Three to make Roos debut

22 December 2009-SBS

Three players, including Brisbane's Tommy Oar, will make Australia debuts against Kuwait after being selected in Pim Verbeek's 23-man squad for the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier on January 6 (January 7 AEDT), 2010.

Teenage Roar winger Oar will represent the green and gold for the first time, along with in-form Melbourne defender Matthew Kemp and Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, in a largely A-league based line-up.

Joining the debutants will be Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo, who makes a return to the national team after last appearing in the friendly against China at Guangzhou in 2007.

“It has been a while since I put on the green and gold so it will be great if I get the opportunity in January and I will take the chance with both hands,” Colosimo, who has been capped 24 times, said.

Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic is also set to make his senior debut if he takes the field, having previously been selected in the squad.

The overseas contingent of eight are Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow, Russia), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace, England) Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa, England), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente, Netherlands), Matthew Spiranovic and Dario Vidosic (FC Nurnberg, Germany).

None of the UK-based players including Australia captain Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer or Galatasaray star Harry Kewell were available for selection.

Kuwait, who defeated the Socceroos 1-0 in Canberra on March 3, top Group B with Australia. The final match for the Socceroos is against Indonesia in Brisbane on March 3, 2010.

Australia's record against Kuwait, though is not strong, with five defeats and a draw from nine encounters.

SOCCEROOS SQUAD: Alex Brosque (Sydney), Jacob Burns (Perth), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace), Simon Colosimo (Sydney), Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide), Mike Jedinak (Antalyaspor), Matthew Kemp (Melbourne), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Matthew McKay (Brisbane), Craig Moore (Brisbane), Tommy Oar (Brisbane), Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente), Matthew Spiranovic (Nurnberg), Mile Sterjovski (Perth), Archie Thompson (Melbourne), Matthew Thompson (Newcastle),Tando Velaphi (Perth), Dario Vidosic (Nurnberg), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow).