Socceroos squad named for Uruguay match
Football Federation Australia today named a 23-man squad for the forthcoming June 2 international against Uruguay with national coach Graham Arnold confirming that players who perform well at Telstra Stadium could find themselves playing in Asia’s showpiece football event in July.
Football Federation Australia today named a 23-man squad for the forthcoming June 2 international against Uruguay with national coach Graham Arnold confirming that players who perform well at Telstra Stadium could find themselves playing in Asia-s showpiece football event in July.
“It-s great that we will have some experienced players like Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Jason Culina, Archie Thompson, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Beauchamp, and Mile Sterjovski to complement some exciting young players who will get to test themselves against some of the best players in the World,” said Arnold.
“Our Asian Cup campaign starts here. We have a two-month program that starts now and we hope will result in success at our first Asian Cup.”
“There is a significant amount at stake for the players who will be pushing for selection for the Asian Cup squad as this match against Uruguay will be the final game before the team is finalised.”
“There are still some spots that are yet to be decided and the performances of the players at training and in the match against Uruguay will have a big influence on their chances.”
“This squad is a good balance of experienced players and also some new faces who have not played at international level. A lot of those players are playing in some top leagues and deserve their opportunity to push for an Asian Cup spot.”
“The experience these younger players will get will hold us in good stead as we head to the Asian Cup and beyond to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers which start next year.”
There are five players in the squad in line for their Qantas Socceroo debut including the two goalkeepers Brad Jones and Adam Federici.
Matthew Spiranovic who has been impressive in his debut season for German club Nuremberg has been called up for the first time and Hyundai A-League Golden Boot winner Daniel Allsopp and fellow Hyundai A-League star Mark Bridge could also win their first cap.
Bridge is the only player from the Qantas under 23s to be called into the squad due to him being suspended for the final Phase Two Olympic Qualifier to be played in Jordan.
The 23-man squad will be reduced to 20 on the day of the match.
Tickets are on sale now from all Ticketek outlets, www.ticketek.com.au or 13 28 49
The match will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS Plus (Channel 518) from 7.00pm.
There will also be a Live Match Update of the game, right here on www.footballaustralia.com.au
Socceroos SQUAD TO PLAY URUGUAY ON 2 JUNE AT TELSTRA STADIUM
Daniel Allsopp (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremberg, Germany), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Nick Carle (Newcastle Jets, Australia), David Carney (Sydney FC, Australia), Simon Colosimo (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Ryan Griffiths (Liaoning, China), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Holland), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Scott McDonald (Motherwell, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Jade North (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Matthew Spiranovic (Nuremberg, Germany), Shane Stefanutto (Lillestrom, Norway), Mile Sterjovski (Basel, Switzerland), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (FC Twente, Holland)
Head Coach: Graham Arnold Assistant Coach: John Kosmina Goalkeeping Coach: Tony Franken Conditioner: Anthony Crea