The Socceroos have been dealt a major boost ahead of Thursday’s World Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh in Perth, with three of the country’s brightest attacking talents impressing overnight.
Tom Rogic and Matthew Leckie made starting berths for Celtic and FC Ingolstadt respectively, with both rewarding their managers with crucial goals.
Rogic put Celtic ahead against St Johnstone after the match was locked at 1-1, with the Scottish giants going on to win the match 3-1.
“That was pleasing as well so I’m happy. Special to score in front of the fans, sure I won’t forget it,” Rogic told Celtic’s official website after the game.
ICYMI | @Socceroos starlet Tom Rogic was on the scoresheet again overnight for @celticfc against St Johnstone. pic.twitter.com/ATVs9EHAks
— Outside90 (@Outside90) August 30, 2015
Leckie helped newly-promoted Ingolstadt to their second win of the Bundesliga season with a delicately put left-footed strike in the 63rd minute against Augsburg.
Often criticised for his lack of finishing at international level, Leckie had no troubles putting the ball in the back of the net at club level, bringing his tally of goals with Ingolstadt to to eight from 35 appearances.
Meanwhile, Massimo Luongo continues to impress for new club Queens Park Rangers, providing an assist for Tjaronn Chery’s late winner against Jason Davidson’s Huddersfield Town.
The Australian playmaker has been received well by the QPR fans and continues to stake his claim as a fan favourite, improving with every match played.
All three players will now jet to Australia for a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on Thursday before a trip to Tajikistan on Tuesday.
Here is the full Socceroos squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Alex Cisak (Leyton Orient FC, England), Adam Federici (Bournemouth, England), Mat Ryan (Valencia CF, Spain)
DEFENDERS
Aziz Behich (Bursaspor, Turkey), Jason Davidson (Huddersfield Town AFC, England), Tarek Elrich (Adelaide United FC), Ryan McGowan (Dundee United, Scotland), Matthew Spiranovic (Hangzhou Greentown FC, China), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic), Bailey Wright (Preston North End FC, England)
MIDFIELD
Jackson Irvine (Ross County, Scotland), Massimo Luongo (Queens Park Rangers FC, England), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Baniyas SC, UAE), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City FC), Tom Rogic (Celtic FC, Scotland), Luke Brattan (Brisbane Roar)
FORWARDS
Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo, Japan), Tim Cahill (Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C., China), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany), Tommy Oar (unattached), Ben Halloran (FC Heidenheim, Germany), Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio, Italy)
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