Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek has selected a squad of 23 players for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifier against Kuwait in Kuwait City on 6 January 2010.
Selected in a Qantas Socceroos squad for the first time are Tommy Oar (Brisbane Roar), Matthew Kemp (Melbourne Victory) and Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory).
Eight Hyundai A-League clubs are represented in the squad by a total of 15 players.
Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo makes a return to the Qantas Socceroos squad after last appearing in the Green & Gold in a friendly against China in Guangzhou on 24 March 2007.
Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, has been selected in the Qantas Socceroos squad previously but could make his senior debut if he takes the field against Kuwait.
Players joining the Qantas Socceroos squad from overseas clubs include Luke Wilkshire (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace FC, England) Bruice Djite (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa FC, England), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente, Netherlands), Matthew Spiranovic and Dario Vidosic (FC Nurnberg, Germany).
Kuwait defeated Australia 1-0 when the two teams clashed in Canberra on March 3 earlier this year.
Kuwait and Australia currently sit on top of the Group B points table of the AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifying stage and it is vital that the Qantas Socceroos make the most of the second last qualification match.
The Qantas Socceroos are scheduled to play Indonesia in Brisbane in their final group match on March 3, 2010.
All Qantas Socceroos matches are broadcast live and exclusive on FOX Sports.
Qantas Socceroos Squad – Tuesday 22 December 2009
Player Club, Country A-International matches (goals)
Alex BROSQUE Sydney FC 4 (0)
Jacob BURNS Perth Glory FC 10 (0)
Nick CARLE Crystal Palace FC, England 10 (0)
Simon COLOSIMO Sydney FC 24 (3)
Jason CULINA Gold Coast United 45 (1)
Bruce DJITE Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey 7 (0)
Eugene GALEKOVIC Adelaide United FC 2 (0)
Scott JAMIESON Adelaide United FC 1 (0)
Mile JEDINAK Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey 8 (0)
Matthew KEMP Melbourne Victory FC 0 (0)
Shane LOWRY Aston Villa FC, England 0 (0)
Matthew MCKAY Brisbane Roar FC 3 (0)
Craig MOORE Brisbane Roar FC 46 (3)
Tommy OAR Brisbane Roar FC 0 (0)
Nikita RUKAVYTSYA FC Twente, Netherlands 1 (0)
Matthew SPIRANOVIC FC Nurnberg, Germany 3 (0)
Mile STERJOVSKI Perth Glory FC 41 (8)
Archie THOMPSON Melbourne Victory FC 32 (21)
Matthew THOMPSON Newcastle Jets FC 2 (0)
Tando VELAPHI Perth Glory FC 0 (0)
Dario VIDOSIC FC Nurnberg, Germany 3 (0)
Danny VUKOVIC Central Coast Mariners FC 0 (0)
Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia 38 (1)
