Most notably captain Maty Ryan has been recalled in goal for his first start under Popovic with Joe Gauci, No.1 for the coach's first three matches, named among the substitutes.
Aziz Behich, Anthony Caceres and Kusini Yengi, who all finished the Saudi tie, start this time, Craig Goodwin returns from suspension and Hayden Matthews also comes into the XI.
📋 Your — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) #Socceroos XI that will face Bahrain this morning! 🫡Head coach Tony Popovic makes six changes from our last match in Melbourne 🔄🇧🇠v 🇦🇺 20.11.24, 5:15am AEDT📱💻📺 Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/PPOV3WQmSkNovember 19, 2024
Alongside Gauci Jason Geria, Aiden O'Neill, Jordy Bos; Ajdin Hrustic and Mitch Duke also drop to the bench.
The Socceroos go into the game buoyed by helpful results earlier in the day in Asian qualifying group C. Â
Japan won 3-1 in China while in Jakarta unfancied Indonesia beat Saudi Arabia 2-0.
That turned the match from a "must-win" to a "don't-lose" tie as Australia went into the match still in the second and last automatic qualifying place, but by goal difference from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and China with Bahrain a point behind.Â
Japan were 10 points clear and within one win of securing their place in north America for next year's finals.
Third and fourth go into a further qualifying stage, one Popovic is keen to avoid.Â
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