Socceroos Squad Named For World Cup Qualifi

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has named a 23-man squad ahead of November's 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers including the Powerade Series match where Australia's destiny will be decided on November 16.

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has named a 23-man squad ahead of November's 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers including the Powerade Series match where Australia's destiny will be decided on November 16.   Changes from the squad which assembled in the Netherlands ahead of the Socceroos previous match against Jamaica (a 5-0 win) are the addition of Ljubo Milicevic (pictured right) while Simon Colosimo, Jon McKain and Jade North were not selected.   Hiddink had a full compliment of players to pick from except regular captain Craig Moore who has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury which has plagued him since he moved to Newcastle United in the English Premier League in the off season.   "I've now had the opportunity to work with this group of players a few times and we continue to make improvements."   "We have picked a squad that is flexible and will be able to adapt.  This will be important across the two legs."   "A lot of preparation has been done.  The scouting of the opposition and analysis of our own performances has been taking place continuously."   "We are under no illusions about the task ahead of us. As fifth placed finisher in South America, Uruguay are a powerhouse in world football."   Uruguay host the first leg in Montevideo on 12 November before Telstra Stadium will come alive on 16 November for the return leg.   Assistant Coach Graham Arnold has travelled to Europe and is visiting players before linking up with Hiddink at his base in Eindhoven, the Netherlands early next week.   Tickets include public transport.  Please direct any public transport enquiries to 131500 or www.131500.com.au *   Both matches will be shown live on SBS Television.   * Conditions apply.   The Socceroos Squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers   John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain) Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy) Tim Cahill (Everton, England) Scott Chipperfield (Basel, Switzerland) Ante Covic (Hammarby, Sweden) Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland) Ahmad Elrich (Fulham, England) Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England) Vince Grella (Parma, Italy) Joel Griffiths (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland) Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy) Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England) Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City, England) Ljubo Milicevic (FC Thun, Switzerland) Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England) Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England) Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England) Josip Skoko (Wigan Athletic, England) Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia) Michael Thwaite (National Bucharest, Romania) Tony Vidmar (NAC Breda, Holland) Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England) Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City, England)