Socceroos squad: Emerton, Kewell left out

We've got sufficient attacking options to cover Carlos - couldn't have said that in the past 3 seasons! Very happy for Carlos - he's a quality player, who should have been at WC2010 if Costa Rica hadn't choked in the final CONCACAF Group Game. They were 2-0 up away to USA and a win would have seen them qualify ahead of Honduras. But somehow Costa Rica threw the game away and allowed USA to equalise in the 4' of stoppage time at the end of the 2nd half. Seems there's an "Iran story" in every WC qualification.

"Lo tomo como si fuera mi primera convocatoria a la selección", reaccionó Hernández desde Australia. Something like: I'm treating it like it's my very first call up (to the national team), responded Hernandez from Australia.

I'm surprised that Carlos is still in the frame for NT duty.

Apparently the Costa Rican manager doesn't take the same view as Holger. Carlos Hernandez has been called up for a friendly against Brazil on 7 October. http://deportes.terra.com.pe/futbol/tecnico-de-costa-rica-convoca-13-legionarios-para-enfrentar-a-brasil,69ac51e364ba2310VgnVCM10000098f154d0RCRD.html Check out the squad list at the bottom of the page.

Lucan - I don't think either Sydney FC or Melbourne Victory will give a toss in November if both join the squad (I think both clubs expect it). To help you understand more: "Osieck knows the state of affairs over here. It’s unlikely to be repeated and commonsense has prevailed. It’s a very important season for the league and this marketing opportunity rarely comes along." http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/holger-osieck-plays-his-part-in-providing-a-real-boost-to-hyundai-a-league-robbie-slater-says/story-e6frf4gl-1226148065998

Tommy Oar is actually playing week in week out - I think Holger wants to protect young Tommy's career given he is barely 20 at this stage

Over the two matches I would like to see all 19 of these players get a good crack at some game time.

Sorry to lose you. You suggested it would be a long time before we have such a club v country clash again. This November, we have further World Cup Qualifiers and no HAL break to conincide. I guess "long time" is a relative concept. Personally, I find two clashes in six weeks to be close.

I really rate Holger's handling of the whole situation, in particular that the National Team does not operate a revolving door policy (i.e. Emmo joining after the Malaysia game). A strong squad overall, looking forward to seeing how Alex Brosque perfoms and if Kennedy can continue his great form. Surely Rhys Williams is due for some game time too.

Still a pretty strong squad and with Emo and Harry out gives some more players the chance to shine in the first team and get more experience for the tough qualifiers ahead in round 3. Brett and Harry were left out for the same reasons that McKay, Vidosic, Rukya, Oar and Leckie were left out - lack of first team match fitness. Verbeek would have selected Emo and Harry just to show the FFA who was boss and then sat them both on the bench for the whole game.

JAJI, another legacy of Verbeek was for young players to think that even if they trained with a Euro reserve team they were better off than playing in the A-League. Osieck doesn't agree and he picks players on form and match fitness. Players like Leckie, Rukya and Oar have probably lessened their chances of making the 2014 WC squad by leaving the A-League.

replace Emerton at right mid field with Rhys Williams squad in positions: GOALKEEPERS Adam Federici Mark Schwarzer DEFENDERS Sasa Ognenovski Matthew Spiranovic Lucas Neill Luke Wilkshire Michael Zullo Rhys Williams (can play in midfield) MIDFIELDERS Mile Jedinak Neil Kilkenny Carl Valeri Matt Mckay James Troisi Brett Holman Tim Cahill Adam Sarota FORWARDS Josh Kennedy Alex Brosque Robbie Kruse would've llked to have seen Luke De Vere in their. Hopefully next time

Well done Holger!!!!! can't wait for the start of the A-League.

Lucan - November? you have lost me. I think you would find when the A-League draw was released the FFA knew exactly this was the case. The idea being Socceroos match would start the season with a bang. Kewell and Emerton weren't even on the FFA's radar. Months ago everyone thought the epic Grand Final re-match between Brisbane v CCM was the blockbuster for Round 1 not Melbourne Victory v Sydney

Maybe Neil Lennon kidnapped him? you never can know with those porridge wogs and their sectarian silliness!

I think Tommy Oar is only JUST starting to find his feet and settle in to Utrecht, pulling him out of Utrecht now would destroy all the hard work that he has achieved over the past 3 years, this is not to say that the club will drop him from their squad, but it would disrupt his rhythm and form with the club. Especially if he picked up an injury. If Oar keeps playing well like he is now, probably later in the season he will be established enough to be able to travel with the Socceroo's. Your country has priority over the clubs, but there is a balance, without a club a player cannot play for his country, as demonstrated many times before in history. Good club form almost always equates to good form for the national team (with the exception of Podolski, Klose and Messi). Excellent decision to leave Emerton and Kewell out of the meaningless friendly for what is going to be the biggest opening to the A-League in history, I CAN'T WAIT!

fusball this guy Holger is a legend cant imagine what the fool verbek what have done in this situation.

I have no issue with the A-League scheduling games on international dates. At most we are going to lose 2-6 players across the league, clubs need to use their depth that is all. I think Osiek has made a good decision and for me it does set a precedent but not a bad one. Players who have just changed clubs should be given the opportunity to settle into their club before being called up to international duty. European Clubs would ask for this so I don't see it being an issue that the A-league ones have as well. There are plenty of instances in the past where players have been left at clubs as it was seen 'settling' in at the club was more important than them being called up. The precedent though is this is the first time the A-league clubs have gotten their way. I fully expect both Kewell and Emerton to be avaliable come November however.

Interestingly no third keeper has been picked.....which I havent seen before for a World Cup qualifier People will whinge there is no Ruka however he hasnt appered on the park for Berlin in the last 2 games People will whinge there is no Leckie however the same applies to him too People will whinge there is no Chris Herd - however after that game when he almost scored for Villa he hasnt even featured in the Villa matchday squad since Its slightly odd Tommy Oar isnt being picked.....and there is no Harry, Emerton and Timmy is hobbling - however Holman and Kennedy are in the form of their careers at present and I am guessing HO is making the call thats enough firepower for Oman. Question for everybody - what is happening to matt Mckay? He has gone MIA at Rangers......

Fair call Fuss on the six weeks of non-competitive football. Hasn't been spoken of much but it is definitely a valid point.