Kewell, Emerton to star against Oman and Thailand

[sephiroth]

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck today named a 23-player squad for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Oman (Muscat, 11 November 2011) and Thailand (Bangkok, 15 November 2011).

Osieck has selected all 18 players who were part of the Qantas Socceroos squad that recently defeated Malaysia 5-0 at Canberra Stadium in Canberra and Oman 3-0 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Coming into the Qantas Socceroos squad are Brett Emerton, Harry Kewell & Mark Schwarzer along with Western Australian Chris Herd who receives his first Qantas Socceroos squad selection and Queenslander Mitch Nichols who returns to the squad after making his debut against Kuwait in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier in Canberra in March 2009.

The Qantas Socceroos will assemble in Dubai early next week for a short training camp before arriving in Muscat on Thursday 10 November to face Oman the following day at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium.

The Qantas Socceroos will then travel to Bangkok the following day (Saturday 12 November) to prepare for their match against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday (15 November).

At this stage Football Federation Australia (FFA) has not been informed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of any change to the venue or kick-off time and date for the match against Thailand due to the flood waters that are currently affecting Bangkok. FFA is in daily contact with the AFC regarding the situation and will advise all stakeholders immediately should the match details change.

The Qantas Socceroos are currently at the top of Group D with maximum points from their opening three matches followed by Thailand in second place then Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Both matches will be broadcast live and exclusive throughout Australia by FOX SPORTS.

QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD – Wednesday 2 November 2011

Player Name Club, Country A-International Appearances (goals)
Alex BROSQUE Sønderjysk Elitesport, DENMARK 9 (3)
Nathan COE Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA 3 (0)
Brett EMERTON Sydney FC, AUSTRALIA 89 (18)
Adam FEDERICI Reading FC, ENGLAND 6 (0)
Chris HERD Aston Villa, ENGLAND
Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar, NETHERLANDS 51 (7)
Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND 30 (3)
Josh KENNEDY Nagoya Grampus, JAPAN 28 (15)
Harry KEWELL Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA 54 (16)
Neil KILKENNY Bristol City FC, ENGLAND 13 (0)
Robbie KRUSE Fortuna Dusseldorf, GERMANY 12 (2)
Matt McKay Glasgow Rangers, SCOTLAND 21 (0)
Lucas NEILL Al-Jazira Club, UAE 77 (0)
Mitch NICHOLS Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA 1 (0)
Sasa OGNENOVSKI Seongham Ilwha Chunma, KOREA REPUBLIC 12 (1)
Adam SAROTA FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS 2 (0)
Mark SCHWARZER Fulham FC, ENGLAND 92 (0)
Matthew SPIRANOVIC Urawa Red Diamonds, JAPAN 10 (0)
James TROISI Kayserispor Kulubu, TURKEY 8 (1)
Carl VALERI U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, ITALY 43 (1)
Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA 64 (6)
Rhys WILLLIAMS Middlesbrough FC, ENGLAND 8 (0)
Michael ZULLO FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS 8 (0)
Upcoming Match Details
2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Third Round Match Day 4
Oman v Qantas Socceroos
Friday 11 November, 2011
Sultan Qaboos Stadium, Muscat, Oman
Kick Off: 6.00pm local (1:00am AEDT)

2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Third Round Match Day 5
Thailand v Qantas Socceroos
Tuesday 15 November, 2011
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Kick Off: 6.00pm local (10:00pm AEDT)

Current FIFA Rankings (19 October 2011)
Australia – 20th
Oman – 103rd

[sephiroth]

copied and pasted from FFA site, obviously a stuff-up with Brosque's and Coe's clubs. excited that Herd is selected.

[the_gun]

great to see herd and nichols get a call-up... they both deserve it.

[DOC]

great squad, still heaps of talent not in that team also, plenty to look forward too as it seems holger has re invigorated a few players, things are looking good for brazil

[BADA BING]

what happens if they cant play in Thailand, would it be postposed or moved to another venue?

[DOC]

what happens if they cant play in Thailand, would it be postposed or moved to another venue?

qantas strike? we have to fly another airline at qantas, our sponsors, expense

fly one of the partner airlines prob

[Con]

Dunno 'bout 'arry & Emo being selected just yet on current form in the A-League.. No goals or assists & indifferent form. Sounds like selected just on reputation.

[sephiroth]

what happens if they cant play in Thailand, would it be postposed or moved to another venue?

qantas strike? we have to fly another airline at qantas, our sponsors, expense

fly one of the partner airlines prob

Facepalm

[DOC]

what happens if they cant play in Thailand, would it be postposed or moved to another venue?

qantas strike? we have to fly another airline at qantas, our sponsors, expense

fly one of the partner airlines prob

Facepalm

i noticed after but the point still stands, qantas is our sponsor hence our air carrier, and has grounded its fleet, whats the solution?

no facepalm

[sephiroth]

good to see you read newspapers, think global, not local, then i'll stop facepalming.

[Con]

Osieck said straight out on FoxSports that 'arry & Emo have to lift their game.

Sounds like one or both are destined for the pine in Oman or Thailand.

[Reds11]

great to see herd and nichols get a call-up... they both deserve it.

Both exciting prospects for the future. Is Nichols originally from QLD

[DOC]

good to see you read newspapers, think global, not local, then i'll stop facepalming.

i will when you tell me how the team will get there if qantas planes are grounded?

[Petro83]

good to see you read newspapers, think global, not local, then i'll stop facepalming.

i will when you tell me how the team will get there if qantas planes are grounded?

They are flying again arent they? what about the floods in bangkok? that game might not go ahead

[sephiroth]

Bingo!

[BlackBrian_7]

DOC's ignorance completely amazes me.

[the_gun]

herd out with injury

[Red-4-Life]

Strong side, should get the job done and come home with 6 points