Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 23-man squad for their upcoming international friendly against England, with a total of nine changes from the team that defeated Tajikistan and Jordan in March.
The match, to be played on Friday, May 27 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland sees Milos Degenek, Brad Inman, Jamie Maclaren and Stefan Mauk all getting their first ever call-up to the squad, paving the way for a possible four debutants.
Craig Goodwin has also been included in the squad after a strong A-League season with Adelaide United, having last played for the Socceroos in 2013.
The other players who have been included in the squad are Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine, Tomi Juric and Stefan Mauk.
Australia also play a pair of matches against Greece in Sydney and Melbourne within a fortnight of their trip to England, but will pick a different squad for those matches.
“Whilst it is an exciting fixture for us, it falls outside the FIFA window which means some boys, unfortunately, won’t be available for it. That includes all the boys playing in Asia and also Jason Geria who is playing for Melbourne Victory in the AFC Champions League, so we’ve taken all that into account.” Postecoglou said.
Due to the other commitments, the likes of Tim Cahill, Matthew Leckie and Nathan Burns will all miss out on playing England.
“We have had to cast the net far and wide again and at the same time I think we have come up with a squad that will be really competitive on the day.
“Due to this unique set of circumstances, we will name another squad next week for the upcoming matches against Greece where which will consider all eligible players.”
Postecoglou wanted to focus on the upcoming match against England though, stating that it is a good opportunity to test themselves against the best, and further consolidate game style and plans with the next World Cup just two years away.
“England is obviously a quality team and will be good challenge for us especially away from home.”
“I think it is constantly important that we test ourselves against the best and always against different types of opposition.
“Having come off the back of the first stage of qualifying against Asian opposition, it will be good to face up to something different and see how we are tracking with our progression.
“Ultimately we want to qualify for a World Cup, but we also want to know our game style and game plan will stand up against the very best,” concluded Postecoglou.
Socceroos squad:
Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Adam Federici, Craig Goodwin, Chris Ikonomidis, Jackson Irvine, Brad Inman, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak, Massimo Luongo, Jamie Maclaren, Stefan Mauk, Matthew McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Josh Risdon, Tom Rogic, Matthew Ryan, Brad Smith, Bailey Wright, Alex Wilkinson
Evan Askew
Guest
mybad, the post was directed toward realfootball. the sarcasm in aladins post was dripping like melted butter. There are many good players that can be found in league one or two and ange has said he hopes to help imman in the same way socceroos inclusion helped Luongo.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
I sense a hint of sarcasm in aladdins post. Either way i don't think Inmans inclusion is anything for anybody to lose sleep over, the chances of him getting on the pitch ahead of Mooy, Rogic or Loungo are miniscule. With the large amount of players unavailable why not take a look at a locally based player who seems to be playing well?.
Evan Askew
Guest
Northern Ireland and Wales have often had a history of relying on 2nd and 3rd tier players from England over the years against England in the home championships. And they have being able to hold their own and even win. We may get pumped, we are missing 6 of our starting players and England, as far as I know, are going into this full strength, but I don't think we should fear them.
nickoldschool
Guest
Would def not called friendlies 'meaningless' jb, especially when they are just before a major comp. Results may not matter too much, although it's always good for morale to win, the football played does. England, France, Germany etc will see their next friendlies as the last opportunities to fine-tune their squad and in some cases find their best starting XI. These aren't exhibition matches. imo that's an error many aussies make as most of their sports have test matches so anything that's not a test match or a WC, qualifying etc match is 'meaningless'. An exhibition match is meaningless, a friendly can be meaningless if the coach thinks so, but it's often a great opportunity to get things right. They are useful, that's why they are played.
whiskeymac
Guest
Arsenal have a good history of farming fringe players to other teams, including in spain and i think belgium, to gain experience. Win win for rogic.
j binnie
Guest
BTO a "FRIENDLY" match is exactly what it says, a meaningless game with no real end product other than the satisfaction of beating your opponent on the day. Therefore I go back to the point I made ,does it really matter who plays, for if a game against ENGLAND is perceived as a "must win" against the "old enemy", as Roar Football suggested,then surely the strongest team should be played, if not, surely by now AP knows full well the capabilities of the players I mentioned. I would rather pass comment on the "run-on" team than speculate on what team is going to be put together out of a 23 man squad. An opinion then would be worth reading. Cheers jb
Freycinet1803
Roar Rookie
Actually Inman is in the fourth tier (League Two). Luongo was named as Asian Cup player of the tournament whilst at a third tier team (League One).
Batou
Guest
Yeah, I think it would be a great move for him Kaks. He would improve his game there and with Arsenal competing in many competitions he would get opportunities. Arsene isn't afraid to give younger guys a shot. Look at Iwobi this year. Anyway, if it doesn't work out for him after a few years he could opt for a big money move to West Ham :) As for the guys you mentioned as competition, half of them will be out injured at any given point in time anyway!
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
"Play at a club where you can thrive as a player, not warm the bench so that the casual fans can say “Rogic plays for Arsenal”" You don't need to convince me. But, maybe, cut & paste your reply when the critics provide the "none of the Socceroos are playing at big clubs".
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"I think we are over that stage now where you have to play in England to be considered a ‘top’ player." Preaching to the choir here.. The end-to-end league doesn't tickle my fancy. I'm just happy he's stepping up from SPL tbh.. "At Arsenal he will get minimum game time" Or he will get his chance to prove himself, score more blinders like he has in SPL and secure a starting spot. I like to see the glass as half full myself.. Agree re Germany.. Be great to see him there too.. I just personally prefer to see him go to Spain and play against/with the 2 best players in the world.
aladdin sane
Guest
OMG I'm so embarrassed as an Australian that we've picked someone from the third tier, I don't think I'll ever be able to watch football again. I mean, how bad must the Socceroos be, when blokes like Inman are getting the once-over in a meaningless match? We'll never be champions of Asia at this rate!
Fadida
Guest
As always Ange will go for the jugular
BtoPower3
Roar Rookie
What is the purpose of a friendly soccer match? 1) Building up a national team (including assessing new players and gelling new and old players...etc) 2) Earning revenue to support the association (like FA and FFA). What else? Who would say "Let the players have a game for fun and the spectators to have entertainment"?
Kaks
Roar Guru
I believe he would suit the German league to a tee. He is technical, he is strong and he possesses a weapon of a boot. He could probably thrive in Spain as well, but England? I think we are over that stage now where you have to play in England to be considered a 'top' player. At Arsenal he will get minimum game time and maximum time in their garbage tabloid news. And Fuss, who cares what others think? Play at a club where you can thrive as a player, not warm the bench so that the casual fans can say "Rogic plays for Arsenal"
Realfootball
Guest
Yep, wonderful idea. Scout your internationals from the fifth tier. Vardy is a classic case of one of those once in 10 generations cases that everyone then wants to cite afterwards. What are the chances of Inman, at 24, of being another one? Minuscule.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Would Arsenal be a good move for him though?" Yes. He's good enough to vie for a spot. Which top club doesn't haven't a pecking order? Which club do you think he should go to? Personally Id prefer to see him in Spain anyway.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Who knows. But, at least it might stop some of the "yeah but none of them are at big clubs" rubbish we hear every single time the National Team is picked.
j binnie
Guest
Real =If your thinking is universal then only the strongest team should be fielded ,,yes-no? Cheers jbi
Queries
Guest
This is impossible in AFL.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Would Arsenal be a good move for him though? He would be behind the following in the pecking order; - Ozil - Cazorla - Ramsey - Wilshere