Australian football squad for China match announced

CANBERRA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Australia football coach Pim Verbeek on Thursday named a provisional 21-man squad for the fixture for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers match in Kunming, south China, on March 26.

The group is made up entirely of overseas based players, with Harry Kewell looking set to make his first appearance in the match.

Kewell missed the 3-0 win over Qatar in the opening qualifier at the MCG last month but has indicated his keenness to play in Kunming after limited first team appearances for Liverpool in the English Premier League this season.

Question marks remain over other players chosen, including Tim Cahill and defensive midfielder Vince Grella.

Cahill missed Everton's UEFA Cup loss to Fiorentina last night but Verbeek was hopeful he'd be back for the Toffees on the weekend and then the Socceroos.

"Tim is a key player for Everton and a key player for us so there's no doubt (he is a concern) ," Verbeek told FoxSports.

"I had contact with Timmy about it - he didn't play (against Fiorentina), he was not fit - but we all expect him to play on the weekend."

Verbeek said he was leaving his options open as to who from the21 would be used and indicated others may also be called up, particularly from the squad of A-League players chosen to play Singapore in a warm-up on March 22.

"We have placed a large group of players on notice that they could be called up for the match, " he said.

While Australia got off to the strongest possible start with a comprehensive win over Qatar, the Chinese are expected to present a far stiffer challenge at altitude in Kunming.

"China will be desperate to win because they had a draw in their first match," Verbeek said.

"It is vital to win your matches at home and China know this which is why they have been preparing themselves in Kunming since 1 March," he added.