The Socceroos squad to represent Australia at the OFC Nations Cup was announced today by national coach Frank Farina with Paul Agostino, John Aloisi and Tim Cahill joining the squad that played the recent series against Turkey.
The Socceroos squad to represent Australia at the OFC Nations Cup was announced today by national coach Frank Farina with Paul Agostino, John Aloisi (pictured right) and Tim Cahill joining the squad that played the recent series against Turkey.
Agostino and Aloisi return home to Adelaide after fulfilling club commitments, while Cahill was unavailable for the matches against Turkey due to his team Millwall playing in the English FA Cup final on Saturday.
Dropping out of the squad from the Turkey series is Danny Tiatto with a broken jaw and Ante Milicic who is to return to Malaysia for club commitments.
The Socceroos play their first match of the tournament against New Zealand at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday 29 May.
"Bringing in Agostino and Aloisi gives us some more options up front and Tim Cahill gives us some more depth in the midfield," said Farina.
"It's not going to be easy. There are some very competitive teams involved in this tournament so we will need to be on our game," said Farina.
"New Zealand are going to be dangerous first up. We will need to make sure we are switched on right from the first whistle."
The top two nations from the tournament will play off later in the year for a spot in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and will also play each other again next year for the right to play the fifth best CONMEBOL (South America) nation for a berth at the World Cup finals.
The squad arrives in Adelaide tomorrow on QF663 from Brisbane at 3.30pm.
Socceroos SQUAD FOR OFC NATIONS CUP
Paul Agostino (1860 Munich, Germany)
John Aloisi (Osasuna, Spain)
Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy)
Tim Cahill (Millwall, England)
Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland)
Simon Colosimo (Parramatta Power, Australia)
Ahmad Elrich (Parramatta Power, Australia)
Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Vince Grella (Empoli, Italy)
Zeljko Kalac (Perugia, Italy)
Patrick Kisnorbo (Heart of Midlothian, Scotland)
Steve Laybutt (Excelsior Mouscron, Belgium)
Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City, England)
Adrian Madaschi (Partick Thistle, Scotland)
Jade North (Perth Glory, Australia)
Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England)
Josip Skoko (Genclerbirligi, Turkey)
Mile Sterjovski (FC Basel, Switzerland)
Tony Vidmar (Cardiff City, Wales)
Max Vieri (Napoli, Italy)
David Zdrilic (Aberdeen, Scotland)
