Australia Omit Kewell, Viduka for Confederations Cup
Middlesbrough midfielder Paul Okon will captain Australia who play defending cup champions Mexico, World Cup winners France and one of the two host nations, South Korea, in group a matches from May 30.
Kewell and fiancee Sheree Murphy are expecting their first child soon while Viduka is exhausted, soccer Australia spokesman Gary Moretti said on Monday.
Coach Frank Farina said earlier this month he would not pick the two strikers for the Confederations Cup although he hoped they would be available for World Cup qualifiers in June.
"Mark's had quite a few midweek matches and Frank was prepared to let certain players get some rest as long as they prepared for the Oceania play-offs next month," Moretti said.
Australia's likely Oceania play-off opponents are New Zealand. Australia have already won their group. The two Oceania group winners are scheduled to clash on June 20 and 24.
The Confederations Cup final will be played in Yokohama, Japan, on June 10.
Marconi striker Archie Thompson, who scored a world record 13 goals in Australia's 31-0 thrashing of American Samoa last month, is one of only four Australian-based players in the squad. Japan and Korea will host the 2002 World Cup.
Goalkeepers: Frank Juric (Bayer Leverkusen), Zeljko Kalac (Roda Jc), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough).
Defenders: Hayden Foxe (West Ham), Steve Horvat (Melbourne Knights), Craig Moore (Rangers), Shaun Murphy (Sheffield United), Kevin Muscat (Wolverhampton), Tony Popovic (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tony Vidmar (Rangers).
Midfielders: Marco Bresciano (Empoli), Scott Chipperfield (Wollongong Wolves), Steve Corica (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Brett Emerton (Feyenoord), Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City), Paul Okon (Middlesbrough, Captain), Josip Skoko (Genk), Aurelio Vidmar (Adelaide City).
Strikers: John Aloisi (Coventry City), Mile Sterjovski (Lille), Archie Thompson (Marconi), Clayton Zane (Lillestrom), David Zdrilic (Spvgg Unterhaching).