Meet the fresh faces in Ange Postecoglou’s youthful 30-man Socceroos World Cup squad

ANGE Postecoglou’s 30-man Socceroos squad features plenty of new faces. Find out about the 10 ‘Roos you may not have heard of.

The likes of Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy and Luke Wilkshire are on track to go to their third World Cup next month, but when Ange Postecoglou named his preliminary 30-man squad on Wednesday, there were plenty of new faces.

The A-League was well represented, with 10 domestic players picked, while uncapped youngsters Ben Halloran and Bailey Wright also earnt call-ups.

The average number of caps in the 30 is just 17. Compare that averages of 27 in 2006 and 33 in 2010, and you understand just how youthful the Socceroos squad is.

If you don’t know the difference between a Brillante, Bozanic or Birighitti read on, as we introduce to the Socceroos’ new brigade.

ALL 32 WORLD CUP SQUADS

MORE SOCCEROOS NEWS

SOCCEROOS TEAM SELECTOR: WHO MAKES YOUR XI?

PLENTY OF CHANGE: JUST FIVE REMAIN FROM START OF QUALIFYING

DAVUTOVIC: HOW DIFFERENT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER HOLGER

Bailey Wright

Age: 21

Club: Preston North End

Caps: 0

‘Bailey the bolter’ has been rewarded for a string of impressive performances for Preston North End in England’s League One this season to earn his first national team call-up.

Ange scouted the young central defender – currently in the middle of a semi-final playoff tie – in February, and following injuries to Rhys Williams and Trent Sainsbury, decided to blood the 21-year-old.

For Wright, it’s been an amazing few years. In 2009 he moved to England after every A-League club passed on him. Five years later and he could go to the World Cup.

Ben Halloran

Age: 21

Club: Fortuna Düsseldorf

Caps: 0

Halloran is another player who has been on Ange’s radar for some time, and was set to make his Socceroos debut in the Ecuador friendly in March, but pulled out late with a hip injury.

Halloran’s biggest attribute is his pace, and he’s used it to devastating effect in the past few weeks for German second-tier club Fortuna Dusseldorf.

The attacker – who played for A-League clubs Gold Coast United and Brisbane Roar before moving to Europe - has scored five goals in his past six games to force Ange’s hand. Looking out for this excitement machine.

Josh Brillante

Age: 21

Club: Newcastle Jets

Caps: 1

Another blessed with plenty of pace, Newcastle Jets’ Mr Versatile was one of six A-League players who took part in a mini-Socceroos training camp last week ahead of the squad announcement.

The young gun – who can play central midfield and right back – got his first chance in green and gold at the 2013 Under 20 World Cup and made his senior debut at the East Asian Cup against China.

While he appears an outsider to make the final 23, his ability to play in multiple positions makes him an attractive prospect for Postecoglou.

Adam Taggart

Age: 20

Club: Newcastle Jets

Caps: 4

It doesn’t matter where you play, strikers are judged by one criteria, goals, and the Jets marksman produced plenty this season.

The Golden Boot winner found the back of the net 16 times in 2013-2014 to also take out Young Footballer of the Year, and of the new faces, is considered the best chance to survive when Ange trims the squad down to 23.

The 20-year-old’s brilliant form Down Under has European sides circling, but Taggart’s only focus now will be making the plane to Brazil.

Another to get his Socceroos start in the East Asian Cup, Taggart scored three goals in qualifying for that tournament, and will be hoping to add to that tally on June 13 against Chile.

Jets duo dam Taggart and Josh Brillante have made the 30-man squad.

Adam Sarota

Age: 25

Club: FC Utrecht

Caps: 3

Central midfielder Sarota was one of three players – along with Michael Zullo and Tommy Oar – to join Dutch side FC Utrecht from Brisbane Roar in 2010.

The 25-year-old made his debut under Holger Osieck in a friendly against Wales in 2011, but a serious injury sustained in the Netherlands in January 2013 nearly put an end to his 2014 World Cup hopes.

Sarota had a knee reconstruction and returned to action just in time to be called up to Ange’s squad to face Ecuador.

Will be in a battle with the likes of Oliver Bozanic, Brillante, Massimo Luongo and James Holland to make the final 23.

Massimo Luongo

Age: 21

Club: Swindon Town

Caps: 1

Luongo was the big bolter from the Ecuador squad, and did enough coming off the bench to convince Ange to give him another shot.

The central midfielder fits the mould of the classic Ange player; technically proficient, two-footed, young and full of energy.

After failing to cut it at Tottenham, Luongo – who was eligible for Italy or Indonesia before he chose Australia – moved to League One side Swindon, where he has flourished.

The 21-year-old has made 44 appearances this season, scoring six times. He’s definitely one for the future, whether that’s Brazil or further down the track will be revealed soon.

Central midfielder Massimo Luongo of Swindon Town will be looking to add to his one cap.

Curtis Good

Age: 21

Club: Dundee United (on loan from Newcastle)

Caps: 1

Good by name, good by nature, the young central defender is another who grasped his opportunity against Ecuador with both hands.

On debut, the 21-year-old showed composure beyond his years playing alongside Matthew Spiranovic, and it wasn’t until he went off injured that the Socceroos went to custard in the 4-3 loss.

He’s struggled to shrug off a hip complaint sustained in that match, and despite boasting just one cap, shapes as an integral part of the Socceroos defence in Brazil.

Starting his career at Melbourne Heart, the defender was signed by Premier League club Newcastle United on a six-year deal, before spending stings at Bradford – where he played in the League Cup final - and Dundee United on loan.

Jason Davidson

Age: 22

Club: Heracles Almelo

Caps: 5

Jason Davidson was the main beneficiary when it was decided the Matt McKay left-back experiment was a failure, and the wing-back is virtually nailed on to make the flight to Brazil.

Davidson left Melbourne in 2009 to sign for Portuguese side Paços de Ferreira. From there he made the move to Dutch side Heracles Almelo, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Strong form in Europe saw the 22-year-old – who can also play in the centre of defence – handed his debut against Scotland in a 2012 friendly, while he has been an ever present in Ange’s two matches in charge (Costa Rica and Ecuador).

Ange has opted for a youthful group of players.

Oliver Bozanic

Age: 25

Club: Luzern

Caps: 2

A-League championship-winning midfielder Bozanic earned his first Socceroos call up in 2009, but would have to wait four years before debuting against Canada in October last year.

Winning the A-League title in 2013 saw Bozanic signed by Swiss top tier side FC Luzern, where he has gone on to make 25 appearances, scoring an impressive five times.

Bozanic can play either the holding or attacking role in centre midfield, and makes up a strong contingent – alongside Mat Ryan, Alex Wilkinson, Mile Jedinak and Tom Rogic – of Mariners players past and present to make the 30-man squad.

Mark Birighitti

Age: 23

Club: Newcastle Jets

Caps: 1

Jets shot stopper Birighitti is one of four goalkeepers picked by Postecoglou on Wednesday.

Mat Ryan and Mitch Langerak are certain to go to Brazil while Eugene Galekovic is considered the A-League’s best gloveman, meaning the chances of Birighitti going to Brazil appear slim.

The Jets man – who is in negotiations with Robbie Kruse’s club Bayern Leverkusen about a switch to Germany – has just the sole cap to his name – making his debut against China in Australia’s final match of the 2013 East Asian Cup.

Originally published as Meet the fresh faces in Ange Postecoglou’s youthful 30-man Socceroos World Cup squad