Tarek Elrich has been named in the Socceroos squad for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan in early September.
Tarek Elrich who made his debut in a friendly against FYR Macedonia back in March and was part of the team that defeated Kyrgyzstan in the opening 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Bishkek, has been called up for Ange Postecoglou’s squad.
“For me there is nothing bigger then playing for your country, so I am really excited to be included again,” said Elrich.
“The fact that one of the games is in Australia, will be even more special for me as I know my family will be there watching.
Elrich who will was selected for his third consecutive Socceroo’s camp, explained how his pre-season with Adelaide United has helped him retain his spot in the team.
“We are not season yet, so I was lucky to get selected. I’ve been working hard with my club and knowing I had good game time against Liverpool, Manchester City and in the FFA Cup, has helped.”
“I will go into the camp and give it me all, and hopefully continue to grow as a player. But the main focus is to secure the wins against Bangladesh and Tajikistan push towards qualifying for the world cup.”
Socceroos Coach Ange Postecoglou has also welcomed back Asian Cup heroes Robbie Kruse and Massimo Luongo as well as attacking midfielder Tom Rogic for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan in early September.
All three strike weapons make a return to the Socceroos from injury and add significant weight to Postecoglou’s squad for the games with Bangladesh in Perth on 3 September and Tajikistan in Dushanbe on 8 September.
Rogic was last part of the Socceroos set up in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and his selectionfollows a bright start to the season with Celtic while Kruse and Luongo also come back into the squad after missing the 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan in June.
“It’s a positive that we’ve been able to recall Massimo (Luongo), Robbie (Kruse) and Tom Rogic after they missed recent matches and they add attacking options to the squad for the two matches in Perth and Dushanbe,” Postecoglou said.
“All three have regained fitness and started the season in form so they come back in and give us plenty of options and good depth in an attacking sense. When you add them to the likes of Tim Cahill, Mat Leckie,Tomi Juric, Nathan Burns and Tommy Oar the fans in Perth have a lot to get excited about.
“We started the World Cup qualification process with a win against Kyrgyzstan in tough conditions and now we have to continue that in front of our own fans in Perth and then on another tricky away trip to Dushanbe.”
Postecoglou has also drafted Aaron Mooy, Adam Federici, Jackson Irvine, Ryan McGowan and uncapped goalkeeper Alex Cisak into the Socceroo squad, which will return to Perth for the first time since 2005.
They replace Oliver Bozanic, Chris Ikonimidis, Daniel de Silva, Ivan Franjic, Eugene Galekovic, Mitch Langerak, Tomislav Mrcela and James Troisi.
“The players we have brought into the squad have all started their respective seasons with some good performances and will get an opportunity to impress while they are in good form and fitness,” Postecoglou said.
Australia has never played Bangladesh or Tajikistan at full international level.
The Socceroos matches against Bangladesh and Tajikistan will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS 4 (channel 505) and on a one hour delay on SBS.
Socceroo Match Details
Australia v Bangladesh
3 September 2015
nib Stadium, Perth
7pm (AWT) kick off (9pm AEST)
Tajikistan v Australia
8 September 2015
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
6pm kick off (10pm AEST)
TICKET INFORMATION (Australia v Bangladesh)
Tickets can be purchased for the match at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
Ticket Prices – General Public
Category A – $120 all tickets
Category B – $80 Adult, $60 Concession, $40 Child, $199 Family
Category C – $55 Adult, $40 Concession, $30 Child, $140 Family
The Shed – $55 Adult, $40 Concession
Active Area- $65 Adult, $50 Concession
Ticket Prices are inclusive of GST & Booking Fee. Transaction and credit card charges apply.
Concession (Pensioner, Student)
Pensioner Concession Card holders and Seniors Card holders (valid ID required)
Student – Full time tertiary and secondary school students (valid ID required)
Child – 4–16 years inclusive (children 3 years and under are free unless they are occupying a seat)
Family Definition – 2 Adults and 2 Children or 1 Adult and 3 Children
National Companion Card Accepted
Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier v Bangladesh and Tajikistan
|
Name |
Club, Country |
A International Caps (Goals) |
|
Aziz Behich |
Bursaspor, Turkey |
11 (2) |
|
Nathan Burns |
FC Tokyo, Japan |
13 (0) |
|
Tim Cahill |
Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C., China |
83 (39) |
|
Alex Cisak (gk) |
Leyton Orient FC, England |
– |
|
Jason Davidson |
Huddersfield Town AFC, England |
18 (1) |
|
Tarek Elrich |
Adelaide United FC, Australia |
1 (0) |
|
Adam Federici (gk) |
AFC Bournemouth, England |
10 (0) |
|
Jackson Irvine |
Ross County, Scotland |
1 (0) |
|
Mile Jedinak |
Crystal Palace FC, England |
59 (9) |
|
Tomi Juric |
Roda JC Kerkrade, Netherlands |
13 (2) |
|
Robbie Kruse |
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Germany |
38 (4) |
|
Mathew Leckie |
FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany |
25 (1) |
|
Massimo Luongo |
Queens Park Rangers FC, England |
12 (2) |
|
Ryan McGowan |
Dundee United, Scotland |
12 (0) |
|
Matt McKay |
Brisbane Roar, Australia |
56 (2) |
|
Mark Milligan |
Baniyas SC, UAE |
40 (3) |
|
Aaron Mooy |
Melbourne City FC, Australia |
6 (3) |
|
Tommy Oar |
Unattached |
23 (2) |
|
Tom Rogic |
Celtic FC, Scotland |
9 (0) |
|
Mat Ryan (gk) |
Valencia CF, Spain |
21 (0) |
|
Matthew Spiranovic |
Hangzhou Greentown FC, China |
27 (0) |
|
Alex Wilkinson |
Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic |
15 (0) |
|
Bailey Wright |
Preston North End FC, England |
3 (1) |
