Caltex Socceroos fans pick their 23-man squad for Japan and Thailand

The Caltex Socceroos squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Thailand will be trimmed to 23 on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Ange Postecoglou will pick his 23-man Caltex Socceroos squad for Australia’s upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Japan and Thailand.

With these fixtures to decide Australia’s fate for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, we asked fans who they thought should be chosen in the Socceroos’ final squad.

Which midfielders make the final 23? https://t.co/SToea5mveB

— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) August 18, 2017

And the votes are in! Here’s the 23-man Socceroos squad as chosen by the fans.

GOALKEEPERS

Mat Ryan, Mitch Langerak and Danny Vukovic.

*Ryan was clearly the most popular choice with almost 38% of the vote with Langerak and Vukovic the next two most preferred between the sticks.

DEFENDERS

Trent Sainsbury, Bailey Wright, Matthew Spiranovic, Milos Degenek and Matt Jurman.

*Sainsbury was clearly first choice in the heart of the Socceroos defence ahead of the dependable Bailey Wright and the returning Matthew Spiranovic. Milos Degenek earned a call-up as did former Sydney FC centre-back Matt Jurman.

 

Central midfielders – Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo and Mustafa Amini.

Wing-backs – Mathew Leckie, Brad Smith, Aziz Behich, Alex Gersbach.

*Huddersfield star Aaron Mooy was the popular choice amongst the fans just ahead of teammates Mat Leckie and Mark Milligan.

ATTACKERS

Tom Rogic, Tomi Juric, Tim Cahill, James Troisi and Robbie Kruse.

*Celtic ace Tom Rogic was the overwhelming choice of the Socceroos faithful ahead of the improving Tomi Juric and all-time leading scorer Tim Cahill.

CALTEX SOCCEROOS 23-MAN SQUAD (as chosen by fans)

Mat Ryan, Mitch Langerak, Danny Vukovic, Trent Sainsbury, Bailey Wright, Matthew Spiranovic, Milos Degenek, Matt Jurman, Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Mustafa Amini, Mathew Leckie, Brad Smith, Aziz Behich, Alex Gersbach, Tom Rogic, Tomi Juric, Tim Cahill, James Troisi and Robbie Kruse.

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Mustafa Amini stars as AGF avoid relegation in Denmark

Mustafa Amini helped AGF escape relegation in Denmark overnight. Image: Instagram.

Sunday, 28 May 2017 –

Staff writer

Caltex Socceroo Mustafa Amini has put in a man of the match performance for his Danish side AGF Aarhus in their relegation play off second leg.

Amini played a full 90 minutes for AGF Aarhus in their crucial 1-0 win over Viborg.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUpmJnUAJD2/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=7#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A76865.645%7D

Amini picked up a yellow card in the clash but his side prevailed 3-2 on aggregate in the Superligaen relegation playoff to ensure AGF remains in the top flight.

Morten Duncan Rasmussen with the early goal for Amini’s side in front of over 17,000 fans at Ceres Park.

Sangene gjalder stadig ned imod spillertruppen pic.twitter.com/bWPOYAo6Es

— AGF Fanclub Aarhus (@AGFFanclub) May 28, 2017

AGF will resume the new season in July.

The Caltex Socceroos tackle Saudi Arabia in a crucial World Cup Qualifer in Adelaide on June 8.  Click Here for Tickets

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Mustafa Amini triumphs in Aussie battle in Denmark

Mustafa Amini fights for the ball with fellow Aussie Awer Mabil. Image credit: Mustafa Amini.

Wednesday, 17 May 2017 –

Jason Pine @pineyzb

Mustafa Amini has taken the bragging rights over Awer Mabil in all-Aussie battle in Denmark on Thursday (AEST).

The duo both played 90 minutes as Amini’s AGF Aarhus beat Mabil’s Esbjerg 3-1 in the second leg of their relegation playoff quarter-final.

Amini and Aarhus advance 3-1 on aggregate after a goal-less first leg.

They now have the chance to secure their Superliga future with victory over Viborg.

Mabil and Esbjerg will meet Horsens to avoid automatic relegation to the Danish second tier.

The Superliga has introduced a new competition structure this season, including a convoluted relegation process.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BT05j9vDNUi/embed/?cr=1&v=7#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A12681.970000000001%7DThe bottom four clubs have been split into two play-offs.

The winners of Esbjerg versus AGF and Viborg versus Horsens (now confirmed as AGF and Viborg) will meet each other in the next round, with the winner of that two-legged tie avoiding relegation.

The losers (Esbjerg amd Horsens) will also meet, with the loser of that two-legged play-off to drop down into the second tier.

The remaining two clubs – effectively 12th and 13th in the 14-team league – will play second and third from the 1st Division in promotion-relegation play-offs

 

MAT RYAN

Caltex Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan watched on from the bench as his Belgian side chalked up another win.

Genk downed KSV Roeselare 3-1 to remain well clear at the top of the Jupiler League’s Europa League group.

TOMI JURIC

The Caltex Socceroos striker’s Luzern side has gone down 3-0 at home to Lausanne, their fifth straight loss in Switzerland.

Juric started the match but was withdrawn shortly after the third goal was conceded in the 55th minute.

Luzern are fifth in the Swiss Super League with three games remaining.

The Caltex Socceroos tackle Saudi Arabia in a crucial World Cup Qualifer in Adelaide on June 8. Click Here for Tickets

 

 

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Caltex Socceroos news: Matthew Leckie and Mustafa Amini victorious

Mat Leckie played 77 minutes as FC Ingolstadt kept their hopes alive to avid relegation in the Bundesliga with a vital win.

Fresh from his goalscoring exploits for the Caltex Socceroos, Mathew Leckie started for Ingolstadt and played 77 minutes in their vital 2-1 win over FSV Mainz 05 in the German Bundesliga overnight.

Ingolstadt remain second-bottom though, still eight points from safety with ten games left.

After Mainz lost 2-1 to Ingolstadt one of their Ultra's ran onto the pitch to give the team a motivational pep talk! pic.twitter.com/baSS6VDIgN

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 2, 2017

In Bundesliga 2, fellow Socceroo Mitch Langerak conceded three goals in the first 26 minutes before his VfB Stuttgart side fought back to snatch a last-second 3-3 draw with SG Dynamo Dresden and retain the league-lead on goal difference.

MUSTI AND MABIL IN DANISH ACTION

In Denmark, Mustafa Amini celebrated his Caltex Socceroos debut by playing the full 90 minutes for Aarhus in their 4-2 win away at Viborg, while Awer Mabil earned a start for Esbjerg and played 72 minutes of their goal-less draw with Randers FC.

BEHICH BACK FOR BURSASPOR

Aziz Behich played a full game for Bursaspor, but was unable to prevent a 2-0 Turkish Super Lig defeat to Konyaspor.

NO JOY FOR JURIC

Caltex Socceroos striker Tomi Juric had 20 minutes off the bench as Luzern lost 2-0 at home to Lugano in the Swiss Super League.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

 

From school pals to Caltex Socceroo teammates

Mustafa Amini says playing in Germany and now Denmark has made him a better player and ready to perform for the Caltex Socceroos.

There were one or two familiar faces when Musti Amini arrived in Tehran to link up with the Caltex Socceroos this week – including one old school mate.

FACES FROM THE PAST

“I actually went to school with Aaron Mooy and played with him in the Olyroos, so it’s nice to be back with him,” Amini told FFA TV.

“I know a lot of the boys from the Central Coast Mariners days and the Olyroos, so it’s always nice to see old faces.

“It’s a new step in my career and I’m happy to be here.”

A journey which began six-and-a-half years ago on an October night in Gosford could be about to reach its ultimate destination for national team new-boy Amini.

The talented youngster debuted for the Mariners as a 17-year old in the 2010/11 Hyundai A-League season and was earmarked even then as a future Socceroo.

Now with Danish side AGF Aarhus and having been called into a full Australian squad for the first time, his Socceroos dream is close enough to touch.

“It’s been a long journey for me and at the end of the day it was all for the Socceroos [and to] to make my nation proud,” said Amini.

“It’s been a long time but I’m very happy to be here and I’m very excited.”

MIDFIELD SPOTS UP FOR GRABS

There’s stiff competition for positions in the Socceroos’ engine-room for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE with the likes of Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan and Massimo Luongo all vying for roles in the starting side.

But Amini hopes there might be a place for him, too.

Who knows, he may even partner his old school mate “Azza” Mooy?

“With Ange, everyone has to be on their toes,” Amini said.

“No-one knows who’s in the squad. It’s always about playing well.

“I’m a ball-playing midfielder who can control the tempo of a game and get into the game. Hopefully I can show what I can do and make my debut.”

The Caltex Socceroos tackle UAE in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Sydney on March 28.   Click here for tickets.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Mustafa Amini ambitions after ‘dream’ call up

Mustafa Amini has labelled his maiden Caltex Socceroos selection as “half a dream come true” because being on the fringes isn’t enough, he wants to play his part in helping Australia make the 2018 World Cup.

Amini – who was identified as a future star when he made his Hyundai A-League debut as a teenager – was named in Ange Postecoglou’s final group of 23 last week.

But the 23-year-old has made it clear he won’t be satisfied with simply being part of training sessions as Australia prepare to play Iraq and United Arab Emirates in vital World Cup qualifiers over the next fortnight.

“It’s sort of half a dream come true. At the end of day, yes, I’ve been selected in the squad but, of course, I want to help the team qualify for a World Cup,” Amini told Goal.

“That’s massive and I want to be able to get the chance to debut and show Australia and show Ange what I can do as well.”

The Sydney-born central midfielder has played 25 league games for AGF so far this season, producing five goals and two assists.

AGF coach Glen Riddersholm has generally used Amini as one of two more advanced central midfielders in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Postecoglou told reporters on Tuesday that Amini’s “maturity” in an “important role in his team” had played a key role in the latter’s selection.

“I’ve been playing now consistent football for the last 13 months, 14 months – week in, week out – and it’s been a good step for me,” Amini said.

“You know, playing 90 minutes and getting my fitness up and all those little things, and of course, being in a team that’s struggling a bit in the league, you have to step up yourself.”

The former Central Coast Mariners product declared this week’s promotion to Australia’s senior national squad was effectively a culmination of his European journey so far, which started with Borussia Dortmund in July 2012.

Amini was set to play for AGF against OB on Sunday in Denmark before flying to Iran to link up with the rest of the Socceroos, with Australia set to play Iraq on neutral territory in Tehran on March 23 (midnight KO, March 24 AEDT).

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Caltex Socceroos weekend update-18/March/2017-19/March/2017

Winger Mat Leckie has a date with Borussia Dortmund this weekend before joining up with the Caltex Socceroos.

It’s the crucial weekend before the Caltex Socceroos meet up in Tehran ahead of next week’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iraq.

Australia tackles Iraq in Tehran on March 24 (AEDT) before returning home to host UAE at the Sydney Football Stadium on March 28.

We take a look at the players’ schedule over the coming days for their clubs.

Mustafa Amini

AGF, in the Danish Superliga, next play in the early hours of Monday morning (AEDT) against OB.

Aziz Behich

Played 90 minutes for Bursaspor last weekend and could see more action on Monday (AEDT) with his side at home to Alanyaspor in the Turkish league.

Tim Cahill

Had the week off due to the split round in the Hyundai A-League but will be hopeful of some more minutes as Melbourne City host Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League on Saturday night.

Milos Degenek

Yokohama F Marinos host Albirex Niigata on Saturday afternoon in the J-League.

Rhyan Grant

Will come into camp fresh but fit with the Sky Blues having a tough week on the track with no game due to the split round in the A-League.

Jackson Irvine

The ultra-consistent Burton Albion midfielder is set to play on Sunday (AEDT) at home to Brentford.

Mile Jedinak

The Socceroo skipper was immense in Aston Villa’s win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend with Steve Bruce’s side next in action on Sunday away to Wigan Athletic.

James Jeggo

The former Adelaide midfielder’s Sturm Graz travel to tackle Admira this weekend.

Tomi Juric

The powerful striker’s FC Luzern host third-placed Sion this weekend.

Robbie Kruse

The winger has started in both of Liaoning’s first two Chinese Super League fixtures but won’t have a chance to add to that tally before coming into camp.

Mitch Langerak

The Stuttgart shot-stopper has been in fine touch in Germany and will get another chance to impress on Saturday away to Greuther Fürth.

 Mathew Leckie

The Socceroo flyer has been a regular for FC Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga this season. Leckie’s side travel to tackle giants Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (AEDT).

Massimo Luongo

Luongo’s QPR are next in action on Sunday at home to struggling Rotherham.

Riley McGree

The shock inclusion in the squad, McGree’s Adelaide host Brisbane Roar on Sunday in the Hyundai A-League.

Mark Milligan

The versatile midfielder has been playing regularly with UAE club Bani Yas but saw red in his side’s 6-2 loss to Al Wahda last weekend. Won’t see any further action before coming into camp.

Aaron Mooy

Arguably Australia’s most important player, Mooy has enjoyed a sensational season in the English Championship with Huddersfield Town and could feature more prominently in Saturday’s fixture away to Bailey Wright’s Bristol City.

Mat Ryan

The keeper played 90 minutes in Genk’s Europa League Round of 16 second leg tie against Gent on Friday (AEDT) before linking with the national team.

Trent Sainsbury

Hasn’t seen any game time since his loan move to Serie A giants Inter Milan in January.  The classy defender’s next chance of match action is on Sunday with Milan away to Torino.

Brad Smith

The flying left-back has struggled for game time at EPL outfit AFC Bournemouth, who are at home to Swansea City on Sunday morning (AEDT).

James Troisi

The Victory star is arguably the hottest player in the A-League right now. Victory has the week off due to the split round but Troisi will come into camp full of confidence after a sparkling month.

Daniel Vukovic

Vukovic capped his selection with another clean sheet – his 11th of the season – in Sydney’s 1-0 win over the Mariners on Friday night. Won’t have another game before coming into camp.

Rhys Williams

Williams played a full match for Glory in last Saturday’s loss to Sydney FC. Perth not in action this week.

Bailey Wright

The no-nonsense defender has been a pillar of consistency since joining Bristol City, who are next in action on Saturday at home to Mooy’s Huddersfield Town.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Ange Postecoglou says Mustafa Amini’s maturity is the reason for his selection in his latest Caltex Socceroos squad

After bursting onto the scene as a teenager in 2010 with Central Coast Mariners and signed by Jurgen Klopp a year later, Mustafa Amini has long been touted as a Caltex Socceroos star of the future.

Musti’s European adventure

The playmaker earned a dream move to German giants Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and looked set to become an integral figure for the national team.
But the move didn’t quite work out with Amini leaving the club in 2015 having been only on the fringes of Dortmund’s stellar first team squad under Jurgen Klopp.

He headed to Denmark looking to kick-start his career with Randers and now AGF, and while it’s taken longer than many expected, the popular midfielder is finally starting to realise his potential.

Ange on Musti’s rise to the Caltex Socceroos

A breakout season in the Danish Superliga has helped Amini recapture some of his best form and earned the Sydney-born midfielder a place in Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man Socceroos squad for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.

“Musti’s been on the fringes for a few camps. He’s kind of missed out at the last minute. We’ve obviously got a fair bit of depth in the midfield areas,” Postecoglou told reporters on Tuesday.

 

“I’ve been watching him particularly since they’ve [AGF] come back from their winter break and he’s assuming a pretty important role in his team. He’s showing a real maturity.

“There’s never been any doubt that Musti’s a talented young guy. Again this camp gives us a real good chance to see him and measure him up.”

Socceroos’ midfield depth

With skipper Mile Jedinak, in-form trio Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine, along with the experienced Mark Milligan, Australia’s midfield is blessed with an abundance of depth.

And while Amini and 18-year-old rookie Riley McGree may find it difficult to see game time, Postecoglou has made it clear he’s willing to give youngsters a chance if they’re performing.

“It’s [midfield) an area where we are strong. If you look at the form of Jedinak, Mooy, Luongo, Jackson Irvine, James Jeggo, those kind of guys, you look at their form particularly over the weekend, we’re looking fairly strong in that area,” Postecoglou said.

“Musti coming in and measured against those guys it’ll give us a good indication of where he’s at. “

The Socceroos will begin to assemble in camp on Sunday in Tehran, Iran, and are likely to have two sessions as a squad ahead of Friday’s (AEDT) clash with Iraq at the Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium in the Iranian capital.

The Caltex Socceroos tackle UAE in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Sydney on March 28.   Click here for tickets.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Mustafa Amini’s smashing goal in Danish Superliga

Mustafa Amini found the net for AGF in Denmark overnight.

Mustafa Amini has found the net in Denmark’s Superliga overnight as AGF Aarhus played out a 1-1 draw with Viborg.

The Australian playmaker scored with a low drive from inside the box midway through the first half to give his side the lead at the Energi Viborg Arena.

But just when it seemed Amini’s strike would be enough to hand AGF all three points, the home side equalised two minutes from the end via Soren Frederiksen.

Amini’s Caltex Socceroo teammate Chris Ikonomidis also played a full 90 minutes for AGF.

The result means AGF missed the chance to jump up a spot on the Superliga ladder, to remain in 11th position.

Elsewhere in Denmark, Aussies Awer Mabil and Brent McGrath both started for Esbjerg as they played out a 0-0 draw at Lyngby.

The pair both played the full match for their club, who remain in 12thposition after the stalemate at Lyngby Stadion.

.@EsbjergfB striker Brent McGrath reckons @awermabil17 deserves a #Socceroos call-up next month: https://t.co/uNJlbjVcOx #AussiesAbroad pic.twitter.com/yagDupENOj

— Michael Huguenin (@MichaelHuguenin) February 22, 2017

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Aussies abroad: huge win for duo in Denmark

Olyroo Mustafa Amini on the ball against UAE at the AFC U-23 Championship in January.

Aussies Chris Ikonomidis and Mustafa Amini have enjoyed a big day out in the Danish Super League, and it came at the expense of another Aussie.

Ikonomidis and Amini’s AGF Aarhus ran riot against Awer Mabil’s Esbjerg, coming away with a massive 6-2 win at home this morning (Tues).

AGF fell behind twice in the first half to trail 2-1 at the break before a five-goal onslaught in the second half made it a memorable night for the Aussie duo.

Slut. Vi vinder 6-2 over Esbjerg efter en fantastisk anden halvleg #AGFEFB 6-2

— AGF (@AGFFodbold) October 31, 2016

While Ikonomidis and Amini took the spoils, Mabil was superb for the visitors and played a significant role in both of their goals in the first 45 minutes.

After a slow start to the season in Denmark, AGF have moved up to 10th with that win, while Mabil’s Esbjerg remain in last place.

In Sweden, Scott Jamieson played another solid 90 minutes for IFK Goteborg.

SLUT! Tack Hjalle, tack Adam! Och tack alla ni på läkaren för ikväll och för det här året #ifkgbg pic.twitter.com/WUbhhL9sAq

— IFK Göteborg (@IFKGoteborg) October 31, 2016

The ex-Wanderers left-back helped his side come from behind twice at home to draw 2-2 with Elfsborg.

The result keeps Goteborg in fourth spot ahead of the final match of the regular season.

Meanwhile in Spain, Caltex Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan was on the bench as Valencia drew 1-1 at Deportivo La Coruna.

 

Football Federation Australia