Predicted formation and line-up:
We will probably see the usual 4-2-3-1. Wilkshire and Chipperfield will be the full-backs. The main question is whether Moore will come in for Coyne. Coyne hasn’t been first-choice for his club which will count against him. Meanwhile, Moore has been playing regularly and has been in good form for the Roar. I think Moore will be picked. The main issue is that whatever central-pairing are chosen, the centre-backs are a bit slow. Quintana has a fair bit of pace and can potentially punish any errors in judgement.
Another selection dilemma is who will partner Culina in central midfield. I think the main candidates are Burns and Jedinak. Burns is probably the safe option and Pim does seem to like him. But Burns isn’t a regular for his Romanian club and his distribution was suspect against Uzbekistan. Defensively, he was quite good against the Uzbeks and his greater mobility could make him a better option for shutting down Quintana. If Jedinak can bring his A-League form, he provides some things that Burns lacks. If he plays with confidence in his own abilities, his distribution is generally accurate and he has the ability to switch the play between flanks. Both Burns and Jedinak can augment Culina who will be play-maker and will have a more attacking role. I think Jedinak is a better passer but Burns is more suited to handling Quintana (I don’t think Jedinak can keep up with Quintana in terms of pace). Given that basically everything good that Qatar produces flows through Quintana, the safe option of Burns will probably be preferred.
Emerton picks himself on the right. Cahill will play centrally. On the left, we could see Carney or Holman. Pim likes Holman’s dynamic style: his ability and willingness to carry the ball through the middle, to play one-twos and get beyond the striker. However, playing Holman may deprive the team of width and crosses from the left. Additionally, while Cahill and Holman are quite different players, they use the same area of the pitch, namely the space around the striker and the area of the box where they make their late-runs. Carney is also a player that can take on his opponent while he worked well with Chipperfield when he came on as a substitute against Uzbekistan. Additionally, given that Qatar has struggled to handle Australia’s aerial threat and we have our two best headers back in the team, Cahill and Kennedy, I think Carney should start from a tactical perspective while Holman can be used of the bench. This only leaves the striker role and Kennedy should lead the line.
I think the most important period of the game will be the first 20 minutes. We can blitz them in the first 20 was we did in Melbourne. We at least need to get on top, create chances and get the crowd going. Qatar will try and come out and control the game in the first 20 as we did against Uzbekistan. As we witnessed over there, this may cause the home team to never really get going.
Predicted Result: 2-0 with Kennedy and Cahill to score.
A note on the Qatar
No doubt the highly talented Quintana will be Pim’s main concern. In the last game, Pim tried to double team Quintana. Unfortunately, Quintana often beat both players or he would win a foul. I noted in my match review for that game that the two defenders got too close to Quintana and allowed him to beat both players in the one move. My suggestion would be to have Burns wear Quintana like a glove and not let him have a moments rest. A second defender should stand off and occupy the space that Quintana will try and dribble into. Hopefully this will nullify him as a threat.
