Holger Names His World Cup Squad

Socceroos Coach Holger Osieck today named his squad for Australia’s opening 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Thailand on September 2 and Saudi Arabia in Dammam on September 6.

Osieck has selected an extended squad of 23 players which includes all 18 players who were part of the Qantas Socceroos squad that recently defeated Wales in Cardiff City earlier this month as well as Brett Holman who had to withdraw from the squad due to a slight groin strain.

Coming into the Qantas Socceroos squad are goalkeeper Nathan Coe, defenders Sasa Ognenovski & Mark Milligan and striker Josh Kennedy.

Adding to the local flavour, seven of the Qantas Socceroos selected are born, or were raised, in Queensland (Nathan Coe, Luke DeVere, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Matt McKay, Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo) and 6 of the 23 (Luke DeVere, Robbie Kruse, Matt McKay, Sasa Ognenovski, Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo) have played for Brisbane Roar, or their previous incarnation Queensland Roar, in the Hyundai A-League.

Local Brisbane-boy Luke DeVere will also have the chance to make his senior international debut in his home town should he take the field against Thailand at Suncorp Stadium.

This will be the third A-International between the Qantas Socceroos and Thailand, with the two nations having last met at the AFC Asian Cup 2007 where Australia won 4-0 at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.

It will be the fourth encounter between the Qantas Socceroos and Saudi Arabia with the Saudi’s winning the last match 1-0 in the group stage of the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup which was held in Riyadh. 

The Qantas Socceroos will begin to assemble in Brisbane on Monday ahead of the match.

QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD