Caltex Socceroos squad named for Iraq, UAE WCQs

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 30-man squad for two crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month with Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Massimo Luongo and Mitch Langerak included after missing November’s 2-2 draw with Thailand.

The extended squad for the matches against Iraq (March 23 in Tehran) and the UAE (March 28 in Sydney) includes seven uncapped players, seven from the Hyundai A-League and 15 players who were not in Thailand for the last World Cup Qualifier in November.

The squad will be trimmed to 23 following this weekend’s matches with players all over the world given one final chance to press their claims to be part of the squad.

Craig Goodwin on the ball during a Socceroos training session.

“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.

“There is also recognition for some players who have been in good form in the A-League and have the characteristics to fit in with some of our experienced players as we move into an important stretch of qualifying.

“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.”

Caltex Socceroos striker Tim Cahill celebrates scoring against the UAE in a WCQ in September 2016.

Postecoglou has named James Troisi for the first time since November 2015 and Rhys Williams, who was a member of Postecoglou’s first Socceroo squad in November 2013 before injury curtailed his international career for more than three years.

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Caltex Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers v Iraq and United Arab Emirates (UAE)

 Name

Club, Country

A International Caps (Goals)

Mustafa AMINI

Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), DENMARK

-

Aziz BEHICH

Bursaspor, TURKEY

11 (2)

Nathan BURNS

FC Tokyo, JAPAN

24 (3)

Tim CAHILL

Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA

94 (48)

Milos DEGENEK

Yokohama F Marinos, JAPAN

5 (0)

Ryan EDWARDS

Partick Thistle FC, SCOTLAND

-

Alex GERSBACH

Rosenborg BK, NORWAY

2 (0)

Craig GOODWIN

Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS

3 (0)

Rhyan GRANT

Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA

-

Chris IKONOMIDIS

Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), DENMARK

6 (0)

Jackson IRVINE

Burton Albion FC, ENGLAND

7 (0)

Mile JEDINAK

Aston Villa FC, ENGLAND

68 (15)

James JEGGO

SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA

-

Tomi JURIC

FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND

20 (4)

Robbie KRUSE

Liaoning Whowin FC, CHINA

48 (4)

Mitchell LANGERAK

VfB Stuttgart FC, GERMANY

6 (0)

Mathew LECKIE

FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY

37 (3)

Massimo LUONGO

Queens Park Rangers FC, ENGLAND

24 (5)

Awer MABIL

Esjberg Fb, DENMARK

-

Riley McGREE

Adelaide United FC, AUSTRALIA

-

Matthew McKAY

Brisbane ROAR FC, AUSTRALIA

59 (2)

Mark MILLIGAN

Baniyas FC, UAE

53 (5)

Aaron MOOY

Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND

21 (5)

Mathew RYAN

KRC Genk, BELGIUM

30 (0)

Trent SAINSBURY

FC Internazionale Milano, ITALY

21 (3)

Brad SMITH

AFC Bournemouth, ENGLAND

14 (0)

James TROISI

Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA

26 (4)

Daniel VUKOVIC

Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA

-

Rhys WILLIAMS

Perth Glory FC, AUSTRALIA

14 (0)

Bailey WRIGHT

Bristol City FC, ENGLAND

12 (1)

2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – MATCH DETAILS

Iraq v Caltex Socceroos                                  

Thursday 23 March                                           

PAS Stadium, Tehran (Iran)                            

Kick off 4.30pm (11pm AEDT)


Caltex Socceroos v United Arab Emirates

Tuesday 28 March 2016

Sydney Football Stadium

Kick off 8pm           

Both matches will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports and the Nine Network.


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

Group B

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PTS

Saudi Arabia

5

3

1

1

9

5

+4

10

Japan

5

3

1

1

8

5

+3

10

Australia

5

2

3

0

8

5

+3

9

UAE

5

3

0

2

7

6

+1

9

Iraq

5

1

0

4

6

8

-2

3

Thailand

5

0

1

4

3

12

-9

1

The Caltex Socceroos tackle UAE in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Sydney on March 28. Click here for tickets

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