Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named his 23-man squad for a June packed with a range of international friendlies, qualifiers and the Confederations Cup in Russia, with City’s own Tim Cahill making the final cut.
Cahill retained his spot in the Socceroos squad after the initial 30-man squad was cut down to 23 and the ‘roos will first prepare for what is arguably its most important match of the June period, a World Cup Qualifier in Adelaide against Saudi Arabia.
The Socceroos will then return to Melbourne on June 13 to take on Brazil at the MCG before competing in the Confederations Cup in Russia beginning on June 19.
Postecoglou was confident with the side he has selected for the bumper June schedule, saying there is plenty of experience throughout the side to leave them in a good position at the end of the month.
“There has been some tough decisions in cutting the squad from 30 down to the final 23 but that’s a good sign of the strength of the squad we have been able to name and the depth we have been able to cultivate over the last three years,” Postecoglou said.
“If you look through the squad we now have a core group of players who have played 30, 40 and more caps and have experienced World Cup, Asian Cup and the tough road of World Cup qualifying.
“June is a big month and we will need to test that depth but initially our focus is solely on the World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Adelaide Oval on June 8.”
“We face a very tough test against Saudi Arabia and then the opportunity to play four big nations in Australia and overseas. The next four weeks will be crucial in our quest to not only qualify for the 2018 World Cup but to make an impact when we get there.”
Socceroos’ June schedule
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier v Saudi Arabia (Adelaide; June 8)
- Friendly v Brazil (Melbourne; June 13)
- 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup (Russia; June 19 – July 2)
