Socceroos squad v Slovenia

Kewell not picked? Or has he stopped playing international footy?

Quotes from Acting Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Han Berger in relation to the Qantas Socceroos squad that was named to face Slovenia.

"The Qantas Socceroos squad announced today for the friendly against Slovenia has been selected with an eye to rejuvenating the national team with the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

�Although the overall strategy is aimed at preparing for 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the AFC Asian Cup is also very important and our next focus will be around preparing the best squad available for Qatar in January.

"The squad selected is a good mixture or young and experienced players with thirteen of the twenty players from our 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.

�Some players that have not been selected have been given the opportunity to consolidate their positions in their club teams at the beginning of their new season, especially those who missed much of the pre-season training because of the World Cup.  

�This is to our long term benefit as we need these players to be starting regularly with their clubs, and to not call them into the national team now means that for the later matches this year and next year they will hopefully be at their peak and able to contribute more effectively to the national team. 

"Hyundai A-League players were not considered for this match due to the clash with the start of the season and the fact it was a single FIFA match date but will be definitely be considered for the next matches in September.

 "We are at an advanced stage with our process to select the next Qantas Socceroos Head Coach and we hope to be in a position to announce the successful candidate in the near future.  

So what's Jade North doing in there then?

Perhaps he was picked before the transfer, and it was too late (or not important enough) to change? Or perhaps impacting on Wellington is less important than impacting the Aussie teams. Either way, we'll still smash Cold Ghost