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(Sports)Socceroos may face defensive options for Asian Cup final

Xinhua, January 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australia may have a defensive crisis on their hands ahead of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup final, with right-back Ivan Franjic battling a hip injury.

Australia will meet South Korea in Sydney on Saturday night to compete for the title, however Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou may have to improvise with his defensive options.

Franjic is the only recognized right-back in Australia's squad, but after limping from the field following his team's 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the semi final on Tuesday, he is in a race against time to prove his fitness.

Australia's only other specialist right-back defender, Chris Herd, has already been forced to leave the squad early and return to the United Kingdom after suffering an achilles injury.

Therefore, Postecoglou may have to play centre-half Trent Sainsbury in a wider role, with Alex Wilkinson deputizing alongside Matthew Spiranovic in the middle.

According to Sainsbury, he is ready to play wherever he is required.

"It doesn't bother me," he was quoted as saying by The ABC on Thursday.

"They can put me in goal if they want to, I'm not fussed. I'll go out there and do the job that I'm told."

"I have played there a few times.. I just have to adjust and do what the coach tells me."

However, speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Franjic remained confident that he will be fit to play in Saturday's showpiece event.

"It was pretty sore at the time, but it's nothing major," he said. "We've got great medical staff and I'm sure I'll be fine for Saturday."

"Because it was towards the end of the game, we just took a few precautions. I went right wing and I was able to finish the game off."

"It was never bad enough to contemplate coming off. I was happy to push through and I'm sure it'll be good for Saturday.

"It would be devastating, of course, if I had to miss the final, but I'm confident I'll be out there." Endi