PIM Verbeek has named a youthful Socceroo line-up for tomorrow's match with China and hinted he may give exciting Brondy striker David Williams a run from the bench.
Verbeek said his starting line up would be: Michael Petkovic, Nikolai Topor Stanley, Matthew Spiranovic, Jade North, Ruben Zadkovich, Mile Jedinak, Carl Valeri, James Troisi, James Holland, Harry Kewell and Bruce Djite.
Derby County's Ruben Zadkovich makes his debut at right back and while Matt Spiranovic makes his first start in the green and gold national team in the centre of defence.
Michael Beauchamp was not considered for the side as an ankle injury has gotten the better of him.
The bench will feature among others, Neil Kilkenny, David Williams, Stuart Musialik and Ante Covic.
Verbeek said Jedinak and Valeri will play as the two holding midfielders with four attacking options – Kewell, Troisi, Holland and Djite in the final third.
The coach said: "I'm not a gambler, you all know I'm not a gambler.
"If I didn't have the confidence in these players I would put more pressure on the other players to stay with us to win the game, but my feeling is that we can beat China tomorrow."
Asked what role his most experienced player and skipper will play in the clash, Verbeek said Kewell would be allowed to do what he likes.
"Harry can play his own game like he did the last (few) weeks. That's when he's strongest," Verbeek said.
"I think he's doing very well, I'm sure he's doing very well already the last weeks and he's getting fitter and fitter.
"It's a good opportunity for him to play 90 minutes.
"At the moment you see him on the training (pitch) yesterday and the day before he was fantastic. He will show himself tomorrow."
Derby County's Ruben Zadkovich makes his debut at right back and while Matt Spiranovic makes his first start in the green and gold national team in the centre of defence.
Michael Beauchamp was not considered for the side as an ankle injury has gotten the better of him.
The bench will feature among others, Neil Kilkenny, David Williams, Stuart Musialik and Ante Covic.
Verbeek said Jedinak and Valeri will play as the two holding midfielders with four attacking options – Kewell, Troisi, Holland and Djite in the final third.
The coach said: "I'm not a gambler, you all know I'm not a gambler.
"If I didn't have the confidence in these players I would put more pressure on the other players to stay with us to win the game, but my feeling is that we can beat China tomorrow."
Asked what role his most experienced player and skipper will play in the clash, Verbeek said Kewell would be allowed to do what he likes.
"Harry can play his own game like he did the last (few) weeks. That's when he's strongest," Verbeek said.
"I think he's doing very well, I'm sure he's doing very well already the last weeks and he's getting fitter and fitter.
"It's a good opportunity for him to play 90 minutes.
"At the moment you see him on the training (pitch) yesterday and the day before he was fantastic. He will show himself tomorrow."
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