SOCCEROOS coach Bert van Mawrijk has made just one enforced change for tonight’s do-or-die clash with Peru at the World Cup.
Tomi Juric starts up front in place of injured striker Andrew Nabbout (shoulder) in the only change to the starting team that drew 1-1 with Denmark last week.
The Dutch coach has ignored growing calls to start teen sensation Daniel Arzani despite his stellar cameo against the Danish, while Tim Cahill starts on the bench again amid outcry about him being shut out of the campaign so far.
Australia are looking to reach the knockout round 12 years after doing it for the first time.
In 2006, Harry Kewell’s late equaliser against Croatia in Stuttgart sent the Socceroos into the round of 16 at their expense.
Germany’s World Cup – including Cahill’s iconic goals on Australia’s drought-breaking return to the tournament – was a formative experience for the modern-day team.
An experience, a dream, they will now live in Sochi tonight.
“I for one am never going to forget those nights,” goalkeeper Mat Ryan said. “Getting up and celebrating in Australia when we beat Japan and getting the results we needed to progress.
“And obviously the heartache that followed in the Italian game.
“It would mean the absolute world to me and show all the sacrifices and dedication all over the years to achieve something like that. “It would have all paid off.”
Coincidentally, the Croatians loom as a likely opponent for Bert van Marwijk’s side if they are to replicate the feat of the 2006 team.
In Russia, the equation is trickier than it was for Guus Hiddink’s trailblazers. Not only must Australia beat the already eliminated firebrand South Americans, they must also hope France defeat Denmark.
A further potential for overall goals scored, disciplinary records and the dreaded drawing of lots could yet play a role in the Socceroos’ fate.
Ryan says the permutations are immaterial.
“If we don’t go out and do the job against Peru there’s no point thinking about the France game,” he said.
“We’ll do what we need to and the rest will sort itself out.”
Much interest has again centred on Van Marwijk’s selections, with the Dutchman facing intense backlash over opting not to use all-time leading goalscorer Cahill in Australia’s opening two games.
Former Socceroos and Fox Sports analyst Mark Bosnich said before kickoff he wanted to see Arzani start and Mathew Leckie shifted to the point of the attack.
“Tomi Juric is a mobile player but he hasn’t had a lot of football recently,” Bosnich said.
“I would definitely start Arzani. For me he’s going to be a real star of the future — we saw what he did against Denmark so I would start him.”
Bosnich also joined the chorus of calls for Cahill to see game time off the bench.
“If we do need a goal again in that time, that’s what you’ve got him here for, to make that kind of impact,” Bosnich said.
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