Ange Postecoglou has named a strong 23-man squad to face World Champions Germany and FYR Macedonia in Europe later this month as the Socceroos take the first steps along the path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Postecoglou has rewarded the heroes who won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, with 18 members of the squad named alongside five players who have been given an opportunity to impress the Socceroos coaching staff.

Mark Bresciano, who recently retired from international football, injured duo Chris Herd and Robbie Kruse, Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Terry Antonis, who will be included in the Olyroos squad next week, are the only players not selected from the Asian Cup.

Coming into the squad are uncapped players Luke DeVere, Chris Ikonomidis and Tarek Elrich, Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy and in-form Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

“This squad rewards the players who did a marvellous job in claiming the Asian Cup,” Postecoglou said. “Winning the Asian Cup was a great reward for the hard work the players put in but we have been pretty consistent in our approach that the Asian Cup win is the start of a journey, not the end.

“The games in Europe offer an opportunity for the likes of DeVere, Elrich, Mooy, Federici and young Chris Ikonomidis. We continue to have one eye on the four-year World Cup cycle and these players have an opportunity to show us how they’ll handle the step up to international level.”

The matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia are the final two friendly games before the Socceroos commence the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June.

“We need to continue our development as we move forward from the Asian Cup victory and look towards the 2018 World Cup,” Postecoglou said. “These two matches will offer us another test and will be a good indication of what is required to take the next step.”

Australia has faced Germany three times in full internationals since the reunification of Germany. Germany defeated the Socceroos 4-3 at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 4-0 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup before the Socceroos beat Germany 2-1 in a friendly in 2011.

The Socceroos have played FYR Macedonia in one match, claiming a 1-0 victory in 1997 thanks to a late Aurelio Vidmar goal.

Both international matches will be broadcast LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

Socceroos squad for international friendly matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia

Name Club, Country A International Caps (Goals) Aziz Behich Bursaspor, Turkey 9 (2) Nathan Burns Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand 10 (0) Tim Cahill Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C., China 82 (39) Jason Davidson West Bromwich Albion F.C., England 17 (1) Luke DeVere Brisbane Roar, Australia - Tarek Elrich Adelaide United, Australia - Adam Federici (gk) Reading FC, England 9 (0) Ivan Franjic FK Torpedo Moskva, Russia 18 (0) Chris Ikonomidis S. S. Lazio, Italy - Mile Jedinak Crystal Palace FC, England 56 (7) Tomi Juric Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia 10 (2) Mitchell Langerak (gk) B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany 5 (0) Mathew Leckie FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany 22 (1) Massimo Luongo Swindon Town FC, England 11 (2) Matt McKay Brisbane Roar, Australia 54 (2) Mark Milligan Melbourne Victory FC, Australia 38 (3) Aaron Mooy Melbourne City, Australia 4 (3) Tommy Oar FC Utrecht, Netherlands 21 (1) Mat Ryan (gk) Club Brugge KV, Belgium 19 (0) Trent Sainsbury P.E.C. Zwolle, Netherlands 10 (1) Matthew Spiranovic Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia 26 (0) James Troisi S.V. Zulte Waregem, Belgium 21 (3) Alex Wilkinson Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic 12 (0)

Socceroo Match Details

Germany v Australia

Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Kick-Off: 8:30pm (CET) (6:30am (AEDT), Thursday 26 March)

Tickets for the Germany v Socceroos match in Kaiserslautern are on sale now from www.dfb.de or https://tickets.dfb.de/online/index.php3?shopid=107&gotoperformance=1849

FYR Macedonia v Australia

National Arena Philip II of Macedonia Stadium, Skopje, FYR Macedonia

Monday 30 March 2015

Kick-Off: 9.00pm (CEST) (6:00am (AEDT), Tuesday 31 March

Tickets for the FYR Macedonia v Australia match in Skopje will be on sale now from http://ffm.mk/en/tickets