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Australia squad for Iraq World Cup qualifier

Dunya News

Australia are level on two points with Iraq and Oman.

Australia coach Holger Osieck recalled Tommy Oar and Carl Valeri to his squad Wednesday for their World Cup qualifying clash against Iraq after a damaging defeat to Jordan last month.The Socceroos face an uphill battle to reach their third straight World Cup after a disappointing 2-1 loss in Amman following draws against Group B rivals Oman and Japan, with every match now seen as a must-win.Italian-based defensive midfielder Valeri, who last played for Australia almost a year ago, returns for the clash in Dubai next Tuesday along with Utrecht winger Oar.Experienced defender Mark Milligan is also back in the mix after serving a one-match suspension for a red card against Japan in June.With only the top two teams automatically qualifying for the World Cup finals in Brazil, Australia are level on two points with Iraq and Oman.Jordan are currently second with four points from three matches behind leaders Japan, with 10 points from four games.Squad: Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa/QAT), Alex Brosque (Shimizu S-Pulse/JPN), Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls/USA), James Holland (Austria Wien/AUT), Brett Holman (Aston Villa/ENG), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace/ENG), Brad Jones (Liverpool/ENG), Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf/GER), Mitch Langerak (BV Borussia Dortmund/GER), Ryan McGowan (Heart of Midlothian/SCO), Matt McKay (Busan IPark/KOR), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Lucas Neill (Al Wasl/UAE), Jade North (Consadole Sapporo/JPN), Tommy Oar (Utrecht/NED), Nikita Rukavytsya (Hertha Berlin/GER), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Adam Sarota (Utrecht/NED), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham/ENG), Matthew Spiranovic (Al Arabi/QAT), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo/ITA), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow/RUS)