Ange Postecoglou has left the door open for a serious selection shake-up as he seeks safe passage for the Socceroos to the Confederations Cup semi-finals.
The national team coach has promised “at least” two changes for Thursday night’s (Friday 1am AEST) clash with Cameroon.
The Socceroos’ path to the final four of the Russian tournament is peril following their first-up loss to Germany.
The side must tally a minimum of four points against the African champions and South American powerhouse Chile three days later to be in with a shot of progression.
With that in mind, Postecoglou must balance the demands of the tournament with what he can demand from his players.
“With the games so close together, it doesn’t make sense to just keep going with the same eleven. We’ll make a couple changes,” Postecoglou said.
“I’m confident in the changes. We’ve got enough players ready to step up.”
Massimo Luongo is likely to come out of central midfield, where Aaron Mooy or Jackson Irvine could come in or Jimmy Jeggo could debut.
Irvine could also move higher up the pitch to spare Tom Rogic, with Robbie Kruse and James Troisi other attacking midfield options.
Wide players Mat Leckie and Aziz Behich – asked to do a power of work in the 3-2-4-1 formation – could be rested.
There are several candidates to replace Leckie, with Alex Gersbach the obvious left-sided switch.
Ryan McGowan is a likely inclusion in defence.
And the Asian Cup-winning coach could also flip his goalkeepers for a fifth successive game, bringing in Mitchell Langerak for Mat Ryan.
Despite the changes, there’s no suggestion he sees Cameroon as easybeats.
Many have pinned the match against world No.32 Cameroon as the easiest of the three group stage matches, but Postecoglou disagrees.
“I don’t see any game as more winnable … if you start thinking in those terms you might miss an opportunity along the way,” he said.
“We’re aware of what they can bring. The showed against a very good Chile side they can dangerous, particularly in transition.
“They’re here for a reason. I don’t think (the Cameroon match) is going to be any easier than the first one or the third one.”
The one thing that won’t be changing is the side’s high pressing game.
The system has divided Socceroos fans but Postecoglou said his players were as committed to getting it right as he was.
“(The players are) loyal participants. They’re trying to execute and play the type of game we want. The changes we make to the formation, they’re willing to embrace and understand why we’re doing it.
“I’m absolutely over the moon that there’s debate. That’s exactly what I want.
“If we’re going to find our identity it’s going to be through vigorous debate. That’s happening. That’s a massive positive for our game.”
hani
Guest
You are dreaming. As a Football coach Ange has achieved NOTHING outside of Australia.
hani
Guest
Not enough friendlies. Friendlies must be enforced by the FFA and Ange must just put up with it. He hates friendlies, because they are work.
Nemesis
Guest
Line up announced ---------------Ryan --Degenek------Sainsbury------Wright ----------Milligan-------------Mooy Gersbach--Rogic--Kruse--Leckie -------------Juric
yahzeel-shebadr
Guest
This comment is disturbing on many levels. You probably sleep with a photo of Ange next to you. Way too much time on your hands for someone so qualified (apparently).
Nemesis
Guest
In 2005, Craig Foster tore Ange to shreds in that infamous interview on SBS after the failure of the u20 team at the World Championships in Holland. 12 years later he's giving Ange his full endorsement. Who knows, in 12 years time some of the keyboard critics, who don't look beyond the previous 90 minutes, may educate themselves & understand what Ange is he's doing. Australia is on the right path. Going forward, trying to attack, being aggressive against every team and thereby learning how to adapt our development systems, training methods and tactical approach to this end. Trouble is, as soon as there is some pressure, the calls to go backwards intensify. Full article: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/blog/2017/06/22/why-postecoglou-must-double-down-his-approach
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It's good to see Ange is chuffed with debate regarding formations and the like (maybe he is reading The Roar after all :) ). We may end up at each other's throat however at least the topics are the right ones.
2 Left Feet
Guest
Yes he missed them, but the kiwis created them against Mexico. That's the type of player Wood is, he misses the easy goals and why Leeds supporters get frustrated with him. But scoring 30+ goals this year proves he is an above average player. Did I say Reid played? Thought he was injured this season and out of action with West Ham in the PL.. He is a much better defender, when fit than anything we have.
Lionheart
Guest
I watched the NZ match in full (in UK), and to be honest, Wood is not quality, or was not in that game. As Nemesis says, he had plenty of opportunities with lots of space in his favor but simply fired off his attempts straight to the goal keeper. Their A League contingent did not let them down - Barbarousis and Rojas, Dane Ingham and McGinchey never stopped. But like us, they need more quality.
Nemesis
Guest
Chris Wood missed 2 one-on-one opportunities today. Were you impressed by how Winston Reid played against Mexico and Russia?
2 Left Feet
Guest
You have to wonder how we would go against the Kiwis these days. They have a excellent CB in Winston Reid and a good CF in Chris Wood.
Nemesis
Guest
Just watched Ange's post-match interview after Germany & his pre-match today before the Cameroon game. Thoroughly enjoyable 1/2 hour of listening to Ange. My only disappointment is that he's not going to be in charge longer.
j,binnie
Guest
This headline is a tad misleading. With all the debate going on about AP's "new" system the reader is left to wonder where the "re- shaping" is going to take place. Perhaps "changing and/or resting players" would have made for clearer reading. One is left to wonder just what is the Socceroos "best" eleven at this time,for as we progress further and further towards the World Cup Finals, the chopping and changing of personnel seems to go on unabated, and surely that cannot be good for settling a team into a comparatively "new" team formation. The second half against Germany showed that the quicker movement of the ball,with a tad more accuracy certainly gave the impression of improvement but those improvements would suggest a better comprehension of how the game has to be played today rather than a systems based improvement. Let us hope that simple improvement continues to gather momentum. Cheers jb.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Mexico comes from behind to beat the Kiwis 2:1. And some 'ugly' scenes are played out. http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/confederations-cup-ugly-scenes-mar-mexicos-win-over-new-zealand-20170621-gww0wg.html Let's see how we go tomorrow morning. Hopefully we don't concede really early as we seem to have done recently.
Realist
Guest
Why not play both Fadida? :) or save that for Chile
Fadida
Guest
Oh good, Ryan McGowan