Wanderers defender Josh Risdon has been selected to represent Australia at the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup.
Caltex Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold made the selection this morning including three Hyundai A-League players. With an average age of 26, the squad will assemble in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Australia’s pre-tournament training camp from Boxing Day (26 December 2018) onwards, and will open its AFC Asian Cup campaign against Jordan at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on January 6.
After featuring and playing in all three 2018 FIFA World Cup games that Australia played, Josh has cemented his position in the Caltex Socceroos squad at the right-back position. The tournament will see Australia look to defend their title after winning the previous edition in 2015.
Moreover, 19 of the 23 players set to represent the green and gold in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ have played in the Hyundai A-League at some point in their professional careers, highlighting the pathway Australia’s top-flight paves to the most elite levels of the game.
Josh has played every game for the Western Sydney Wanderers so far this season and will be unavailable for the Wanderers throughout the duration of the tournament.
Squad | Australia | AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™
|
Name |
Club (Country) |
A-International Caps (Goals) |
|
Mustafa AMINI |
AGF Aarhus (Denmark) |
4 (0) |
|
Aziz BEHICH |
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) |
29 (2) |
|
Martin BOYLE |
Hibernian FC (Scotland) |
2 (2) |
|
Milos DEGENEK |
Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) |
19 (0) |
|
Alex GERSBACH |
Rosenborg BK (Norway) |
5 (0) |
|
Rhyan GRANT |
Sydney FC (Australia) |
1 (0) |
|
Chris IKONOMIDIS |
Perth Glory (Australia) |
6 (0) |
|
Jackson IRVINE |
Hull City AFC (England) |
24 (2) |
|
Matthew JURMAN |
Al-Ittihad Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) |
5 (0) |
|
Robbie KRUSE |
VfL Bochum (Germany) |
69 (5) |
|
Mitchell LANGERAK (Gk) |
Nagoya Grampus (Japan) |
8 (0) |
|
Mathew LECKIE |
Hertha BSC (Germany) |
59 (8) |
|
Massimo LUONGO |
Queens Park Rangers (England) |
38 (6) |
|
Awer MABIL |
FC Midtylland (Denmark) |
3 (1) |
|
Jamie MACLAREN |
Hibernian FC (Scotland) |
7 (0) |
|
Mark MILLIGAN (C) |
Hibernian FC (Scotland) |
73 (6) |
|
Aaron MOOY |
Huddersfield Town AFC (England) |
39 (5) |
|
Andrew NABBOUT |
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) |
7 (1) |
|
Josh RISDON |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC (Australia) |
13 (0) |
|
Tom ROGIC |
Celtic FC (Scotland) |
42 (8) |
|
Mathew RYAN (Gk) |
Brighton & Hove Albion FC (England) |
49 (0) |
|
Trent SAINSBURY |
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) |
41 (3) |
|
Daniel VUKOVIC (Gk) |
KRC Genk (Belgium) |
3 (0) |
Match Schedule | Australia | AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™
Australia v Jordan
Date: Sunday, 6 January 2019
Venue: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 3.00pm (local); 10.00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
Palestine v Australia
Date: Friday, 11 January 2019
Venue: Rashid Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 3.00pm (local); 10.00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
Australia v Syria
Date: Tuesday, 15 January 2019
Venue: Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 5.30pm (local); 12.30am (AEDT – Wednesday, 16 January 2019)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
For more information regarding the AFC Asian Cup 2019, please visit www.afcasiancup.com
