Aussies may play Cahill card

ANGE Postecoglou is strongly considering starting Tim Cahill in tomorrow’s World Cup playoff decider in a bid to shut down Syria before it gets a look-in.

Australia dominated the first hour of Thursday’s opening leg in Malaysia, but failed to kill off the game before Syria mounted a fightback culminat- ing in a highly questionable penalty and a 1-1 draw.

Back in Sydney’s familiar climate and on an improved ANZ Stadium pitch, the Socceroos coach said he was tempted to evoke memories of Australia’s historic 2015 Asian Cup triumph, when he started Cahill and introduced Tomi Juric on the hour mark.

It’s a solid blueprint given Juric played 83 minutes last week while the 37-year-old veteran, not used at all, is well equipped to set a physical tone as he did against Chile in the Confederations Cup.

“Tomi worked awfully hard the other night,” Postecoglou said. “Over the last two games he probably could be in double digit international goals already in his career, so he’s come along really well for us.

“But having Timmy there and being able to throw Tomi Juric on later is certainly something that’s in my thinking.

“Either way we go, we’ve certainly got a weapon coming off [the bench]. But I really think the start is going to be important.

“We can really put the game to bed if we start strongly.

“I’ll put a line-up out there that I think will be able to do that, and that’s what it will come down to.” Postecoglou has promised to ring the changes to tire out a Syria side with inferior depth, with most magnets to be moved higher up the pitch.

Rested playmaker Tom Rogic looms as Australia’s biggest weapon, while Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo and James Troisi also bring full tanks.

“We obviously have depth, particularly in certain areas of the park, and it would be silly not to use it,” Postecoglou said.

“There are some guys with real good energy who didn’t use it the other night, and when you look at it the second game will always be a taxing game.

“It makes sense for us, especially if we can start strong, to make sure we have some fresh bodies out there.”