Socceroos Squad to Play Nigeria Named
Football Federation Australia today announced the Socceroos squad that will play Nigeria in an international match in London on Saturday 17 November, kick-off 3pm.
Football Federation Australia today announced the Socceroos squad that will play Nigeria in an international match in London on Saturday 17 November, kick-off 3pm. Acting National Coach Rob Baan has included uncapped goal keepers Nathan Coe and Adam Federici in the squad while James Wesolowski could also make his national team debut.
Leading the front line will be in-form Celtic striker Scott McDonald, who has scored 11 goals in the last nine games while recent returns from injury have seen Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell included.
"It's a versatile squad which will give the players a chance to continue the preparations for the World Cup qualifiers which start in February 2008," said Mr Baan.
"I have included some new players who deserve their chance to join the squad and it will give the new coach more players with international experience to select from when he takes over."
Injury has kept some players from being in contention with Brett Holman, Mark Viduka, Jason Culina, Mark Bresciano, Brad Jones, Michael Petkovic and Vincenzo Grella all unavailable.
FFA today also announced that assisting Rob Baan for the match will be former Socceroo and current Central Coast Mariners assistant coach Alex Tobin.
Craven Cottage the home of Fulham FC will be the venue for the match which will be the final game ahead of Australia's first 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier to be played on Wednesday 6 February.
The opponents that Australia will face in their first phase of World Cup qualifying will be revealed after the draw, which will take place in Durban, South Africa on Sunday 25 November 2007.
Nigeria, ranked 19 in the World, are currently involved in qualifying for the 2008 African Cup of Nations and have just won their group.
The match will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 2 from 1.30am AEDT on Sunday 18 November.
Socceroos SQUAD TO PLAY NIGERIA AT CRAVEN COTTAGE, LONDON - SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2007
Michael Beauchamp (Nurnberg, Germany), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Scott Chipperfield (Basel, Switzerland), Nathan Coe (Copenhagen, Denmark), Brett Emerton (Blackburn, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Josh Kennedy (Nurnberg, Germany), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Mile Sterjovski (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), James Wesolowski (Leicester City, England), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Netherlands)