Sixteen A-League players have been named, including Victory's Mark Milligan. Photo: Getty Images
It may look as though Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou has called up almost everyone he has ever used in an Australian camp to his 46-man provisional squad for the Asian Cup, but the coach has still managed to pluck one or two new names to delight fans who want to see youngsters given an opportunity.
Only half of these players will be named in the "real" squad when it is announced at the end of December, and most of the places are already locked down by those Postecoglou has tested and retained during his year in charge.
But that doesn't mean there is no hope for uncapped players such as Borussia Dortmund reserve Mustafa Amini, Perth Glory pair Danny De Silva (an exciting teenage attacker), and defender Josh Risdon, as well as Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan. All have been included in this preliminary party.
There are some familiar faces in the squad such as Tim Cahill. Photo: Getty Images
While the odds against them may be high, at least they know they are on Postecoglou's radar and, if not selected for the Asian Cup proper, also know at least they will come in for consideration as the coach continues to regenerate his squad for the World Cup qualifiers for Russia 2018, the next big challenge after the Asian Cup.
Not surprisingly, the preliminary squad contains all 23 players who went to the Brazil World Cup and a couple more, Robbie Kruse and Rhys Williams, who, had they not been injured, would most likely have been starters in Brazil.
Also included is Melbourne City's new signing Josh Kennedy, who was one of four players left out of the 23-man party once the squad began training in Brazil.
Sydney's Terry Antonis has been named in the squad. Photo: Getty Images
Despite his susceptibility to injuries, he has a decent record against Asian opposition and his height and quality in the air make him a threat in that context. Still, he has it all to do to prove himself fit enough to grab a spot given he will not be in any A-League games before the Asian Cup kicks off when the Socceroos play Kuwait on January 9 in Melbourne.
Another interesting addition is Nathan Burns, the striker who is revitalising his career with Wellington Phoenix. Burns made his Socceroo debut as a teenager but his career stalled after unproductive spells in Greece. He is now one of the hottest players in the domestic competition, and his recall is an encouraging sign from the coach that a return from the wilderness is possible.
Carl Valeri, who played at the 2010 World Cup and who recently returned to play in the A-League after a lengthy career in Italy, is another who gets a recall, as is Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.
In all, there are 16 players from the A-League and three from the Melbourne teams: Valeri is joined by his club captain Mark Milligan and Aaron Mooy from Melbourne City. Kennedy is still regarded as a Nagoya Grampus player until he joins City in January.
Of the uncapped squad, perhaps De Silva, who is starting to get regular game time with table-topping Glory, is the likeliest bolter for the final party. Australia has struggled to score goals and Postecoglou has said he is impressed with the way the teenager, who is on loan in Perth from his contracted club Italian giants Roma, has shaped up in the under-age national team.
Mustafa Amini - BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany
Terry Antonis - Sydney FC, Australia
Aziz Behich - Bursaspor, Turkey
Oliver Bozanic - FC Luzern, Switzerland
Luke Brattan - Brisbane Roar, Australia
Mark Bresciano - Al-Gharafa, Qatar
Joshua Brillante - ACF Fiorentina, Italy
Nathan Burns - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Tim Cahill - New York Red Bulls, USA
Jason Davidson - West Bromwich Albion FC, England
Daniel De Silva - Perth Glory, Australia
Adam Federici (gk) - Reading FC, England
Ivan Franjic - FK Torpedo Moskva, Russia
Eugene Galekovic (gk) - Adelaide United, Australia
Ben Halloran - Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany
Chris Herd - Aston Villa, England
James Holland - FK Austria Vienna, Austria
Bernie Ibini-Isei - Sydney FC, Australia
Mile Jedinak - Crystal Palace FC, England
Brad Jones (gk) - Liverpool FC, England
Tomi Juric - Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia
Josh Kennedy - Nagoya Grampus, Japan
Robbie Kruse - TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Germany
Mitchell Langerak (gk) - BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany
Mathew Leckie - FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany
Massimo Luongo - Swindon Town FC, England
Ryan McGowan - Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, China
Matt McKay - Brisbane Roar, Australia
Mark Milligan - Melbourne Victory FC, Australia
Aaron Mooy - Melbourne City, Australia
Mitch Nichols - Perth Glory, Australia
Tommy Oar - FC Utrecht, Netherlands
Josh Risdon - Perth Glory, Australia
Nikita Rukavytsya - Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia
Mat Ryan (gk) - Club Brugge KV, Belgium
Trent Sainsbury - PEC Zwolle, Netherlands
Brad Smith - Liverpool FC, England
Matthew Spiranovic - Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia
Adam Taggart - Fulham FC, England
Nikolai Topor-Stanley - Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia
James Troisi - SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium
Carl Valeri - Melbourne Victory FC, Australia
Dario Vidosic - FC Sion, Switzerland
Alex Wilkinson - Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic
Rhys Williams - Middlesbrough, England
Bailey Wright - Preston North End FC, England
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