The Socceroos have suffered a second defensive withdrawal because of COVID-19 with Milos Degenek testing positive to the virus ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Japan.
Graham Arnold's team has already seen left-back Brad Smith pull out of the squad after returning a positive coronavirus test prior to boarding a flight to the Middle East.
Centre-half Degenek also tested positive before he commuted to Australia's Doha base, ahead of Friday morning's (AEDT) match against Oman at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Arnold confirmed Smith was asymptomatic in a press conference prior the squad's announcement, while a statement revealed Degenek was also not suffering any symptoms.
The absence of Smith and Degenek is a blow to the flexibility of defensive options at Arnold's disposal, but both appear to currently be backup selections in Australia's best XI.
Aziz Behich has been the main option selected at left-back, where Smith plies his trade, while Harry Souttar and Trent Sainsbury seem to be the preferred central defensive partnership, ahead of Degenek.
After the match against Oman, which kicks off at 5.30am (AEDT), the Socceroos will head to Japan to take on the Blue Samurai at Saitama Stadium on October 12 at 9.14pm (AEDT).
Socceroos 25-man squad (vs. Oman & Japan)
| Name | Team | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Arzani | Lommel SK, Belgium | Fran Karacic | Brescia, Italy |
| Aziz Behich | Giresunspor, Turkey | Awer Mabil | FC Midtjylland, Denmark |
| Martin Boyle | Hibernian, Scotland | Ryan McGowan | Kuwait SC, Kuwait |
| Milos Degenek | Red Star Belgrade, Serbia | Riley McGree | Birmingham City, England |
| Kenneth Dougall | Blackpool, England | Aaron Mooy | Shanghai Port, China |
| Mitch Duke | Fagiano Okayama, Japan | Tom Rogic | Celtic, Scotland |
| Callum Elder | Hull City, England | Mathew Ryan (GK) | Real Sociedad, Spain |
| Denis Genreau | Toulouse FC, France | Trent Sainsbury | KV Kortrijk, Belgium |
| Rhyan Grant | Sydney FC, Australia | Harry Souttar | Stoke City, England |
| Ajdin Hrustic | Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany | Adam Taggart | Cerezo Osaka, Japan |
| Jackson Irvine | St Pauli, Geermany | Lawrence Thomas (GK) | SønderjyskE Fodbold, Denmark |
| Chris Ikonomidis | Melbourne Victory, Australia | Danny Vukovic (GK) | NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands |
| James Jeggo | Aris Thessaloniki, Greece |
Socceroos World Cup Qualifying Fixtures - Third Round - Group B
| Date | Time (AEDT) | Match | Stadium | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Sep 3 | 4.00am | Australia 3-0 China | Khalifa International Stadium | Channel 10/ 10 Play |
| Tue Sep 7 | 10.00pm | Vietnam 0-1 Australia | My Dinh Stadium | 10 Bold/ 10 Play |
| Fri Oct 8 | 5.30am | Australia v Oman | Khalifa International Stadium | Network 10, 10 Play |
| Tue Oct 12 | 9.14pm | Japan v Australia | Saitama Stadium | Network 10, 10 Play |
| Thu Nov 11 | TBA | Australia v Saudi Arabia | TBA | TBA |
| Tue Nov 16 | TBA | China v Australia | TBA | TBA |
| Thu Jan 27 | TBA | Australia v Vietnam | TBA | TBA |
| Tue Feb 1 | TBA | Oman v Australia | TBA | TBA |
| Thu Mar 24 | TBA | Australia v Japan | TBA | TBA |
| Tue Mar 29 | TBA | Saudi Arabia v Australia | TBA | TBA |
Socceroos World Cup Qualifying Standings - Third Round - Group B
| Team | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Japan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Oman | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Vietnam | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| China | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
