Seven Hyundai A-League stars in latest Caltex Socceroos squad

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 30-man squad for two crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month with Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Massimo Luongo and Mitch Langerak included after missing November’s 2-2 draw with Thailand.

The extended squad for the matches against Iraq (March 23 in Tehran) and the UAE (March 28 in Sydney) includes seven uncapped players, seven from the Hyundai A-League and 15 players who were not in Thailand for the last World Cup Qualifier in November.

The squad will be trimmed to 23 following this weekend’s matches with players all over the world given one final chance to press their claims to be part of the squad.

“We have named an extended squad with a few notable returns but we will make a final decision after this weekend’s matches around Australia, Asia and Europe,” Postecoglou said. “With the Asian leagues and some countries in Europe only just starting I wanted to have another look.

“There is also recognition for some players who have been in good form in the A-League and have the characteristics to fit in with some of our experienced players as we move into an important stretch of qualifying.

“It is encouraging to have the experience of Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Mass Luongo, Mitch Langerak and James Troisi back in the squad but we also have some players who have been on the fringe who have been knocking on the door of both the squad and the starting side.”

Postecoglou has named James Troisi for the first time since November 2015 and Rhys Williams, who was a member of Postecoglou’s first Socceroo squad in November 2013 before injury curtailed his international career for more than three years.

Caltex Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers v Iraq and United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Name	Club, Country	A International Caps (Goals)
Mustafa AMINI	Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), DENMARK	–
Aziz BEHICH	Bursaspor, TURKEY	11 (2)
Nathan BURNS	FC Tokyo, JAPAN	24 (3)
Tim CAHILL	Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA	94 (48)
Milos DEGENEK	Yokohama F Marinos, JAPAN	5 (0)
Ryan EDWARDS	Partick Thistle FC, SCOTLAND	–
Alex GERSBACH	Rosenborg BK, NORWAY	2 (0)
Craig GOODWIN	Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS	3 (0)
Rhyan GRANT	Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA	–
Chris IKONOMIDIS	Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), DENMARK	6 (0)
Jackson IRVINE	Burton Albion FC, ENGLAND	7 (0)
Mile JEDINAK	Aston Villa FC, ENGLAND	68 (15)
James JEGGO	SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA	–
Tomi JURIC	FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND	20 (4)
Robbie KRUSE	Liaoning Whowin FC, CHINA	48 (4)
Mitchell LANGERAK	VfB Stuttgart FC, GERMANY	6 (0)
Mathew LECKIE	FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY	37 (3)
Massimo LUONGO	Queens Park Rangers FC, ENGLAND	24 (5)
Awer MABIL	Esjberg Fb, DENMARK	–
Riley McGREE	Adelaide United FC, AUSTRALIA	–
Matthew McKAY	Brisbane ROAR FC, AUSTRALIA	59 (2)
Mark MILLIGAN	Baniyas FC, UAE	53 (5)
Aaron MOOY	Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND	21 (5)
Mathew RYAN	KRC Genk, BELGIUM	30 (0)
Trent SAINSBURY	FC Internazionale Milano, ITALY	21 (3)
Brad SMITH	AFC Bournemouth, ENGLAND	14 (0)
James TROISI	Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA	26 (4)
Daniel VUKOVIC	Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA	–
Rhys WILLIAMS	Perth Glory FC, AUSTRALIA	14 (0)
Bailey WRIGHT	Bristol City FC, ENGLAND	12 (1)