Matt McKay replaces injured Terry Antonis in Caltex Socceroo squad for World Cup Qualifiers

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