Socceroos to face stern Belgium test

The Socceroos will face a huge test in next month’s friendly with Belgium after the Europeans named a near full-strength squad for the clash in Liege.

Belgian boss Marc Wilmots included a host of English Premier League stars in his 22-man squad, including Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard.

Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) and Kevin Mirallas (Everton) were also included.

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen were the only big names missing due to injury.

But the strength of the squad will be just what Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou would have wanted as he prepares his squad for hosting January’s Asian Cup.

The fixture is both sides’ first hit-out since the World Cup in Brazil, where Belgium were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Argentina.

Following the Belgium match on September 5, the Socceroos will also face Saudi Arabia four days later in London.

Belgium squad:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Jean-Francois Gillet (Torino)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard), Guillaume Gillet (Bastia), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit Saint-Petersbourg), Jelle Van Damme (Standard), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Nacer Chadli (Tottenham), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Steven Defour (Anderlecht), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United), Radja Nainggolan (AS Roma), Axel Witsel (Zenit Saint-Petersbourg)

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Dries Mertens (Naples), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille)