SOCCEROOS players are being deliberately kept in the dark about the starting line-up for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
Coach Ange Postecoglou is maintaining his preference of not telling his players his starting line-up until match day.
“We don’t really know the team until match day,” said captain Mile Jedinak.
“It’s a thing that keeps everybody on their toes and allows people to prepare as if they’re starting no matter what.
“Obviously there’s only 11 shirts up for grabs for that starting position.
“But we’re always made aware that you might not start the game however you may make the biggest impact in the game when you do come on.”
Jedinak said players were comfortable with Postecoglou’s selection tactic.
“It’s a great way of doing it,” he said.
“We’re all used to it now so we just get on with it and we’re all here to support each other no matter what.
“Whether we start, whether we’re coming off the bench or whether we don’t play at all, everyone is just as important.”
The permutations are many and varied.
So to help you understand what us Aussies are hoping for and what we’re dreading, here are all the Socceroos’ World Cup qualification scenarios:
- The dream …
Australia win – and win well. Japan lose to Iraq in Tehran and Thailand beat UAE at home. That would leave three teams on top with 16 points with two games to play and effectively eliminate UAE as a threat to poach one of the three positions.
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Wouldn’t complain …
Australia win. Japan pick up a point in Tehran against Iraq to edge one point ahead of the Socceroos and Saudi Arabia. That leaves everything to play for in the final two games.
- Take it on the chin …
Australia win to draw level with Saudi Arabia while Japan win as well to kick three points ahead.
- Not ideal, but it could be worse …
Australia draw and Japan lose. That would mean Saudi Arabia is three points in front with two games left, Japan would be second, with Australia two points further back in third and would be looking over their shoulder nervously if UAE beat Thailand to move to within three points of third
-
Anxiety grows ….
Australia draw and Japan draw. Saudi Arabia and Japan would maintain their three-point advantage and with two games left the Socceroos would be relying on one of them to slip up.
- Slipping away ….
Australia draw and Japan pull off victory against Iraq. That puts a lot of pressure on the Socceroos to get a win in Japan and then hope the Japanese can beat Saudi Arabia in their last game.
- Barely afloat …
Australia lose and Japan lose. That would mean Saudi Arabia would be in the box-seat to qualify and Australia would need to win their match against Japan at the end of August. If that happened then the final round of matches promises to be very nervy.
-
Uh oh, we’re in trouble ….
Australia lose and Japan draw. This scenario puts Australia four points behind second-placed Japan and hoping for a top two miracle.
- Hello, third place …
Australia lose, Japan win against Iraq and UAE fall to Thailand. That leaves the Socceroos six points behind and with an inferior goal difference should they finish level on points. UAE losing would be significant because it would leave Australia four points ahead in third place with two games left.
- Fly in the ointment …
UAE aren’t completely out of the race. Wins over Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Iraq would have them on 18 points. That’s probably not enough to fill one of the top two places but it would certainly make things interesting for third.
Originally published as Ange playing Socceroos cards close to chest
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