Eugene Galekovic replaces Brad Jones in squad

Eugene Galekovic replaces Brad Jones in Qantas Socceroos squad for 2010 FIFA World Cup(tm)

Muldersdrift, South Africa Friday 11 June 2010 By Adam Mark

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek today announced that Brad Jones would not be returning to Australian squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Jones was granted leave from camp last weekend due to a serious illness within his family.

It has been decided that Jones will not be returning to South Africa and will remain with his family.

Due to these special circumstances, FIFA has granted Football Federation Australia special approval to replace Brad Jones with fellow goal keeper Eugene Galekovic in the Qantas Socceroos squad in the lead up to their opening Group D match against Germany on Sunday in Durban.

The Qantas Socceroos second match of the tournament will be against Ghana on Saturday 19th June and then Serbia on Wednesday 23rd June. Should the Qantas Socceroos place in the top two positions of Group D at the end of the first phase of the competition, they will play their next opponent from Group C (England, USA, Algeria or Slovenia) in the Round of 16 on either Saturday 26th June (Rustenburg) or Sunday 27th June (Mangaung/Bloemfontein).

The Quarter Finals of the tournament will be held on the 2nd and 3rd July with the Semi Finals on the 6th and 7th July and the Final to be played on the 11th July.

QANTAS SOCCEROOS FINAL SQUAD FOR THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP™

Player NameClub, CountryA-International matches (goals)
Michael BEAUCHAMP Al-Jazira Club, UAE 21 (1)
Mark BRESCIANO U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy 55 (11)
Tim CAHILL Everton FC, England 40 (20)
David CARNEY FC Twente, Netherlands 26 (3)
Scott CHIPPERFIELD FC Basel, Switzerland 65 (12)
Jason CULINA Gold Coast United, Australia 49 (1)
Brett EMERTON Blackburn Rovers, England 72 (17)
Adam FEDERICI Reading FC, England 1 (0)
Richard GARCIA Hull City, England 7 (0)
Vincenzo GRELLA Blackburn Rovers, England 45 (0)
Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands 31 (2)
Mile JEDINAK Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey 11 (0)
Eugene GALEKOVICAdelaide United, Australia4 (0)
Josh KENNEDY Nagoya Grampus, Japan 20 (7)
Harry KEWELL Galatasaray SK, Turkey 45 (13)
Mark MILLIGAN JEF United, Japan 10 (1)
Craig MOORE Uncontracted 50 (3)
Lucas NEILL Galatasaray SK, Turkey 56 (0)
Nikita RUKAVYTSYA FC Twente, Netherlands 4 (0)
Mark SCHWARZER Fulham FC, England 75 (0)
Carl VALERI U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy 22 (0)
Dario VIDOSIC FC Nurnberg, Germany 7 (1)
Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia 42 (2)

Qantas Socceroos Upcoming Match Details

2010 FIFA World Cup™ - Group D

Germany v Australia Sunday 13 June 2010 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban Kick-Off time: 8:30pm SAST (4:30am AEST)

Ghana v Australia

Saturday 19 June 2010 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg Kick-Off time: 4:00pm SAST (12:00am AEST)

Australia v Serbia

Wednesday 23 June 2010 Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit Kick-Off time: 8:30pm SAST (4:30am AEST)

For more information regarding the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ please visit www.fifa.com