Ange names squad to face Germany and FYR Macedonia

Staff writer 1426026698,1426057478

Ange Postecoglou has named a strong 23-man squad to face World Champions Germany and FYR Macedonia in Europe later this month as the Socceroos take the first steps along the path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Postecoglou has rewarded the heroes who won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, with 18 members of the squad named alongside five players who have been given an opportunity to impress the Socceroos coaching staff.

Mark Bresciano, who recently retired from international football, injured duo Chris Herd and Robbie Kruse, Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Terry Antonis, who will be included in the Olyroos squad next week, are the only players not selected from the Asian Cup.

Coming into the squad are uncapped players Luke DeVere, Chris Ikonomidis and Tarek Elrich, Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy and in-form Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

“This squad rewards the players who did a marvellous job in claiming the Asian Cup,” Postecoglou said. “Winning the Asian Cup was a great reward for the hard work the players put in but we have been pretty consistent in our approach that the Asian Cup win is the start of a journey, not the end.

“The games in Europe offer an opportunity for the likes of DeVere, Elrich, Mooy, Federici and young Chris Ikonomidis. We continue to have one eye on the four-year World Cup cycle and these players have an opportunity to show us how they’ll handle the step up to international level.”

The matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia are the final two friendly games before the Socceroos commence the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June.

“We need to continue our development as we move forward from the Asian Cup victory and look towards the 2018 World Cup,” Postecoglou said. “These two matches will offer us another test and will be a good indication of what is required to take the next step.”

Australia has faced Germany three times in full internationals since the reunification of Germany. Germany defeated the Socceroos 4-3 at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 4-0 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup before the Socceroos beat Germany 2-1 in a friendly in 2011.

The Socceroos have played FYR Macedonia in one match, claiming a 1-0 victory in 1997 thanks to a late Aurelio Vidmar goal.

Both international matches will be broadcast LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

Socceroos squad for international friendly matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia

Name	Club, Country	A International Caps (Goals)
Aziz Behich	Bursaspor, Turkey	9 (2)
Nathan Burns	Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand	10 (0)
Tim Cahill	Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C., China	82 (39)
Jason Davidson	West Bromwich Albion F.C., England	17 (1)
Luke DeVere	Brisbane Roar, Australia	-
Tarek Elrich	Adelaide United, Australia	-
Adam Federici (gk)	Reading FC, England	9 (0)
Ivan Franjic	FK Torpedo Moskva, Russia	18 (0)
Chris Ikonomidis	S. S. Lazio, Italy	-
Mile Jedinak	Crystal Palace FC, England	56 (7)
Tomi Juric	Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia	10 (2)
Mitchell Langerak (gk)	B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany	5 (0)
Mathew Leckie	FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany	22 (1)
Massimo Luongo	Swindon Town FC, England	11 (2)
Matt McKay	Brisbane Roar, Australia	54 (2)
Mark Milligan	Melbourne Victory FC, Australia	38 (3)
Aaron Mooy	Melbourne City, Australia	4 (3)
Tommy Oar	FC Utrecht, Netherlands	21 (1)
Mat Ryan (gk)	Club Brugge KV, Belgium	19 (0)
Trent Sainsbury	P.E.C. Zwolle, Netherlands	10 (1)
Matthew Spiranovic	Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia	26 (0)
James Troisi	S.V. Zulte Waregem, Belgium	21 (3)
Alex Wilkinson	Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic	12 (0)