Postecoglou names squad for Costa Rica friendly

Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou today unveiled a 22-player squad for the international friendly match against Costa Rica.

Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou today unveiled a 22-player squad for the international friendly match against Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Tuesday 19 November 2013 (Kick-off 7:30pm AEDT) as the Socceroos continue along the road to Brazil.

Korean-based Defender Alex Wilkinson gets his first call-up to the Socceroos squad after an outstanding season with Jeonbuk Hyundai in the K-League.

The announcement of the squad has been tempered by the fact that Australia-s greatest ever goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer last night retired from international football, after he was originally selected in the squad.

Schwarzer retires as the most capped Socceroo player in history, representing Australia with pride in 109 appearances for the National Team, which included two FIFA World Cups.

Postecoglou paid tribute to Schwarzer: “Mark has been a tremendous servant for the National team. He is our most capped Socceroo, has been one of our best performers over a long period of time and he has always remained passionate about playing for Australia. I know the Australian football community will join me in paying tribute to Mark for everything he-s done for the Socceroos.”

The 22-man squad contains four Hyundai A-League players, Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory) and Michael Zullo (Adelaide United).

Ryan McGowan returns to the Socceroos squad after missing the previous matches against France and Canada as does Tom Rogic, who was ruled out of last month-s matches due to injury.

“I-m excited by the squad we have named to face Costa Rica on November 19 at Allianz Stadium and look forward to working with the players and staff when they come into camp early next week,” Postecoglou said.

“The first task is to have a good look at the bulk of the players who played a significant part in qualifying Australia for the 2014 World Cup and also giving opportunities to players I think have the ability to improve the team.

“I want to give every Australian player the best opportunity to stake a claim for Brazil and beyond.”

This will be the first international match between Australia and Costa Rica at senior men-s international level.

Costa Rica, who are currently placed at 31 in the FIFA World Rankings, have also qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup after finishing in second place of the CONCACAF qualifiers.

The match will be broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

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Socceroos Squad for Costa Rica International Friendly - 19 November 2013

Oliver BOZANIC FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND Mark BRESCIANO Al Gharafa, QATAR Tim CAHILL New York Red Bulls, USA Jason DAVIDSON SC Heracles Almelo, NETHERLANDS Ivan FRANJIC Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA James HOLLAND FK Austria Vienna, AUSTRIA Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND Josh KENNEDY Nagoya Grampus, JAPAN Robbie KRUSE TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY Mitchell LANGERAK (gk) B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, GERMANY Matthew LECKIE FSV Frankfurt 1899, GERMANY Ryan McGOWAN Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, CHINA PR Matthew McKAY Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA Mark MILLIGAN Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA Lucas NEILL Omiya Ardija, JAPAN Tommy OAR FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS Tom ROGIC Celtic FC, SCOTLAND Mat RYAN (gk) Club Brugge KV, BELGIUM Dario VIDOSIC FC Sion, SWITZERLAND Rhys WILLIAMS Middlesbrough FC, ENGLAND Alex WILKINSON Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, KOREA REPUBLIC Michael ZULLO Adelaide United, AUSTRALIA As at Wednesday 6 November 2013

Upcoming Match Details

Socceroos vs Costa Rica Tuesday 19 November 2013 Allianz Stadium, Sydney Kick Off: 7.30pm Gates Open: 6.00pm

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