 3-0 Palestine victory.

“The yellow card was a bit harsh because Tommy had no intent,” Arnold said. “He just had the ball at his feet. These things happen. We have the options and I can change the system if we need to.”

Rogic’s loss is a tough one to take. The 26-year-old’s passing range and penchant for a long-range stunner might have gone some way to cutting through the UAE.

Jackson Irvine is an obvious candidate to step in, however Arnold intimated his preference was to leave the Hull City midfielder deeper, where his physicality and aerial threat have been a strength.

“Regarding Jackson, we can change, he’s doing so well at No 6 but also we’ve got other players there,” Arnold said.

“And, as I said, I could change the system and play with two strikers, two No 9s, we could play with a diamond midfield. We’ve got plenty of options.”

Arnold also has other capable contenders including Massimo Luongo and Robbie Kruse, who both came off the bench late against Uzbekistan so have more left in the legs than their teammates who played 120 minutes.

Kruse, who is currently used as a winger but has previously been deployed as an attacking midfielder, has already put up his hand on the back of his solid spot kick in the shootout.

“I won’t put my hand down,” Kruse said. “We don’t know. There’s going to be some sore bodies so it’s about recovering and getting ready for the game.

“Obviously Tommy’s a huge loss — he’s an influential player in our team — but it’s always going to be a squad that gets the job done. It was the same last Asian Cup and it’ll be the same this one.”

Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan emulated his hero Mark Schwarzer when he saved two spot kicks against Uzbekistan to give Mathew Leckie the decisive penalty shot.

As a 13-year-old fan in ANZ Stadium’s stands, Ryan watched Schwarzer’s penalty shootout heroics against Uruguay that sent the Socceroos to a drought-breaking 2006 World Cup.

“What dreams are made of, simply put,” Ryan said. “My biggest memory as a kid was being at that Uruguay game and seeing Schwarzy’s heroics, and I never thought I’d be standing here today.

“I’ve just got my 50th cap and now after the events that unfolded tonight I’m pretty chuffed.

“To make my first penalty save for the national team in that situation is quite a nice feeling.”

Despite his rapid rise to the Premier League and having racked up 54 caps at the age of 26, it “bugged” Ryan that he’d never saved a penalty for his national team. He doubled down against Uzbekistan by keeping out two in his very first shootout for the national team.

Until then it had been a quiet night for Australia’s custodian, who was rarely called on throughout 120 minutes, save for an early one-on-one reflex stop that prevented a would-be Uzbekistan winner. But once the dreaded lottery was confirmed, he cut a figure of composure.