Holger Osieck has hit out at a number of Asian based clubs that are reluctant to release a host of Socceroos players for the upcoming EAFF East Asian Cup.
Holger Osieck has hit out at a number of Asian based clubs that are reluctant to release a host of Socceroos players for the upcoming EAFF East Asian Cup.
Osieck has elected to announce an extra player in a provisional squad of 24 as he is yet to hear if Josh Kennedy, Matt McKay, Ryan McGowan, Robbie Cornthwaite and Erik Paartalu will be released to play in the tournament by their clubs.
The Socceroos head coach believes that the clubs, who are part of the East Asian Football Federation, should be embracing the tournament that features the Australians, along with hosts Korea, Japan and China.
"The foreign clubs created a lot of problems," said Osieck.
"I understand the games are not FIFA protected but there is a gentleman's agreement between the competing countries that players from the respective leagues should be released to play.
"If you host a tournament like this for me its a no brainer that players are released."
Of particular note, Australian World Cup qualification hero Josh Kennedy is in doubt as his club Nagoya Grampus is remaining firm on him not playing in the tournament.
"Nagoya created a number of problems for us in not releasing Josh Kennedy.
"I had a chat with Stojkovic (Nagoya Grampus's manager) and he agreed to let him play but right away we got a letter from the club denying the release. It's not a good situation and I don't accept it."
With the squad only needing to be finalised 24 hours out of from Australia's opening match of the tournament, Osieck will be hoping that his Asian-based players are able to join the side for the Socceroos debut in the tournament.
The Socceroos will arrive in Seoul on Wednesday evening and will play their first match of the EAFF East Asian Cup against the host nation, the Korea Republic, on Saturday 20 July (kick-off 7:00pm local, 8:00pm AEST).
Their second match of the tournament will be against Japan on Thursday 25 July (kick-off 8:00pm local, 9:00pm AEST ) and the final match will be against China PR on Sunday 28 July (kick-off 5:15pm local, 6:15pm AEST).
All matches from the EAFF East Asian Cup will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Sports.