Dodoni Series Preview – Socceroos vs Greece

Dodoni Series Preview – Socceroos vs Greece

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After a gallant effort against England, the Socceroos come home to face Greece in a two-game series in Sydney and Melbourne.

Having won just two of their last 16 internationals in the last two years, the Greek side will be desperate to arrest their dip in form before the World Cup qualifiers.

The Socceroos enjoyed an encouraging performance in their most recent game against England but left plenty of room for improvement. With their own set of qualifiers on the horizon, they will be wanting to make their case for a spot when the games count.


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Changes from England friendly

The joys of playing friendlies at this time of year means that Ange Postecoglou can experiment with his squad and he has done just that with a number of changes to the side that played at the weekend. In come a number of reinforcements from the Asian leagues, who can now be released to play in the FIFA window, including Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Geria, Alex Gersbach, Apo Giannou, Mathew Leckie, Ryan McGowan and Trent Sainsbury.

Matthew Spiranovic was also called up but has withdrawn due to injury and will be replaced by recent debutante Milos Degenek. Absent will be Aziz Behich, Craig Goodwin, Brad Inman, Tomi Juric, Mass Luongo, Stefan Mauk, Matt McKay and Alex Wilkinson.

Managing the workload

For several of these players, the Saturday-Tuesday schedule of games will not be a foreign concept to them, but might be a stretch for some at the end of long European seasons. It would not be surprising if the majority of the squad played less than 100 minutes across the two matches.

With Postecoglu’s desire to experiment with his players, expect a heavy dose of rotation. For Mat Leckie, he is looking forward to his honeymoon so he may even be out the door before half time on Tuesday.

With Tim Cahill under an injury cloud after the weekend’s action, he may be limited to a substitute appearance over the weekend.

Projected lineup for game one

Mat Ryan should keep his place as the Socceroos custodian for the first game in the series before one of his deputies takes over for the second one. Jason Geria can be expected to come into the side at right-back and earn what would be his first cap. Bailey Wright will continue to solidify the centre of defence as Sainsbury takes over from Mark Milligan, who did an admirable job in an uncomfortable position against England with Brad Smith on the left side.

A three-man midfield of Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak and Milligan will provide the engine room for the team with Tom Rogic likely to move to the bench. Up front, the trio of Kruse, Leckie and Giannou lead the line to provide some entertainment for the crowd.

Socceroos Expected Lineup (4-3-3): Ryan (GK), Geria, Wright, Sainsbury, Smith, Mooy, Jedinak, Milligan, Kruse, Giannou, Leckie.

Player to watch – Apo Giannou

Fans got a taste of what he could do in games against Tajikistan and Jordan, but against his ‘other’ nation of Greece, Giannou will be eager to show the Aussie fans what they will be getting from him.

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