Cahill rested for Thailand qualifier
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[November 02, 2016]
MELBOURNE, Nov 2 (Reuters) -
Australia talisman Tim Cahill will be rested for the World Cup
qualifier against Thailand to allow the veteran striker to fully
recover from an Achilles complaint that ruled him out of domestic
football last week.
Cahill's omission was confirmed on Wednesday by coach Ange
Postecoglou, who trimmed the Socceroos squad from 30 to 23 for the
match in Bangkok on Nov. 15.
The 36-year-old, who missed Melbourne City's 2-1 win over Adelaide
on Friday, is expected to return to A-League action on Friday
against Brisbane Roar.
But Postecoglou said he would be spared the trip to Thailand where
the Socceroos will have an intensive training camp before the
qualifier.
"Tim has been left out primarily because we have a 10-day lead in,
which is very rare, and I want to be able to put the squad through a
lot of work," Postecoglou said in a media release.
"He has done a lot of travel for club and country and I have decided
it is better he remains in Melbourne where he is being managed well
to ensure he is back on the park as soon as possible and ready for
us down the track."
Cahill, Australia's most prolific scorer with 48 goals from 94
internationals, has been used sparingly in the final phase of
qualifying and came off the bench in their last start, a 1-1 draw
against Japan in Melbourne.
Australia are second in Asia's Group B on eight points, two behind
leading Saudi Arabia, while Thailand have yet to secure a point
after four straight defeats.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Nov/02/images/ads/current/maskeauction_sda_022614.png)
Forward Nathan Burns, fullbacks Josh Risdon and Milos Degenek, and
Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren have been retained after being
added to the squad of 23 who played the Japan and Saudi Arabia
qualifiers.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Nov/02/images/ads/current/cia_lda_FFARM_2016.png)
Forwards Apo Giannou and Chris Ikonomidis as well as defender Ryan
McGowan have been omitted.
Postecoglou was unhappy with his side's attack in the home draw
against Japan and criticised his team for "wasting half the game"
before lifting in the second half.
He will hope the injection of more pace out wide from wingers Burns
and Tommy Oar can create more chances against lowly Thailand.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Nov/02/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
"Jamie Maclaren has started the season well in Brisbane and
transformed that form into a goal on the weekend so he will come
into the squad, as will Burnsy, which gives us options up front," he
said.
Goalkeepers - Adam Federici, Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Ryan
Defenders - Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Josh Risdon, Trent
Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic, Bailey Wright
Midfielders - Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, James
Jeggo, Massimo Luongo, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Rogic
Forwards - Nathan Burns, Craig Goodwin, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse,
Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by
Clare Fallon /Nick Mulvenney)
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