Australia back Asian Cup heroes for Kyrgyzstan
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Australia head coach Ange Postecoglou named on Monday the bulk of his AFC Asian Cup champions squad to face Kyrgyzstan in the opening 2018 FIFA World Cup™ qualifier in Bishkek on 16 June.
There are no uncapped players and 19 members of the Asian Cup winning squad from January, with Postecoglou declaring the group as the "core of the squad that will take us through to the next World Cup".
Tim Cahill, Matthew Spiranovic and Eugene Galekovic return after missing the recent matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia with Aaron Mooy, Adam Federici and Luke De Vere left out.
"This is the start of the next chapter in our journey and we are all excited about what lies ahead over the next two years," Postecoglou said.
"We've been open in our desire to make an impact at the 2018 World Cup but first we need to qualify and that task is immediately in front of us.
"We've selected a relatively settled squad made up of the core of players that brought success at the Asian Cup but also the core of players that will take us through to the next World Cup.
"No Australian football team has ever been to Kyrgyzstan so we have done a lot of research, including a reconnaissance trip to Bishkek, to make sure we are well prepared for what will not be an easy task."
Australia squad
Goalkeepers: Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitch Langerak (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge/Belgium),
Defenders: Aziz Behich (Bursaspor/Turkey), Jason Davidson (West Bromwich Albion/England), Tarek Elrich (Adelaide United), Ivan Franjic (Unattached), Trent Sainsbury (PEC Zwolle/Netherlands), Matt Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai/Korea Republic), Bailey Wright (Preston North End/England).
Midfielders: Oliver Bozanic (FC Luzern/Switzerland), Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio/Italy), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace/England), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town/England), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
Forwards: Nathan Burns (Wellington Phoenix/New Zealand), Tim Cahill (Shanghai Shenhua/China PR), Tomi Juric (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mathew Leckie (Ingolstadt/Germany), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht/Netherlands), James Troisi (Zulte Waregem/Belgium)