Caltex Socceroos squad named for Greece clashes

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 23-player squad for The Dodoni Series international matches against Greece which will be played on Saturday 4 June (ANZ Stadium, Sydney) and Tuesday 7 June (Etihad Stadium, Melbourne).

Postecoglou has made 10 changes to the Caltex Socceroos squad that he announced last week which will face England.

Coming into the Caltex Socceroos squad are Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo), Tim Cahill (Hangzhou Greentown FC), Jason Geria  (Melbourne Victory FC), Alex Gersbach (Rosenborg BK), Apostolos Giannou (Guangzhou R&F FC), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt 04), Ryan McGowan (Henan Jianye FC), Trent Sainsbury (Jiangsu Suning FC) and Matthew Spiranovic (Hangzhou Greentown FC).

Greece squad named for Caltex Socceroos friendlies

England squad for Euro 2016, Caltex Socceroos clash

Goalkeeper Birighitti will also be added to the Caltex Socceroos squad for the match against England in Sunderland on Saturday 28 May (AEST), replacing Mitch Langerak, who has had to withdraw due to injury.

With  The Dodoni Series  falling inside the FIFA window, Postecoglou was able to consider all available players when selecting this Caltex Socceroos squad.

“The matches against Greece are about continuing to expose our players to a high level of international football,” said Postecoglou.

“The competition and intensity of these matches will definitely give us that and gives us the right preparation for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.

“Playing in front of big home crowds is an opportunity both for the players and the fans to build on the great atmosphere that has been created during the first round of World Cup qualifiers in Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney.”

Postecoglou said a rare home international against European opposition was another benefit.

“The Asian Cup and the first round of World Cup qualifiers put our focus on Asian teams and conditions but it’s important to confront a range of styles,” said Postecoglou.

“Greece will present a different set of technical and tactical challenges and they have many players at the top level in Europe.

“Of course, the Greek Australian community will have special affinity to the matches and that will add to the occasion in Sydney and Melbourne.”

The Dodoni Series  between the Caltex Socceroos and Greece will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

The Dodoni Series ­ -  Match Details

Caltex Socceroos v Greece          Caltex Socceroos v Greece          

Saturday 4 June 2016                      Tuesday 7 June 2016

ANZ Stadium, Sydney                    Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)                       Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)

Tickets for The Dodoni Series between the Caltex Socceroos and Greece are available at  www.socceroos.com.au/tickets

Caltex Socceroos squad for The Dodoni Series