Juric ruled out of UAE, Qatar friendlies

Western Sydney Wanderers striker Tomi Juric has been ruled out of the Socceroos’ clashes with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar after sustaining a groin injury.

Juric suffered the injury leading into the Wanderers’ AFC Champions League semi final and Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou decided against taking the striker to Abu Dhabi and Doha for the matches.

“Tomi’s picked up an injury and I thought it better that he stay in Australia to receive treatment with his club to ensure he recovers as soon as possible,” Postecoglou said. “It is important he gets back on the field to give him the best opportunity to be fit and in form for the Asian Cup.”

Juric has been replaced by fellow striker Robbie Kruse.

“We will bring Robbie Kruse into the squad,” Postecoglou said. “He’s been coming along really well at Bayer Leverkusen and it will be good to get him into the squad and get him involved in the games against UAE and Qatar.”

The Socceroos will start assembling in Abu Dhabi on Sunday ahead of the first match against UAE on 10 October.

The 23-man Socceroos squad is:

NAME

CLUB, COUNTRY

A-International Caps (goals)

Aziz BEHICH

Bursaspor, TURKEY

5 (2)

Mark BRESCIANO

Al Gharafa, QATAR

79 (13)

Joshua BRILLANTE

ACF Fiorentina, ITALY

3 (0)

Tim CAHILL

New York Red Bulls, USA

73 (35)

Jason DAVIDSON

West Bromwich Albion F.C., ENGLAND

12 (0)

Adam FEDERICI (gk)

Reading FC, ENGLAND

8 (0)

Ivan FRANJIC

FK Torpedo Moskva, RUSSIA

10 (0)

Chris HERD

Bolton Wanderers FC, ENGLAND

2 (0)

James HOLLAND

FK Austria Vienna, AUSTRIA

14 (0)

Bernie IBINI-ISEI

Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA

-

Mile JEDINAK

Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND

49 (6)

Robbie KRUSE

TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY

29 (3)

Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)

B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, GERMANY

4 (0)

Mathew LECKIE

FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY

13 (1)

Massimo LUONGO

Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND

3 (0)

Mark MILLIGAN

Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA

32 (2)

Tommy OAR

FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS

19 (1)

Mat RYAN (gk)

Club Brugge KV, BELGIUM

11 (0)

Trent SAINSBURY

P.E.C. Zwolle, NETHERLANDS

2 (0)

Brad SMITH

Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND

2 (0)

Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, AUSTRALIA

3 (0)

James TROISI

S.V. Zulte Waregem, BELGIUM

13 (1)

Alex WILKINSON

Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, KOREA REPUBLIC

8 (0)

MATCH DETAILS

UAE v Australia

10 October 2014

Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Kick-Off 6.30pm (1.30am AEDT October 11)

 

Qatar v Australia

14 October 2014

Lekhwiya Stadium, Doha, Qatar

Kick-Off 7.30pm (3.30am AEDT October 15)

Both matches will be broadcast LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.