Graham Arnold, Head Coach of Australia has released the list of 26 players squad for the World Cup. Qatar will be the sixth world cup appearance for the Socceroos after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in the qualifiers. The team will be looking to do better than all their previous records with a round of 16 finish being their best result.
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Teenage sensation Garang Kuol makes it to the squad
Garang Kuol with just one cap for Australia makes it to the world cup squad. The Newcastle bound teenager has high potential and is expected to make some significant contributions when given a chance. The fans will have an eye on Kuol as he has earned a move to Newcastle.
“The kid just needs to be himself,” said Australia coach Graham Arnold. “Garang has shown how he can change a game. He has zero fear and he wants to entertain.”
Mathew Ryan leading the squad
Mathew Ryan, the first choice keeper and the captain of the squad is expected to lead the way. Other senior pros like Aaron Mooy, Aziz Behich are also expected to set an example to the group. Having made it to Qatar after a thrilling penalty shoot-out in the decisive qualifier against Peru, Australia find themselves in a tricky group. Australia have to face France, Denmark and Tunisia in the group stage.
The squad consists of 7 players from Scottish Premiership along with Edinburgh-born Jason Cummings having represented Scotland twice. Tom Rogic is not going to Qatar after he controversially ruled him out from world cup qualifier play-offs. Trent Sainsbury and Mitch Langerak are some of the notable omissions.
Australia’s 26-man squad for Qatar
Goalkeepers : Mathew Ryan (Copenhagen/Denmark), Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC/Australia), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners/Australia).
Defenders : Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew/USA), Nathanial Atkinson (Hearts/Scotland), Joel King (OB/Denmark), Fran Karacic (Brescia/Italy), Bailey Wright (Sunderland/England), Harry Souttar (Stoke/England), Kye Rowles (Hearts/Scotland), Aziz Behich (Dundee United/Scotland), Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata/Japan).
Midfielders : Aaron Mooy (Celtic/Scotland), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United/Australia), Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli/Germany), Cameron Devlin (Hearts/Scotland), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough/England), Ajdin Hrustic (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Keanu Baccus (St Mirren/Scotland).
Forwards : Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City/Australia), Martin Boyle (Hibernian/Scotland), Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City/Australia), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United/Australia), Mitch Duke (Fagiano Okayama/Japan), Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners/Australia), Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners/Australia), Awer Mabil (Cadiz/Spain).
