Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has revealed the 23-player contingent he’ll be taking to the UAE for the Asian Cup next month, as Australia try to defend their 2015 title.
Arnold has elected to name Aaron Mooy in the squad despite earlier reports a knee injury suffered in the Premier League would keep him out of the tournament.
In a press release, the Socceroos said Phil Coles – the FFA’s senior physiotherapist – would assess Mooy’s injury independently later this week and would provide an additional update on Christmas Day (Australian time).
As per AFC regulations, Australia have until 4pm (AEDT) on Sunday, January 6 – six hours before their first match- to make a definitive decision on Mooy.
In the press conference, Arnold claimed it was Mooy himself who wanted to go the Asian Cup and had subsequently requested a second opinion from the FFA’s medical team.
The next-most notable news is arguably the players who didn’t make the cut, with Adelaide United gun Craig Goodwin being snubbed, and maligned striker Tomi Juric also getting dropped.
Instead, the Socceroos have elected to take Martin Boyle (who only applied for an Australian passport in March), Andrew Nabbout and Jamie Maclaren as the set of strikers.
Star Melbourne Victory duo James Troisi and Terry Antonis have also not made the cut. Antonis is widely tipped to be the man who’ll replace Mooy, however, if the Huddersfield midfielder succumbs to his injury.
Some of the surprising inclusions include A-League duo Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC) and Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory).
Overall, it’s a young squad that will take the field in January, with the average age of the travelling players just 26.
Just the three A-League players will be heading over too, with the aforementioned Grant and Ikonomidis joining Western Sydney’s Josh Risdon on the plane.
Arnold was bullish of his side’s chances of tasting success next month, despite 15 members of the 23 man squad playing in the tournament for the very first time.
“Our squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in the UAE blends youth with experience,” Arnold said.
“I know that Australia will enter the Asian Cup with the best camaraderie in the competition.
“In the short amount of time I have had in charge I feel that we have come a long way, and we will travel to the UAE expecting to win every match and ultimately lift the trophy in early February in Abu Dhabi,” he added.
Australia’s Asian Cup campaign kicks off on Sunday, January 6 at 10pm (AEDT), when they clash with Jordan. You can view the full Asian Cup fixtures here.
Full Socceroos 2019 Asian Cup squad
Mark Milligan (c), Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Rhyan Grant, Chris Ikonomidis, Jackson Irvine, Matthew Jurman, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak (GK), Mathew Leckie, Missimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Aaron Mooy, Andrew Nabbout, Josh Risdon, Tom Rogic, Mathew Ryan (GK), Trent Sainsbury, Daniel Vukovic (GK)
Mrfunny
Roar Rookie
Oh yeah sweat as a nut
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Every competition has to have a villain . Rhyan Grant has taken over from David Carney in that regard. I Just had to take my blue and Red glasses off and put my green and gold pair on now . Ah Grant ... the kid can play.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Gosh if only Grant played for Woolongong!!!!
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Agree Kanga, he should have scored 5. Burnt in my memory
chris
Guest
Not too many glaring omissions or inclusions. We have just as good a chance of winning it as any of the other contenders. They, like us, will be bemoaning how they lack this or they lack that.
jamesb
Roar Guru
So breakdown of the squad Goalkeepers: M.Ryan, D.Vukovic, M.Langerak Defenders: J.Risdon, R.Grant, M.Milligan, T.Sainsbury, M.Jurman, M.Degenek, A.Behich, A.Gersbach Midfielders: M.Luongo, J.Irvine, M.Amini, T.Rogic, A.Mooy ?? Wingers: M.Boyle, R.Kruse, A.Mabil, C. Ikonomidis Strikers: J.MacLaren, A.Nabbout, M.Leckie
Kaks
Roar Guru
The lack of goal-scoring ability will cost us, unfortunately dont see us overpowering Japan and South Korea.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Hope you enjoyed game LH.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Just hearing Vidmar s name gives me horrible flashbacks, 4 misses in the first 10 minutes or something like that against Iran Maybe the baton is now wth Ikonomidis
Punter
Roar Rookie
Great to see Ikonomidis getting a run for his good form in the A-League. No real complaints, though we are really down on strikers. Juric given enough chances, not playing, McClaren, just not convinced.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to all these players, especially Ikonomidis who has worked hard. I think they'll do well. Watched the Berlin game last night and have to say Leckie was pretty quiet, apart from the goal which was very nice.
Franko
Guest
Someone forgot to pass on the baton Kosmina-Farina-Arnold-Vidmar-Aloisi-Viduka-Kennedy-Cahill
Kangas
Roar Rookie
I can’t find Terry Antonis name . Rhyan Grant , you have to be kidding me, a half decent wide player will destroy him . Ah well, hope he proves me wrong. Big tick for Chris Ikonomidis