World Football

Cahill recalled to Australia squad for Qatar match

03:14 BST, Wed 1 Oct 2008
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Everton's Tim Cahill celebrates scoring against Larissa during their UEFA Cup group A soccer match at Goodison Park in Liverpool, northern England October 25, 2007. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis(BRITAIN)

MELBOURNE, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Midfielder Tim Cahill has been recalled to Pim Verbeek's 35-man Australia squad for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar on Oct. 15 after a seven-month absence with a foot injury.

Cahill was sent off during Everton's 2-0 derby loss to Liverpool on Saturday and banned for three Premier League matches but he is available for the Asia Group One qualifier in Brisbane.

Also returning from injury are Vince Grella (calf), Scott McDonald (groin) and Matthew Spiranovic (wisdom teeth) who were unavailable for the recent matches against the Netherlands and Uzbekistan.

Four players from A-League side Adelaide United, who have reached the Asian Champions League semi-finals, have been called up for the first time, goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, defenders Robert Cornthwaite and Scott Jamieson, and midfielder Paul Reid.

Sydney FC midfielder Shannon Cole was also included for the first time.

Verbeek is likely to reduce the squad before it assembles next Wednesday in Brisbane.

Australia are third in Asian Group One with three points after beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in Tashkent last month in their first qualifying match.

Qatar lead the group on four points with Japan second, also on three points, on goal difference.

The top two teams in each group advance to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

The two-third placed teams have a home and away playoff to meet Oceania winners New Zealand for a spot in the finals.

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