MELBOURNE, March 14, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Australia coach Tony Popovic rang the
changes Friday for the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifiers, calling up six
uncapped players and turning to two others who have not seen international
action since 2022.

The Socceroos sit second in Asian qualifying Group C, behind runaway leaders
Japan, on seven points with four games left.

The other four teams in the group all have six points, making Australia's
clash against Indonesia in Sydney next week and a subsequent match in China
critically important.

They need to finish in the top two of the group to guarantee their spot at
the 2026 World Cup in North America or potentially face another round of
qualifying.

Popovic's hand was forced to some degree by injuries with regulars Harry
Souttar, Riley McGree and Jordy Bos among five players from his last squad
currently sidelined.

Among the new faces brought in are Hibernian defender Nectarios Triantis and
Australian-based trio Alex Grant, Ryan Teague and Kai Trewin.

Popovic has also recalled left back Jason Davidson, a member of their 2015
Asian Cup winning side, and right back Fran Karacic, who was part of their
2022 World Cup squad.

Neither have been part of the Socceroos set-up for three years.

"We understand the importance of these upcoming games and are excited by the
opportunity to further cement our position in the group's automatic
qualifying positions," said Popovic.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the players and getting the squad together on
the pitch in preparation for what will be a great occasion at the Sydney
Football Stadium."

Squad: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Aziz Behich (Melbourne
City/AUS), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers/AUS), Martin Boyle
(Hibernian/SCO), Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town/ENG), Anthony Caceres (Sydney
FC/AUS), Jason Davidson (Panserraikos FC/GRE), Milos Degenek (FK TSC Backa
Topola/SRB), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata/JPN), Thomas Glover
(Middlesbrough/ENG), Craig Goodwin (Al Wehda/KSA), Alex Grant (Sydney
FC/AUS), Jackson Irvine (FC St Pauli/GER), Paul Izzo (Randers FC/DEN), Fran
Karacic (NK Lokomotiva/CRO), Lewis Miller (Hibernian/SCO), Aiden O'Neill
(Standard Liege/BEL), Kye Rowles (DC United/USA), Mat Ryan (Lens/FRA), Adam
Taggart (Perth Glory/AUS), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Marco Tilio
(Melbourne City/AUS), Nectarios Triantis (Hibernian/SCO), Kai Trewin
(Melbourne City/AUS), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Kusini Yengi
(Portsmouth/ENG)