SWINDON Town midfielder Massimo Luongo has been included in Australia's 23-man squad for the World Cup.
After impressing in Australia’s 2-0 friendly victory over Clube Varana on Monday night, Luongo survived head coach Ange Postecoglou’s final cut as four players were let go ahead of the finals.
Mark Birighitti, Josh Kennedy, Tom Rogic and Luke Wilkshire are the unlucky men missing out, meaning Luongo will be part of the Socceroos campaign which begins against Chile on June 13.
The young defender will become just the third player to represent the Robins in a World Cup, following Ireland's Alan McLoughlin in 1990 and Norway's Jan Aage Fjortoft in 1994.
“Every step of the selection process has been difficult because the players have worked very hard since they came into camp but we have had to weigh up form, fitness and squad balance in coming up with the 23 players who will represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup,” Postecoglou said.
“We’ve selected a squad that can do Australia proud and they will walk out onto the pitch for the World Cup in the green and gold shirt and display the characteristics that define our country.
“Our stated aim is to make our country proud, show the world what Australians are made of and test ourselves against the very best football players in the world and this group of players is capable of doing that.”
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