Belgian big names to face Socceroos

Belgium have named a strong squad featuring 11 English Premier League players to face the Socceroos next week.

The Socceroos will test themselves against a near-full strength Belgium squad brimming with English Premier League talent when they commence Asian Cup preparations next week.

The Red Devils on Thursday (Friday morning AEST) named a 22-man squad for next week's friendly international in Liege, both sides' first outing since the World Cup.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Chelsea star Eden Hazard and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku were all included, despite the match losing some of its significance for the hosts with the postponement of their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel.

Injured Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Barcelona recruit Thomas Vermaelen were the big names missing.

Red Devils coach Marc Wilmots also named four players who didn't make his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil, where Belgium reached the quarter-finals.

Goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet, defenders Guillaume Gillet and Jelle Van Damme and midfielder Radja Nainggolan all come into the squad.

Ange Postecoglou has named a strong Australian squad including captain Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill.

The Socceroos will also face Saudi Arabia in London on September 8 as part of the build-up towards the Asian Cup in Australia in January.

Belgium were to use next week's match as a tune-up for their first Euro qualifier, against Israel in Jerusalem five days later, however UEFA agreed to push back the match until March 31 next year due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Belgium squad

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Jean-Francois Gillet (Torino)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard), Guillaume Gillet (Bastia), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit Saint-Petersbourg), Jelle Van Damme (Standard), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Nacer Chadli (Tottenham), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Steven Defour (Anderlecht), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United), Radja Nainggolan (AS Roma), Axel Witsel (Zenit Saint-Petersbourg)

Attackers: Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Dries Mertens (Naples), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille)


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