Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 30-man squad for the Socceroos upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with four returning stars headlining the team.
The squad is for Australia’s next two World Cup qualifiers, to be played against Iraq on March 23 and the UAE on March 28
Tim Cahill is the most high-profile of the returning players after the Melbourne City veteran missed Australia’s 2-2 draw with Thailand in November.
Cahill will be joined in the squad by Tomi Juric, Massimo Luongo and Mitch Langerak, who are all returning for the matches, while James Troisi has been named for the first time since 2015.
Troisi is not the only player to return to the Socceroos’ set-up after an extended absence, with Sydney FC goalkeeper Danny Vukovic earning a call-up to the squad after an impressive A-League campaign to date for the Sky Blues, and midfielder Mustafa Amini in line for an international debut after being included in the provisional 30-man list.
Postecoglou said the squad was well balanced and would be cut to 23 after this week’s games.
“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.
“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.”
The recent draw against Thailand left Australia precariously placed in third place of Group B, with only the top two sides gaining automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup.
Whichever team finishes third will be forced to play the third-placed team of Group A for the right to qualify for the inter-confederation play-off.
Full Socceroos squad to play Iraq and UAE
Mustafa Amini (Aarhus Gymnastikforening), Aziz Behich (Bursaspor), Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo), Tim Cahill (Melbourne City), Milos Degenek (Yokohoma), Ryan Edwards (Patrick Thistle FC), Alex Gersbach (Rosenborg), Craig Goodwin (Sparta Rotterdam), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Chris Ikonomidis (Aarhus Gymnastikforening), Jackson Irving (Burton Albion FC), Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa), James Jeggo (SK Sturm Graz), Tomi Juric (FC Luzern), Robbie Kruse (Liaoning Whowin FC), Mitchell Langerak (Stuttgart), Mathew Leckie (Ingolstadt), Massimo Luongo (QPR), Awer Mabil (Esjberg FB), Riley McGree (Adelaide United), Matthew McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Baniyas FC), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town), Matthew Ryan (KRC Genk), Trent Sainsbury (FC Internazionale Milano), Brad Smith (Bournemouth), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Danny Vukovic (Sydney FC), Rhys Williams (Perth Glory), Bailey Wright (Bristol City)
Upcoming Socceroos fixtures
Thursday, March 23 (11pm AEDT) vs Iraq at PAS Stadium, Tehran
Tuesday, March 28 (8pm AEDT) vs United Arab Emirates at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Cool and Cold
Guest
Matt Mckay is consistent week in week out, year in year out. He has good big match experience. Physically very fit recently.
Cool and Cold
Guest
Riley McGree https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fndq8c_2CNw Uploaded weeks ago.
Waz
Guest
It's impressive Mid, the question is though are Mariners still producing players of such quality and in 5 years time will we be seeing the same thing?
Ruudolfson
Guest
This McGree kid is interesting, he has the technical ability of a Rogic and the strong mentality of a Jedinak a strong combination which has Ange got licking his lips.
Realfootball
Guest
First time I saw McGree play I thought the kid was something special. More naturally talented than Luongo or Mooy, more athletic than Rogic. A lot can happen to a young footballer, but McGree is an exceptional talent.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Jackson Irvine is even better :)
Swanny
Guest
I think Jackson Irving has to be given a start . He's been in great form all season
Nemesis
Guest
jb, no doubt the final 23 man squad will be weighted heavily towards players who are overseas. Same happens in nearly every nation. Have a look at Argentina & Brasil national teams. Rarely more than a handful play in their domestic leagues. The best players attract the highest wages and the highest wages are not in Australia. Nor Argentina. Nor Brasil.
j binnie
Guest
Nemesis - Ange is playing the "game" very well ,using this 30 man preliminary squad size to keep certain sections of the local football community happy, but in naming only 7 HAL players, he leaves the choices open to a lot of conjecture. Of the 7, I would rate Vukovic as a "stay-in" for obvious reasons, but the remaining 6 will cause not a little debate. Starting with Cahill, the man has not being playing regularly for City and this is against AP's doctrine. McGree is at the other end of the spectrum ,he is just a "learner" at club level ,never mind international level.but is being given a boost to be in this squad. Grant is an enigma, he impresses every week but his enthusiasm has to be brought under control to cut back on his foul count which is a dangerous trait on the international stage. I give him a chance of being retained. Mackays selection puzzled me as well, Matt has all the enthusiasm he ever had and won't let the team down, but is that what is needed at the aforesaid international stage. That leaves only Troisi and Williams who have been tried and tested before so could be maintained in the squad simply for that experience. As we don't get to watch regularly the other 23 players named in the squad, it is hard to assess what the 23 man squad will be, never mind a run on team at actual game time. One thing appears to be sure,it will again be heavily weighted towards overseas based players. Wonder why? Cheers jb
bob
Guest
out : grant, degenek,mcgree,edwards,ikonomidis,goodwin,cahill
Nemesis
Guest
A slightly better format to assess this 30 man squad GK: Ryan, Langerak, Vukovic DF: Grant, Degenek, Sainsbury, Rhys Williams, Wright, Gershbach, Smith, Behich MF: Jedinak, Milligan, Irvine, Mooy, Jeggo, Amini, McGree, Ryan Edwards, McKay, Luongo FW: Cahill, Juric, Leckie, Kruse, Burns, Mabil, Ikonomidis, Goodwin, Troisi Which 7 miss out? Tough decision. It won't be any of the GKs. Probably McGree; which leaves 6 others and I haven't watched enough of the non ALeague players to make an informed decision.
Franko
Guest
I rekon most clubs could lay claim to a fair swag in there. Mabil, McGree, Leckie, Burns, Goodwin, Juric, Jeggo.
Cool and Cold
Guest
There cannot be all new players. That is why some are re-selected.
Cool and Cold
Guest
One of his job contents is to rejuvenate socceroos.
Josh Barton
Roar Pro
The only thing I can think of is Williams is quite a bit younger than Wilkinson now. Might be Ange has an eye for the future. Its a shame for DeVere to miss out. His injury could not have been more poorly timed.
Josh Barton
Roar Pro
Agreed. Though due to our depth in the centre of midfield, neither would likely end up playing.
Dan
Guest
I don't really rate kruse or leckie would love to see them show me up
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Brillante (SFC) should be in the squad ahead of McKay (Bris)
tully101
Roar Guru
players tent to leave the A-league and play overseas becuase they have outgrown the A-league or had a stellar season, Jeggo, goodwin and Juric are prime examples of this, i dare say if these players stayed in the A-league and continued their form, they will still be selected
punter
Guest
Yes very surprised Williams over Wilkinson & also McKay.