Zadkovich handed Socceroos debut

Derby County wingback Ruben Zadkovich will handed a starting debut by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek, when they face China at ANZ Stadium in Sydney for the final group World Cup qualifying match of the third round.

Derby County wingback Ruben Zadkovich will handed a starting debut by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek, when they face China at ANZ Stadium in Sydney for the final group World Cup qualifying match of the third round.

Zadkovich is one six Olympic team hopefuls to be given a start by Verbeek, in what is an inexperienced line-up to meet China in what is effectively a dead-rubber in terms of qualifying for the next phase of the World Cup.

The only notable absentee is that of Michael Beauchamp, who has failed to recover from a foot injury sufficiently to take his place in the squad. Matt Spiranovic, his former team mate at FC Nurnberg, gets his first start for the national team alongside Jade North in Beauchamp-s absence.

The Australian starting line up is: Michael Petkovic (gk); Nikolai Topor Stanley, Matthew Spiranovic, Jade North, Ruben Zadkovich, Mile Jedinak, Carl Valeri, James Troisi, James Holland, Harry Kewell and Bruce Djite.

As part of the formation, captain Harry Kewell will drop in behind Bruce Djite, who will lead the line from the start for the first time.