Socceroos squad to play China named
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has once again kept his options open while naming his squad for the vital 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier to be played against China in Kunming on 26 March.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has once again kept his options open while naming his squad for the vital 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier to be played against China in Kunming on 26 March.
A squad of 21 players was announced today but Verbeek has indicated that not all of those players were guaranteed to be called up and some others may also be added.
"We have placed a large group of players on notice that they could be called up for the match," said Verbeek.
"Some of those players may not end up being included in the final squad and also players from the team that play against Singapore could also be added."
"With the short time difference between playing for the clubs in Europe and the match we need to have options open for us if players become unavailable due to injury."
Earlier this week the squad to play Singapore at their National Stadium four days before the qualifier against China was selected and featured all Hyundai A-League players. An impressive performance in that match could see those players added to squad to travel to Kunming.
Australia got off to a great start to their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home win against Qatar last month but Verbeek knows this will be a tougher challenge.
"China will be desperate to win because they had a draw in their first match."
"It is vital to win your matches at home and China know this which is why they have been preparing themselves in Kunming since 1 March."
The squad will be finalised following Australia's international match against Singapore at their National Stadium on Saturday 22 March.
The matches against China and Singapore will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.
FOXTEL are the presenting partner of Australia's World Cup qualification journey.
MATCH DETAILS
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier China v Australia Wednesday 26 March 2008 Tuodong Stadium. Kunming
Provisional Socceroos Squad
Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Jacob Burns (Unirea Valahorum, Romania), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Bristol City, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), James Troisi (Newcastle, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Netherlands)