STAR Central Coast Mariners duo Mathew Ryan, 20, and Tomas Rogic, 19, have today been selected in the Qantas Socceroos squad for the international friendly against Korea Republic in Hwaseong next week.
STAR Central Coast Mariners duo Mathew Ryan, 20, and Tomas Rogic, 19, have today been selected in the Qantas Socceroos squad for the international friendly against Korea Republic in Hwaseong next week.
Ryan has kept three clean sheets in five Hyundai A-League appearances so far this season, while Rogic dazzled in Central Coast-s stunning 7-2 win over Sydney FC on Saturday night, netting a classy brace and proving influential throughout.
The pair will fly to Korea Republic following the Mariners- round 6 Hyundai A-League clash with Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on Sunday, linking with Holger Osieck-s squad two days before the friendly test against the Taeguk Warriors.
For Ryan, the call-up to the Qantas Socceroos marks the second time he has been selected for the full national team. Ryan sat on the bench as cover for Fulham FC stopper and Qantas Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer when the Socceroos faced Saudi Arabia in Melbourne in February.
The trip to Korea Republic is the first time Rogic has been called up for the Qantas Socceroos, however like goalkeeper Ryan, midfielder Rogic has previously donned the green and gold at youth level.
Central Coast Mariners are one of only two Clubs to contribute two players to this Qantas Socceroos squad. FC Utrecht of the Dutch Eredivisie have had midfielder Tommy Oar and Adam Sarota chosen for the game.
Wednesday-s game against Korea Republic will be the twenty fifth match between Qantas Socceroos and the Taeguk Warriors at senior men-s international level. The two sides last met at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, in the group phase of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011. On that occasion the two teams played out an enthralling 1-all draw.
The Qantas Socceroos are currently ranked 34th in the FIFA World Rankings while the Korea Republic are 25th.
The Qantas Socceroos are currently in second position in Group B with a win against Iraq (2-1), draws against Oman (0-0) and Japan (1-1) and a loss to Jordan (1-2) at the half way point of the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Korea Republic are at the top of Group A with wins against Qatar (4-1) and Lebanon (3-0), a draw against Uzbekistan (2-2) and a loss to Iran (0-1).
The match will be broadcast live & exclusive on FOX SPORTS, with kick-off at 7:00pm local (9:00pm AEDT) on Wednesday 14 November, 2012.
Qantas Socceroos Squad: Mathew Ryan, Tomas Rogic (both Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Eli Babalj (FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd, Serbia), Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart, Australia), Alex Brosque, (Al-Ain Club, United Arab Emirates), James Holland (FK Austria Vienna, Austria), Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt 1899, Germany), Ryan McGowan (Heart of Midlothian, Scotland), Matthew McKay (Busan I-Park, Korea Republic), Lucas Neill (Al-Wasl Sports Club, UAE), Tommy Oar, Adam Sarota (both FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Nikita Rukavytsya (FSV Mainz 05, Germany), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham FC, England), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Michael Thwaite (Perth Glory, Australia), Carl Valeri (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia)
