Squad details correct up to and including Australia's match against New Zealand on 14 July 2002.

Diary 

Wednesday, 13 November 2002 - The Football Association today announced that England will play Australia on 12 February 2003 at West Ham United's Boleyn Ground at Upton Park. This historic fixture will be the first time the two nations have met each other in England, although there has been five fixtures played previously in Australia, the last of which was in Sydney in 1991.

Thursday, 22 November 2002 - Leeds United striker Harry Kewell looks certain to captain Australia for the first time against England .  Kewell has been earmarked for the skipper's role by Frank Farina. He will succeed United team-mate Paul Okon. Farina said: "I've always believed Harry would captain his country. He has the respect and admiration of the rest of the boys and has the makings of a leader. I think he would enjoy the job. It's really just a matter of time." Former Middlesbrough midfielder Okon will not be considered as captain. He has has yet to make a first-team appearance at Leeds.

Thursday, 19 December 2002 - Paul Okon said today he wants to prolong his playing career until the 2006 World Cup with Australia pressing to be the first direct qualifier from the Oceania confederation. Okon will be 34 by the time of the next World Cup finals in Germany. But world body FIFA's decision to grant Oceania direct qualification for 2006 has fuelled the Leeds United midfielder's desire to be part of the Socceroos' best chance in 30 years to qualify for the World Cup. "That is the ambition - to be there for the next World Cup, but whether I'm fit enough, healthy enough or whether I get selected is another thing. It's four years away, and after the injuries I've had in my career, I'll just be taking it season by season. But it would be good to go out having played in a World Cup." It is heartening news for Frank Farina that Okon is back playing first-team football with Leeds after a series of injuries.

Saturday, 28 December 2002 - Manchester City midfielder Danny Tiatto is out for a month with an abdominal muscle injury but will not require a hernia operation as previously feared. The Australian international was forced off at half-time in City's Boxing Day win over Aston Villa but manager Kevin Keegan said a specialist had decided he did not require surgery. 

Wednesday, 8 January 2003 - Leeds midfielder Paul Okon will captain Australia against England next month. Okon's future at the helm of the Socceroos has been in doubt for some months after a poor start to the English domestic season, but he has bounced back to form. A string of solid displays for the Premiership club has given Farina just the boost he needs. 'He was never in doubt in my mind, I have never said Paul was out of the squad. When Okon plays well, I think teams play well. The unlucky thing for Paul is that he's had a lot of injuries. But I have been one of his biggest supporters. He's a wonderful player and if he is fit and in the squad, he'll be captain.'

Tuesday, 21 January 2003 - Soccer Australia announced that it has secured Castlemaine XXXX in the United Kingdom as tour sponsor for the forthcoming international friendly match between Australia and England.  Castlemaine XXXX, which is marketed and brewed in the UK under licence by global brewing company, Interbrew UK will be supporting the Socceroos tour as the official tour sponsor, costing them £75,000.  Soccer Australia has granted tour rights and accordingly the tour has been designated "The XXXX Tour".

Frank Farina has revealed he will field his strongest side possible and there have been calls for him to bring in some younger players with England also expected to experiment. But while Farina has revealed youth will get its chance in the near future, he will not experiment with new players just for the sake of it. Especially since he will have little time to prepare for the match.

Meanwhile, Danny Tiatto looks likely to miss out on the match. He has been struggling with a stomach injury and has not played for Manchester City for some weeks, but is returning to full training later this week. Farina revealed today that he had received an email from Tiatto asking him not to leave the player out, but Farina knows he will have to have a fully fit side to tackle England. "Danny has not been playing," said Farina. "He's still in my plans but it is getting closer to the game."

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CG