Choosing to tread into the unknown not knowing, scrapping the experience of Matt McKay, James Troisi and Nathan Burns in favour of a fresh-faced, “tight” Socceroo’s squad for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia, the friendly against Brazil and the Confederations Cup in June. 

But as you’d expect with matches against the likes of Germany, Chile and Brazil on the near horizon, the focus is unquestionably on Saudi Arabia.

As with every World Cup qualifier so far, the next is by far the most important.

With only three matches remaining and the Saudis currently occupying second place in Group B – three points above the Socceroos – a loss would almost certainly mean finishing in third, resulting in a series of playoffs before our World Cup fate is known.

Yet a win may all but secure our spot in Russia, without enduring another hard-fought round of qualification. Like Australia, the Green Falcons still have to face Japan, and a victory for the Socceroos in Adelaide could sew the seeds of Saudi doubt and thrust momentum into the Socceroos’ favour.

It’s a sentiment echoed by the Socceroos gaffer.

“Initially our energy and focus will be solely on the World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Adelaide,” Postecoglou said.

“It’s the most important game we’ll play over the June period.”

Characteristically, Postecoglou showed tremendous faith in the depth he has at his disposal, choosing six uncapped players for his 30-man squad, among a host of others who haven’t featured in the qualification process so far.

In total, Ange’s squad contains 11 players with three caps or less, a startling effort for a do-or-die contest. Yet the Socceroos’ last victory against the United Arab Emirates proved that Ange can galvanise his young flock of Aussie’s when it matters most.

Determination to not back down in the face of his doubters largely paid off in Sydney, when a hard-fought draw against Iraq - albeit an unconvincing one - quickly became a well-crafted triumph against the UAE and their plucky mastermind Omar Abdulrahman.

So with just over two weeks until the Socceroos face off against Saudi Arabia in Adelaide, here’s a look at the exciting, young – and not-so-young – Postecoglou bolters who may make a big impression on June 8.

Mustafa Amini  

After making his debut against the UAE, and putting in a fairly calm midfield display to round out the victory, Mustafa Amini will be hoping to chalk some more minutes on the board against Saudi Arabia.

Touted for years now as a future Socceroos star, after bursting into the spotlight with Central Coast Mariners, Amini seared his name into the guise of hopeful Socceroos supporters after he earned a mammoth move to Borussia Dortmund in 2011.

Despite a whopping 57 appearances for Dortmund’s reserves, a first team chance never materialised for Amini, and a subsequent move to Danish outfit Randers soured due to the skilful midfielder being played out of position.

A move to Randers’ Superliga rivals AGF Aarhus has finally got the red-afroed midfielder a shot at Socceroos glory. The man who Jurgen Klopp once called ‘a really great talent’ certainly has the dynamism to make an impact if called upon.

James Jeggo

A veteran of two Socceroos camps but still without a senior cap, after fluctuating in and out of Melbourne Victory’s first team for three years, it was his move to Adelaide United that sparked Jeggo’s rapid rise into Ange’s first team plans.

Possibly the best shot of debuting out of the five hopefuls, Jeggo now stars for Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga, having made 24 out of a possible 25 appearances this season, spurring his side to fourth on the ladder.

Ange has certainly noticed the midfielders sparkling form, noting after his last inclusion,

“We know what we get with Jimmy. His form’s held up. We’re expecting him to come in and contribute within a game.”

Riley McGree

The biggest surprise to come out of Ange’s final squad against Iraq and the UAE - although not if you’ve been watching the defensive midfielder’s sumptuous displays for Adelaide United this season – 18-year-old Riley McGree has arguably been the revelation of the A-League seaso, in an otherwise dismal title defence for Guillermo Amor’s team.

McGree has shown a prodigal ability to control the tempo of matches against much older, and more established, opponents.

His inclusion possibly arose due to an aptly-timed shutdown of $40 million Brazillian Ramires, when Adelaide narrowly lost their Asian Champions League encounter against Jiangsu Suning a fortnight ago.

While chances are his inclusion in the Socceroo’s packed midfield will only be to gain invaluable camp experience, his performances so far have certainly overawed his new boss.

“(McGree) kind of makes you stand up and notice him straight away,” Postecoglou said.

Rhyan Grant

Ange’s inclusions speak volumes of just how dominant Sydney FC have been in the A-League this season, in no small part due to the phenomenal contribution of Rhyan Grant.

A veteran of 135 A-League appearances at the young age of 26, an impressive commendation in itself, Grant has edged past fellow Socceroos contenders Tarek Elrich and Josh Risdon to become the competition’s in-form fullback.

The fact both fullback positions have become sore points for Ange has given Grant has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lay his claim for a starting Socceroos berth.

If he plays like he has for Sydney this season, he has as good a chance as anyone.

Danny Vukovic

If McGree’s call-up was a surprise to many, spare a thought for Danny Vukovic, who finally gets a chance (albeit a slim one) at international glory following considerable anguish both on and off the field.

Past turmoil largely behind him, Vukovic is the feel-good story among Ange’s inclusions with a Socceroos debut at the grand age of 31 possibly set to rival his joy at winning the A-League double at Sydney.

For character and grit alone, there won’t be a neutral that doesn’t think he deserves it.

Ajdin Hrustic

The 20-year-old Groningen winger, who plies his trade with Jason Davidson for the rising Dutch club, is quickly becoming one of the starlets of Australian football.

The former South Melbourne and Shalke 04 youth scored his first Eredivisie goal last month with a stunning long-range strike against PEC Zwolle, a taste of why he’s recognised as one of the hottest young prospects in Australian football.

He has a long history with Ange, and to those following his progress, like the Socceroos coach, it comes as little surprise to see his inclusion.

Jamie Maclaren

Hardly a bolter, but surprisingly a growing star with only two caps to his name, Maclaren is a product of the highly prized Green Gully youth academy in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

After forging a youth career with Blackburn Rovers under the guise of Vince Grella and Brett Emerton, Maclaren signed for Perth Glory at 20-years-old and pushed for regular first team selection with 11 goals in his first two A-League seasons.

This was a telling precursor for what followed, and at Brisbane Roar, Maclaren proved his deadly finishing ability over the course of another two seasons.

After upping his A-League tally at Roar with 40 goals in 53 league appearances, culminating in a 20 goal haul this season and his first A-League golden boot, Maclaren earned a move back to European.

Recently signing for newly-relegated 2.Bundesliga club SV Darmstadt, under German legend Torsten Frings, Maclaren is another young Socceroo who looks primed for a stellar career.

Dylan McGowan

Another surprising inclusion, McGowan could make history by lining up alongside his more experienced fullback brother, Ryan McGowan, for the Socceroos against Saudi Arabia.

While he may look up to his older brother, the young Aussie from Scottish heritage is certainly his own player. A veteran of a mammoth 28 caps for the Australian u/20 national side, on June 8, McGowan may finally get a shot at the big time.

After making his name in the Scottish Premiership with Heart of Midlothian, after a brief spell with Gold Coast United, McGowan went on to become a rock at the heart of Adelaide United’s defence, making 82 appearances and scoring 7 goals during his time in the City of Churches.

His brilliant form for Adelaide didn’t go unnoticed despite the Red’s slump this season, with Portugese Primeira Liga club Pacos de Ferreira snapping up the 25-year-old just over a week ago.

Craig Goodwin

You get the feeling Craig Goodwin could not have possibly executed a more perfect overseas transfer. Joining fellow Aussie Kenneth Dougall at newly-promoted Eredivise club Sparta Rotterdam, Goodwin has wasted no time in showing why he should be considered up there with Australia’s best wingers.

It didn’t take long for Goodwin to shine in the Netherlands, within weeks of the season’s launch the 25-year-old cemented his place for Feyenoord’s lesser-known rival, making 27 appearances and scoring four goals in his debut season, and playing a pivotal role in retaining Sparta’s Eredivisie status.

With blistering pace and silky ball-skills A-League fans will be all too familiar with from his time with Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United, Goodwin stands a great chance of gaining his first Socceroos cap when Australia face the Saudi’s in Adelaide.

Alex Gersbach

Long touted as one of the Socceroos future prospects, Gersbach has spent the last three years firmly within the sights of Australia’s scouting snipers, with his impressive displays for Sydney FC while balancing Year 12 exams endearing himself to the Australian public.

The 20-year-old fullback is over-endowed with flair and lightning speed, which is now well-acknowledged in Norway’s newly-rebranded Eliteserien.

It’s a fitting re-brand given its inclusion of one of Australia’s elite young prospects.

After securing another intelligent transfer to Norwegian giants Rosenborg – who has a history of developing young stars – Gersbach is now on the hunt for his third Socceroos cap, while looking forward to a European campaign this season for the Trondheim club.

Australia face Saudi Arabia at the Adelaide Oval on June 8.