2015 Asian Cup: Ange Postecoglou names final 23-man Socceroos squad for January’s tournament

COACH Ange Postecoglou is confident he has 23 players who are good enough to claim the Socceroos’ first bit of Asian silverware next month.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Ange Postecoglou, Head Coach Socceroos, poses during a media opportunity to mark the 100 day countdown until the beginning of the 2015 Asian Cup, at Hilton Hotel on October 1, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

AFTER six months of experimentation, Ange Postecoglou is confident he has 23 players who are good enough to claim the Socceroos’ first bit of Asian silverware next month.

Seven changes were made from Brazil 2014 when the Asian Cup squad was announced on Monday, but with no World Cup-esque shock inclusions (Bailey Wright) or omissions (Luke Wilkshire).

There were no injury concerns, with Trent Sainsbury (hamstring) and Tommy Oar getting the all-clear, though the coaching staff is sweating on a final weekend of action home and abroad, with the Melbourne-based camp starting Sunday.

Pressure has mounted on Postecoglou post-World Cup with a string of friendly losses but he said the 23-man squad was the best available.

“I wanted to pick the best possible squad for us to be successful in this tournament,’’ Postecoglou said.

“Our expectations haven’t changed, we were very disappointed at the World Cup we didn’t get the results.

“Externally everyone expects us to win because we’re playing at home, but it changes nothing for us, we expect to win as well.

“The message hasn’t been different and since the World Cup all we’ve spoken about and done has been to be ready to make an impact on the Asian Cup.’’

Squad certainties Josh Kennedy and Rhys Williams were overlooked as they’re only just returning from lengthy lay-offs, while injury also ruled out Preston North End defender Bailey Wright (groin).

Adam Taggart has yet to play a senior game for Fulham due to injury, while James Holland, Ryan McGowan, Oliver Bozanic, Ben Halloran and Dario Vidosic were the other six to make way from Brazil.

Tomi Juric, Terry Antonis and Nathan Burns are three of the seven A-League players included, with Robbie Kruse, Chris Herd, Aziz Behich and Sainsbury the other new inclusions from last June.

“I had a pretty clear picture right from the start, a playing people of around 30 players,’’ Postecoglou said.

“We had to make some decisions about the balance of the squad, making sure we’ve got depth in the right areas going in, and picking a squad that was tournament specific to the challenges we have here.

“Everyone got through last weekend unscathed. Sainsbury had a hammy tweak and apparently could’ve played on Saturday but because they knew he was coming here they kept him back and he’s here and Tommy Oar’s back playing.

The Socceroos open the Asian Cup against Kuwait on January 9 at AAMI Park.

SOCCEROOS 23-MAN ASIAN CUP SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Name Club, Country

Mat Ryan Club Brugge

Mitchell Langerak Borussia Dortmund

Eugene Galekovic Adelaide United

DEFENDERS

Matthew Spiranovic Western Sydney

Trent Sainsbury PEC Zwolle

Alex Wilkinson Jeonbuk Hyundai

Aziz Behich Bursaspor

Chris Herd Aston Villa

Ivan Franjic Torpedo Moscow

Jason Davidson West Brom

MIDFIELDERS

Mile Jedinak Crystal Palace

Mark Bresciano Al Gharafa

Massimo Luongo Swindon Town

Matt McKay Brisbane Roar

Mark Milligan Melbourne Victory

Terry Antonis Sydney FC

ATTACKERS

Tim Cahill New York Red Bulls

Tomi Juric Western Sydney

Robbie Kruse Bayer Leverkusen

Mathew Leckie Ingolstadt 04

Tommy Oar FC Utrecht

James Troisi Zulte Waregem

Nathan Burns Wellington Phoenix

Originally published as 2015 Asian Cup: Ange Postecoglou names final 23-man Socceroos squad for January’s tournament