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Socceroos name squad for Greece series

Socceroos fans are not assured their side will be in the world cup. (AAP Image/Ben Macmahon)
16th May, 2016
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Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 23-man squad ahead of the Socceroos two-game international series against Greece which take place in June.

Postecoglou has rung the changes from the squad that was named to take on England last week, giving ten more players an opportunity to represent Australia on the international stage during the June FIFA window. Some of these players have already announced they will miss out on the first game due to other commitments.

Among the changes are Mark Birighitti, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Geria, Alex Gersbach, Apostolos Giannou, Mathew Leckie, Ryan McGowan, Trent Sainsbury and Matthew Spiranovic.

There was also one change to the squad for England, with goalkeeper Birighitti coming in for Mitch Langerak who is injured.

“The matches against Greece are about continuing to expose our players to a high level of international football,” said Postecoglou.

“The competition and intensity of these matches will definitely give us that and gives us the right preparation for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.

“Playing in front of big home crowds is an opportunity both for the players and the fans to build on the great atmosphere that has been created during the first round of World Cup qualifiers in Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney.

“The Asian Cup and the first round of World Cup qualifiers put our focus on Asian teams and conditions, but it’s important to confront a range of styles,” said Postecoglou.

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“Greece will present a different set of technical and tactical challenges and they have many players at the top level in Europe.

“Of course, the Greek Australian community will have special affinity to the matches and that will add to the occasion in Sydney and Melbourne.”

The first match against Greece will take place on the 4th of June at ANZ Stadium.

The second will be hosted at Etihad Stadium on the 7th of June.

Socceroos squad to take on England in friendly

 Name Club, Country A International Caps (Goals)
Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) Newcastle Jets 1 (0)
Nathan BURNS FC Tokyo 20 (3)
Tim CAHILL Hangzhou Greentown FC 89 (47)
Adam FEDERICI (gk) A.F.C. Bournemouth 15 (0)
Jason GERIA Melbourne Victory FC
Alex GERSBACH Rosenborg BK
Apostolos GIANNOU Guangzhou R&F FC 1 (0)
Chris IKONOMIDIS U.S. Salernitana 1919 3 (0)
Jackson IRVINE Ross County 2 (0)
Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace FC 62 (12)
Robbie KRUSE Bayer 04 Leverkusen 40 (4)
Mathew LECKIE FC Ingolstadt 04 29 (2)
Jamie MACLAREN Brisbane Roar FC
Ryan MCGOWAN Henan Jianye FC 15 (0)
Mark MILLIGAN Baniyas F.C. 46 (5)
Aaron MOOY Melbourne City FC 13 (5)
Josh RISDON Perth Glory FC 2 (0)
Tom ROGIC Celtic FC 15 (5)
Mathew RYAN (gk) Valencia CF 23 (0)
Trent SAINSBURY Jiangsu Suning FC 14 (1)
Brad SMITH Liverpool FC 6 (0)
Matthew SPIRANOVIC Hangzhou Greentown FC 30 (0)
Bailey WRIGHT Preston North End FC 10 (1)
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