Sport
Australia to make nine changes for FIFA World Cup qualifier against Palestine
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says he will make a whopping nine changes to his starting side for Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier against Palestine in Perth.
The Socceroos beat Bangladesh 2-0 last week on a Dhaka pitch Arnold deemed unsafe.
Australia are already guaranteed passage through to the next phase of qualifying after winning their opening five games.
Mitch Duke and Kye Rowles will not be risked against Palestine for fear of picking up another yellow card — which would rule them out of the first game of the next phase of qualifying.
All players' records will be cleared for the start of the next phase.
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Alessandro Circati, Gethin Jones, Martin Boyle, Mathew Leckie and Cameron Burgess are strong chances of earning a start against Palestine after not featuring against Bangladesh.
"You'll see nine different starters tomorrow," Arnold said.
"It's about winning. But this window for me is also about testing some players and looking at the players in a different way of moving forward.
"I'm happy with where we're at today with the depth of the squad.
"When I first started five, six years ago, if you put the starting 11 against the reserves, it could have been two or three nil for the starting 11.
"Whereas I think these days the starting 11 against the subs, it's 0-0, it's a tough game."
With just one game to go in the current World Cup qualifying phase, Australia's for-and-against goals record stands at 17-0.
Arnold wants his team to finish the current phase without conceding a single goal, and he does not believe the mass changes will disrupt his side's momentum.
"It's important that you have stability, but I've had these boys now for quite a long time and they know what I want and expect," he said.
"My expectations are always high for everyone. There'll be no confusion. It will be a very well prepared team that will put in a great performance
"My goal for the players is to keep another clean sheet and go through this whole phase with no goals against
"I think there's only been three teams in the history of AFC football that have done that in this phase."
AAP
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