Luke Wilkshire was perhaps the biggest surprise omission from the Socceroos squad. Source: AFP
EXPERIENCED right-back Luke Wilkshire has been sensationally dumped from the Socceroos' final 23-man squad.
Striker Josh Kennedy and playmaker Tom Rogic had their World Cup dreams dashed through injury, while young Newcastle Jets keeper Mark Birighitti was the fourth player cut.
Wilkshere's omission is a shock and a clear message to the Dynamo Moscow player, considering the huge injury cloud hanging over Ivan Franjic.
The Brisbane Roar player has yet to train since copping the knee knock against South Africa last week and there are no other recognised right-backs in the squad.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
FULL LIST OF WORLD CUP SQUADS.
TOURNAMENT PREDICTOR: WHO WILL WIN THE CUP?
SQUAD SELECTOR: CHOOSE YOUR SOCCEROOS TEAM TO FACE CHILE
The Socceroos had a medical meeting after dinner on Monday night (early Tuesday EST) with Kennedy, Rogic and midfielder Mark Bresciano, who has also suffered back soreness, where the decision was made.
Josh Kennedy got the Aussies to Brazil but he won't be part of the squad. Source: News Limited
"Every step of the selection process has been difficult because the players have worked very hard since they came into camp but we have had to weigh up form, fitness and squad balance in coming up with the 23 players who will represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup," Postecoglou said.
"We've selected a squad that can do Australia proud and they will walk out onto the pitch for the World Cup in the green and gold shirt and display the characteristics that define our country.
"Our stated aim is to make our country proud, show the world what Australians are made of and test ourselves against the very best football players in the world and this group of players is capable of doing that."
HOW DOES THIS CHANGE YOUR FANTASY WORLD CUP PLANS? PLAY HERE
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says the task ahead of the Socceroos at the World Cup will be exceptionally challenging, but one the young group will be eager to tackle head on.
Kennedy, who scored the goal that got Australia to Brazil, had his dreams of playing in a third consecutive World Cup dashed with a back injury that's plagued him of late and will return to Australia for treatment.
Meanwhile, a nagging groin injury has also ruled out Tom Rogic, who was hoping to feature in his first World Cup.
Birighitti will stay until the opening game against Chile on June 14 (EST) in the event that Mitch Langerak's knee doesn't hold up.
Kennedy was on course to play in the warm-up game against local second division side Parana Clube before his back seized up at the end of training.
Josh Kennedy, Tim Cahill, Archie Thompson and Tomas Rogic celebrate. Only Cahill will play in Brazil. Source: News Limited
Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart took his opportunity by scoring a goal in the 2-0 win and now looms as the beneficiary of Kennedy's injury with inclusion in the 23 and a chance to feature in Brazil.
Kennedy's injury is not thought to be serious, but having missed five weeks for Japanese club Nagoya Grampus on the eve of the World Cup, his back flared up during the Socceroos' high-intensity sessions.
Assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar had claimed Kennedy would be fit.
"He aggravated his back right at the end of training yesterday and he's pulled up quite well this morning so we decided not to risk it and that's why Adam played,'' he said.
"No, we had a chat to him this morning and he's very good, we just thought it was the best thing for him not to take any chances.''
Rogic has had an injury hit season and was forced off midway through the warm-up game.
Tom Rogic was below par in the Socceroos friendly. Source: News Corp Australia
AUSTRALIA WORLD CUP SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Club Brugge), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United).
Defenders: Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Bailey Wright (Preston North End), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Motors), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng)
Midfielders: Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Bresciano (Al-Gharafa)
Attackers: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Dario Vidosic (Sion), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets), Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt).
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Socceroos shock: Kennedy, Wilkshire dumped
Dengan url
https://duniadiggi.blogspot.com/2014/06/socceroos-shock-kennedy-wilkshire-dumped.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Socceroos shock: Kennedy, Wilkshire dumped
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Socceroos shock: Kennedy, Wilkshire dumped
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar