21.02.2012
The Qantas Socceroos in action. Photo: Getty
Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck today named a 19-player squad for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia (AAMI Park, Melbourne, 29 February 2012).
Osieck has selected 4 players who were part of the Potential Qantas Socceroos camp that formed in Sydney in October last year including Central Coast Mariners Mat Ryan, Gold Coast United's Michael Thwaite and Brisbane Roar's Eric Paartalu.
Coming into the Qantas Socceroos squad are a host of big names and some returning heroes of the green and gold including captain Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Harry Kewell & Mark Schwarzer along with other Hyundai A-League stars including Nick Carle, Archie Thompson and debutant Melbourne Heart defender Michael Marrone.
And making his long awaited return to the Qantas Socceroos, Mark Bresciano comes back into the team following some strong showings for Al Nasr Sports Club in UAE including eight goals in 11 matches in the Pro-League.
With a strong mix of European, Asian and Hyundai A-League based players Osieck is pleased he will get the chance to run his eye over some new inclusions before selecting his team to take the park on Wednesday night at AAMI Park.
"This match is as important as any match we play to further build on what we have achieved so far," said Osieck.
"Each match we play is a chance for players to prove themselves and their position in the squad.
"The players included from the A-League will get a closer look throughout the camp and I will make up my mind if I play them from our sessions."
The Qantas Socceroos will assemble in Melbourne from Sunday before their final Group D match against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 at AAMI Park.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) can also advise that due to a FIFA ruling both matches in Group D will kick-off simultaneously at 8.30pm AEDT.
FFA would like to thank the Football Associations of Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Oman for their enormous co-operation in agreeing to reschedule the kick-off time originally advised by FIFA for 9.30pm AEDT.
The Qantas Socceroos are currently at the top of Group D with maximum points from their opening five matches followed by Saudi Arabia in second place then Oman and Thailand.
The match will be broadcast live and exclusive throughout Australia by FOX SPORTS.
QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD - Wednesday 2 November 2011
Player Name Club, Country A-International Appearances (goals)
BRESCIANO, Mark Al Nasr Sports Club, UAE 57 (11)
BROSQUE, Alex Shimizu S-Pulse, JAPAN 10 (3)
CARLE, Nick Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA 12 (0)
CARNEY, David FK Bundyodkor Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN 39 (6)
EMERTON, Brett Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA 91 (18)
KEWELL, Harry Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA 55 (16)
MARRONE, Michael Melbourne Heart FC, AUSTRALIA 0 (0)
MILLIGAN, Mark Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA 12 (1)
NEILL, Lucas Al-Jazira Club, UAE 79 (0)
NORTH, Jade Consadole Sapporo, JAPAN 34 (0)
OGNENOVSKI, Sasa Seongham Ilwha Chunma, SOUTH KOREA 12 (1)
PAARTALU, Erik Brisbane Roar FC, AUSTRALIA 0 (0)
RYAN, Matt (GK) Central Coast Mariners FC, AUSTRALIA 0 (0)
SAROTA, Adam FC Utrecht, HOLLAND 2 (0)
SCHWARZER, Mark (GK) Fulham FC, ENGLAND 94 (0)
SPIRANOVIC, Matthew Urawa Red Diamonds, JAPAN 12 (0)
THOMPSON, Archie Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA 34 (21)
THWAITE, Michael Gold Coast United, AUSTRALIA 6 (0)
TROISI, James Kayserispor Kulubu, TURKEY 8 (1)
