Sydney, Feb 26 (IANS): Ange Postecoglou, head coach of the Australian national football team, Wednesday announced his 23-man squad for the international friendly against Ecuador in London March 5.

Postecoglou said the match gives the fresh group of players an opportunity to stake a claim for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, reports Xinhua.

The clash with Ecuador at 'The Den' in London is the last game before Australia name a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup in June.

Postecoglou has omitted Lucas Neill from the squad to face Ecuador, but said the omission did not mean the end of World Cup aspirations for the veteran player.

The 'Socceroos' coach said the announcement of the squad for the game against Ecuador showed his determination to build a new golden generation of players for Australia.

"The squad to face Ecuador represents the first steps in what I believe is the building of the next golden generation for Australian football acknowledging there is a need to balance experimentation and experience to achieve this," Postecoglou said in a statement.

"I was encouraged by what I saw on my scouting trip and what I've been watching in the A-League and other parts of the world and I'm confident that with courage and belief we can face the challenges ahead and not waver from our long term plan."