Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart has been selected in the Socceroos’ final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart has been selected in the Socceroos’ final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was omitted from Ange Postecoglu’s squad, but will remain in Brazil with the Australian team ahead of their opening World Cup match against Chile on June 14 (AEST).
Birighitti is expected to serve as a back-up for fellow shot-stopper Mitch Langerak, who is carrying a knee injury.
The squad will be captained by midfielder Mile Jedinak with Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Mark Milligan becoming the first Australian football players to represent the Socceroos at three World Cup tournaments following the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.
The Socceroos squad is made up of three goalkeepers, six defenders, 10 midfielders and four strikers with seven of the 23 players currently playing in the Hyundai A-League.
As well as Birighitti, the other players to miss out on the final squad are Josh Kennedy, Tom Rogic and Luke Wilkshire.
“Every step of the selection process has been difficult because the players have worked very hard since they came into camp but we have had to weigh up form, fitness and squad balance in coming up with the 23 players who will represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup,” Postecoglou said.
“We-ve selected a squad that can do Australia proud and they will walk out onto the pitch for the World Cup in the green and gold shirt and display the characteristics that define our country.
“Our stated aim is to make our country proud, show the world what Australians are made of and test ourselves against the very best football players in the world and this group of players is capable of doing that.”
SOCCEROOS 23-MAN SQUAD FOR THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL
Oliver BOZANIC FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND
Mark BRESCIANO Al Gharafa, QATAR
Tim CAHILL New York Red Bulls, USA
Jason DAVIDSON SC Heracles Almelo, NETHERLANDS
Ivan FRANJIC Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA
Eugene GALEKOVIC Adelaide United, AUSTRALIA
Ben HALLORAN Fortuna Dusseldorf, GERMANY
James HOLLAND FK Austria Vienna, AUSTRIA
Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND
Mitchell LANGERAK B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, GERMANY
Mathew LECKIE FSV Frankfurt 1899, GERMANY
Massimo LUONGO Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND
Ryan McGOWAN Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, CHINA
Matt McKAY Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA
Mark MILLIGAN Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA
Tommy OAR FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS
Mat RYAN Club Brugge KV, BELGIUM
Matthew SPIRANOVIC Western Sydney Wanderers, AUSTRALIA
Adam TAGGART Newcastle Jets, AUSTRALIA
James TROISI Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA
Dario VIDOSIC FC Sion, SWITZERLAND
Alex WILKINSON Jeonbuk Hyundai, KOREA REPUBLIC
Bailey WRIGHT Preston North End FC, ENGLAND
