Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has named two Greek Australians in his 46-man provisional squad for the AFC Asian Cup.
Sydney FC’s Terry Antonis and Zulte Waregem’s James Troisi (Greek on his mother’s side) will be on hand for Postecoglou to form his final squad.
Postecoglou will need to shave his team down to 23 men by December 30, but says he’s happy with the depth of players he’s shortlisted.
“I’m happy with the depth of squad we have been able to name and it is now up to these 46 guys to ensure they are selected in the final squad for the Asian Cup and rise to the challenge ahead,” Postecoglou said.
“We have set about trying to broaden the depth of players and I’m happy with how that has transpired over the last five matches since the World Cup.
“We have a good group of players to choose from for what will be an exciting time for Australian football.”
For Terry Antonis, the inclusion will come as a relief as the 20-year-old was dumped for the Japan friendly last month after he was involved in a minor car accident on the way to the airport.
Troisi was signed under Ange Postecoglou’s reign at Melbourne Victory and proved to be one of the team’s best strikers.
Both players are now on notice, and are expected to rack up a lot of game time to be considered for final squad.
The team includes all 23 players from this year’s World Cup in Brazil while Josh Kennedy, Robbie Kruse and Rhys Williams, who all missed the Cup through injury, have been added.
Sixteen A-League players have also made the cut.
Socceroos’ provisional Asian Cup squad:
Mustafa Amini, Terry Antonis, Aziz Behich, Oliver Bozanic, Luke Brattan, Mark Bresciano, Joshua Brillante, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Davidson, Daniel de Silva, Adam Federici (gk), Ivan Franjic, Eugene Galekovic (gk), Ben Halloran, Chris Herd, James Holland, Bernie Ibini, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones (gk), Tomi Juric, Josh Kennedy, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak (gk), Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Mitch Nichols, Tommy Oar, Josh Risdon, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mat Ryan (gk), Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic, Adam Taggart, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Troisi, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Alex Wilkinson, Rhys Williams, Bailey Wright.