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) |
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – MATCH DETAILS
Iraq v Caltex Socceroos
Thursday 23 March
PAS Stadium, Tehran (Iran)
Kick off 4.30pm (11pm AEDT)
Caltex Socceroos v United Arab Emirates
Tuesday 28 March 2016
Sydney Football Stadium
Kick off 8pm
Both matches will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports and the Nine Network.
FIFA World Cup Qualification: AFC Second Round – Group B Standings
|
Group B |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
PTS |
|
Saudi Arabia |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
5 |
+4 |
10 |
|
Japan |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
+3 |
10 |
|
Australia |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
5 |
+3 |
9 |
|
UAE |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
6 |
+1 |
9 |
|
Iraq |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
-2 |
3 |
|
Thailand |
5 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
-9 |
1 |
