11:13 Welcome all, Pim Verbeek has just taken the stage to announce the squad!
Here we go!
Michael Beauchamp is first up!!!! HE STARTS OFF WITH A SHOCK!
Next is Marco Bresciano followed by of course Timmy Cahill.
Going in alphabetical order as you might've guessed.
Nicky CARLE!!!!!! That will be absolute music to some peoples ears.
David Carney now gets called, no real surprise there.
Scott Chipperfield is next he's been a servant to Australian football, probably his last Cup.
Jason Culina and Brett Emerton get the call next, again, pretty much shoe-in's them.
Adam Federici is next, of course playing in England. Oh, and also Eugene Galekovic is the other keeper to back up Schwarzer, great news for him! Brad Jones is unlucky.
Richard Garcia, not the best season in the EPL, but he get's his spot.
James Holland, slight surprise there, very young midfielder but he's got a lot of promise.
Brett Holman, up next. He's been coping some abuse from fans of late!
Mile Jedinak, of course formerly of the Central Coast Mariners, get's a call after a great season in Turkey.
Brad Jones, perhaps not a surprise that he's picked 4 keepers, of course a 31 man squad.
Josh Kennedy, probably a definite to go.
Harry Kewell, Pim notes that whilst there are the rumours, his medical staff have ensured him he will be fine to go.
Shane Lowry, another young and talented player, doing his stuff in Leeds.
Scott McDonald, now at Middlesborough of course. In my opinion he deserves to go to the Cup.
Mark Milligan, he's been playing well in Japan.
Craig Moore, experience is the key, but will it be enough in a few weeks to get a final spot?
The O's are coming up, the Tommy Oar question will be answered, if only temporarily!
Lucas Neill, no surprises.
Jade North, hasn't been playing heaps, but probably merits selection in this team.
Tommy Oar, yes, he is there the young man! Great news for him, interesting too see how he goes over the next few weeks with surely more speculation.
Nikita Rukavytsya, speed is invaluable and I think that will get him a spot in the final spot, personally.
Mark Schwarzer, the big stopper is in career best form.
Carl Valeri, touted as Vince Grella's understudy, but he's got a fair bit to go. Strong player though.
Dario Vidosic, another winger, been impressive for the Roos' in his chances.
Luke Wilkshere, he's come a long, long way since Germany.
Finally, Rhys Williams. Of course formally played for Wales, but he's been strong.
Now for those who have missed out according to Pim.
He notes, Shane Steffanuto, Archie Thompson, Mathew Kemp and Patty Kisnorbo due to their injuries.
So, now is the big challenge for these players to prove themselves in the little time between now and June 1 when the team will be cut down to the final 23!
11:29 Pim hands it back over to Simon Hill.
11:30 Now Simon welcomes four of those players out in Nicky Carle, Richard Garcia, Tommy Oar and finally Rhys Williams.
So now those four and Pim have moved away to be questioned by the awaiting media, and that will bring a close to our LIVE! coverage of the Socceroos preliminary squad announcement.
The 31-man squad is: Michael Beachamp, Marco Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Adam Federici, Eugene Galekovic, Richard Garcia, Vincenzo Grella, James Holland, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Joshua Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Shane Lowry, Scott McDonald, Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Thomas Oar, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams
11:36 Any noticeable absences there? Lowry and Holland are definitely bolters, I thought Neill Kilkenny from Leeds might have made at least this squad.
11:38 There was also a lot of talk about Sasha Ognenovski getting a call up after his good form in Asia, but having already played for Macedonia and having struggled to get a call from Pim before that, there was always doubt.
11:40 Anyways, that finishes our LIVE! coverage of the Australia Socceroos World Cup 31-Man Preliminary squad announcement. Of course there will be training camps and the farewell game against New Zealand for Pim to further up his mind, he'll have to do it quickly though because on June 1 he will be naming his final side. Cheers for your company!
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