Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has made four changes to the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Thailand with talismanic striker Tim Cahill ruled out due to injury.
Postecoglou has trimmed the 30-man squad to 23 with Japan-based striker Nathan Burns, Perth Glory’s Josh Risdon, Milos Degenek and Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren added to the squad that drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia and 1-1 with Japan in October.
They replace Cahill, Apo Giannou, Chris Ikonomidis and Ryan McGowan.
The squad will begin arriving into Bangkok this Sunday ahead of the match on Tuesday 15 November at the Rajamangala National Stadium, which signifies the halfway mark of the Socceroos’ final stage of World Cup qualifying.
“We’ve made four changes to the squad that played Saudi Arabia and Japan last month,” Postecoglou said in a media release. “It was good to have another weekend of matches to look at before deciding on the final 23-man squad and we will travel to Thailand for a solid training camp ahead of what is an important match.
“The Thailand match is the halfway mark in this stage of qualifying and with the group so tight it is important that we put in a good performance to ensure we can continue to be amongst the front runners. We have a big lead in so we will get through a lot of work before the match so we are ready to go on the 15th.”
Melbourne City striker Cahill has been ruled out of the match to allow him to continue to recover from soreness that saw him miss last weekend’s A-League clash with Adelaide United.
Cahill’s injury is not serious with Postecoglou preferring to select a squad of 23 that will be ready to get through a strong week of training leading into the match.
“Tim has been left out primarily because we have a 10-day lead in, which is very rare, and I want to be able to put the squad through a lot of work,” Postecoglou said. “He has done a lot of travel for club and country and I have decided it is better he remains in Melbourne where he is being managed well to ensure he is back on the park as soon as possible and ready for us down the track.
“Jamie Maclaren has started the season well in Brisbane and transformed that form into a goal on the weekend so he will come into the squad, as will Burnsy, which gives us options up front.”
Postecoglou has also recalled fullbacks Josh Risdon and Milos Degenek.
“Josh has been in good early season form in the A-League with Perth while Milos returned from injury last weekend in Germany so they will come back into the squad,” Postecoglou said. “They give us some good balance at right back.”
Australia squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier v Thailand
Name - Club, Country - A International Caps (Goals)
Nathan BURNS - F.C. Tokyo, JAPAN - 23 (3)
Milos DEGENEK - TSV 1860 Munchen, GERMANY - 4 (0)
Adam FEDERICI - A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND - 16 (0)
Alex GERSBACH - Rosenborg BK, NORWAY - 2 (0)
Craig GOODWIN - Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS - 3 (0)
Jackson IRVINE - Burton Albion FC, ENGLAND - 6 (0)
Mile JEDINAK - Aston Villa F.C, ENGLAND - 67 (13)
James JEGGO - SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA - -
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)
Jamie MACLAREN - Brisbane Roar FC, AUSTRALIA - 1 (0)
Mark MILLIGAN - Baniyas F.C., UAE - 52 (5)
Aaron MOOY - Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND - 20 (5)
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)