Australia coach Pim Verbeek has named three debutants in his squad for the friendly against Republic of Ireland at Thomond Park on August 12th.
With qualification for the 2010 World Cup already secured, Verbeek is keen to give players the chance to impress and has introduced new faces Oliver Bozanic, Aaron Mooy and Nikita Rukavytsya ahead of the game against Giovanni Trapattoni’s side.
He has also given another chance to Ante Covic, Patrick Kisnorbo, and James Holland.
Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton are the main absentees from the squad which will feature European-based players only, ruling out the likes of Josh Kennedy and Craig Moore.
Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell are named in the squad for the match which takes place just three days before the start of the Premier League season, but there is no Mark Viduka with the former Socceroos captain still searching for a club.
Bozanic plays for Cheltenham Town, while Rukavytsya has been with FC Twente in Holland since leaving Perth Glory in January. Mooy has spent time in the Bolton Wanderers academy side.
Kisnorbo hasn’t played for Australia since the Asian Cup in 2007, while Covic was part of the last World Cup squad and has moved back to Europe after leaving the Newcastle Jets last year.
Holland last played for Australia against China in Sydney last year.
Dario Vidosic and Rhys Williams, who made their debuts against Japan at the MCG in June of this year, are also in the squad.
Australia: Mark Schwarzer, Ante Covic; Patrick Kisnorbo, Lucas Neill, Rhys Williams, Jade North, Matthew Spiranovic, Adrian Madaschi, Luke Wilkshire; Mark Bresciano, James Holland, Dario Vidosic, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, Aaron Mooy, Harry Kewell, Oliver Bozanic, David Carney, Mile Jedinak; Scott McDonald, Brett Holman, Nikita Rukavytsya
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