Postecoglou names 23-man squad for Japan clash

Socceroos head coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 23-man squad to take on Japan in Osaka later this month, in the last international friendly before Australia hosts the Asian Cup 2015 Australia in January.

The squad contains no uncapped players but recalls for Hyundai A-League stars Matt McKay, Mitch Nichols, Terry Antonis and Aaron Mooy, who have all started the 2014/15 season in strong form for their respective clubs.

McKay will be making his first appearance for the Socceroos since undergoing surgery after the 2014 FIFA World Cup while Antonis, Mooy and Nichols have an opportunity to push their claims for a place in the squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 Australia.

Socceroos shooting for Asian Cup success

Postecoglou has made five changes to the squad that played the UAE and Qatar with McKay, Nichols, Antonis, Mooy and Robbie Kruse coming in for Adam Federici, Bernie Ibini, Tomi Juric and Brad Smith. Tommy Oar was not considered due to a minor injury.

“The Japan match is the final hit out before the Asian Cup and we’ll have a good week of training leading into the game so we can continue to work on what we’ve been trying to achieve before we take on a tough opponent in Japan,” Postecoglou said.

“The squad we’ve selected has a core group of players we have been working with over the last 12 months but it still gives an opportunity to a few more younger players who have started the season well in the A-League.”

The Socceroos will start assembling in Osaka on Monday 11 November ahead of the match on 18 November.

The 23-man Socceroos squad is:

Name

Club, Country

A International Caps (Goals)

Terry Antonis

Sydney FC, Australia

3 (0)

Aziz Behich

Bursaspor, Turkey

6 (2)

Mark Bresciano

Al Gharafa, Qatar

80 (13)

Joshua Brillante

ACF Fiorentina, Italy

5 (0)

Tim Cahill

New York Red Bulls, USA

75 (35)

Jason Davidson

West Bromwich Albion F.C., England

13 (0)

Ivan Franjic

FK Torpedo Moskva, Russia

11 (0)

Chris Herd

Aston Villa, England

3 (0)

James Holland

FK Austria Vienna, Austria

15 (0)

Mile Jedinak

Crystal Palace FC, England

51 (6)

Robbie Kruse

TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Germany

31 (3)

Mitchell Langerak (gk)

B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany

5 (0)

Mathew Leckie

FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany

15 (1)

Massimo Luongo

Swindon Town FC, England

4 (0)

Matt McKay

Brisbane Roar, Australia

49 (1)

Mark Milligan

Melbourne Victory FC, Australia

33 (2)

Mitch Nichols

Perth Glory, Australia

4 (0)

Aaron Mooy

Melbourne City, Australia

3 (3)

Mat Ryan (gk)

Club Brugge KV, Belgium

12 (0)

Trent Sainsbury

P.E.C. Zwolle, Netherlands

3 (0)

Nikolai Topor-Stanley

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

4 (0)

James Troisi

S.V. Zulte Waregem, Belgium

15 (1)

Alex Wilkinson

Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic

10 (0)

MATCH DETAILS

Japan v Australia

18 November 2014

Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

Kick-Off 7.20pm (9.20pm AEDT)

The Japan v Australia match will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and ABC TV.

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