Australia NewsPim Names His China Squad |
RODY Vargas and Ruben Zadkovich will get their chance to make their Socceroo debuts in Sunday's 'dead-rubber' World Cup qualifier against China in Sydney.
With Australia's path to the next stage of qualifying assured, coach Pim Verbeek has named international rookies Vargas, Zadkovich and Stuart Musialik as part of a 14-man squad, while several Under-23 players could also be given the chances to debut with the senior side.Melbourne Victory defender Vargas has been close to selection over the past month. Having emerged from the Victorian Premier League two years ago, Vargas debut would be somewhat of a fairytale given he is 29.
Zadkovich, who left Sydney to join Derby County recently, is set to slot in on the left-hand side.
Harry Kewell, still on the lookout for a new club after being shown the door by Liverpool, will again captain the side.
Verbeek did not consider A-list stars such as Mark Bresciano, Lucas Neill, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton.
The goalkeeping position will go to either World Cup squad member Ante Covic or Michael Petkovic, with regular custodian Mark Schwarzer suspended.
China, already out of World Cup reckoning, has arrived in Sydney and will train after the Australians at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
Socceroos squad: Michael Beauchamp, Ante Covic, Bruce Djite, James Holland, Mile Jedinak, Harry Kewell, Jade North, Michael Petkovic, Matthew Spiranovic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Troisi, Carl Valeri, Rodrigo Vargas, Ruben Zadkovich plus other Olyroos yet to be named.
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