Brisbane Roar midfielder Matt McKay has been called into the Caltex Socceroos squad for the two 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Tajikistan and Jordan after Terry Antonis picked up a back injury in Greece over the weekend.
Antonis injured his back in the last training session of the week and did not play for his club side PAOK with Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou ruling out the Greece-based midfielder on the advice of medical staff this morning.
McKay, who was on the stand-by list for the match, will fly to Adelaide this afternoon ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Tajikistan at Adelaide Oval and stay with the squad when they travel to Sydney to play Jordan at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday 29 March.
“Terry Antonis picked up a minor back injury in training that kept him out of his club game on the weekend so it’s best he stays in Greece to get the injury right,” Postecoglou said. “It’s a shame for Terry as he has been playing well but the door opens for Matt McKay and he will come in and perform to the same high level we are accustomed from Matt.
“We have two important World Cup Qualifiers in Adelaide on Thursday and Sydney next Tuesday and we don’t lose anything by having Matt come into the team for Terry.”
Thirteen members of the Caltex Socceroos squad have already arrived in Adelaide and will train for the first time this afternoon at Adelaide Oval.
The Caltex Socceroos matches against Tajikistan (Adelaide) and Jordan (Sydney) will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
Caltex Socceroo 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Match Details
Australia v Tajikistan Australia v Jordan
24 March 2016 29 March 2016
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick off 7.30pm (8pm AEDT) 8pm kick off (AEDT)
Tickets for the Australia v Tajikistan match in Adelaide and the Australia v Jordan match in Sydney are available at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
Caltex Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers v Tajikistan and Jordan
Name | Club, Country | A International Caps (Goals) |
Nathan BURNS | F.C. Tokyo, JAPAN | 18 (1) |
Tim CAHILL | Hangzhou Greentown F.C., CHINA | 88 (45) |
Adam FEDERICI | A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND | 15 (0) |
Jason GERIA | Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA | – |
Alex GERSBACH | Rosenborg BK, NORWAY | – |
Apostolos GIANNOU | Guangzhou R&F F.C., CHINA | – |
Chris IKONOMIDIS | U.S. Salernitana 1919, ITALY | 2 (0) |
Mile JEDINAK | Crystal Palace F.C, ENGLAND | 61 (11) |
Robbie KRUSE | Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY | 38 (4) |
Mitchell LANGERAK | VfB Stuttgart, GERMANY | 6 (0) |
Mathew LECKIE | FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY | 28 (2) |
Massimo LUONGO | Queens Park Rangers F.C., ENGLAND | 17 (2) |
Ryan MCGOWAN | Henan Jianye F.C., CHINA | 14 (0) |
Matt McKay | Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA | 58 (2) |
Mark MILLIGAN | Baniyas F.C., UAE | 44 (4) |
Aaron MOOY | Melbourne City F.C, AUSTRALIA | 11 (4) |
Josh RISDON | Perth Glory FC, AUSTRALIA | 1 (0) |
Tommy ROGIC | Celtic FC, SCOTLAND | 13 (2) |
Mathew RYAN | Valencia CF, SPAIN | 21 (0) |
Trent SAINSBURY | Jiangsu Suning F.C., CHINA | 12 (1) |
Brad SMITH | Liverpool FC, ENGLAND | 4 (0) |
Alex WILKINSON | Melbourne City, AUSTRALIA | 16 (0) |
Bailey WRIGHT | Preston North End F.C, ENGLAND | 8 (1) |
FIFA World Cup Qualification: AFC Second Round – Group B Standings
Group B | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
Australia | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 15 |
Jordan | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 13 |
Kyrgyzstan | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
Tajikistan | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 5 |
Bangladesh | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 24 | -22 | 1 |
UPCOMING CALTEX SOCCEROO MATCH DETAILS:
England v Caltex Socceroos Caltex Socceroos v Greece Caltex Socceroos v Greece
Friday 27 May 2016 Saturday 4 June 2016 Tuesday 7 June 2016
Stadium of Light, Sunderland ANZ Stadium, Sydney Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
7.45pm Kick off (4.45am AEST) 8pm kick off AEST 8pm kick off AEST
Tickets for Australia v Greece in Sydney and Melbourne are available at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets