Sydney FC's Alex Brosque has been rewarded for his outstanding A-League season with a Socceroo call-up as a late replacement for the injured Josh Kennedy.
In a big blow for the Socceroos ahead of what promises to be a willing encounter against the Omanies on their home turf in the important Asian Cup qualification match, Kennedy will miss with a back injury, robbing the Australians of a target man few sides can match up on.
The loss of Kennedy has opened the door for the recall of the speedy Brosque, ahead of other contenders such as the unlucky Archie Thompson.
This will be Brosque's first selection in a Socceroos squad since 2006 and his first under Verbeek.
Brosque made his senior international debut for the Socceroos against Fiji at the 2004 OFC Nations Cup in Adelaide. His most recent Socceroo appearance was in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualification match against Kuwait at the Sydney Football Stadium.
"I'm wrapped. It was totally unexpected but I can't wait to get over to Oman and join the rest of the team. It (making the National Team) is something I haven't been thinking about but I guess it was always in the back of my mind. I've just been trying to concentrate on playing well and consistently with Sydney FC," Brosque said.
"I'm looking forward to training with the team for a week in Oman and I'll be looking to learn from the experience and if I get a chance to get on the pitch I'll be giving it my best shot."
Shane Lowry has also been included in the squad.
Player
Club, Country
A-International matches (goals)
Mark BRESCIANO
U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy
51 (11)
Alex BROSQUE
Sydney FC, Australia
4 (0)
Tim CAHILL
Everton FC, England
36 (18)
David CARNEY
FC Twente, Netherlands
22 (3)
Scott CHIPPERFIELD
FC Basel, Switzerland
62 (12)
Jason CULINA
Gold Coast United, Australia
44 (1)
Bruce DJITE
Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey
7 (0)
Brett EMERTON
Blackburn Rovers, England
71 (16)
Adam FEDERICI
Reading FC, England
-
Brett HOLMAN
AZ Alkmaar, Holland
28 (1)
Mile JEDINAK
Antalyaspor Kulubu, Turkey
8 (0)
Brad JONES
Middlesbrough FC, England
1 (0)
Harry KEWELL
Galatasaray SK, Turkey
44 (13)
Patrick KISNORBO
Leeds United FC, England
17 (1)
Shane LOWRY
Aston Villa (on-loan to Plymouth Argyle), England
-
Mark MILLIGAN
Shanghai Shenua, China
8 (0)
Craig MOORE
Brisbane Roar, Australia
45 (3)
Lucas NEILL
Everton FC, England
52 (0)
Mark SCHWARZER
Fulham FC, England
72 (0)
Mile STERJOVSKI
Perth Glory, Australia
41 (8)
Carl VALERI
U.S. Grosseto FC, Italy
19 (0)
Dario VIDOSIC
FC Nurnberg, Germany
3 (0)
Luke WILKSHIRE
FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia
37 (0)
Rhys WILLIAMS
Middlesbrough FC, England
2 (0)