Sydney FC midfielder David Carney is the bolter in the 23-man Australian squad named today for next month's Asian Cup.

Carney, 23, got the nod from Socceroos coach Graham Arnold ahead of the likes of Ryan Griffiths and Matthew Spiranovic.

The experienced Michael Petkovic won the battle for the third goalkeeper's berth ahead of several other contenders including Olyroos custodian Danny Vukovic and Adam Federici.

The strong squad includes big names Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Mark Bresciano and Mark Schwarzer.

Australia's first match is against Oman in Bangkok on July 8.

The 23-man squad today for the July 7-29 Asian Cup.

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Brad Jones, Michael Petkovic.
Defenders: Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Michael Beauchamp, Michael Thwaite, Mark Milligan, Patrick Kisnorbo.
Midfielders: Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Mile Sterjovski, Luke Wilkshire, Jason Culina, Carl Valeri, Nick Carle, David Carney.
Forwards: Mark Viduka, John Aloisi, Archie Thompson, Brett Holman.


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Far too many Midfielders for my liking, a extra defender or forward would have been better. It looks like they will play 4-5-1 or a formation with more midfielders. Carney was a real surprise, didnt expect him at all, he would be a good sub as he can play on the left or right and Carle would go in the centre. As for Keepers, I would have liked Vukovic to go as Petkovic was really shit against Denmark, made costly errors like Jones did and he's getting old and has no future for Australia.

Oh crap Viduka is going to probably be the lone striker again. Unfortunatley no one has realised that he is absolute crap.

What happend to that Josh Kennedy guy that was in the WC squad? He looked like a real gem.

Injured.

Have you ever seen Viduka play?

Yes I have, many times, even in person, and my brother has met him before. He is absolutley crap for Australia.

He's played as a target striker, the other players play off him, stop saying his crap, he's not. Just because he doesnt score goals doesnt mean he's crap. Take a look at the number of assists.

I don't like him and I think he is overated. I don't have to agree with you mate

Yeah well tell that to the rest of Australia, Graham Arnold and Newcastle United.

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Brad Jones, Michael Petkovic.
Defenders: Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Michael Beauchamp, Michael Thwaite, Mark Milligan, Patrick Kisnorbo.
Midfielders: Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Mile Sterjovski, Luke Wilkshire, Jason Culina, Carl Valeri, Nick Carle, David Carney.
Forwards: Mark Viduka, John Aloisi, Archie Thompson, Brett Holman.

Jakarta & Bangkok abseloutely lucky... they can see world class player live.

In Jakarta we can see world class player from South Korea.

The final itself will be held in Jakarta. I hope Australia will go through the final vs South Korea or Japan.
it will be a very interisting game.
But a little bit disappointing to me when australia official said if they go through to the finals, they will not stay in Indonesia. They will flight directly from australia, play the match and go backto their lovely country.

I think that they;re are not staying in Indonesia, because our countries don;t get along too well.

yeah i know...
just too bad...
Australian players have lots of fans here....

No its nothing to do with getting along, its just the conditions there are hard for the players. There is no real tension between the countries.

You've got to be joking! There is serious tension between Indonesia and Australia!

Then why the hell did we give them a billion dollars? For a billion dollars they better be our friend.

That is a realy simplistic way of looking at things. Anyway what did we give them a billion dollars for? Our relationship with Indonesia has always been tense, and since the whole issue with East Timor, our relationship has been close to breaking point. Even last week our relationship was tested, after police officers illegally broke into the Jakarta govenors hotel suite. Morris Iemma had to apologise to avoid problems.

The Bali Bombing as well as the Schappele Corby and Bali 9 scenarious haven't exactly made things easy. Not to mention our racist attitude towards Asians in general.

But thats not the reason socceroos arent staying in Indonesia. NO doubt there is tension between the nations but thats not the reason. North Korean female team came here and matildas went there and the relationship between our countries are non-existent.

well... socceros is not here yet...
but i hope australia will be in Indonesia and do the finals
and you guys got to be here watch your team live from Gelora Bung Karno Senayan.
And maybe we can see the match together....