Advertisement

Rogic, Kruse and Luongo back in Socceroos fold

Tom Rogic will make his long-awaited Socceroos return next month after the Celtic midfielder was named in coach Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan.

Rogic hasn’t played for Australia since a 4-3 friendly loss to Ecuador in London more than a year ago.

But the nine-cap midfielder is finally fit and firing and has made a cracking start to the Scottish Premier League season, impressing Celtic coach Ronny Deila.

Kewell snubs Cahill in all-time Socceroos team
Socceroos lose ‘legal protection’ due to FFA spat
Mat Ryan locks in six-year Valencia deal

The 22-year-old has been dogged by a persistent groin issue which held him back from involvement in Australia’s Brazil World Cup campaign and also this year’s Asian Cup, but his inclusion – together with recalls for Robbie Kruse and Massimo Luongo, who both missed the 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan in June – means Postecoglou is now spoiled for choice in attack.

“It’s a positive that we’ve been able to recall Massimo, Robbie and Tom Rogic after they missed recent matches and they add attacking options to the squad for the two matches in Perth and Dushanbe,” Postecoglou said.

“All three have regained fitness and started the season in form so they come back in and give us plenty of options and good depth in an attacking sense.

“When you add them to the likes of Tim Cahill, Mat Leckie, Tomi Juric, Nathan Burns and Tommy Oar the fans in Perth have a lot to get excited about.”

Postecoglou has sprung a couple of surprises in a squad otherwise laden with regulars – Leyton Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak has a chance to win his first Socceroos cap at the age of 26, while midfielder Jackson Irvine, who plays for Ross County in Scotland, returns nearly two years after making his one and only appearance for the national side.

The squad includes just three A-League players in Aaron Mooy, Matt McKay and Tarek Elrich, but the recently departed Matthew Spiranovic, Tomi Juric and Mark Milligan are included.

However, there was no room for Oliver Bozanic, Chris Ikonimidis, Daniel de Silva, Ivan Franjic, Eugene Galekovic, Mitch Langerak, Tomislav Mrcela or James Troisi.

Tommy Oar is the only player in the squad without a club, having recently left Dutch outfit FC Utrecht, and has the chance to impress any potential new suitors in the games against Bangladesh and Tajikistan, two nations Australia have never faced at full international level.

The Socceroos take on Bangladesh at nib Stadium on September 3 – the team’s first appearance in Perth since 2005 – before travelling to Dushanbe to face Tajikistan on September 8.

Socceroos squad: Aziz Behich, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Alex Cisak, Jason Davidson, Tarek Elrich, Adam Federici, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Oar, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan, Matthew Spiranovic, Alex Wilkinson, Bailey Wright.

– AAP

Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.