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Who should replace Mile Jedinak?

Chris Aloi new author
Roar Rookie
11th January, 2015
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Australia's (Source: AFP/Ian Kington)
Chris Aloi new author
Roar Rookie
11th January, 2015
33

With captain Mile Jedinak ruled out of the Socceroos next AFC Asian Cup clash against Oman, coach Ange Postecoglou has a decision to make as to whoo to replace him with in the starting side, and what role they’ll play.

Mark Bresciano, Mark Milligan, Matt McKay and Terry Antonis are all options for a coach who will likely want to use the same formation as he did against Kuwait, with the one ‘screening’ midfielder at the base of a three man midfield. So let’s run through these four candidates to find out who can best fill Jedinak’s boots.

Mark Bresciano
Mark Bresciano is a veteran of the Australian team and has a wealth of experience at international level. His ability to see a pass is unrivalled in this current Australian team and most observers would agree that to have him initiating play would be a positive.

Whilst he has shown the ability to play a deeper midfield role for the Socceroos previously this is not his most effective position. Breaking up the opposition’s offensive breaks and general defensive duties have never been Bresciano’s forte and question marks remain over his ability to play out a full 90 minutes, having generally been used by Postecoglou for 20-30 minutes shifts in a more advanced, high-impact midfield role.

Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan has been a mainstay under Postecoglou in central midfield and appears the most obvious ‘like-for-like’ swap for the injured captain. He is mobile and well suited to the role of breaking up opposition attacks. He plays at the base of midfield for his club Melbourne Victory, however this is as part of a holding pairing with Carl Valeri where he has a licence to get into more attacking positions.

Milligan hasn’t featured for Australia since the friendly against U.A.E in October and hasn’t played a competetive match for a month due to suspension after elbowing Sydney FC midfielder and Socceroos teammate Terry Antonis. As a result, it would be very risky for Postecoglou to pick Milligan for a starting role but he is an experienced campaigner who has done the job for his country on a number of occasions in the past.

Matt McKay
Possessing a huge engine and plenty of tenacity, McKay is an experienced central midfielder, comfortable in almost any role, even playing many times for the Socceroos under Holger Osieck at left back, highlighting his versatility.

He generally plays a more advanced central midfield role for the Brisbane Roar, ahead of Luke Brattan in a 4-3-3 formation, but he should be able to adjust Postecoglou’s style of play.

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He was called upon as a replacement when Milligan injured his hamstring during last years World Cup and performed admirably before backing up with a strong performance against Japan in December.

Terry Antonis
At 21 years of age Terry Antonis is the youngest member of the Socceroos Asian Cup squad. He is currently in the midst of a breakout season at Sydney FC, where his partnership with Milos Dimitrevic in the centre of the park has been impressive.

A sound technician and excellent reader of the game, it would represent a surprising and risky selection given his inexperience. However Postecoglou has consistently shown a willingness to give youth a chance in his time as national team manager, with his selection of 22 year old Massimo Luongo to start in the opening Cup match against Kuwait in just his sixth game being vindicated.

So, who do you think should get the nod? Have your say below.

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