Suppose we can get this going.

China vs Japan
Oman vs Saudi

Very tricky and got to avoid the repeat of the shit Thailand away performance.

Boyle and Strain both unavailable for this one I would imagine considering their injuries. 

I think the Arnie mindset is actually better for the team to deal with these teams, we have become alot more adaptive. Don't get me wrong Anges ball to the wall attack approach was great against the big team's but with the smaller team's it's all about exploiting weaknesses.
The interesting game of the round has to be Oman vs Saudi

Hope to see Arzani this game.

Expecting Mooy to start and Rogic to be rested.

More time for McGree.

Hrustic to be acknowledged as undroppable.

Agree with this. Hrustic is probably our most important player now - everything went through him last night. I reckon him & Irvine were a fantastic combo just in front of the back 4. Mooy can probably play as a 10 in front of them.
If Boyle is injured, Arzani/ Smith & Mabil out wide & Duke striker

McGree can play out wide too.

I'm glad we're playing these guys and not the Uzbeks or Bahrain.

(famous last words)

Grant-Sainsbury-Degenek-Behich
jeggo
Mabil-mooy-Hrustic-smith
duke

I’d swap smith with azarni if he is ready to start. 

seems Boyle is good to go. Was just wasting a bit of time I would say...  good move to let him remain fresh for next week by getting him off relatively early, as he is an explosive type and is in great form

Where'd you hear that mate? Awesome if true - he was cutting China to shreds 

Not being rude but this should be hardly tricky. We should be winning 3-0 minimum. 

I can't believe how quickly hrustic has progressed, he is as important as mooy a few years ago

the scottish press are all over it, reporting on whether Boyle will be fit for the Edinburgh derby :)

"The Scotsman report Boyle was withdrawn as a precautionary measure and is expected to play in Australia's next World Cup qualifier against Vietnam on Tuesday."
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/martin-boyle-hibs-injury-fears-24900640

I love seeing Hrustic and Rogic combining in the middle of the park. A delight to see.
Add in Arzani - I haven’t been this excited for a while

Yep 👍 love all the squad right now. Hrustic, Rogic, Mcgree, Mabil, Boyle so ATTACKING. Arzani adds even more attacking flair/intent. Love the aggression in squad that has been lacking a bit in previous years tbh

One of the recent big improvers - along with Metcalfe and Genreau.

I should add that a further player I've previously pontificated can't make the step up to having sufficient handling speed and quick feet for rapidfire passing needed contemporary Socceroos  the midfield positions  he plays, Jackson Irvine, continues to improve in these  facets of play.

 He is a  more accomplished international player.

I have no idea what his club scenario is , but playing with Hibernian ( was that his Scottish club?) and whatever he is doing now , has improved  Irvine's skill set as an international player. 

Hrustic and Irvine played more like 8s than 6s
Both taking turns to attack
They are also quicker across the park when defending which means defensive transition has more cover compared to when Mooy and Jedi where there.
I remember Irvine and Luongo did well against Chile at confeds in the middle covering and keeping shape compared to Mooy and Jedi who aren't great at covering fullbacks or turning and chasing
I think with Anges back 3 and high wingbacks speed in those positions would have been better.
But Ange was more about the system over personal 

The alternative to them was Lebanon, not Uzbekistan or Bahrain.

I've been waiting a bloody long time to play Vietnam, and now covid means I can't go :(

By then , U should be able to go just need to get vaccinated to buy a ticket.

I reckon it was during the Confeds cup when Irvine was playing in more of a defensive midfield role that he played his best games for Australia to date.

The heat and humidity could be tough in Vietnam, although the Socceroos handled the extreme dry heat of Kuwait really well.

It helped Australia playing against China in Doha in a 23 degree airconditioned stadium.

Unless Smith has improved his technique immeasurably, Arzani is a far more potent  attacking player with the ball at his feet.

However, Smith is a bit like Leckie - a fantastic defensive player when t he other team has the ball. His ability to track and and cover, keeping the defensive  team shape compact, is a great asset.

Arzani's defensive  game has improved, but it is still a stand out a weakness for him.

Also, Arzani's game sense and attacking instincts greatly exceed Smith's. He reads his teammates attacking play, and where to be in relation to them,  much better than Smith  does.  

Yes, normally the Uzbeks or Bahrain would make it through to this round but didn't for whatever reason. I'd rather play away in Hanoi than Tashkent.

yeah wouldnt mind seeing smith as an impact sub to come on and provide counter attacks like he does at times at sounders.... I think he provides us a tactical option against teams where we are sat back and guys like arzani wont get the ball much. Whether Arnie is smart enough to implement something like this I'm not sure..

I just watched the highlights of the SA Vietnam game, Vietnam were robbed. In no alternate universe would that be a spotties, let alone a yellow, the deflection of his leg means that the arm touch should be perceived accidental.

Rogic and Hrustic must be there they are the glue that hold the team together 
Brad Smith to come on with 30 minutes to go as an impact sub
Arzani to start
Degenk to start

So your saying to start a player (arzani) with under 200 minutes match-play in the last 12 months, (143 domesticly, 54 internationally in ) that hasn't played internationally with some of these guys in years?

Arzani was outstanding at the Olympics, in the final game he came on and turned the game around, assisting Australia to have more possession.
He has that X factor 

Arzani was ok at the Olympics, he didnt assist or score any goals in that epic 54 minutes spell. 
He might get 20 minutes if were up by 2, but Arnie won't be gambling on an unknown quantity, noting the stability the team vs China.