Socceroos World Cup Qualifier places up for grabs

Places in the squad for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be on the line after Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek named his squad for the international friendly against Ghana to be played on May 23 at the Sydney Football Stadium.

With 'Super June' to feature four World Cup qualification matches, Verbeek has named some uncapped players in the team and some experienced names for the vital preparation match against the African powerhouse.

The Australian coach has made it clear an impressive performance will see the players given the chance to push for selection in the next qualifier against Iraq.

“We have always said that during the campaign to qualify for the World Cup we would need a large list of players,” said Verbeek.

“This match will continue to build our depth and give us a chance to test some players out at the top level.”

“Ghana are a very strong team and will provide us with the ideal match ahead of the game against Iraq the following week in Brisbane.”

Matthew Spiranovic, Adam Federici and experienced Socceroos Mile Sterjovski and Michael Petkovic will take their places in their first camp since Verbeek took control while Nick Carle will do the same if his side Bristol City does not qualify for the final of the Premier League promotion playoffs in England.

Bristol leads Crystal Palace 2-1 after the first leg of the playoff and an aggregate win would see Carle's team through to the final and a chance at the Premier League.

Verbeek also noted that four members of the Under 23s who will be playing in the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia would return to Australia and join the Socceroos squad after the first two matches of that tournament.

The match will be part of the double-header featuring the Australia women's team - The Matildas - up against Canada.

Tickets available from Ticketek outlets (ph: 132849; web: www.tickek.com.au). All of the Socceroos matches will be shown live and exclusive on Fox Sports.

Socceroos squad to play Ghana

Daniel Allsopp (Melbourne Victory), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Vcitory), Jacob Burns (Unirea Valahorum, Romania), Nick Carle (Bristol City, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Ante Covic (Newcastle Jets), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Adam Griffiths (Newcastle Jets), Joel Griffiths (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Mile Jedinak (Central Coast Mariners), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Jade North (Newcastle Jets), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Matthew Spiranovic (Nuremburg, Germany), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Newcastle United, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory).

Australia vs Canada (women, kick-off 5:15pm AEST)
Australia vs Ghana (men, kick-off 8:00pm AEST)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Friday, May 23
Gates Open 5pm

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