On behalf of Australia’s 310 professional footballers, PFA Executive Chairman Brendan Schwab today extended his warm congratulations to the 30 players selected to be part of Australia’s inaugural challenge for the AFC Asian Cup. The PFA has also applauded the astute management of the selection process by National Coach Graham Arnold, ensuring the effective management of the often complicated club and country commitments of players.

also demonstrated enlightened self interest by omitting a number of highly qualified players to ensure they can establish successful club careers.  This is important, because success at club level is a precondition to an individual’s ability to be a successful international player. Graham, however, has exposed many players to the experience of the Socceroos camp in recent times, to ensure our focus is not only on Asian success but also the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

“The standards and example he has set in terms of his management of the squad are very high,” Schwab added.

The selected and stand by squads are:

QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD FOR 2007 AFC ASIAN CUP

John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremberg, Germany), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Newcastle Jets, Australia), David Carney (Sydney FC, Australia), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vincenzo Grella (Parma, Italy), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Holland), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough, England), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC, Australia), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Mile Sterjovski (Basel, Switzerland), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Carl Valeri (US Grosseto, Italy), Mark Viduka (Newcastle, England), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Holland)

Stand-by players:
Daniel Allsopp (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory, Australia), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Jade North (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners, Australia).