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The countdown to the 2014 World Cup is on. Australia takes on Ecuador in London in one of the last Socceroos’ last friendly hitouts before the tournament begins in Brazil. Join me from 6.30am AEDT for all the action from the Den in London.
New Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou has rung the changes in only his second match in charge after replacing Holger Osieck. Postecoglou has dropped captain Lucas Neill while other stalwarts such as Mark Bresciano, Josh Kennedy and Sasa Ognenovski are also absent.
A whole host of new players have been included in the 23-man squad and several youngsters have the chance to make their debuts.
In comes Swindon Town attacker Massimo Luongo and Dundee United stopper Curtis Good, but sadly Aston Villa defender Chris Herd and Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ben Halloran have been forced to withraw. Alex Wilkinson and Brett Holman join instead.
It is a young squad, one with a look ahead to the 2015 Asian Cup as well, as Postecoglou looks to rejuvenate and enliven the national team.
Olly Bozanic will look to add to his small number of caps, along with Jason Davidson, Ivan Franjic and Ryan McGowan.
With Neill and Ognenovski missing out, and Rhys Williams injured, a new defence will need to be established.
Olyroo captain Good could feature alongside Matt Spiranovic in a young partnership while Luke Matt McKay, Luke Wilkshire or Franjic offer more experience at fullback.
It will be fascinating to see what formation Postecoglou puts out and what XI he picks – will Tom Rogic start and be given the number 10 shirt? Will Tim Cahill have the job to do upfront, or he will go with Matthew Leckie or Dario Vidosic as part of a three-pronged front line?
How will Mass Luongo fit in? Will he go with one or two holding midfielders, and which of Mile Jedinak, James Holland and Mark Milligan will get the gig?
And with Matt Ryan, Brad Jones and Mitch Langerak all vying to be the starting goalkeeper, who will Postecoglou choose?
Spots in the World Cup are at stake and a good performance tonight at the home of Millwall FC could go a long way in cementing a ticket to Brazil.
While certainly some players will already be near certainties for the tournament, like Jedinak, Cahill and Bresciano, many other positions are up for grabs. The Socceroos will play South Africa at home after this and then they are off to Brazil, with a few friendlies scheduled there before the World Cup starts proper with the game against Chile.
Time is running out and World Cup dreams could be made or broken at the Den against Ecuador.
While a result against the South Americans, who finished fourth in their World Cup qualifying zone, would be welcome it will be more about the performance.
Who stands out? Who can step up to the plate? Who gives the Socceroos something different and is up to the monumental challenge of facing Spain and Holland?
It should be fascinating to watch.
Ecuador are no easybeats and are ranked 24th in the world, 29 places below Australia. Key players for the La Tri include Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia, Dynamo Moscow’s Christian Nobia and Santa Fe’s Edison Mendez. Most of Ecuador’s squad ply their trade at home with a handful in Mexico, a sprinkling in Europe and two – Felipe Caicedo and Segundo Castillo – playing their club football in the Middle East.
These largely inexperienced Socceroos are certainly in for a challenge.
Join me for insight and all the action from south London, and get involved in the conversation below, from 6.30am AEDT.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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