Sydney: Australia Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a preliminary 30-player squad for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Play-off (CONCACAF-Asian Zone) against Honduras.
There were no surprises as 22 of the 23 players originally selected for the Socceroos’ recent success over Syria were included in Postecoglou’s provisional squad for the forthcoming tie against the Central American nation.]
During the Syria series England-based defender Bailey Wright and Belgium-based goalkeeper Danny Vukovic were forced to withdraw from the squad due to minor injuries, however both have since returned to action for their clubs and could now be part of Australia’s final two fixtures on the road to Russia.
Mile Jedinak, Alex Gersbach, Ajdin Hrustic, James Jeggo, Awer Mabil, and Jamie Maclaren are also among Postecoglou’s extended list of options for the Socceroos crunch clashes with Honduras in San Pedro Sula (November 10) and Sydney (November 15).
While there is still a week of club football to be played before he finalises his 23-player squad for the play-off matches against Honduras, Postecoglou is confident that the group ultimately selected will be prepared to propel Australia to their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance.
“There are a couple of weeks before the group gets together so we will be monitoring the health and fitness of every player to make sure that the final 23 are available for what is going to be a challenging couple of games,” said Postecoglou.
“We feel that we are right on schedule with regards to our arrangements, logistics and intelligence for Honduras, and are comfortable that the work completed and decisions made so far will help us in our quest to qualify for Russia.
“A large, vocal home crowd in Sydney for the second leg is something that everyone involved with the squad is looking forward to,” concluded Postecoglou.
Tim Cahill was Australia's hero in the World Cup 2018 Continental Play-off against Syria.
Postecoglou will confirm his final 23-player squad for the Caltex Socceroos’ play-off matches against Honduras next week.
The players will begin to assemble in San Pedro Sula, Honduras from November 5.
Socceroos 30-player preliminary squad:
Name
Club, Country
A-International Caps (Goals)
Mustafa AMINI
Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), DENMARK
2 (0)
Aziz BEHICH
Bursaspor, TURKEY
17 (2)
Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK)
NAC Breda, NETHERLANDS
1 (0)
Tim CAHILL
Melbourne City FC, AUSTRALIA
103 (50)
Milos DEGENEK
Yokohama F. Marinos, JAPAN
14 (0)
Alex GERSBACH
Rosenborg BK, NORWAY
4 (0)
Craig GOODWIN
Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS
3 (0)
Ajdin HRUSTIC
FC Groningen, NETHERLANDS
1 (0)
Jackson IRVINE
Hull City AFC, ENGLAND
14 (1)
Mile JEDINAK
Aston Villa FC, ENGLAND
71 (15)
James JEGGO
SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA
0 (0)
Tomi JURIC
FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND
30 (8)
Matthew JURMAN
Suwon Samsung Bluewings, KOREA REPUBLIC
2 (0)
Robbie KRUSE
VfL Bochum, GERMANY
59 (5)
Mitchell LANGERAK (GK)
Levante UD, SPAIN
8 (0)
Mathew LECKIE
Hertha BSC, GERMANY
48 (6)
Massimo LUONGO
Queens Park Rangers FC, ENGLAND
31 (5)
Awer MABIL
FC Pacos de Ferreira, PORTUGAL
0 (0)
Jamie MACLAREN
SV Darmstadt 98, GERMANY
5 (0)
Ryan MCGOWAN
Al-Sharjah SCC, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
20 (0)
Mark MILLIGAN
Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA
63 (6)
Aaron MOOY
Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND
28 (5)
Josh RISDON
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, AUSTRALIA
4 (0)
Tom ROGIC
Celtic FC, SCOTLAND
31 (7)
Nikita RUKAVYTSYA
Maccabi Haifa FC, ISRAEL
15 (1)
Mathew RYAN (GK)
Brighton & Hove Albion FC, ENGLAND
39 (0)
Trent SAINSBURY
Jiangsu Suning FC, CHINA
31 (3)
James TROISI
Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA
35 (5)
Daniel VUKOVIC (GK)
KRC Genk, BELGIUM
0 (0)
Bailey WRIGHT
Bristol City FC, ENGLAND
19 (1)
Fixtures
2018 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Play-off (CONCACAF-Asian Zone)
1st leg
Honduras v Australia
November 10 November
Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
2nd leg
Australia v Honduras
November 15
Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com