Socceroos World Cup squad coming home

The Australian Socceroos World Cup squad members are heading back to Australia for the first time since they captured the heart of the nation at Germany 2006.

21 of the 23 squad members from the World Cup will assemble in Brisbane from early next week, ahead of the Powerade Cup game against Paraguay in Brisbane on October 7, and the final Asian Cup 2007 qualifying match against Bahrain in Sydney the following Wednesday.

Head Coach Graham Arnold said that the players were looking forward to showing their appreciation for the support received in Germany.

“For many of the players this is the first time they will have been back to Australia since the World Cup. They have been told how much support they received back home and can't wait to get back here to thank the Australian public.”

For that reason Football Federation Australia has announced that the full squad will be appearing at two special free events supported by Qantas – at Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall on October 5, and at Tumbalong Park in Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Monday October 9. The team is urging Australian sports fans to attend these homecoming events so they can thank them for their support over the past year.

Qantas Group General Manager Marketing Neil Ross, said the airline was very proud to be naming rights sponsor of the national team and involved with Australian football at all levels.

“This is a unique opportunity for fans to join the Socceroos and relive some of Australian football's incredible moments from the past 12 months.

“We have been very keen to fly the team back to Australia to meet the public that supported them so vocally during the World Cup and are please to now have the opportunity to do so,” he said.

Only Harry Kewell (injury) and Mark Viduka (family reasons) are unavailable. Josh Kennedy, although unable to play due to injury, will nonetheless join the team. Local heroes from the Hyundai A-League’s Queensland Roar and Sydney FC will join the Socceroos on stage at the events.

A final special ticket release has been issued for both matches, with approximately 2,000 new tickets now available across all categories for each match. Tickets are available from ticketek.com.au or by calling 132 849.

SOCCEROOS SQUAD

Powerade Cup, Australia vs Paraguay, Brisbane, October 7

AFC Asian Cup 2007 Qualifying Match, Australia vs Bahrain, Sydney, October 11

John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremberg, Germany), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC, Australia), Marco Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Scott Chipperfield (Basle, Switzerland), Ante Covic (Hammarby, Sweden), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Travis Dodd (Adelaide United, Australia), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vince Grella (Parma, Italy), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy), Josh Kennedy (Nuremberg, Germany), Stan Lazaridis (Perth Glory, Australia), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC, Australia), Craig Moore (Newcastle United, England), *Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England), *Jade North (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Tony Popovic (Al-Arabi, Qatar), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Josip Skoko (Wigan Athletic, England), Mile Sterjovski (Basle, Switzerland), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Tony Vidmar (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Luke Wilkshire (FC Twente, Holland).

* Jade North and Kevin Muscat will join the squad for the match against Bahrain only.