Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has recalled experienced trio Robbie Kruse, Matthew Spiranovic and Mitch Langerak and included a host of fresh faces in the squad for crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Adelaide and Sydney later this month.

Postecoglou has made nine changes to the squad that defeated Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh last November with uncapped players Jason Geria, Alex Gerbasch and Apostolos Giannou joined by Brad Smith, Chris Ikonomidis and Terry Antonis.

“It’s great to be able to bring experienced players like Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak and Matthew Spiranovic back into the squad after missing recent matches but it is equally exciting to see how a fresh crop of young players can fit into how we train and what we are trying to achieve,” Postecoglou said.

Caltex Socceroos WC qualifiers: the story so far

“We’ve worked hard on creating depth over the last two years and we now have a very solid and experienced spine to this team but we must also continually give players an opportunity if we want to make an impact on the world stage.

“This squad contains a group of young players who we are bringing in while they are in form and taking good strides forward both here in the Hyundai A-League and at various leagues around the world.

“Getting that balance between winning football matches and giving players an opportunity is something we have been doing for two years and during that time we have had success and haven’t been let down by any of the young players.”

The Caltex Socceroos go into the final two matches in this stage of FIFA World Cup Qualifying on top of Group B and will progress to the next round if they finish on top of Group B or finish as one of the best four second-placed teams from the eight groups.

“We are faced with two very important World Cup Qualifiers against Tajikistan in Adelaide and then Jordan in Sydney,” Postecoglou said. “We have seen throughout the qualifiers that these teams offer unique challenges and this will be no different.

“The primary focus for us is to make sure we continue to play our brand of football that will deliver short term success while building towards the bigger picture.

“This is the first time we have had back to back matches in Australia during this World Cup qualifying campaign and we look forward to seeing the Socceroo fans in Adelaide and Sydney come out to get behind the team.”

The Caltex Socceroos matches against Tajikistan (Adelaide) and Jordan (Sydney) will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS and on a one hour delay on SBS.

Caltex Socceroo 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Match Details

Australia v Tajikistan Australia v Jordan

​​​​​24 March 2016 29 March 2016

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Kick off 7.30pm (8pm AEDT) 8pm kick off (AEDT)

Tickets for the Australia v Tajikistan match in Adelaide and the Australia v Jordan match in Sydney are available at www.socceroos.com.au/tickets

Caltex Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers v Tajikistan and Jordan

Name Club, Country A International Caps (Goals) Terry ANTONIS PAOK, GREECE 3 (0) Nathan BURNS F.C. Tokyo, JAPAN 18 (1) Tim CAHILL Hangzhou Greentown F.C., CHINA 88 (45) Adam FEDERICI A.F.C. Bournemouth, ENGLAND 15 (0) Jason GERIA Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA - Alex GERSBACH Rosenborg BK, NORWAY - Apostolos GIANNOU Guangzhou R&F F.C., CHINA - Chris IKONOMIDIS U.S. Salernitana 1919, ITALY 2 (0) Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace F.C, ENGLAND 61 (11) Robbie KRUSE Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GERMANY 38 (4) Mitchell LANGERAK VfB Stuttgart, GERMANY 6 (0) Mathew LECKIE FC Ingolstadt 04, GERMANY 28 (2) Massimo LUONGO Queens Park Rangers F.C., ENGLAND 17 (2) Ryan MCGOWAN Henan Jianye F.C., CHINA 14 (0) Mark MILLIGAN Baniyas F.C., UAE 44 (4) Aaron MOOY Melbourne City F.C, AUSTRALIA 11 (4) Josh RISDON Perth Glory FC, AUSTRALIA 1 (0) Tommy ROGIC Celtic FC, SCOTLAND 13 (2) Mathew RYAN Valencia CF, SPAIN 21 (0) Trent SAINSBURY Jiangsu Suning F.C., CHINA 12 (1) Brad SMITH Liverpool FC, ENGLAND 4 (0) Matthew SPIRANOVIC Hangzhou Greentown F.C., CHINA 30 (0) Bailey WRIGHT Preston North End F.C, ENGLAND 8 (1)

FIFA World Cup Qualification: AFC Second Round – Group B Standings