Defeat not on agenda

The Socceroos’ clash with Saudi Arabia at the Adelaide Oval tonight might be billed as the most important since the Asian Cup, but Ange Postecoglou isn’t mulling over the consequences of defeat.

Australia trails the Middle East nation by three points heading into the crunch World Cup qualifier, but the Socceroos boss’s biggest headache appears who to leave out of his XI, particularly in midfield.

While players have arrived in dribs and drabs, with Ryan McGowan flying in only on game eve, players like Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Tomi Juric come with the confidence of having played key hands in big matches for their sides.

“They’ve given me a tough one. We’ll see. I’ll sleep on it tonight,” Postecoglou said yesterday. “I reckon I could come up with 3-4 formations and still look like a genius.”

With Mooy back from suspension, Rogic returning from injury, and only Mark Milligan unavailable for selection, Postecoglou said his XI for tonight’s game at Adelaide Oval was important not just for this campaign – but a boon for the national side.

“I think it’s exciting not just for tomorrow, but beyond,” he said. “That list leaves out guys like Mass (Luongo), Millsy, Mile – all those guys (with the exception of Millsy and Mile) have their best football ahead of them. They’re nowhere near their peak period.

“When you see that and hopefully they’re getting the right encouragement, and stay motivated to improve their football, it’s exciting for tomorrow ... and beyond.

“(Trent) Sainsbury, Juric, Brad Smith – all these guys are 23, 24 – we’ve invested two to three years in them. Over the next few years it’ll be exciting to see how they go as footballers.”

When asked about the prospect of the Saudis sitting back to frustrate their hosts, Postecoglou said that didn’t play a part in his approach.

Australia v Saudi Arabia, tonight, 8pm (AEST)