Captain Jedinak named for key Australia qualifiers
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[August 15, 2017]
MELBOURNE, Aug 15 (Reuters) -
Australia captain Mile Jedinak has been named in a preliminary
30-man squad for the crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and
Thailand as he battles to recover from a groin injury.
The defensive midfielder was forced to miss the Confederations Cup
in Russia and is yet to resume club duties with Aston Villa in the
English Championship (second tier).
Defender Brad Smith, who also missed the Confederations Cup, has
been recalled in Ange Postecoglou's squad for the Aug. 31 match away
to Japan and the final clash at home to Thailand on Sept. 5.
The squad will be trimmed to 23 players next week.
Australia are third in Group B of Asian qualifying, a point behind
leaders Japan and level with second-placed Saudi Arabia with two
rounds remaining.
The top two secure automatic berths to next year's finals in Russia,
with the third-placed side needing to win two playoffs to advance.
Australia's hopes of a fourth successive World Cup appearance have
been hampered by some poor displays but they should head to Saitama
with confidence for their match against the Samurai Blue after an
encouraging Confederations Cup.
The Asian Cup champions rebounded from a 2-0 loss against a
second-string Germany to hold Cameroon and Chile to draws during the
group phase of the tournament in Russia.
Tall South Korea-based defender Matthew Jurman has been called up in
Postecoglou's squad for the first time and will bid for an
international debut along with uncapped players James Jeggo, Awer
Mabil, Riley McGree and Danny Vukovic.
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"We haven't strayed too far from the players who went to the
Confederations Cup and who we have had on the radar for a while, so
not a great deal of change at this stage," Postecoglou said in a
media release.
"There are a few new faces as well to have a look at, but overall
pretty pleased with the shape we are in.
"It is going to be a great challenge playing away from home against
one of the top nations but that's what we like to embrace as a
team," Postecoglou added of the Japan clash.
"We are looking forward to going over there and hopefully getting
three points which will put us in great shape for qualification."
Squad: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Tim Cahill, Milos Degenek, Adam
Federici, Alex Gersbach, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Mile
Jedinak, James Jeggo, Tomi Juric, Matthew Jurman, Robbie Kruse,
Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Jamie
Maclaren, Ryan McGowan, Riley McGree, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tom
Rogic, Mathew Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic,
James Troisi, Daniel Vukovic, Bailey Wright. (Reporting by Ian
Ransom; Editing by Greg Stutchbury/John O'Brien)
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