After testing the depth pool, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is preparing to take the plunge.
Postecoglou on Wednesday will name his squad for the looming friendly against Japan – Australia’s last fixture before hosting the Asian Cup in January.
The squad will be a key indicator to Postecoglou’s preferred players for the cup and end a sustained period of experimentation.
Postecoglou has used 43 players in his 11 internationals as coach which have returned two wins, seven losses and two draws.
He has deliberately cast a wide net in a shallow talent pool in the hope of discovering new depth.
The Socceroos’ boss says, apart from June’s World Cup in Brazil, the sides he has selected for past friendlies have been geared towards the Asian Cup.
“I’m making these decisions and I’m making them for a reason,” Postecoglou said after the Socceroos’ 1-0 loss to Qatar last month.
“And that is probably costing us in terms of performance and in terms of fluency.”
But now, only the fixture against Japan in Osaka on November 18 remains before he settles his Asian Cup squad – so it’s time to get serious.
Postecoglou will again call on his veteran core of captain Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano, with regular support cast Tommy Oar, Mathew Leckie, Robbie Kruse and Mark Milligan.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan remains Postecoglou’s first-choice shot-stopper, despite the Asian Champions League heroics of Western Sydney Wanderer Ante Covic.
Much interest will centre on Postecoglou’s defence, which still gives the coach his greatest headache.
Jason Davidson and Matthew Spiranovic appear defensive locks but who will Postecoglou favour from Trent Sainsbury, Ivan Franjic, Aziz Behich, Chris Herd, Trent Wilkinson and Nikolai Topor-Stanley?
And just how many A-Leaguers will be present in the squad? Will Postecoglou reward the stunning early domestic form of the likes of Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, Alex Brosque or Jamie Maclaren?
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