Socceroos head coach
Holger Osieck must re-structure his midfield if Australia is to have any sort of impact in their maiden East Asian Cup appearance. The Socceroos barely touched the ball throughout Saturday's 0-0 draw with hosts South Korea and only escaped with a point due to a phenomenal performance from goalkeeper Eugene
Galekovic.
Galekovic made a string of impressive saves to keep a clean sheet in Seoul but Osieck will undoubtedly have
been disappointed in the failure of his midfielders, Mark Milligan, Dario Vidosic and Ruben Zadkovich, plus substitute Erik Paartalu, to gain any sort of ascendency against the South Koreans.
Osieck's decision to play Zadkovich for the entire 90 minutes was hard to fathom due to the Newcastle Jets captain's poor passing. On Saturday, Zadkovich regularly just thumped the ball long rather than trying to pick out a Socceroos teammate and Osieck has a number of options, who could replace the 27-year-old.
Matt McKay, one of the few experienced players in Australia's squad, could be shifted centrally after struggling to get involved as a left-winger versus South Korea, while Aaron Mooy deserves a chance after a strong campaign with A-League premiers Western Sydney Wanderers last season.
Osieck may also be tempted to play Archie Thompson as the central striker against Japan as the Melbourne Victory veteran seemed almost stranded on the right wing in the Socceroos East Asian Cup opener.
If Thompson does play down the middle and McKay is picked in central midfield, Mitch Nichols, Craig Goodwin, Adam Taggart and Connor Pain could all play a role out wide.
