Pim raises eyebrows with latest squad

Pim Verbeek has included several surprising names in the latest 30 man squad which will hopefully carry the Socceroos over the line into our second consecutive World Cup finals in June.

Young guns Dario Vidosic and Rhys Williams received their first call ups to the national squad, with Vidosic enjoying a stellar season with German outfit Nurnberg, while recent Welsh convert Williams helped guide Burnley to promotion into the Premier League.

Other interesting selections include recalls for Nicky Carle, Matthew Spiranovic, Shane Stefanutto, Mark Milligan, Brad Jones and Adrian Madaschi. These guys are joined by more familiar names such as Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano, Jason Culina and Mark Schwarzer.

While the squad may be noted for who Pim picked, it is also important to point out who he didn’t pick, and Mark Viduka was the biggest name left off the list. However, Verbeek concedes that the door is not entirely closed on the 33 year old former captain, suggesting that Viduka was left out of the squad as the big striker needed to access his own situation with Newcastle before deciding what his future with the Green and Gold will be.

James Triosi, Nathan Burns, and Nikita Rukavytsya were also notable absences from the squad, while Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore and Brett Emerton have been ruled out through injuries.

Several of the names definitely took me by surprise, but I think with the Socceroos only needing one point from three matches to qualify, Verbeek is trying to use these final games to test a few new names in competitive situations.

Brad Jones has definitely earned his call up, having a fantastic second half of the season with Boro. I’m also keen to finally see Spiranovic given an extended go at senior level, and if reports are accurate then Rhys Williams can also hold the key to our future defence.

The inclusion of Adrian Madaschi baffles me. Pim has always harped on about the quality of the league being a major factor for inclusion (Jason Culina anyone?), so to include someone who plays in the third tier in Italy is an intriguing choice. Granted, I know nothing about Madaschi, but we already have seven centre backs in the squad, and I just don’t know if Madaschi will be in Pim’s long term plans. But I suppose that’s what the opportunities in these matches will be for.

It’s good to see Pim casting a wider net on player selection, and good luck to all the new/fringe guys in cementing their spots.

The complete squad:

Mark Bresciano (Palermo),
Jacob Burns (Unirea),
Tim Cahill (Everton),
Nick Carle (Crystal Palace),
David Carney (Sheffield Utd),
Scott Chipperfield (Basel),
Chris Coyne (Colchester),
Jason Culina (Gold Coast Utd),
Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi),
Richard Garcia (Hull),
Vince Grella (Blackburn),
Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar),
Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi),
Brad Jones (Middlesbrough),
Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe),
Harry Kewell (Galatasaray),
Adrian Madaschi (Portogruaro),
Scott McDonald (Celtic),
Mark Milligan (Shanghai Shenhua),
Lucas Neill (West Ham),
Jade North (Incheon),
Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor),
Mark Schwarzer (Fulham),
Matthew Spiranovic (Nurnberg),
Shane Stefanutto (Lyn Oslo),
Mile Sterjovski (Derby),
Carl Valeri (Grosseto),
Dario Vidosic (Nurnberg),
Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow),
Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough)

What do you guys think of the squad? Who of the new names will be able to take their chance and cement their spots in the side?