Ange finalises 23-player squad for Syria series

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has promoted five fresh faces to his final 23-player squad for next month’s crunch 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Syria.

Former Hyundai A-League players Aziz Behich, Craig Goodwin, Nikita Rukavytsya, and Matthew Jurman, have each been promoted to Postecoglou’s latest 23-player squad, as has current Western Sydney Wanderers FC defender Josh Risdon.

18 of the players originally named in Postecoglou’s 23-player squad for the team’s recent FIFA World Cup Asian Qualification matches against Japan and Thailand have retained their spot in the latest Caltex Socceroos squad.

Tom Rogic, Aaron Mooy

The Caltex Socceroos will aim to take a step towards the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Russia, by securing a two-legged play-off victory over Syria following games in Melaka, Malaysia on October 5, and Sydney, Australia on October 10.

“I am confident that we have a group of players capable of achieving our goal of progressing to the next stage of qualification,” Postecoglou said.

“As I have mentioned on many occasions, it is important for us to have a large and vocal home crowd for the second match of this series, and I’m sure the boys will appreciate all the support from the local fans.”

To purchase tickets to the home leg in Sydney (Tuesday 10 October 2017) please visit www.socceroos.com.au/tickets.

The Caltex Socceroos will begin to assemble in Melaka, Malaysia from Sunday 1 October 2017. Following the away leg on neutral territory, the group will arrive home in Australia on Friday 6 October 2017.

Caltex Socceroos 23-player squad for the following matches:

2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers – Asian Play-off v Syria (Melaka, Malaysia – Thursday 5 October 2017 and Sydney, Australia – Tuesday 10 October 2017)

Name

Club, Country

A-International Caps (Goals)

Mustafa AMINI

Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), DENMARK

2 (0)

Aziz BEHICH

Bursaspor, TURKEY

16 (2)

Tim CAHILL

Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA

102 (48)

Milos DEGENEK

Yokohama F. Marinos, JAPAN

12 (0)

Craig GOODWIN

Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS

3 (0)

Jackson IRVINE

Hull City AFC, ENGLAND

14 (1)

Tomi JURIC

FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND

28 (8)

Matthew JURMAN

Suwon Samsung Bluewings, KOREA REPUBLIC

0 (0)

Robbie KRUSE

VfL Bochum, GERMANY

57 (4)

Mitchell LANGERAK (GK)

Levante UD, SPAIN

8 (0)

Mathew LECKIE

Hertha BSC, GERMANY

46 (6)

Massimo LUONGO

Queens Park Rangers FC, ENGLAND

30 (5)

Mark MILLIGAN

Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA

61 (6)

Aaron MOOY

Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND

27 (5)

Josh RISDON

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, AUSTRALIA

3 (0)

Tom ROGIC

Celtic FC, SCOTLAND

29 (7)

Nikita RUKAVYTSYA

Maccabi Haifa FC, ISRAEL

13 (1)

Mathew RYAN (GK)

Brighton & Hove Albion FC, ENGLAND

37 (0)

Trent SAINSBURY

Jiangsu Suning FC, CHINA

29 (3)

Brad SMITH

AFC Bournemouth, ENGLAND

18 (0)

James TROISI

Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA

34 (5)

Daniel VUKOVIC (GK)

KRC Genk, BELGIUM

0 (0)

Bailey WRIGHT

Bristol City FC, ENGLAND

19 (1)

 

Match Details:

2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers – Asian Play-offs – 1st leg
Syria v Caltex Socceroos

Thursday 5 October 2017
Hang Jebat Stadium, Melaka, Malaysia
Kick-off: 8.30pm (local) / 11.30pm (AEDT)

2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers – Asian Play-offs – 2nd leg
Caltex Socceroos v Syria

Tuesday 10 October 2017
Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)

Its make or break. Socceroos V Syria. Get tickets now