20 Dec Socceroos announce squad for Asian Cup defence

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has included injured star Aaron Mooy in his 23-man squad for next month's Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Mooy was last week ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a torn Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) in his right knee during Huddersfield Town’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal earlier this month.

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Despite being tipped to miss three months, Arnold has named the midfielder in the hope he will recover in time to play some part in Australia’s Asian Cup defence

Striker Tomi Juric was a notable omission from the 23-man squad, overlooked for in-form Perth Glory attacker Chris Ikononmidis and Hibernian striker Jamie Maclaren.

Juric has won 41 caps for Australia but has been largely ineffective in front of goal after being a regular starter under former coach Ange Postecoglou.

Australia’s title defence begins on January 6th against Jordan at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

SOCCEROOS SQUAD FOR ASIAN CUP:

Goalkeepers:
Mitch Langerak, Mat Ryan, Danny Vukovic

Defence:
Mark Milligan (captain), Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Rhyan Grant, Matt Jurman, Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury

Midfield:
Mustafa Amini, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic

Attack:
Martin Boyle, Chris Ikonomidis, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Andrew Nabbout