BORDER product Josh Kennedy and playmaker Tom Rogic have been cut from the Socceroos’ final World Cup squad, with injury forcing the duo out.
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Kennedy scored the goal against Iraq last year that secured Australia’s spot in Brazil but sadly won’t play a part in what would have been his third consecutive World Cup campaign.
The final four players omitted from the final squad are Kennedy, Rogic, Mark Birighitti and Luke Wilkshire.
Kennedy was due to play in Australia’s warm-up match against Brazilian division two side Parana Clube on Tuesday but was sidelined after his ongoing back injury flared up in training the previous day.
Rogic, on the other hand, did play but - with persistent groin concerns and a lack of game time - he was forced off the field after a lacklustre first-half showing.
Postecoglou met his coaching and medical staff on Tuesday to decide the cuts.
The team will be captained by Mile Jedinak with Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Mark Milligan becoming the first Australian players to represent the Socceroos at three World Cups, following the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
- With AAP
Oliver BOZANIC FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND
Mark BRESCIANO Al Gharafa, QATAR
Tim CAHILL New York Red Bulls, USA
Jason DAVIDSON SC Heracles Almelo, NETHERLANDS
Ivan FRANJIC Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA
Eugene GALEKOVIC Adelaide United, AUSTRALIA
Ben HALLORAN Fortuna Dusseldorf, GERMANY
James HOLLAND FK Austria Vienna, AUSTRIA
Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND
Mitchell LANGERAK B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, GERMANY
Mathew LECKIE FSV Frankfurt 1899, GERMANY
Massimo LUONGO Swindon Town FC, ENGLAND
Ryan McGOWAN Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, CHINA
Matt McKAY Brisbane Roar, AUSTRALIA
Mark MILLIGAN Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA
Tommy OAR FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS
Mat RYAN Club Brugge KV, BELGIUM
Matthew SPIRANOVIC Western Sydney Wanderers, AUSTRALIA
Adam TAGGART Newcastle Jets, AUSTRALIA
James TROISI Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA
Dario VIDOSIC FC Sion, SWITZERLAND
Alex WILKINSON Jeonbuk Hyundai, KOREA REPUBLIC
Bailey WRIGHT Preston North End FC, ENGLAND