Cahill warms up for Syria

SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou is ready to unleash Tim Cahill on Syria tomorrow night, aiming to sweep the visitors away in the second leg of their World Cup play-off.

Postecoglou will instruct his players to attack the Syrians from the off, backed by a raucous home crowd hoping to see the Australians move a step closer towards the World Cup.

Despite praising striker Tomi Juric for his performance in the first leg draw in Malaysia on Thursday night, Postecoglou admitted that he was tempted to deploy his country’s record goalscorer to unnerve the Syrian defence.

Postecoglou said that his team could “put the game to bed” quickly if they get off on the right foot, after conceding a late equaliser in the first leg.

Tom Rogic is likely to come in to the side as well, with Postecoglou promising to rotate his forward line to maximise his side’s energy levels, while other figures such as Massimo Luongo and James Troisi will play a role at some point.

“Tomi worked awfully hard the other night,” Postecoglou said. “Over the last two games - the Thailand game and the other night - 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.

“A few of them are really keen to get out there and make an impact, so we’ll definitely make some changes.”

Postecoglou said his defence is likely to be unchanged, praising the back three of Milos Degenek, Trent Sainsbury and Matthew Jurman for their work in the first leg.

“In the last half-hour the two best chances Syria created were the penalty and they hit the post after the ball was probably a metre over the line,” he said. “Two different decisions there, and even their two most threatening moments are gone.

“We actually defended pretty well, which we haven’t had to do a lot of in the campaign.

“Some of our defensive work was good and Matty (Ryan) pulled off a couple of good saves which we haven’t needed him to do for quite a while. . . I’m not complacent, but I’m pretty comfortable.”