Three Brisbane Roar players have been selected for international duty today, with Matt McKay named in Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos squad to face Japan and James Donachie and Corey Brown picked in the Olyroos squad to play in a Four-Nation international friendly tournament in China.
McKay, who was a prominent member of the Australia side that impressed at the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has been recalled to the squad after missing recent matches against UAE and Qatar due to minor ankle surgery.
Donachie and Brown will form part of Aurelio Vidmar’s 22-player squad that will use the tournament as preparation for the next AFC U22 Championship, which doubles as qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.
The Socceroos face Japan in Osaka on 18 November while the Olyroos play Brazil, China PR and Korea Republic in Wuhan between 14-18 November, meaning all three players will be unavailable for Brisbane Roar’s away match to Newcastle Jets next Friday night.
“As a club, we are very proud to have our players representing Australia on the international stage,” Brisbane Roar Head Coach Mike Mulvey said.
“All three players have worked hard in pre-season and the start of this season and have earned this opportunity to play for their country.
“From a club perspective, the idea of having a big squad is to be able to give others a chance when some players are missing so we’re confident we can handle their absences.”
Following on from the selection of Angela Beard, Larissa Crummer, Sunny Franco and Brooke Goodrich in the latest Westfield Young Matildas squad, this means Brisbane Roar has had seven players selected for various Australian teams this month.
