Australia name squad for Argentina friendly

SYDNEY, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Australia named their squad today for the friendly international against Argentina in Melbourne on September 11.

The game was originally scheduled for early June but postponed because Argentina were having problems assembling a full-strength squad. It will be the Socceroos' first match since their quarter-final elimination from the Asian Cup and the start of preparations for 2010 World Cup qualifiers which begin next year.

''The challenge that we will face taking on Argentina is one that our players are looking forward to,'' coach Graham Arnold said in a Football Federation Australia statement.

''It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the players to come up against some of the best players in the world and to test themselves at this level.'' Australia squad - Mark Bresciano, Vince Grella, Mark Schwarzer, Nick Carle, Josip Skoko, Michael Beauchamp, Luke Wilkshire, Josh Kennedy, Brett Holman, Carl Valeri, David Carney, Archie Thompson, Jason Culina, Michael Thwaite, Scott McDonald, Clint Bolton, Alex Brosque, Patrick Kisnorbo, Simon Colosimo, Lucas Neill, Dean Heffernan.

REUTERS SSC KP1516