Ange Postecoglou names preliminary 30-man squad for Socceroos play-off with Syria

ANGE Postecoglou has turned to a player uncapped since 2014 in a preliminary Socceroos squad, to be trimmed next week, for Australia’s World Cup play-off with Syria.

Coach of the Socceroos Ange Postecoglou

ANGE Postecoglou has recalled Nikita Rukavytsya from international wilderness in his preliminary 30-man squad for Australia’s make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Syria.

30-year-old Rukavytsya, whose last of his 16 caps came in 2014, has been playing club football in Israel with Maccabi Haifa, where he has scored four goals in seven appearances in the Israeli season in league and cup competitions.

Since leaving Western Sydney Wanderers after 23 appearances in 2014-2015, the left-footed player, who was part of Pim Verbeek’s 2010 World Cup squad, has been in Israel; first, with Beitar Jerusalem, where he made 30 appearances, scoring 14 times, before moving to local powerhouse Haifa, where he also tasted Europa League action.

Alongside Rukavytsya’s unexpected selection comes recalls for Aziz Behich, Mark Birighitti, Craig Goodwin and James Jeggo; Mile Jedinak is included despite fitness concerns, while defender Matthew Jurman from Suwon Samsung Bluewings in Korea Republic is included in the preliminary squad again after being included in the last preliminary squad as well, and is joined by Josh Risdon, who has moved from Perth to Western Sydney Wanderers ahead of the A-League season.

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Nikita Rukavytsya (L) at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Central defender Matthew Spiranovic has not been included in a squad that recalls 22 of the 23 who contested the Japan and Thailand matches, but includes further options for Postecoglou to consider when trimming his squad to a 23-man group next week.

“There is a short turnaround from the last matches so we are fully focused on these upcoming fixtures against Syria,” said Postecoglou.

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“The players that we have selected for these crucial matches all have the benefit of several club matches under their belts over the past few weeks, and I am confident whichever 23 players we settle on will be able to do the job next month.

“Now that the match venues have been confirmed, we will prepare for our fixtures against Syria just like every other international opposition we faced throughout this campaign.

The players will arrive in Malacca, Malaysia from Sunday 1 October 2017.

📸🍀@mhfootballclub pic.twitter.com/iZXYSV1Mer

— Nikita Rukavytsya (@RealRukavytsya) September 6, 2017

SOCCEROOS 30-MAN SQUAD FOR SYRIA PLAY-OFF

GOALKEEPERS

Mat Ryan, Mitch Langerak, Danny Vukovic, Mark Birighitti

DEFENDERS

Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Mathew Jurman, Ryan McGowan, Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Bailey Wright

MIDFIELDERS/ATTACK

Mustafa Amini, Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, James Jeggo, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, James Troisi,

STRIKERS

Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Jamie Maclaren, Nikita Rukavytsya

Syria v Socceroos

Thursday 5 October 2017

Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca, Malaysia

Kick-off: TBC

Socceroos v Syria

Tuesday 10 October 2017

Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia

Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)

Both matches will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou names preliminary 30-man squad for Socceroos play-off with Syria