Three years ago this week, Ange Postecoglou picked his 23 for the 2014 Brazil World Cup – that Caltex Socceroos squad had 395 appearances between them.
Most of that experience was built around the 142 appearances of two warriors for the national team (legends Mark Bresciano with 73 and Tim Cahill on 69).
Ange names Caltex Socceroos 23-man squad for June
The remainder of the squad was largely inexperienced with 13 of that 23 under the 10 appearances mark.
Back in 2014, barely seven months into the job and with a total reimagining of the team, its approach and culture, Postecoglou looked forward to a time when the national team’s energy would be underpinned by a more battle hardened, experienced group – and here we are three years later with exactly that.
EXPERIENCE FOR A SUPER JUNE
This week, Postecoglou’s squad - named for the Confederations Cup 2017, a Brazil friendly and, most importantly, the World Cup qualifier with Saudi Arabia on June 8 - has 568 appearances between them.
Cahill is still there, on 96 appearances for his country and poised to hit the century in June.
With just seven players under the 10 appearances mark, there's now a solid block of 14 in the 10-60 appearances band.
Captain Mile Jedinak is on 70 appearances.
Debutant, the exciting Ajdin Hrustic from Groningen in Holland, will be moving into an Australian squad with plenty of experience.
EXPERIENCE AND BUZZ
The majority of the Caltex Socceroos will gather in Adelaide on Saturday buoyed by some thrilling success at the back end of the European league season.
Playmaker Aaron Mooy was seen proudly draped in an Australian flag at Wembley after he played a full game in Huddersfield's tense shootout win over Reading in the Championship Play-Off Final on Tuesday this week.
Mooy - on loan from Manchester City – played the full game and with his side trailing 3-2 in the shootout after an early miss, he coolly slotted his spot kick to level the scores and keep his side in the contest.
Christopher Schindler scored to seal Town’s promotion. Now, Mooy can look forward to challenging himself at football’s top table, the English Premier League.
Mooy's Huddersfield seal EPL promotion
Mooy's composure helps Town to EPL promotion
Mooy’s dramatic success came just two days after Tom Rogic stole the headlines in Scotland with his brilliant final minute effort to help Celtic win the Scottish FA Cup Final.
Rogic's stunning winner in Scottish Cup final
Rogic: 'It's the stuff of dreams!'
Rogic, despite a four-month injury, was integral in the historic treble at the Scottish powerhouse and is clearly now a fan favourite at Parkhead.
His last minute winner over Aberdeen in the Cup final will have him walking on air in Adelaide - and with his time out this season, the tall playmaker will be fresh and fit for the battles ahead. He'll be absolutely integral.
And Caltex Socceroos keeper Mitch Langerak has been one of the heroes in Germany after his club Stuttgart sealed promotion back to the Bundesliga.
Langerak wins 2. Bundesliga with Stuttgart
And let’s not forget Jackson Irvine – arguably the find of the year in the national team.
The Burton Albion attacking midfielder will be buoyed by winning the double at his club, best player and players' player of the year at a club that narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship.
Irvine wins top honour at Burton
CONFIDENCE HIGH
Being home will give the players a buzz. Their success will have buoyed many of them, too.
“Many of the boys will come into camp on the back of winning trophies and breakthrough seasons and that confidence and enthusiasm will help us in Adelaide and beyond," Postecoglou said this week.
“There has been some tough decisions in cutting the squad from 30 down to the final 23 but that’s a good sign of the strength of the squad we have been able to name and the depth we have been able to cultivate over the last three years,” Postecoglou said.
“If you look through the squad we now have a core group of players who have played 30, 40 and more caps and have experienced World Cup, Asian Cup and the tough road of World Cup qualifying.”
This next month will be huge. Starting in Adelaide on June 8.
The Caltex Socceroos tackle Saudi Arabia in a crucial World Cup Qualifer in Adelaide on June 8. Click Here for Tickets
