Canberra: Australia boss Ange Postecoglou has made a string of changes to his squad ahead of this month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.
The 23-man squad features five uncapped players, and a remarkable eleven changes from the squad that drew 2-2 with Thailand in their last qualifier in Bangkok last November.
The final announcement follows last week’s release of a provisional 30-man squad, with Socceroos regulars Matt McKay and Nathan Burns among the seven players from that group to be left out of the final selection.
18-year-old Adelaide United midfielder Riley McGree is perhaps the most surprising inclusiona, having played just 13 matches in Australia’s A-League since making his debut towards the end of the 2015-16 season.
Sturm Graz’s Jimmy Jeggo, AGF’s Mustafa Amini and Sydney FC duo Rhyan Grant and Danny Vukovic are the other uncapped players, while Perth Glory defender Rhys Williams is set to make his first international appearance since 2013.
The squad announcement also marks the return of Australia’s all-time top scorer Tim Cahill, who missed November’s trip to Bangkok, but Postecoglou’s side will miss the creative influence of Celtic star Tom Rogic, who has been sidelined by injury.
Australia remains undefeated in the final group stage of qualifying, but consecutive draws against Saudi Arabia, Japan and Thailand have seen them slip to third in Group B – one point adrift of Japan and Saudi Arabia - with the only the top two guaranteed a place in Russia.
They will meet Iraq at the PAS Stadium in Tehran, Iran on March 23, before facing United Arab Emirates five days later at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com