DeVere, Ikonomidis and Elrich handed Socceroos call-up

Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has named three uncapped players, including highly-regarded Brisbane Roar defender Luke DeVere, 19 year-old Chris Ikonomidis and Adelaide United's Tarek Elrich, in his 23-man squad to face world champion Germany and FYR Macedonia in Europe later this month.

Postecoglou rewarded the stars of the triumphant 2015 AFC Asian Cup capmaign, with 18 members of the squad named alongside five others who have been given an opportunity to impress the Socceroos coaching staff.

Coming into the squad are uncapped players Ikonomidis, Elrich and Luke DeVere along with Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy and in-form Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

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Mark Bresciano, who recently retired from international football, injured duo Chris Herd and Robbie Kruse, Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Terry Antonis, who will be included in the Olyroos squad next week, are the only players not selected from the Asian Cup.

“This squad rewards the players who did a marvellous job in claiming the Asian Cup,” Postecoglou said.

“Winning the Asian Cup was a great reward for the hard work the players put in but we have been pretty consistent in our approach that the Asian Cup win is the start of a journey, not the end.

“The games in Europe offer an opportunity for the likes of DeVere, Elrich, Mooy, Federici and young Chris Ikonomidis.

We continue to have one eye on the four-year World Cup cycle and these players have an opportunity to show us how they’ll handle the step up to international level.”

The matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia are the final two internationals before the Socceroos commence the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June.

“We need to continue our development as we move forward from the Asian Cup victory and look towards the 2018 World Cup,” Postecoglou said.

“These two matches will offer us another test and will be a good indication of what is required to take the next step.”

Australia has faced Germany three times in full internationals since the reunification the four-time world champion's reunification.

Germany defeated the Socceroos 4-3 at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 4-0 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup before the Socceroos beat Der Mannschaft 2-1 in 2011.

Australia has played FYR Macedonia in one match, claiming a 1-0 victory in 1997 thanks to a late Aurelio Vidmar goal.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Adam Federici (Reading), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge)

Defenders: Aziz Behich (Bursaspor), Jason Davidson (West Brom), Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar), Tarek Elrich (Adelaide United), Ivan Franjic (Torpedo Moscow), Trent Sainsbury (PEC Zwolle), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai)

Midfielders: Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), James Troisi (Zulte Waregem)

Forwards: Nathan Burns (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Cahill (Shanghai Shenua), Tomi Juric (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt 04), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht)