Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou today named his preliminary 30-player squad for October’s crunch 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Syria.
The latest Caltex Socceroos squad features 22 of the 23 players originally named for the team’s most recent 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Japan and Thailand.
Also included in the Caltex Socceroos’ preliminary squad are European-based players Mile Jedinak, Aziz Behich, Mark Birighitti, Craig Goodwin, James Jeggo and Nikita Rukavytsya, as well as defenders Matthew Jurman from Suwon Samsung Bluewings in Korea Republic and Josh Risdon from Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
While there is still over a week of club football to be played before Postecoglou finalises his 23-player squad for the Caltex Socceroos’ critical play-off matches against Syria, Postecoglou is confident that the group ultimately picked will be ready for October’s play-off games.
“There is a short turnaround from the last matches so we are fully focused on these upcoming fixtures against Syria,” said Postecoglou.
“The players that we have selected for these crucial matches all have the benefit of several club matches under their belts over the past few weeks, and I am confident whichever 23 players we settle on will be able to do the job next month.
“Now that the match venues have been confirmed, we will prepare for our fixtures against Syria just like every other international opposition we faced throughout this campaign,” concluded Postecoglou.
Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop reissued his call for the Australian sporting public to get behind the Caltex Socceroos in October.
“Ange (Postecoglou) and his players and staff will put enormous effort and energy into October’s play-off matches against Syria in Malaysia and Sydney,” said Gallop. “But the support of Australia’s football family and all sports fans will help the Caltex Socceroos in their bid to qualify for November’s inter-continental play-off against CONCACAF’s (Central and Northern America) fourth-placed team, so I encourage fans to get their tickets early and rally behind the team in Sydney.”
The Caltex Socceroos will begin to assemble in Malacca, Malaysia from Sunday 1 October 2017.
Postecoglou will confirm his final 23-player squad next week.
