New Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has produced a massive selection shock, leaving Harry Kewell out of the squad for the World Cup qualifying opener against Qatar in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Verbeek confirmed today Kewell had not been asked to fly back to Australia for the match, with Bristol City midfielder Nick Carle and German-based defender Michael Beauchamp also left behind in Europe.
Kewell had been available for selection and finally appears to be over a wretched run of injuries which have blighted his career for the best part of two years.
But Verbeek made it clear the 29-year-old Liverpool star - for so long the Socceroos' talisman - would not be needed.
"I have now had six days with the players in Melbourne and I have made the decision that those three players will not be required to travel to Australia," Verbeek said of Kewell, Carle and Beauchamp.
"Obviously, the three players are disappointed that I have not selected them, but I appreciate that they were available to come if I wanted them to."
Kewell did not play for Liverpool in their 3-0 English Premier League win over Sunderland overnight.
The other 12 European-based Socceroos Verbeek had selected in his initial squad, including Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, will start arriving in Melbourne from tomorrow.
Cahill, who had been nursing a hamstring problem, played the full 90 minutes in Everton's 0-0 Premier League draw with Blackburn.
With Verbeek expected to name his final 18-man squad on Tuesday, it would appear there are now just six places available for the mostly A-League players who have spent the past week at the Socceroos' training camp in Melbourne.
Few did anything to enhance their selection claims in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in a training match on Saturday.
But Sydney FC defender Mark Milligan, who probably would have been selected, will miss the Qatar game after breaking his nose during the training match.
Newcastle Jets attacker Joel Griffiths is also in doubt because of hamstring tightness.
Newcastle goalkeeper Ante Covic looks certain to take one of the available spots in the squad as back-up custodian to Mark Schwarzer, who will be the last man into camp on Tuesday after his English club match tomorrow.
Overseas players Michael Thwaite and Jacob Burns, who have been at the training camp, are also probable inclusions.
Verbeek is also likely to plump for experienced Queensland Roar defender Craig Moore in his final squad.
Verbeek confirmed today Kewell had not been asked to fly back to Australia for the match, with Bristol City midfielder Nick Carle and German-based defender Michael Beauchamp also left behind in Europe.
Kewell had been available for selection and finally appears to be over a wretched run of injuries which have blighted his career for the best part of two years.
But Verbeek made it clear the 29-year-old Liverpool star - for so long the Socceroos' talisman - would not be needed.
"I have now had six days with the players in Melbourne and I have made the decision that those three players will not be required to travel to Australia," Verbeek said of Kewell, Carle and Beauchamp.
"Obviously, the three players are disappointed that I have not selected them, but I appreciate that they were available to come if I wanted them to."
Kewell did not play for Liverpool in their 3-0 English Premier League win over Sunderland overnight.
The other 12 European-based Socceroos Verbeek had selected in his initial squad, including Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, will start arriving in Melbourne from tomorrow.
Cahill, who had been nursing a hamstring problem, played the full 90 minutes in Everton's 0-0 Premier League draw with Blackburn.
With Verbeek expected to name his final 18-man squad on Tuesday, it would appear there are now just six places available for the mostly A-League players who have spent the past week at the Socceroos' training camp in Melbourne.
Few did anything to enhance their selection claims in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in a training match on Saturday.
But Sydney FC defender Mark Milligan, who probably would have been selected, will miss the Qatar game after breaking his nose during the training match.
Newcastle Jets attacker Joel Griffiths is also in doubt because of hamstring tightness.
Newcastle goalkeeper Ante Covic looks certain to take one of the available spots in the squad as back-up custodian to Mark Schwarzer, who will be the last man into camp on Tuesday after his English club match tomorrow.
Overseas players Michael Thwaite and Jacob Burns, who have been at the training camp, are also probable inclusions.
Verbeek is also likely to plump for experienced Queensland Roar defender Craig Moore in his final squad.
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