Australia’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Squad has been announced!

I looked in vain for my name, not there, no phone call or email, but I can dream! Hell, I'd carry the oranges. My son reminds me as I write, in between bursts of loud laughter, that most prefer orange sports drink. Is nothing sacred!

My colleague, Eamonn Flanagan and his side kicks, Paddy and Lucy have had a lot to say about the composition of the squad. They've come pretty close to the mark. Go to www.nearpost.blogspot.com for the Nearpost National program Podcast and tune in next Tuesday at 6:30PM on 2xxfm (98.3mhz)- they'll have lots to say about this subject.

So here it is - away the lads!!!

Preliminary squad in full

Michael BEAUCHAMP (Al-Jazira Club, UAE)
Mark BRESCIANO (U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy)
Tim CAHILL (Everton FC, England)
Nick CARLE (Crystal Palace, England)
David CARNEY (FC Twente, Netherlands)
Scott CHIPPERFIELD (FC Basel, Switzerland)
Jason CULINA (Gold Coast United, Australia)
Brett EMERTON (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Adam FEDERICI (Reading FC, England)
Eugene GALEKOVIC* (Adelaide United, Australia)
Richard GARCIA (Hull City, England)
Vincenzo GRELLA (Blackburn Rovers, England)
James HOLLAND (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)
Brett HOLMAN (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)
Mile JEDINAK (Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey)
Brad JONES (Middlesbrough FC, England)
Josh KENNEDY (Nagoya Grampus, Japan)
Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey)
Shane LOWRY (Aston Villa FC, England)
Scott MCDONALD (Middlesbrough FC, England)
Mark MILLIGAN (JEF United, Japan)
Craig MOORE (Uncontracted)
Lucas NEILL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey)
Jade NORTH (Tromsø, Norway)
Tom OAR (FC Utrecht, Netherlands)
Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (FC Twente, Netherlands)
Mark SCHWARZER (Fulham FC, England)
Carl VALERI (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy)
Dario VIDOSIC (FC Nurnberg, Germany)
Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia)
Rhys WILLIAMS (Middlesbrough FC, England)

On the 24th of May, the Qantas Socceroos will play the New Zealand All-Whites who have also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM). This vital game is key to both teams preparation in building tactics and improving their match fitness before setting off to South Africa.