Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named midfielder Aaron Mooy in his 23-player squad for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh early next month.
It is a third conescutive call-up to the national team for Mooy, who has been in tremendous form for Melbourne City FC during its Hyundai A-League and Westfield FFA Cup campaigns.
Mooy will be joined in the squad by returning Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak and goalkeeper Mat Ryan, as well as uncapped Perth Glory defender Josh Risdon, in only three changes to the squad for the matches in Canberra on 12 November and Dhaka on November 17.
Postecoglou expressed his delight for the way the core group of players in the squad has adapted to an increased level of competition at club level, which has left the Socceroos Head Coach confident his team is in good shape halfway through the first stage of qualification.
“While the performance and result in Jordan were not what we hoped for, we are still in a good position to progress to the next round of qualifiers at the top of the group,” Postecoglou said. “We have three matches at home and nothing changes with the way we are approaching the next two games.”
“We have a group of players in form and playing consistently, which is important as we look to the matches against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh.”
The Socceroos are in second position in Group B of the AFC Second Round qualifying standings, sitting four points behind Jordan with an extra match to play.
The matches against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS and on a one hour delay on SBS.
Socceroos Squad
Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Alex Cisak (GK), Jason Davidson Adam Federici (GK), Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Matthew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Matt McKay, James Meredith, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Oar, Josh Risdon, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan (GK), Trent Sainsbury, Matt Spiranovic, James Troisi, Alex Wilkinson, Bailey Wright.
