Osieck announces starting squad - Bresciano to start

Mark Bresciano will start in his return to the Qantas Socceroos, with coach Holger Osieck springing some surprises in his starting side. Read on to get the full team.

Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has sprung some surprises in his opening line-up for tonight-s World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

Osieck looks to have been impressed by the returning Mark Bresciano since he arrived for training and has selected him to start in the middle of the park as an attacking midfielder, with Mark Milligan a slightly surprising choice to play in the defensive midfield role.

Adding some extra strike power up front will be Alex Brosque who has got the nod to lead the line alongside Harry Kewell instead of Archie Thompson.

While we have plenty of power up front Osieck has gone for a physical and strong back four which has Jade North starting at right back, Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski in the middle and Matthew Spiranovic starting on the left hand side.

None of the debutants in Erik Paartalu, Michael Marrone or Mat Ryan will be a part of the starting team.

Qantas Socceroos: Mark Schwarzer (GK), Jade North (RB), Lucas Neill (c)(CB), Sasa Ognenovski (CB), Matthew Spiranovic (LB), Brett Emerton (RM), Mark Bresciano (ACM), Mark Milligan (DCM), James Troisi (LM), Harry Kewell (S), Alex Brosque (S).