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Cahill left on bench for Japan clash

Roar Guru
18th November, 2014
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Veteran Socceroos Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano have been left on the bench for Australia’s crucial Asian Cup warm up match against Japan.

Cahill was declared fit for Tuesday’s clash at Osaka’s Yanmar Stadium after sustaining a hip injury but was not named for the starting side.

Coach Ange Postecoglou instead went with the attacking trio of Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie and James Troisi.

Aziz Behich, who plies his trade in Turkey with Bursaspor, was named at left-back instead of Jason Davidson, who held the role at the World Cup.

Trent Sainsbury will partner Alex Wilkinson in the centre of defence with Ivan Franjic at right-back.

Massimo Luongo, Matt McKay and skipper Mile Jedinak make up the midfield with Mat Ryan in goals.

Japan coach Javier Aguirre has made just one change for the side that dismantled Honduras 6-0 last week, with Kosuke Ota replacing injured defender Atsuto Uchida.

Aguirre has named his strongest side to start featuring big names Keisuke Honda, who plays for AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa.

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Australia starting line-up: Mat Ryan (gk), Ivan Franjic, Alex Wilkinson, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich, Mile Jedinak (capt), Massimo Luongo, Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, James Troisi.

Japan starting line-up: Eiji Kawashima (gk), Masato Morishige, Kosuke Ota, Maya Yoshida, Gotoku Sakai, Yasuhito Endo, Makoto Hasebe (capt), Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda, Yoshinori Muto.

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