Postecoglou names extended squad for Thailand WCQ

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou today named five Hyundai A-League players in an extended 30-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Thailand at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday 15 November.

Postecoglou will trim the squad to 23 players after watching this weekend’s matches.

Luke Brattan (Melbourne City FC), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory), Josh Risdon (Perth Glory), Tommy Oar (Brisbane Roar FC) as well as overseas-based Nathan Burns, Milos Degenek and Aziz Behich have been added to the squad that drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia and 1-1 with Japan.

“We have decided to name an extended squad for this game so I can have another look at the matches being played all over the world this weekend,” Postecoglou said.

Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou addresses media.

“We have players who are in the squad or on the fringe, including those playing in the Hyundai A-League, that are just starting their seasons and with the tight turnaround from Japan to Thailand I wanted to have another look at them after they have showed good signs in the opening rounds.

“It is yet another good sign of the depth we are creating and when we announce the team after this weekend there will be players who miss out that are playing well enough to be part of the squad.”

The Socceroos clash with Thailand is proceeding as planned in Bangkok following uncertainty over the status of the match after the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

“We are happy that the game is going ahead as scheduled in Bangkok but completely understand the sensitivities following the death of the King of Thailand,” he said. “We will be in Bangkok for a longer than usual period as we only have one match in this window so we will have a good lead in to ensure we are well prepared.

“We are currently sitting second in what is a very tight group and after this game we will be at the halfway stage of qualification so this game is important.”

Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou puts his squad through a training session.

2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Match Details

Thailand v Caltex Socceroos

Tuesday 15 November

Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok

7pm kick off (11pm AEDT)

Caltex Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier v Thailand

 Name

Club, Country

A International Caps (Goals)

Aziz BEHICH

Bursaspor, TURKEY

11 (2)

Luke BRATTAN

Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA

-

Nathan BURNS

F.C. Tokyo, JAPAN

23 (3)

Tim CAHILL

Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA

94 (48)

Milos DEGENEK

TSV 1860 Munchen, GERMANY

4 (0)

Adam FEDERICI

A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND

16 (0)

Jason GERIA

Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA

1 (0)

Alex GERSBACH

Rosenborg BK, NORWAY

2 (0)

Apostolos GIANNOU

Guangzhou R&F F.C., CHINA

5 (0)

Craig GOODWIN

Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS

3 (0)

Chris IKONOMIDIS

Aarhus Gymnastikforening, DENMARK

6 (0)

Jackson IRVINE

Burton Albion FC, ENGLAND

6 (0)

Mile JEDINAK

Aston Villa F.C, ENGLAND

67 (13)

James JEGGO

SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA

-

Tomi JURIC

FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND

20 (4)

Robbie KRUSE

Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY

47 (4)

Mitchell LANGERAK

VfB Stuttgart, GERMANY

6 (0)

Mathew LECKIE

FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY

36 (3)

Massimo LUONGO

Queens Park Rangers F.C., ENGLAND

24 (5)

Ryan MCGOWAN

Henan Jianye F.C., CHINA

18 (0)

Mark MILLIGAN

Baniyas F.C., UAE

52 (5)

Aaron MOOY

Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND

20 (5)

Tommy OAR

Brisbane Roar FC, AUSTRALIA

28 (2)

Josh RISDON

Perth Glory, AUSTRALIA

3 (0)

Tommy ROGIC

Celtic FC, SCOTLAND

22 (5)

Mathew RYAN

Valencia CF, SPAIN

29 (0)

Trent SAINSBURY

Jiangsu Suning F.C., CHINA

20 (3)

Brad SMITH

A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND

13 (0)

Matthew SPIRANOVIC

Hangzhou Greentown F.C., CHINA

33 (0)

Bailey WRIGHT

Preston North End FC, ENGLAND

12 (1)

ROAD TO RUSSIA – QUALIFYING PATH

The Final Stage of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) World Cup Qualifying sees Australia placed into Group B alongside Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Iraq and the UAE with the two top sides automatically qualifying for the2018 FIFA World Cup.

The third-placed teams in both AFC Groups will then play each other (home and away) for the opportunity to face the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF (Central and Northern America) in a home and away series for the final place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup Qualification: AFC Second Round – Group B Standings

Group B

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PTS

Saudi Arabia

4

3

1

0

8

3

+5

10

Australia

4

2

2

0

6

3

+3

8

Japan

4

2

1

1

6

4

+2

7

UAE

4

2

0

2

5

6

-1

6

Iraq

4

1

0

3

6

6

0

3

Thailand

4

0

0

4

1

10

-9

0