(Transcript from World News Radio)
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has named a 46-man preliminary squad who will be considered to represent Australia in the Asian Cup next year.
The selection includes all 23 members of the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad as well as four debutants.
Abby Dinham reports.
One month to go until Australia's opening match of the Asian Cup, and Ange Postecoglou is feeling confident his preparations will pay off.
"We've given them some really tough challenges in the last four months. A lot of them on that list are only just getting into the teens in terms of caps, and only just sort of finding their feet but we've thrown some unbelievable challenges at them but that's been for a purpose so that when this tournament comes along we'd like to think they're battle hardened enough to handle whatever pressure is put on them in this tournament."
The preliminary squad includes all the suspects such as Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano, as well as debutants Mustafa Amini from the Bundesliga, Brisbane Roar's Luke Brattan and Perth Glory's Daniel De Silva and Josh Risdon.
Despite just two wins from 12 games under his guidance, Postecoglou says he's still happy to continue to debut new talent.
"It's not just about the Asia Cup. It never has been for me. It's about the next four year cycle and this group of players have a 90% chance in the next four year cycle to be part of the set up."
Among those missing from the list is Luke Wilkshire, while Rhys Williams, Robbie Kruse and Josh Kennedy - who all missed the World Cup through injury - have been thrown a lifeline to return to international competition.
Socceroo midfielder Mark Milligan says he's happy with the preliminary squad.
"I think we'll do everything in our power to be there on the last day. I really believe in this group of players and I believe we're heading in the right direction. Hopefully the Asian Cup will be just the right time for us."
As the host nation there is a level of expectation that Australia will at least make the finals of the Asian Cup.
Despite a poor 2014 record, Ange Postecoglu is confident the Socceroos can achieve at least that.
"This is our second biggest tournament after the World Cup and it's a tournament in our region and an opportunity to win a trophy, so whether it's played here or abroad out intent is to win it."
The final squad of 23 will be named by December 30, ahead of Australia's match against Kuwait in January.
SOCCEROOS PRELIMINARY ASIAN CUP SQUAD:
Mustafa Amini,Terry Antonis, Aziz Behich, Oliver Bozanic, Luke Brattan, Mark Bresciano, Joshua Brillante, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Davidson, Daniel De Silva,Adam Federici, Ivan Franjic, Eugene Galekovic, Ben Halloran, Chris Herd, James Holland, Bernie Ibini-Isei, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Tomi Juric, Josh Kennedy, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Mitch Nichols, Tommy Oar, Josh Risdon, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic, Adam Taggart, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Troisi, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Alex Wilkinson, Rhys Williams, Bailey Wright
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