Who will start against Uruguay?

Tomorrow will be a crucial test for Australia, against a tough Uruguay. Whilst they have a full strength squad coming to Telstra Stadium, Australia have a bunch of youngsters. Many believe this is a B-grade side, but coach Graham Arnold has hit back at those claims, claiming it is a lack of respect to the youngsters . He has a point, I think and only true Australian football supporters can see this.

When Australia head for South Africa in 2010, about half of their ‘big stars’ will still be available. The others will have retired. Who is going to fill these positions? Viduka, Moore, Chipperfield, Aloisi and maybe Schwarzer will not be there in 2010. This is on top of the retirements that we’ve already seen. It is therefore important that the younger talent gets experience on the biggest stage.

These young guns aren’t guys off the street:

- Valeri is owned by Inter Milan and has been loaned to other clubs
- Beauchamp and Spiranovic just won the German Cup with Nurnberg
- Jones and Federici play in the EPL
- McDonald recently signed for Scottish giants Celtic

Although I don’t expect us to win on Saturday, I expect these young guns to show us what they’ve got. Who knows? We might even see the next Harry Kewell.

Likely XI:

Jones

Emerton Neill Kisnorbo Thwaite

Wilkshire Culina Holman Valeri

Sterjovski McDonald