Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has named five A-League players in an extended 30-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Thailand at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday 15 November.
Postecoglou will trim the squad to 23 players after watching this weekend’s matches, said a media release from Football Federation Australia.
Luke Brattan (Melbourne City FC), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory), Josh Risdon (Perth Glory), Tommy Oar (Brisbane Roar FC) as well as overseas-based Nathan Burns, Milos Degenek and Aziz Behich have been added to the squad that drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia and 1-1 with Japan.
“We have decided to name an extended squad for this game so I can have another look at the matches being played all over the world this weekend,” Postecoglou said.
“We have players who are in the squad or on the fringe, including those playing in the A-League, that are just starting their seasons and with the tight turnaround from Japan to Thailand I wanted to have another look at them after they have showed good signs in the opening rounds.
“It is yet another good sign of the depth we are creating and when we announce the team after this weekend there will be players who miss out that are playing well enough to be part of the squad.”
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The Socceroos' clash with Thailand is proceeding as planned in Bangkok following uncertainty over the status of the match after the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
“We are happy that the game is going ahead as scheduled in Bangkok but completely understand the sensitivities following the death of the King of Thailand,” he said. “We will be in Bangkok for a longer than usual period as we only have one match in this window so we will have a good lead-in to ensure we are well prepared.
“We are currently sitting second in what is a very tight group and after this game we will be at the halfway stage of qualification so this game is important.”
Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier v Thailand
Name - Club, Country - A International Caps (Goals)
Aziz BEHICH - Bursaspor, TURKEY - 11 (2)
Luke BRATTAN - Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA - 0 (0)
Nathan BURNS - F.C. Tokyo, JAPAN - 23 (3)
Tim CAHILL - Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA - 94 (48)
Milos DEGENEK - TSV 1860 Munchen, GERMANY - 4 (0)
Adam FEDERICI - A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND - 16 (0)
Jason GERIA - Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA - 1 (0)
Alex GERSBACH - Rosenborg BK, NORWAY - 2 (0)
Apostolos GIANNOU - Guangzhou R&F F.C., CHINA - 5 (0)
Craig GOODWIN - Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS - 3 (0)
Chris IKONOMIDIS - Aarhus Gymnastikforening, DENMARK - 6 (0)
Jackson IRVINE - Burton Albion FC, ENGLAND - 6 (0)
Mile JEDINAK - Aston Villa F.C, ENGLAND - 67 (13)
James JEGGO - SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA - 0 (0)
Tomi JURIC - FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND - 20 (4)
Robbie KRUSE - Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY - 47 (4)
Mitchell LANGERAK - VfB Stuttgart, GERMANY - 6 (0)
Mathew LECKIE - FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY - 36 (3)
Massimo LUONGO - Queens Park Rangers F.C., ENGLAND - 24 (5)
Ryan MCGOWAN - Henan Jianye F.C., CHINA - 18 (0)
Mark MILLIGAN - Baniyas F.C., UAE - 52 (5)
Aaron MOOY - Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND - 20 (5)
Tommy OAR - Brisbane Roar FC, AUSTRALIA - 28 (2)
Josh RISDON - Perth Glory, AUSTRALIA - 3 (0)
Tommy ROGIC - Celtic FC, SCOTLAND - 22 (5)
Mathew RYAN - Valencia CF, SPAIN - 29 (0)
Trent SAINSBURY - Jiangsu Suning F.C., CHINA - 20 (3)
Brad SMITH - A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND - 13 (0)
Matthew SPIRANOVIC - Hangzhou Greentown F.C., CHINA - 33 (0)
Bailey WRIGHT - Preston North End FC, ENGLAND - 12 (1)