Preview: Kuwait v Qantas Socceroos

Australia has a chance to seal its berth among Asia's elite 16 nations at the 2011 Asian Cup when it takes on Kuwait in Kuwait City on Wednesday night.

Date: Wednesday January 6 Kick-off: 5:30pm local (Thursday - 1:30am AEDT, 1:00 ACDT, 12:30 AEST, 10:30pm AWST) Venue: Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City TV and Radio: Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 2 (HD)

Head-to-head Played 9: Wins: Australia 3, Kuwait 3, Draws: 1

Previous three meetings Australia 0, Kuwait 1, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, 2011 Asian Cup qualifier, March 2009 Kuwait 2, Australia 0, Kuwait City, 2007 Asian Cup qualifier, September 2006 Australia 2, Kuwait 0, SFS, Sydney, 2007 Asian Cup qualifier, August 2006

Past five matches: Kuwait Kuwait 1, Syria 0, Al Jahrra, October 26, 2009 Kuwait 2, China 2, Kuwait City, November 8, 2009 Kuwait 2, Indonesia 1, Kuwait City, November 14 2009 Indonesia 1, Kuwait 1, Jakarta, November 18, 2009 Kuwait 0, UAE 0, Kuwait City, December 16, 2009

Australia: Rep of Ireland 0, Australia 3, Limerick, August 13, 2009 Korea Rep 3, Australia 1, Seoul, September 5, 2009 Australia 0, Netherlands 0, Sydney, October 10, 2009 Australia 1, Oman 0, Melbourne, October 14 2009 Oman 1, Australia 2, Muscat, November 14, 2009

Analysis: Australia has a chance to seal its berth among Asia's elite 16 nations at the 2011 Asian Cup when it takes on Kuwait in Kuwait City on Wednesday night.

While Pim Verbeek has been unable to pick his first choice XI because this match does not fall on an official FIFA international break, he has been given the opportunity to see how the best of his fringe players, especially those who play in the Hyundai A-League, perform on the international stage.

While a full strength Qantas Socceroos team was able to get the job done, just, in home and away matches against Oman, these players have been given the chance to not only finish the job of getting to the Asian Cup in Qatar in January next year, but also press their claims for inclusion in Verbeek's 23-man squad for South Africa.

There are only two 'regulars' to feature in this match, with Craig Moore and Luke Wilkshire set to play key roles. Jason Culina misses out through injury, meaning Wilkshire will likely shift into a defensive midfield position.

That provides Verbeek with an opportunity to test out his depth in the wide defensive areas. Two A-League based novices, Matthew Kemp, who is in line for his national debut, and Dean Heffernan, look likely to be given their chances, with Scott Jamieson the other player in the mix.

Simon Colosimo's rich form in defence for Sydney this season should earn him a spot alongside Moore in the middle of defence and a strong performance will see him firmly on the radar for a spot on the plane for the World Cup.

Mile Jedinak or Jacob Burns are in line to partner Wilkshire in defensive midfield, with Jedinak probably having the edge. The three spots in the attacking midfield role have been keenly contested over the past week, but Alex Brosque, another Hyundai A-League player who has been in excellent form, is set for a recall after a long time out of the national team, with Nick Carle likely to miss out.

Mile Sterjovski and Dario Vidosic are strong candidates to provide attacking support for Archie Thompson, who should get another chance to prove himself after fluffing his lines the last times these two teams met in Canberra in March.

In that match, Verbeek put his faith in his A-League contingent and was disappointed as they produced an uninspired performance which lacked cohesion in both midfield and up front. A disciplined and committed Kuwait, under the charge of demure coach Goran Tufegdzic, was able to emerge with a 1-0 win.

Only three of the starting XI from that match, Moore, Thompson and keeper Eugene Galekovic, are likely to front for this match, but Kuwait's team is likely to feature many of the players who tormented Australia in that clash.

Chief among them is Bader Al-Mutwa, a diminutive attacking midfielder who uses his pace and skill to pressure opposition defences. He is also adept from set pieces, delivering the free kick which Masaed Alenzi converted against Australia. Talal Alamer will also be a threat up front.

Tufegdzic has his side in excellent form heading into this match. Not only do they currently top the group with seven points - level with Australia - they have not lost any of their past eight matches since October. The young Serbian has improved the defence greatly, and the home will be very hard to break down. While a win would secure Kuwait's first berth in an Asian Cup since 2004, a draw would also have it in a very strong position ahead of the final match against Oman.

Australia should be well aware it will need to be patient in this match. The conditions should be favourable with temperatures in the 20s expected and having had a week to prepare in Dubai, the new-look team should be able to gel quickly, something it did not have a chance to do ahead of the match in Canberra.

The influence of Wilkshire and Moore will also be important in what is an otherwise inexperienced line-up. If the Socceroos keep their shape and maintain their discipline, they should be able to book their tickets to Qatar 2011.

Qantas Socceroos squad: Alex Brosque (Sydney FC), Jacob Burns (Perth Glory), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace FC, England), Simon Colosimo (Sydney FC), Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United FC), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United FC), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey), Matthew Kemp (Melbourne Victory FC), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa FC, England), Matthew McKay (Brisbane Roar), Craig Moore (Brisbane Roar), Tommy Oar (Brisbane Roar), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente, Netherlands), Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Mile Sterjovski (Perth Glory), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Matthew Thompson (Newcastle Jets), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Luke Wilkshire (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia).

Kuwait squad (from previous match): Goalkeepers: Shehab Kankoni, Ahmed Al Fadhli Defenders: Yacoub Al Taher, Hussain Fadel, Ali Maqseed, Mohammad Sinad, Fayez Bandar, Musaed Neda Midfielders: Mohamed Jarragh, Saleh Al Sheikh, Adel Al Shammari, Waleed Ali Jumah, Bader Al Mutwa, Jarah Al Ataiqi Strikers: Fahad Al Rashidi, Ahmad Ajab, Khalaf Salama, Hamad Al Enezi