Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou called 23 players for the upcoming friendlies with Greece in Sydney and Melbourne. Among them are two Greek-Australians: Apostolos Giannou and Chris Ikonomidis. More in this interview that Mr Postecoglou gave to Themi Kallos.
Following is the press release by Football Federation AustraliaQ
Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 23-player squad for The Dodoni Series international matches against Greece which will be played on Saturday 4 June (ANZ Stadium, Sydney) and Tuesday 7 June (Etihad Stadium, Melbourne).
Postecoglou has made 10 changes to the Caltex Socceroos squad that he announced last week which will face England.
Coming into the Caltex Socceroos squad are Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo), Tim Cahill (Hangzhou Greentown FC), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory FC), Alex Gersbach (Rosenborg BK), Apostolos Giannou (Guangzhou R&F FC), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt 04), Ryan McGowan (Henan Jianye FC), Trent Sainsbury (Jiangsu Suning FC) and Matthew Spiranovic (Hangzhou Greentown FC).
Goalkeeper Birighitti will be added to the Caltex Socceroos squad for the match against England in Sunderland on Saturday 28 May (AEST), replacing Mitch Langerak, who has had to withdraw due to injury.
Ange: high level of international football
With The Dodoni Series falling inside the FIFA window, Postecoglou was able to consider all available players when selecting this Caltex Socceroos squad.
“The matches against Greece are about continuing to expose our players to a high level of international football,” said Postecoglou.
“The competition and intensity of these matches will definitely give us that and gives us the right preparation for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.
“Playing in front of big home crowds is an opportunity both for the players and the fans to build on the great atmosphere that has been created during the first round of World Cup qualifiers in Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney.
Postecoglou said a rare home international against European opposition was another benefit.
“The Asian Cup and the first round of World Cup qualifiers put our focus on Asian teams and conditions, but it’s important to confront a range of styles,” said Postecoglou.
“Greece will present a different set of technical and tactical challenges and they have many players at the top level in Europe.
“Of course, the Greek Australian community will have special affinity to the matches and that will add to the occasion in Sydney and Melbourne.”
The Dodoni Series - Match Details
Caltex Socceroos v Greece Caltex Socceroos v Greece
Saturday 4 June 2016 Tuesday 7 June 2016
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST) Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
Caltex Socceroos squad for The Dodoni Series
| Name | Club, Country | A International Caps (Goals) |
| Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) | Newcastle Jets | 1 (0) |
| Nathan BURNS | FC Tokyo | 20 (3) |
| Tim CAHILL | Hangzhou Greentown FC | 89 (47) |
| Adam FEDERICI (gk) | A.F.C. Bournemouth | 15 (0) |
| Jason GERIA | Melbourne Victory FC | - |
| Alex GERSBACH | Rosenborg BK | - |
| Apostolos GIANNOU | Guangzhou R&F FC | 1 (0) |
| Chris IKONOMIDIS | U.S. Salernitana 1919 | 3 (0) |
| Jackson IRVINE | Ross County | 2 (0) |
| Mile JEDINAK | Crystal Palace FC | 62 (12) |
| Robbie KRUSE | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 40 (4) |
| Mathew LECKIE | FC Ingolstadt 04 | 29 (2) |
| Jamie MACLAREN | Brisbane Roar FC | - |
| Ryan MCGOWAN | Henan Jianye FC | 15 (0) |
| Mark MILLIGAN | Baniyas F.C. | 46 (5) |
| Aaron MOOY | Melbourne City FC | 13 (5) |
| Josh RISDON | Perth Glory FC | 2 (0) |
| Tom ROGIC | Celtic FC | 15 (5) |
| Mathew RYAN (gk) | Valencia CF | 23 (0) |
| Trent SAINSBURY | Jiangsu Suning FC | 14 (1) |
| Brad SMITH | Liverpool FC | 6 (0) |
| Matthew SPIRANOVIC | Hangzhou Greentown FC | 30 (0) |
| Bailey WRIGHT | Preston North End FC | 10 (1) |
