Former goalkeeper Clint Bolton has identified one “obvious change” he would make for Australia’s must-win FIFA World Cup clash with Denmark this week.
The Socceroos can progress to the Round of 16 in Qatar if they avoid defeat to the Danes on Thursday morning (2am AEDT) so the tactics and starting lineup employed by coach Graham Arnold will be more crucial than ever.
Bolton believes attacking midfielder Ajdin Hrustic, provided he is ready to start, should step into the starting XI in place of Riley McGree to give the Aussies the best chance possible.
Hrustic has been hampered by an ankle injury suffered playing club football in Italy with Hellas Verona in October, forcing him to start both of Australia’s group stage games on the bench.
The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in the 4-2 loss to France last week before replacing McGree in the 64th minute of Saturday night’s 1-0 win over Tunisia, which should top him off nicely to make his way into the starting lineup against Denmark.
“‘Arnie’ has shown in the first two games that he’s not going to change much,” Bolton said on SEN WA Breakfast.
“The obvious change for me is Hrustic in and Riley McGree out.”
Bolton also proposed a slight tactical change to coincide with the personnel alteration.
“Having Aaron Mooy operate close to Hrustic would be a positional change that I would implement,” he added.
“Not having Aaron Mooy as the deepest midfielder, a more attacking role for him.
“Maybe Jackson Irvine fits the defensive midfield role or maybe bring in someone else like (Keanu) Baccus into the team. He has come off the bench in the first two matches.
“Besides that, I think it will be business as usual for the starting eleven for the Aussies.”
The four-time Socceroos gloveman also expects Arnold’s side to play with victory in mind and not to sit back and hope for a draw.
“Play to win,” Bolton said.
“There is no other way to look at this match.
“We were way too conservative in the first match against France and look what happened there. It just doesn’t suit us (to sit back).
“Be fearless, approach this game like we did against Tunisia. Get up in the faces of Denmark, respect them, but don’t fear them, ultimately is how we should approach any particular match.
“Hopefully it’s more of the same like we saw against Tunisia. A really great defensive performance, because that’s going to be needed, no doubt about that.
“When the moments come, should we get a Mitchell Duke or a Craig Goodwin, or someone else on the end of the limited chances I expect we’ll get.
“Hopefully that’s the case and we get through and make a bit of history again.”
A win would sew up second position on the Group D table for the Socceroos, while a draw could also be enough provided France defeats Tunisia, as expected.
A loss to the Danes would see the Socceroos bundled out of the World Cup.
