Verbeek changes Socceroos squad

Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek has made a number of changes to his squad for Tuesday night's (London time) international friendly match against South Africa at Loftus Road Stadium in London.

Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek has made a number of changes to his squad for Tuesday night's (London time) international friendly match against South Africa at Loftus Road Stadium in London.

Verbeek has decided not to call on Michael Beauchamp, Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell, but instead has added David Carney, Bruce Djite, Richard Garcia, Mark Milligan and Matthew Spiranovic to the squad.

Garcia, 26, will make his Socceroos debut if he takes the field against South Africa. Having helped Hull City gain promotion to the English Premier League in May this year, a Socceroos cap will be another remarkable achievement for the Perth-born right winger.

Scott Chipperfield joins the Socceroos for the first time this year after recovering from a foot injury that has prevented him from appearing in the previous eight international matches, while goal keeper Mark Schwarzer has the chance to become the 9th most capped Socceroo, equal with legendary defender Milan Ivanovic.

“This camp is good opportunity for us to see the players after their off-season break," Verbeek said from London on Sunday evening (London time).

“Most of the players have just started, or are about to start, their respective domestic competitions and we can now start focusing of the World Cup qualifiers which are just around the corner.

“With that in mind, we will be looking to try a few different things in the match against South Africa on Tuesday night,” concluded Verbeek.

The Socceroos fourth stage 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches start in a little over three weeks when Australia meets Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 10 September. The squad gets together prior to that all-important away match for an international friendly against the Netherlands on 6 September.

The Socceroos match against South Africa will be shown live and exclusive on FOX Sports 1, with the broadcast commencing at 4.30am AEST.

Match Details

Socceroos v South Africa Tuesday 19 August Kick-Off 8.00pm (2000hrs) BST (5.00am AEST, Wednesday 20 August 2008) Loftus Road Stadium South Africa Road, Shepherds Bush, London

Tickets

QPR 0844 477 7007 or www.qpr.co.uk TICKETMASTER www.ticketmaster.co.uk