Socceroos Australia v South Africa [Friendly] 7:30PM ANZ Stadium

[Vitalogy]

Radio http://www.abc.net.au/radio/player/?station=grandstand from 7:00pm
TV: Live on Fox Sports from 7:00pm

By Sportal Updated 24 may
Australia look set to give fringe players a chance to impress in their farewell game against a weakened South Africa on Monday.
Ange Postecoglou has injury and fitness concerns ahead of the clash in Sydney, and is unwilling to take too many risks ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Several spots in the Socceroos' final 23 remain up for grabs, with Postecoglou to cut his squad to 27 on Tuesday before they leave for Brazil a day later. Captain Mile Jedinak (groin), attacking midfielder Tom Rogic (groin) and centre-back Curtis Good (hip flexor) are unlikely to play against South Africa.

Josh Kennedy, Mitch Langerak and Dario Vidosic, who arrived in camp late, may also be left out. Australia assistant Ante Milicic said no risks would be taken for the friendly at ANZ Stadium. "He (Postecoglou) doesn't need to risk anybody who's got any question marks (over their fitness)," Milicic said on Friday.

"It's not a game where we have to risk any players and there's probably players that he wants to see a little bit more than others and he'll make that call." Fighting for places in the final 23, Preston North End defender Bailey Wright and Jeonbuk Motors centre-back Alex Wilkinson will be out to impress. The likes of Massimo Luongo, James Holland, Oliver Bozanic and Adam Sarota are also likely to get some game time. A-League Golden Boot winner Adam Taggart will be eager to stake his claim, while the nation's all-time leading goalscorer in Tim Cahill is sure to play his part.

South Africa's plans for their friendlies against Australia and New Zealand were ruined with 11 players pulling out of the initial squad. Due to a combination of injuries and clubs unwilling to release players, South Africa coach Gordon Igesund was forced to hastily rebuild his squad with seven players brought in before the team flew out of Johannesburg on Tuesday. Igesund's side will take on Australia then travel to Auckland to play New Zealand on May 30. Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace), Siyanda Xulu (Rostov), Andile Jali (Oostende), Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker, Tsepo Masilela and Itumeleng Khune (all Kaizer Chiefs) did not travel.

South Africa have won 11 of the 20 matches played between the two countries, but another victory looks unlikely given their absences.

 

[Vitalogy]

Socceroos Starting XI: Ryan Franjic McGowan Wilkinson Davidson Holland Milligan Troisi Oar Cahill (c) Leckie #GoSocceroos #AUSvRSA

SUBS: Josh Kennedy, Adam Sarota, Matthew McKay, Eugene Galekovic, Dario Vidosic, Massimo Luongo, Adam Taggart, Josh Brilliante, Ben Halloran, Bailey Wright, Oliver Bozanic.

SOUTH AFRICA XI: Meyiwa, Mokeke, Nthethe, Ngcongca, Kekana, Patosi, Serero, Reneilwe (c), Mathoho, Phala, Rantie.

 

[Bardo State]

Posted this in the WC Socceroos thread. May as well post it here

Interesting XI
Says that Holland is probably 3rd choice DM which is a surprise. I expected Ange to prefer McKay or even Sarota or Luongo to Holland. Also says that Troisi is preferred to Vidosic as a back up AM and that Leckie is first choice RM.

The formation shown on FOX is the same as the one in a XI vx XI practice game with a 433 with one DM anchor. If I had to guess Ange's first choice XI based on this team, I'd say it's something like this:

-----------------Ryan
Franjic - McGowan - Spiranovic - Davidson
----------------Jedinak
------------Milligan - Rogic
----Leckie ------------------- Oar
-----------------Cahill

Looks like Ange has changed his 4231 plans since the draw came out. Probably a smart move.

 

[BlueMaster1]

Has it started ?

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Has it started ?

Yes

 

[kaiserchief13]

Has it started ?

Yes nil all 7th minute

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Are South Africa going to the World Cup?

 

[BlueMaster1]

Yes nil all 7th minute

Can you keep me updated please ?

 

[BlueMaster1]

Are South Africa going to the World Cup?

Dont think so but don't quote me

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Dont think so but don't quote me

Why are we playing them then?

Why wouldn't get get a team from a different group?

 

[Bardo State]

Are South Africa going to the World Cup?

Nope. Most of their better players chose not to play.

 

[Mister B]

Well that's ******* embarrassing.

 

[Smoooothy]

Faaaaaarrrrkkkkk

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

As South Africa score.

SA - 1
Aust. - 0

We are going to get smashed in Brazil.

 

[Bardo State]

Well that was quick.

 

[Mister B]

Not so much now. Chaos ball!

 

[kaiserchief13]

s**t defence and keeping.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

1-1

Tim Cahill

 

[Shade]

TIMMMMMMMMMMMMMY

 

[Shade]

This is the gameplan for brazil kick the ball in the air let cahill and kennedy do the rest.

 

[Sal_Paradise]

What the **** was that keeper doing?

 

[kaiserchief13]

This is the gameplan for brazil kick the ball in the air let cahill and kennedy do the rest.

And lose each game 4-0

 

[Hatchy1992]

Gotta capitalise on these chances Aussies.

 

[Tiger Toffee]

Australia should have 4 but I can't see how the defence will stop Chile and Holland going after GD in the chase for 2nd in the group.

 

[CotchNCo]

Leckie ffs!