The Socceroos have confirmed their XI to face Honduras in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup inter-confederation play-off, with Tim Cahill named to start up front.
The star 37-year-old sat on the bench for 90 minutes during the first leg, played in San Pedro Sula. That came after he injured his ankle just weeks before during an A-League match for Melbourne City.
Tom Rogic and Mark Milligan have also been named in the front half of the field for Ange Postecoglou’s team, with Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine set to come from the bench in the other changes.
Australia will again run with three at the back. Matthew Jurman, Trent Sainsbury and Bailey Wright, who did the job in the first leg have been retained to start the second leg. They will be under plenty of pressure early from an expected free-flowing Honduran side with everything to play for.
Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan will play in the defensive midfield, while Rogic is joined by Aziz Behich, Matthew Leckie and superstar Huddersfield player Aaron Mooy.
1. Mat Ryan (GK)
4. Tim Cahill
5. Mark Milligan
6. Matthew Jurman
7. Matthew Leckie
8. Bailey Wright
13. Aaron Mooy
15. Mile Jedinak (c)
16. Aziz Behich
20. Trent Sainsbury
23. Tom Rogic
Substitutes
2. Milos Degenek
3. Alex Gersbach
9. Tomi Juric
10. Robbie Kruse
11. Joshua Risdon
12. Mitchell Langerak (GK)
14. James Troisi
17. Nikita Rukavytsya
18. Danny Vukovic (GK)
19. Ryan McGowan
21. Massimo Luongo
22. Jackson Irvine
You can join The Roar for a live blog of the match from 8pm (AEDT).
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yup. Apologies. Fixed now.
Kangajets
Guest
Rogic instead of juric I’m guessing
Kangajets
Guest
I would have liked Luongo But come on boys Let’s win this game tonight
Griffo
Roar Guru
Both attack and defensively solid. I think this is a statement that if there is a ball in (the air) Cahill has to put it away. Plenty of shots from top of the box otherwise.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Ah, Rogic and Cahill - makes far more sense.
Tupiza
Guest
You've got Juric on the field and on the bench, and Rogic unlisted?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Interesting. I assume Juric will be slightly advanced given Cahill's better ability in hassling the opposition when they are in transition and Mooy behind the two of them. Could be rather narrow though the fresh legs on Leckie may alleviate some of that.