/ 3 June 2010

Kewell, Cahill headline Socceroos squad

Kewell

Injured Galatasaray forward Harry Kewell was included in Australia’s 23-man World Cup squad containing 14 veterans from Germany 2006.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, Kewell and his Galatasaray clubmate Lucas Neill and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer headline an experienced squad.

Football Federation Australia said Verbeek submitted his final squad to Fifa ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, but delayed announcing it publicly until after Wednesday’s practice because he wanted to explain it to the players first.

The Australians beat Denmark 1-0 in a warmup match in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Netherlands-based midfielders Tommy Oar and James Holland were cut from the group which traveled to South Africa last week, along with defenders Shane Lowry (Aston Villa) and Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough).

Australia will play another warmup against the United States this weekend before they opens their World Cup Group D campaign against Germany on June 13.

Kewell could come into calculations to play against the United States to test the fitness of his injured groin, but is likely to be kept on the sidelines until the Germany match. — Sapa-AP

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Adam Federici, Brad Jones, Mark Schwarzer
Defenders: Michael Beauchamp, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Luke Wilkshire
Midfielders: Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia, Vince Grella, Brett Holman,
Mile Jedinak, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic
Forwards: Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Nikita Rukavytsya