Australia’s Ivan Franjic arrives with the team at The Shangri-La Hotel before tomorrow’s big match. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
SOCCEROOS defender Ivan Franjic has been cleared of a serious injury and is still a chance of playing in tomorrow’s Asian Cup final against South Korea at ANZ Stadium.
The right-back has been under an injury cloud since a hip problem late in the 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in Newcastle on Tuesday night.
Franjic was left in much pain and struggled to finish the match. He was forced to play out the last few minutes on the wing.
Coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the right-back had undergone scans yesterday that cleared him of a major problem, though the former Brisbane Roar defender is still in some doubt.
“He’s definitely still a chance. He had some scans but nothing really came up,” Postecoglou said yesterday. “Of course, he’s sore but post-game he was less of a chance than he is now.
“It’s nothing serious. If it was a normal break (between games) he’d be fine. But, with the quick turnaround that’s an issue.
“But, balanced against that, it’s such a big game and I’m sure he’ll give himself every chance of playing.”
Postecoglou said he was unsure what the injury was and was non-committal when asked if he would set a certain amount of time for Franjic, who has played every minute of Australia’s five games in the tournament, to prove his fitness.
“I’m not an expert, I just ask the doc if he’ll be available or not,” he said. “He’s tweaked his hip or groin or something in that area overstretching. It’s nothing serious. There’s time pressure, but sitting here now he’s a good chance to play.”
Postecoglou said he had not considered a Plan B if Franjic were forced out. There are suggestions Mark Milligan could shift from midfield. It is a position he played many times in his early days but hasn’t done so in the past six or seven years.
The other option is to shift the in-form Trent Sainsbury from central defence, but that is highly unlikely given he has had an exceptional tournament playing alongside Matthew Spiranovic in the heart of the defence.
“Today’s a recovery day, tomorrow we’ll have a session, so we’ll see how everyone pulls up,” Postecoglou added. “But I wouldn’t envisage too many changes.
“I never go with Plan Bs. Something else will turn up tomorrow and we’ll need Plan C. We’ve got options in the squad, but in fairness to Ivan we’ll give him the chance to be fit.
“If not, then we’ll look at them. It’s a bit different in tournament mode. It’s probably the biggest game in his life. You want to give people the chance to put their hands up. If you start preparing Plan Bs then it kind of makes it extra difficult for him.
“I’m sure he’s got that in the back of his mind. At this stage I’m not too fussed.”
Postecoglou seemed to suggest he would be prepared to play Franjic even if he wasn’t 100 per cent fit.
source: theaustralian.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 