Socceroos named for match against Argentina
The Socceroos will bring some of Victoria’s favourite sons back home for the blockbuster match against Argentina at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 11 September as the ‘Road to Africa’ gets underway.
The Socceroos will bring some of Victoria-s favourite sons back home for the blockbuster match against Argentina at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 11 September as the ‘Road to Africa- gets underway.
Australia-s squad boasts several players who grew up in the Southern state including Mark Bresciano, Vincenzo Grella, Josip Skoko, Josh Kennedy, Scott McDonald and Patrick Kisnorbo while Melbourne Victory star Archie Thompson will play in front of his home fans.
The team also includes many of Australia-s World Cup and Asian Cup stars including Lucas Neill, Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Beauchamp and Mark Schwarzer.
The squad will see the welcome return of striker Kennedy who made a huge impact in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup against Japan. Kennedy missed all of last season after suffering an injury with his club Nuremburg during the pre-season.
For Bresciano it will a special return to his hometown following a frustrating few weeks hoping for a transfer to English Premier League club Manchester City.
“It-ll be a very big game, especially against the team we are playing (Argentina), who are a world class team,” said Bresciano.
“I think this game will pull every soccer fan in Melbourne, or even in Australia actually, as everyone would love to come and watch Argentina and our own nation play against each other.”
“This is the start of our World Cup campaign as there are only a couple of games until we get underway in February.”
Head Coach Graham Arnold said that the team will face a massive challenge taking on the number two-ranked team in World football.
“The challenge that we will face taking on Argentina is one that our players are looking forward to,” said Mr Arnold.
“It-s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the players to come up against some of the best players in the world and to test themselves at this level.”
In addition to Thompson there are four other Hyundai A-League players in the squad including Dean Heffernan, Simon Colosimo, Alex Brosque and Clint Bolton.
Good tickets for Socceroos vs. Argentina are still available for the match from all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com.au or on 13 61 00.
The match will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS and available on Radio 702 ABC nationally.
Socceroos squad to play Argentina
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Tuesday 11 September 2007
Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Nick Carle (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Josip Skoko (Wigan, England), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Holland), Josh Kennedy (Nuremburg, Germany), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Holland), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Clint Bolton (Sydney FC, Australia), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC, Australia), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory, Australia), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)