Confederations Cup: Socceroos squad for Russia nice blend of youth and experience

THEY are not the household names of the past decade but the Australians doing battle in the Confederations Cup are proudly flying the flag overseas and locally.

Aaron Mooy is in a rich vein of form.

THEY are not the household names of the past decade but the Australians doing battle in the Confederations Cup are proudly flying the flag overseas and locally.

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So, from Mathew Ryan through to Tim Cahill and Mathew Leckie, here is the squad of 23 that will face Germany, Cameroon and Chile (and beyond hopefully...) in Russia.

Mathew Ryan is set to move to new club Brighton after the Conferations Cup.

Mathew Ryan (1)

Age: 25

Club: Brighton, England

Caps (goals): 32 (0)

Since he broke into the Mariners’ first team in his teens, Ryan has met and surpassed every challenge head on. Apparently on the verge of a move to the EPL, his shot-stopping and ability on the ball are vital to the Socceroos.

Milos Degenek (2)

Age: 23

Club: Yokohama F Marinos, Japan

Caps (goals): 8 (0)

Valued for his versatility, as he can play centrehalf, right back or defensive midfield, but the Japan-based utility hasn’t shown which is his dominant position yet.

Milos Degenek tangles with Brazil’s Douglas Costa

Alex Gersbach (3)

Age: 20

Club: Rosenborg Bk, Norway

Caps (goals): 2 (0)

Marked out as a future Socceroo as soon as he broke into the Sydney FC team at 17. Has a terrific left-foot, and is getting increasing game time at Norwegian champions Rosenborg.

Tim Cahill (4)

Age: 37

Club: Melbourne City Fc, Australia

Caps (goals): 96 (48)

The talisman of Australian football, his career has shown remarkable longevity and he remains easily the biggest name in the team. Increasingly used off the bench but still a lethal weapon.

Tim Cahill still has a vital role in the squad even at age 37.

Mark Milligan (5)

Age: 31

Club: Baniyas, UAE

Caps (goals): 55 (5)

Now a very senior member of the international set-up, 11 years after his shock inclusion in the World Cup squad. With Mile Jedinak out, Milligan has a crucial role to play in midfield – as well as find a new club.

Dylan McGowan (6)

Age: 25

Club: FC Pacos De Ferreira, Portugal

Caps (goals): 0 (0)

One of just a handful of debutants in the squad, McGowan’s inclusion raised eyebrows despite him signing with a new club in Portugal only last month. Uncomplicated centreback whose brother is also in the squad.

Mathew Leckie has the pace to trouble defences.

Mathew Leckie (7)

Age: 26

Club: Hertha Bsc, Germany

Caps (goals): 40 (5)

Arguably more recognised in Germany than he is in Australia, Leckie is a vital part of Postecoglou’s plans. Has speed and power to burn whether out wide or upfront.

Bailey Wright (8)

Age: 24

Club: Bristol City, England

Caps (goals): 14 (1)

An old-fashioned style of defender, but better on the ball than he gets credit for, Wright has a mature head on relatively young shoulders – in part from an upbringing in the school of hard knocks that is English lower-league football.

Goals from Tomi Juric will be key in Russia.

Tomi Juric (9)

Age: 25

Club: FC Luzern, Switzerland

Caps (goals): 23 (6)

Buoyed by a brace against Saudi Arabia last week, Juric is comfortably the first choice upfront for Australia. Has found his feet in Europe, doing well in the Swiss League.

Robbie Kruse (10)

Age: 28

Uncontracted

Caps (goals): 51 (4)

Clubless after his move to China went sour, Kruse is at a pivotal point in his career. Not so long ago he was signed by one of the best clubs in Germany, but his lack of match action is painfully clear now in Australian colours.

Jamie MacLaren brings an outstanding goalscoring pedigree to the table.

Jamie Maclaren (11)

Age: 23

Club: Sv Darmstadt 98, Germany

Caps (goals): 2 (0)

The highest Australian scorer in the A-League for the past two years has had to wait patiently for recognition from Postecoglou. Now, with a move to Germany and the chance to impress for Australia, it’s up to him.

Mitchell Langerak (12)

Age: 28

Club: Vfb Stuttgart, Germany

Caps (goals): 7 (0)

Has ploughed a lonely furrow at times having spent years in Germany as a back-up keeper. Now Stuttgart have been promoted to the Bundesliga with Langerak as undisputed No1, and his next aim is to take the Socceroos gig too.

Aaron Mooy is in a rich vein of form.

Aaron Mooy (13)

Age: 26

Club: Huddersfield Town, England

Caps (goals): 23 (5)

Could scarcely have had a more profound impact in his first season back in Europe, helping Huddersfield to EPL promotion and becoming a sought-after property in the process. Technically the equal of any Australian, with an eye for the killer pass.

James Troisi (14)

Age: 28

Club: Melbourne Victory, Australia

Caps (goals): 28 (4)

Something of an enigma of Australian football, a forward who has struggled in Europe and the Middle East but been superb in the A-League. Memorably scored the winner in the Asian Cup two years ago.

James Jeggo (15)

Age: 25

Club: Sk Sturm Graz, Austria

Caps (goals): 0 (0)

Beneficiary of Jedinak’s withdrawal, Jeggo is an industrious young midfielder who quit Adelaide for Austria and has quietly built a reputation for the efficiency of his play.

Aziz Behich could be set for an extended first team run.

Aziz Behich (16)

Age: 26

Club: Bursaspor, Turkey

Caps (goals): 13 (2)

A leftback who has played week in week out in Turkey for several seasons, Behich has had to play second fiddle to Brad Smith for the national team. Now, with Smith out injured, this is his chance.

Ajdin Hrustic (17)

Age: 20

Club: Fc Groningen, Netherlands

Caps (goals): 0 (0)

Postecoglou’s bolt from the blue, Hrustic has played very little professional football – but he was coached as a kid by the national boss, who has tracked him since. Bosnia want the young forward too, but Australia got in first.

Daniel Vukovic helped Sydney FC to an A-League grand final win.

Daniel Vukovic (18)

Age: 32

Club: Sydney FC, Australia

Caps (goals): 0 (0)

Rewarded for a stellar season at club level despite his age, the Sydney FC goalkeeper has trained the house down so far, determined to make the most of this belated opportunity.

Ryan McGowan (19)

Age: 27

Club: Guizhou Zhicheng, China

Caps (goals): 19 (0)

Right back who played at the last World Cup, but whose professional club career has largely been played in Scotland and China. Brother of debutant Dylan.

Trent Sainsbury has become an integral part of the Socceroos defence.

Trent Sainsbury (20)

Age: 25

Club: Inter Milan, Italy

Caps (goals): 23 (3)

The club he’s attached to is a bit misleading, as he will shortly return to China after a loan spell in Italy that produced just 20 minutes of first team action. Has ability to be Australia’s most debonair defender.

Massimo Luongo (21)

Age: 24

Club: Queens Park Rangers Fc, England

Caps (goals): 26 (5)

Maturity and experience belies his age, having been based in England since he was 16. Established in the Championship with QPR, and was rather surprisingly named player of the tournament in the Asian Cup two years ago.

Jackson Irvine has become a pivotal player for Ange Postecoglou.

Jackson Irvine (22)

Age: 24

Club: Burton Albion, England

Caps (goals): 10 (1)

Served a proper apprenticeship in Scotland, and has now caught the eye in the Championship as Burton’s leading scorer from midfield. International career still in its infancy.

Tom Rogic (23)

Age: 24

Club: Celtic, Scotland

Caps (goals): 24 (6)

The great hope of Australian football pulled a rabbit from the hat with his blistering winner v Saudi Arabia last week. Has skill and vision in abundance.