Mark Bresciano has been drafted into the Socceroos squad for the friendly internationals against Belgium and Saudi Arabia after injury ruled out Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis.
Antonis suffered a hamstring strain in Sydney FC’s 4-2 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Bresciano will join the squad after Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou initially rested the veteran to give an opportunity for several fringe players to impress ahead of the AFC Asian Cup.
“Terry Antonis has pulled up sore with a hamstring after Wednesday night’s game and after consultation with the Sydney FC medical staff it has been decided he will not make the long flight to Europe for the matches,” Postecoglou said.
“It is a shame for Terry because we were looking forward to getting him into the Socceroos camp and giving him an opportunity. Mark Bresciano will come into the squad, which certainly adds quality and experience for what will be two tough matches.”
The Socceroos face World No. 5 Belgium in Liege on 4 September before a clash with Saudi Arabia in London on 8 September.
Both matches will be broadcast LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.
The 20-man Socceroos squad is:
NAME
CLUB, COUNTRY
A-International Caps (goals)
Mark BRESCIANO
Al Gharafa, QATAR
77 (13)
Joshua BRILLANTE
ACF Fiorentina, ITALY
1 (0)
Tim CAHILL
New York Red Bulls, USA
71 (34)
Jason DAVIDSON
West Bromwich Albion F.C., ENGLAND
10 (0)
Ben HALLORAN
Fortuna Dusseldorf, GERMANY
5 (0)
Chris HERD
Aston Villa FC, ENGLAND
–
Mile JEDINAK
Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND
47 (5)
Tomi JURIC
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, AUSTRALIA
3 (1)
Robbie KRUSE
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY
29 (3)
Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)
B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, GERMANY
3 (0)
Matthew LECKIE
FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY
11 (1)
Massimo LUONGO
Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND
1 (0)
Mark MILLIGAN
Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA
30 (2)
Tommy OAR
FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS
18 (1)
Mat RYAN (gk)
Club Brugge KV, BELGIUM
10 (0)
Trent SAINSBURY
P.E.C. Zwolle, NETHERLANDS
–
Brad SMITH
Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND
–
Carl VALERI
Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA
50 (1)
Alex WILKINSON
Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, KOREA REPUBLIC
6 (0)
Bailey WRIGHT
Preston North End FC, ENGLAND
–
Thu 4 Sep Belgium v Australia Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liege 8.45pm (4.45am AEST)
Mon 8 Sep Saudi Arabia v Australia Craven Cottage, London 8.00pm (5am AEST)
