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Holger Osiek has announced the Socceroos squad for the upcoming clash against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne at AAMI Park, with the squad containing a number of surprises for the Australian clash, including the selection of Harry Kewell.
The squad was expected to contain a number of A-League based players due to the nature of the game being in Australia while the major leagues around the world continue.
However, veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been called up into the side, as with captain Lucas Neill.
Midfielder Mark Bresciano has ended his self-imposed break from international soccer with inclusion in the Australian squad to take on Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier in Melbourne next week.
Bresciano, who now plays his club football for Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates, has not represented the Socceroos since the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
The bolters into the 19-man squad include Michael Marrone, Erik Paartalu, and Michael Thwaite, while Nick Carle, Brett Emerton, Mark Milligan, and Matt Ryan have made the squad.
“This match is as important as any match we play to further build on what we have achieved so far,” said Osieck.
“Each match we play is a chance for players to prove themselves and their position in the squad.
“The players included from the A-League will get a closer look throughout the camp and I will make up my mind if I play them from our sessions.”
The Socceroos will assemble in Melbourne from Sunday before their final Group D match against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 at AAMI Park.
Full Socceroos squad to take on Saudi Arabia at 8:30pm* on Wednesday February 29th. (*FIFA have confirmed change to the kick-off time to 8:30pm)
M.Bresciano
A.Brosque
N.Carle
D.Carney
B.Emerton
H.Kewell
M.Marrone
M.Milligan
L.Neill
J.North
S.Ognenovski
E.Paartalu
M.Ryan
A.Sarota
M.Schwarzer
M.Spiranovic
A.Thompson
M.Thwaite
J.Troisi
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February 21st 2012 @ 12:27pm
Matt F said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
That’s quite a good squad given that most of the European based players are unavailable.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:31pm
The Cattery said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Wow, Bresh is still in the mix, that’s a surprise.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:44pm
The Cattery said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
Nine of 19 players from the A-League – just noticed that Arch has been recalled after a very long break from the Socceroos – might be one of the very last times he plays for the NT.
February 21st 2012 @ 1:04pm
TomC said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Archie hasn’t even been in particularly good form lately, so that’s something of a surprise.
February 21st 2012 @ 3:24pm
The Cattery said | February 21st 2012 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
Yep, agreed – even he might be pleasantly surprised – but good on him, he’s had a lot of bad luck over recent years as far as the NT goes.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:48pm
Titus said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
North and Carney haven’t been playing for the best part of a year.
Very happy with the a-league representation and it is well deserved. Welcome back Nick!
February 21st 2012 @ 1:29pm
Trust Me said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
Very interesting selection stats for this one.
Out of the 19 player squad 15 are current or recent A-League players now playing in Asia.
Only 2 from Euro leagues and 2 from Arab Leagues.
Obviously not a FIFA Calendar date and more Euro League players would have been selected otherwise, but a great opportunity for the A-League reperesentatives to get a run, which is one of Holger’s positive legacies compared to previous managers.
I think it also represents an improved standard of A-League.
February 21st 2012 @ 8:32pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | February 21st 2012 @ 8:32pm | Report comment
ooops posted in the wrong spot!
February 21st 2012 @ 12:51pm
apaway said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
I’m not sure I’d describe the selection of Harry Kewell as a surprise.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:52pm
Trust Me said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
Why does Holger persist with North and Carney,
Please explain.
February 21st 2012 @ 2:16pm
Roger said | February 21st 2012 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Carney is by far the worst player we have had as a regular starter for the Socceroos for quite some time.
February 21st 2012 @ 3:26pm
The Cattery said | February 21st 2012 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
That’s a bit rough – if you go back over the last 3 years, you might find that Carney has one of the best scoring records of any Socceroo – and that’s as a full back (admittedly, an average full back in other respects)
February 21st 2012 @ 3:50pm
The Cattery said | February 21st 2012 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
Carney has scored 6 goals for the Socceroos in just over four years – that would probably put him in the top 3 Socceroo goal scorers over that period.
February 21st 2012 @ 4:16pm
langou said | February 21st 2012 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
I think hes become the new whipping boy. I remember it being Scott Chipperfield for a period and then poor ol Brett Holman for a long time and now it seems to have moved to Carney. Personally I think Carney has been great for us.
February 21st 2012 @ 4:47pm
Trust Me said | February 21st 2012 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
I meant mainly in terms of him not having a club or having played any real first team football for nearly 2 seasons?
He obviously won’t be in top form.
February 21st 2012 @ 1:18pm
nordster said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
happy to see Paartalu in there finally, Maty Ryan also
February 21st 2012 @ 1:20pm
futbanous said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
Interesting to see if Erik Paartalu gets a run. Has started to come back a bit for the Roar recently.
I thought Bresciano had disappeared off the International radar. Glad to see him back anyway.
Harry how could he not be there after his form recently?
February 21st 2012 @ 1:34pm
nordster said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
maybe him and Milligan as holding mids, given the latter’s had a run there with MV … and a whole bunch of other centre backs named so no room at the back
February 21st 2012 @ 2:06pm
Griffo said | February 21st 2012 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
I didn’t think I’d see Bresciano in the squad again.
A bit of a spot check by Holger I think: see if former Socceroos, players with little game time, and the rising players are up to international standard and go on call for the next qualifying round.
Can’t wait to see how they go.
February 21st 2012 @ 2:14pm
Roger said | February 21st 2012 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Yay for 8.30 kickoff!