Melbourne City midfielder Tim Cahill has secured his place in the Socceroos’ final 23-man squad for March’s 2018 World Cup Qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.
Cahill returns to the mix for Ange Postecoglou’s side for the first time since October’s qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia and joins six other players selected from the domestic competition.
The City midfielder’s impressive form this season has seen him net seven times, creating six other chances and picking up an assist in his 17 A-League appearances for the Club.
Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou is confident he has selected a side that can pick up maximum points over the two matches in Tehran and Sydney, saying he believes he has the right mix heading into the matches.
“We’ve come up with a good strong squad that has a mix of experience, form and players who are playing regular football,” Postecoglou said.
“I was pleased with the collective game time the squad got through over the weekend and come into camp playing well.
“We face two important games in five days and it’s good to welcome back some guys who have been out of the squad for different lengths of time for various reasons and I’m confident the group we’ve selected will be ready to hit the ground running.”
“There are a lot of important matches in what shapes as a crucial year for the team but the focus for us is simply Iraq on Thursday week and then the UAE in Sydney on March 28.”
Cahill will miss the Friday 24 March clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Spotless Stadium on camp with the national team.
Australia currently sit third in Group B of AFC World Cup Qualifying with only one point separating Saudi Arabia in first and the UAE in fourth.
Match Details
Iraq v Soccceroos
Thursday 23 March
PAS Stadium, Tehran (Iran)
Kick-off 4.30pm (11pm AEDT)
Socceroos v United Arab Emirates
Tuesday 28 March
Sydney Football Stadium
Kick-off 8pm AEDT
