Pim Shuns Aloisi For New Blood

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has named an almost entirely A-League based squad of 25 for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia next month.

But while several players are set to make their senior Australia debut, veteran Aloisi has been shunned despite finding the net four times in his last four matches for Sydney.

However his club team-mates Clint Bolton, Alex Brosque, Shannon Cole, Simon Colosimo and Stuart Musialik did win a call-up, making newly-crowned Premiers Sydney the best represented team in the squad.

Adelaid United are also well represented with four players making the cut - A-League keeper of the year Eugene Galekovic, Scott Jamieson, Mathew Leckie and Michael Marrone

In all, nine A-League clubs are represented in the squad by a total of 21 players, with overseas Roos Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus, Japan), Mark Milligan (JEF United, Japan), Jade North (Incheon United FC, Korea Republic) and Luke Wilkshire (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia) rounding out the squad.

As well as McBreen, Leckie and Marrone, Brisbane Roar's Luke DeVere also gets his first senior Socceroos call.

Bolton's return to the Socceroos is his first since 2006 and Wellington Phoenix defender Jon McKain last played for the senior Australian national team in the Asian Cup 2007 Qualifier against Kuwait in September 2006. 

Also returning to the Qantas Socceroos squad are Shannon Cole, Andrew Durante, Ben Kantarovski, Stuart Musialik, David Williams and Michael Zullo.

Perth Glory players Jacob Burns and Mile Sterjovski will be added to the Qantas Socceroos squad should they successfully get through their Hyundai A-League 2010 Semi-Final against the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

The Qantas Socceroos drew 0-0 with Indonesia the last time they clashed in the opening match of the AFC Asian Qualifiers in Jakarta in January last year.

The Qantas Socceroos are currently placed in second position of the Group B points table behind Kuwait on the number of goals scored and will need a draw or a win against Indonesia to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2011 which will be held in Qatar next January.  In the other group B match, Oman will need a win if they hope to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2011 when they host Kuwait in Muscat on Wednesday 3 March.

Qantas Socceroos Squad - Wednesday 17 February 2010