Massimo Luongo is in doubt for the Socceroos’ crucial World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan after missing Ipswich’s latest premier league match against West Ham due to injury.
Sources in the UK told Fox Sports Australia, Luongo’s absence was most likely due to fitness rather than form. It comes just days after ending his retirement from international football.
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FC St. Pauli midfielder Connor Metcalfe could also be unavailable. He failed a fitness test and was ruled out of their 3-0 defeat to Mainz in the Bundesliga.
Metcalfe has been a mainstay in the Socceroos midfield during this qualifying campaign.
Football Australia wouldn’t comment when contacted.
Luongo picked up an injury soon after being named in Tony Popovic’s first squad in charge of the national side; a squad that was only revealed on Friday.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna revealed in the build up to their match against West Ham that he had several injury concerns on his hands, but didn’t name the players specifically.
“We’ve got a few other little issues that we’re monitoring at the moment, but in general we have good availability,” McKenna said.
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Luongo’s name was then missing from Ipswich’s team sheet. The nature and severity of the injury is still unknown.
The 32-year-old retired from international football in January this year, right before the Asian Cup.
At the time, the midfielder was intent on pouring his energy into Ipswich’s push for promotion to the Premier League and earning a new contract with the club.
With both of those goals achieved, Luongo backflipped on his decision to end his time as a Socceroo last week.
His absence would be a sizeable blow. Australia sits fifth in a six team group after two-games of the third round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In what turned out to be Graham Arnold’s last two matches in charge of the Socceroos, they failed to score in a defeat to Bahrain on the Gold Coast and a draw with Indonesia in Jakarta, and the side is crying out for Luongo’s creative spark.
The top two-teams in the group will seal automatic qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Further opportunities to qualify will be available in the fourth and fifth rounds if required.
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The Sydney born playmaker is the only Socceroo currently getting minutes in England’s top-flight. He started Ipswich’s first two-games of the season against Liverpool and Manchester City, but only got six-minutes in the following four-games, with the arrival of England international Kalvin Phillips, on loan from Manchester City, limiting his opportunities.
Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess also plays for Ipswich, but has only featured once on the pitch for McKenna this season, and that was in a second-round League Cup defeat to AFC Wimbledon on penalties.
Players will start arriving in camp in Adelaide in waves, right up until Wednesday morning; just a day before the game against China.
Luongo could be forced to watch on from England and hope for better luck ahead of two more big qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in November.
Tony Popovic will pick his first squad as Socceroos manager this week after being thrown headfirst into the complicated world of international football management.
The former Socceroos defender, unveiled as national team boss last week, has built an impressive resume as a head coach over the last 12-years, but is unlikely to have encountered a situation before where the weight of expectation is so high, and the preparation time to meet that moment is so short.
Come kick-off in their next World Cup qualifier, against China in Adelaide on October 10, Popovic would’ve been in charge of the Socceroos for just 17 days. But in that period, he’ll only get one or two training sessions with the players, at most, before his first match at the helm starts.
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The 51-year-old seems at peace with that prospect; he’s had little choice but to embrace the chaos of the last fortnight.
Popovic decided to move his family to Croatia, after not renewing his contract with Melbourne Victory at the end of the last A-League men’s season.
He also admitted he’d only watched the Socceroos last two qualifiers, against Bahrain and Indonesia, just days before walking into Football Australia’s headquarters in Sydney.
Now, the fate of that side rests in his hands.
The Socceroos don’t do World Cup qualifying campaigns devoid of tension; so in a way, the situation Popovic has walked into has almost become an expected mode of operating when it comes to booking a spot at football’s showpiece event.
Long-term, as investment in national team programs across Asia outpaces what Football Australia is currently capable of, continually finding a way to jump out of the fire is unsustainable.
That might be Popovic’s problem in the future if he does manage to turn things around.
In the short term, however, these are the four biggest issues facing the new boss ahead of this looming international window.
Popovic confirmed as new Socceroos coach | 02:27
HOW QUICKLY CAN POPOVIC GET HIS MESSAGE ACROSS?
Popovic is a self-confessed, meticulous planner with training sessions delivered in great detail, but how much he can convey to his new players in such a short amount of time is one of the biggest unknowns ahead of the clash with China.
A lack of time on the training pitch was the part of the job that former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold found the most challenging – even six-years into his tenure.
Players don’t arrive in camp until completing commitments with their club sides around the world.
It means the full squad isn’t likely to assemble in Adelaide until 48 hours prior to kick-off against China.
That would be less consequential at the start of a qualifying campaign. During the third phase, and with automatic qualification spots up for grabs, it becomes a huge factor.
It leaves Popovic with one or two sessions, at most, to get his message – a new message for the players – across.
How quickly that message not only sinks in, but turns into performance on the pitch, will be crucial.
Popovic has promised Socceroos fans, unhappy with the style of play under his predecessor, a change.
“There are obviously some areas there that I believe we can improve,” Popovic said at his unveiling last week.
“We can be a little bit more dynamic, we can move the ball quicker, we can get more players in the box.”
Translating that onto the pitch, with limited preparation time, against an opponent they’ll be expected to beat, is the first hurdle for Popovic to jump.
Tony Popovic, the newly-appointed head coach for Australia’s national football team. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFPSource: AFP
WHERE IS THE CREATIVE SPARK?
Arnold named an abundance of wingers in his squad to face Bahrain and Indonesia at the expense of more creative players in behind the strikers.
The plan was to dominate one-on-one situations out wide before delivering a decisive ball into the box.
It made the side one-dimensional in a 1-nil defeat to Bahrain on the Gold Coast, but tactical tweaks were evident against Indonesia just five-days later with largely the same personnel.
The Socceroos were incredibly unlucky not to come away from Jakarta with more than a draw but, largely, the responsibility for creating chances during those two fixtures fell to the wide-men.
The conundrum when it comes to the Socceroos is that they often play better against higher ranked opponents than their usual foes in Asia.
At a World Cup, Australia enters matches as the underdog, and higher ranked teams aren’t shy when it comes to attacking.
The Socceroos’ game-plan at the last World Cup in Qatar, for example, was built around an ability to soak up pressure and then rapidly counter-attack opponents who had left space in behind.
In Asia, that isn’t the case for most matches during the qualifying phase. Australia is one of the powerhouses of the region, and as a result, expected to be the aggressor against teams who prefer to sit back with men behind the ball.
Breaking down opponents, who defend in large numbers in and around their own box, is the next step in Australia’s progression as a national side.
A different type of player; one who can pull the strings in-behind the strikers and unlock defences with clever passes is needed, to compliment the pace out wide.
Tony Popovic. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Football AustraliaSource: Getty Images
Three players, all of whom missed selection for the last international window, currently fit that profile: Cardiff City’s Alexander Robertson, Salernitana’s Ajdin Hrustic and Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree.
Hrustic spent part of last season on loan at Heracles in the Eredivisie, before sealing a permanent move from Serie A outfit Hellas Verona to Serie B side Salernitana in the off-season.
Riley McGree suffered a foot injury against Lebanon in Sydney in March that required surgery, ruling him out for the rest of Middlesbrough’s campaign in the second-tier Championship in the UK.
A knock picked up in pre-season halted his comeback, but he got 76-minutes under his belt in a 2-0 win over Stoke at the weekend.
Under Arnold, McGree has mainly been used on the left of a front three, but like Hrustic, possesses the required tactical nous to play in a more central role.
Arnold preferred to let 21-year-old Robertson settle into life at Cardiff, who also play in the Championship, after a move from Manchester City.
The decision was understandable. The young Aussie was sent on-loan several times while at City, eventually landing at Portsmouth in 2023, as they secured promotion from League One. After establishing himself as a regular starter at Pompey, he suffered a season-ending hamstring tear at training in January.
A round-trip from the UK, that included stops on the Gold Coast and Jakarta wouldn’t have been ideal for a player who is trying to establish himself after a nomadic existence at club level. But he hasn’t been seen in green and gold since the Socceroos’ friendly against Argentina in Beijing in June of 2023, and with the stakes this high, the national side is in desperate need of a player with his unique abilities.
Tony Popovic speaks to media. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Football AustraliaSource: Getty Images
WHERE DO THE GOALS COME FROM?
The Socceroos stormed through the second round of qualifying, scoring 22 times without conceding, but the goals have dried up in the third round.
They failed to score against Bahrain and Indonesia and finding the back of the net was made even harder, after striker Kusini Yengi was sent off against Bahrain, meaning he missed the game in Jakarta through suspension.
He has one-game of that red card ban left to serve and is also battling a groin injury, so his participation in the October window, where he’d only be available for the showdown against Japan, is in doubt.
It’s a huge setback. Yengi has scored four goals in nine international appearances so far and looks the man most likely to lead the line for the Socceroos moving forward.
In his absence, Arnold turned to 33-year-old Mitch Duke and 18-year-old Nestory Irankunda, who is on the books of German giants Bayern Munich, against Indonesia.
Popovic has options, but none that have shown themselves to be prolific. Aside from Mathew Leckie, who has struggled with injury since the World Cup in 2022, Duke has the most goals of any current Socceroo. But his return of 12 goals from 42 appearances sees him hit the back of the net every 195 minutes on average.
Former Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren is the next best with 11 goals from 31 games.
The A-League Men all-time top scorer departed for Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan Super Giant in July, and is yet to open his account for his new club after two substitute appearances from their three games.
Maclaren was also left out of the Socceroos Asian Cup squad earlier this year by Arnold, and contemplated international retirement as a result. While a re-call would be a risk on current form, the 31-year-old is a proven goal scorer.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is also an option after playing the last two games for Motherwell in Scotland. The former Newcastle Jet missed the last set of internationals after injuring his quad against Rangers in mid-August.
Denmark based John Iredale has been used sporadically this year as well.
Popovic set to be NEW Socceroos coach | 00:54
CAN HE MAKE UP FOR MISSED EASY POINTS?
It was put to Popovic at his first press conference, that perhaps there were easier times to take over as Socceroos coach.
He met that query with: “Why wouldn’t it be a good time?”
The Aussies sit fifth in a six team group after two games, and although there’s eight games remaining in this phase of qualifying, four of those fixtures are against group heavyweights Japan and Saudi Arabia.
A chance for bankable points against Bahrain and Indonesia also went begging, but as Popovic would go on to say “that’s football.”
While that’s true, it hardly makes the road ahead smooth sailing – especially when a top-two finish in the group will seal automatic qualification for the next World Cup in two years’ time.
The Socceroos were ticking along like a marathoner comfortably churning out the kilometres until the most recent window. Now, the pack has kicked and increased the pace as they head for the finish line.
Popovic will need to get his side back-up to speed quickly, or another wild ride; filled with play-off jeopardy potentially awaits.
New Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is prepared to “win ugly” if it means Australia qualifies for the next FIFA World Cup, but has also promised more “dynamic” performances from the national team under his tenure.
Popovic’s appointment was confirmed just four days after Graham Arnold made the shock decision to quit in the wake of two poor World Cup qualifying results.
Having won two A-League premierships, Popovic also guided the Western Sydney Wanderers to becoming the first Australian team to win the prestigious AFC Champions League.
“This is the ultimate challenge and I’m excited by it,” Popovic said on Monday ahead of Australia’s matches next month against China and Japan.
“Five years ago I wasn’t ready for this role. Three years ago or two years ago, I wouldn’t have looked at this role.
“(Now) I’m ready. I want this job. I’m here because I want to be here.”
Popovic, 51, said the Socceroos looked a “bit flat” in this month’s 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and 0-0 away draw with Indonesia.
“That can happen … (but) there are some areas I believe we can improve. That’s talking from the back to the front,” he said.
“Maybe we can be a little bit more dynamic, we can move the ball quicker, we can get more players in then box … I’m sure we can get that back and do it even better moving forward.
“We need to be a lot more connected as a team with and without the ball … (play) with the energy and desire, and with the speed and the dynamic type of play that I believe the players will enjoy.”
However, the ultimate goal is qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with Popovic – who departed Melbourne Victory after guiding them to last season’s A-League grand final – suggesting he would do whatever was required to achieve that.
“We need to win. We should always look to improve, but qualifying is not easy,” he said.
“It’s always OK to win ugly. That’s not to say you’re planning to play that way.
“I’ll never be satisfied when we win and we don’t play well. We’ll be satisfied with the win but we need to make sure the style gets better. We should always aim to be the best.”
A member of the Socceroos’ famed “Golden Generation” that included the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill, John Aloisi, Mark Bresciano, Craig Moore and Mark Schwarzer, Popovic vowed his players would “honour” the Socceroos’ jersey.
“We always wore that shirt with integrity, and we wore it as privilege, as a badge of honour – we never took it for granted,” he said.
“We need those values. Honour is number one to wear the shirt and wear it with pride, and represent your country and your family.
“Looking ahead, I have great faith and confidence in our ability to grow as a team. Together, we will work tirelessly to improve, evolve, and continue Australia’s success on the international stage.”
Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson said Popovic was the “ideal choice” to guide the Socceroos moving forward.
“We have moved quickly to secure the best possible candidate for this crucial role,” Johnson said.
“Tony’s proven leadership and strategic football acumen, combined with his deep understanding of Australian football, our players, and what it means to be a Socceroo makes him the ideal choice to lead out national team moving forward.”
TONY POPOVIC’S COACHING RECORD
– A-League Success: He has won two A-League Premierships, first with Western Sydney Wanderers FC in 2012/13 and then with Perth Glory FC in 2018/19. During the 2023/24 season, Popovic led Melbourne Victory FC to the grand final.
– AFC Champions League Victory: In 2014, Popovic led Western Sydney Wanderers FC to become the first Australian team to win the prestigious AFC Champions League
– AFC Coach of the Year: His success in Asia was recognised when he was named AFC Coach of the Year in 2014.
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan says his “naive” team had to work “smarter” rather than harder against Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday night after a shock 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying loss to Bahrain at Robina Stadium.
Reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute on Thursday night when striker Kusini Yengi was sent off, the Socceroos suffered an even more crushing blow in the dying stages when an own goal from Harry Souttar secured the Bahrainis three points on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
“Defensively, the goal we conceded after the red card is not good enough but those things happen if you’re not doing the other things well enough and you put yourself in that scenario,” Ryan said.
“We were too naive in the way we played the game.
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“I don’t think it’s a case of needing to work harder but needing to work smarter. We didn’t ask enough of the right questions in the right areas, and we gave the goalkeeper a pretty quiet night and didn’t test him and didn’t test the defence well enough in the final third.
“When you come up against this (type of) opposition, if you don’t get that first goal and they stay compact, they’ve got strengths and they’re hard to break down.
“We’ve got to show personality and character now to respond in the strongest possible way. It’s down to us now.”
Apart from a frustrating night in attack, the Socceroos also let the Bahrainis’ attempts to milk free kicks with theatrical reactions to tackles get the better of them.
“We’ve spoken many times about the challenges that this (type) of opposition brings us,” Ryan said.
“If you don’t get that early goal, the time wasting comes into it, the so-called acting, going to ground and the referee’s then put in a position where he needs to determine whether it’s diving or whether it’s a legitimate foul.
“We’ve got to deal with those situations better and more maturely as a team. We’ve got to not put ourselves in a situation where that becomes a factor.”
Mathew Ryan was exasperated during the loss to Bahrain. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold was quick to give “full credit” to Bahrain despite his frustration with the visitors’ “play-acting”.
“That was the lowest amount of minutes of football that I’ve seen, 46 minutes total the ball was in the park and getting played, but overall we’ve just got to pick ourselves up quickly,” Arnold said.
“We’ve got a quick turnaround to Indonesia, and we’ve got to make sure we learn from that and move on.
“There’s nine (Group C) games to go. We need to get over it quickly, bounce back quickly and show that good Aussie DNA way of backs to the wall and off we go.”
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed concerns about the fitness of teenage star Nestory Irankunda ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night.
Irankunda was on Friday named in a 24-strong national squad for next week’s clash on the Gold Coast and the September 10 battle with Indonesia in Jakarta, with overseas players to travel to Australia after completing weekend duties around the world.
However, the 18-year-old winger seemingly sent a midweek scare through the Socceroos camp when he was left screaming in agony and clutching his ankle after being tackled by Joao Palhinha during a training session with their German club Bayern Munich.
He was transported from the training field in a golf-style buggy but was later seen leaving Bayern’s training complex on foot.
“I spoke to him yesterday, it was a surprise to me to see that type of article because Nestory didn’t mention to me any type of injury,” Arnold said in playing down the severity of the issue.
Arnold said he was “excited” about seeing the former Adelaide United star’s improvement when he arrived in camp.
“Training with those types of players (at Bayern), he’s just going to improve, so I’m really excited to see (his progress) … not only physically but technically as well.”
Irankunda is among a host of wingers named by Arnold in a squad that also includes other wide men Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Sammy Silvera and Martin Boyle.
“I have gone for more wingers this time than I did previous times and less number nines (centre-forwards),” Arnold said.
“In these two games especially we’re going to need that type of (wide) player.”
The three centre-forwards selected were Mitch Duke, Kusini Yengi and Adam Taggart, who was one of just two A-League players, along with left-back Aziz Behich, named in the squad.
“Probably they’re not getting selected on form, they’re getting selected on reputation,” Arnold admitted when explaining the decision to choose Perth Glory’s Taggart and Melbourne City’s Behich despite the new A-League season not having started yet.
“I know what great professionals they are and I know what they can bring,” he said.
“Those two players can maybe not be at their best fitness-wise but the adrenaline rush will get them through.”
Among those not selected was Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson, who remains eligible for senior football for England, Scotland and Peru despite having played two friendlies for the Socceroos.
“He’s coming back from a very heavy injury. He hadn’t played a game since January, he’s at Cardiff now and he’s started playing, getting some game time and settled into the club and getting match fit,” said Arnold, who added he would be “disappointed” if Robertson chose to represent another nation in the future.
“We’ve had him in other camps and he’s had a bit of game time … I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t lining himself up to play for Australia.”
Socceroos: Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.
The Socceroos are preparing to take to the field for the first time since their heartbreaking Asian Cup quarterfinal defeat to South Korea, with attention now fully focused on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
And as Arnold looks to the future, three potential debutants could get their shot.
Here are the big talking points from today’s announcement.
Arnold has had plenty of selection headaches to deal with.Source: Getty Images
ARNOLD WHACKS EURO CLUBS
Arnold has been forced into a difficult balancing act in selecting this squad – just as he did in the Asian Cup in January – over whether or not to select under-23 players.
The U23 Asian Cup next month will decide which nations qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris. Yet next month’s tournament is not held during a FIFA window, meaning clubs are not obligated to release players to compete for the Olyroos.
Arnold has tried to convince them to let talented youngsters players play for the Olyroos by omitting them from his Socceroos squads.
That was the case for 20-year-old centre-back Alessandro Circati, who was left out of the Asian Cup squad and is again absent this time around.
Parma is hunting promotion to Italy’s Serie B, making it understandable they are reluctant to lose any players in the closing stages of the season.
But if he hoped leaving Circati out of the Socceroos team would mean Parma let him play for the Olyroos, those hopes are fading fast.
“That’s to be determined. But I have to say, I’d be doubtful about that,” Arnold said.
Circati debuted in a friendly against New Zealand last year.Source: Getty Images
He slammed European clubs for pressuring players to turn down international call-ups and focus on their domestic careers.
“Tony Vidmar [Olyroos coach] at the moment is getting quite a number of overseas-based clubs refusing to release players in April. I spoke to [Circati] and I think it’s one thing a lot of people need to understand: the pressure that kids get put under from their clubs overseas to [not] play for Australia is a lot.
“Alessandro and even [uncapped 20-year-old] Cristian Volpato, exactly the same. They just want to focus on their club careers at this moment in time. I do believe that Alessandro, especially, will play for Australia, and I do believe Cristian will want to play for Australia. It’s just at the moment, the timing is probably not right for them – especially with Alessandro; they’re going for promotion with Parma to get up in Serie A.”
Arnold is well-placed to comment on the plight of the Olyroos, having led them to both the 2008 and 2020 Olympics.
Selecting a squad is difficult enough. It’s made even harder when balancing the needs of the under-23 team – and when clubs don’t play ball.
Standard’s Aiden O’Neill is missing due to injury and suspension.Source: AFP
INJURY CRISIS PROVIDES BIG CHANCES
Two of the Socceroos starting XI from their last match – the Asian Cup quarter-final against South Korea – have been ruled out of this squad.
Winger Martin Boyle suffered a nasty concussion playing for Hibernian, while veteran left-back Aziz Behich, a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has suffered an ankle injury.
Behich played every minute of the Socceroos’ five Asian Cup matches, while Boyle started all five matches and scored two goals.
But the list of injured players is much longer – “12 or 13” in total, Arnold says.
Wingers Marco Tilio (on loan at Melbourne City, hamstring injury) and Awer Mabil (Grasshopper FC in Switzerland) are both injured.
Midfielder Aiden O’Neill is battling an ankle injury, but would have been ruled out regardless after picking up a red card against South Korea. Highly touted 21-year-old midfielder Alex Robertson is out with a torn thigh muscle.
Meanwhile, there’s an added worry for Arnold after Lewis Miller – who was named in the squad – hobbled off with injury this morning.
“He called me straight from the dressing room this morning, it’s too early to rule him out,” Arnold said.
“He’s going to have scans and get checked on and then we’ll deal with that in the next couple of days.”
Australia’s defender #19 Harry Souttar consoles Australia’s defender #20 Lewis Miller after their defeat in the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Australia and South Korea at Al-Janoub Stadium in al-Wakrah, south of Doha, on February 2, 2024. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)Source: AFP
It means the Socceroos have been forced into a number of changes, but also provides a significant chance for players to stake their claim in the starting side.
That is particularly the case for wingers – with nailed-on starter Boyle a key absentee. Jordy Bos (more on him below) and Craig Goodwin (32) are the likely first-choice starters, though Middlesbrough’s Sam Silvera (23) could get his shot.
Brandon Borrello (28) has recovered from the ankle complaint that ruled him out of the Asian Cup and has been recalled, with the Western Sydney Wanderers attacker hoping his versatility can give him a greater opportunity at the national team level.
Zero to hero! Aussie gun redeems shocker | 00:45
Kusini Yengi, the 25-year-old striker for Portsmouth in England’s League One, also looms as one to watch this window. He was deployed on the right side of the attack this week against Burton. After missing a wide-open goal, the Aussie gun recovered to score a panenka penalty and turned it into a brace in the second half.
He now has 10 goals and two assists in 23 appearances in all competitions – but his surprise start at right-wing could convince Graham Arnold he can perform in a wider role rather than just as a striker, where there’s plenty of competition for places.
Besides Yengi, there’s veteran Mitchell Duke, uncapped John Iredale, and the A-League trio of Bruno Fornaroli, Brandon Borrello and Adam Taggart.
“All of them bring something different,” Arnold said.
Kusini Yengi missed a sitter – and ended up caught in the net!Source: Getty Images
BIG QUESTION OVER LONG-TERM PROBLEM POSITION
With Aziz Behich injured, the Socceroos are left with just one specialist left-back in the squad: 12-cap Jordy Bos. The 21-year-old left-back is enjoying a stellar season at KVC Westerlo in Belgium, scoring a sublime long-range strike on the weekend.
But at the Asian Cup, he played exclusively as a winger – and scored his maiden Socceroos goal just moments after coming off the bench in the opening match – with Arnold repeatedly stating that he believes the youngster is more suited to an attacking position.
Yet Behich is 33 years old, and it is unclear whether he will be capable of playing in the next World Cup in 2026.
It means the Socceroos have a big question mark over the future at the position.
Bos’ undoubted potential has led many to believe he could lock down the role for the foreseeable future.
In the Asian Cup warm-up match against Bahrain, Bos delivered a faultless performance in that position, and he previously impressed in the left-back role against Bangladesh last year.
But Arnold is likely to stick to his guns and deploy Bos as a winger this time around, especially with the absence of Boyle leaving the frontline a little lean.
Bos is more suited to the left flank, but Craig Goodwin could be deployed on that side with Bos shifted to the right.
South Korea’s midfielder #26 Yang Hyun-jun is marked by Australia’s defender #16 Aziz Behich during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Australia and South Korea at Al-Janoub Stadium in al-Wakrah, south of Doha, on February 2, 2024. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)Source: AFP
Assuming Arnold does deploy Bos in attack, Kye Rowles is most likely to deputise on the left.
Arnold said: “Kye Rowles can also play there, it’s a good thing what we did last year in some friendlies, trying different ways (of lining up).
“Jordy’s obviously playing that role at Westerlo, it’s a familiar role for him.”
The left-footer is typically deployed as a left-sided centre-back and has formed what is clearly Australia’s first-choice partnership with Harry Souttar.
The pair played together in four of the five Asian Cup matches, with Souttar partnered by Cameron Burgess in the other.
Rowles has been used at left-back before, notably in back-to-back games against Mexico and England late last year.
It appears the most likely option for the upcoming pair of matches against Lebanon, which would give Burgess a chance to nail down a position alongside Souttar in the heart of defence.
Souttar, of course, remains in virtual exile at club level, having made just four appearances for Leicester all season in all competitions (not due to any fault of his own, but rather that Leicester’s other centre-backs have been outstanding).
But Souttar’s performances at the Asian Cup proved that despite his lack of match minutes he can be relied upon to deliver for the national team – and means that Rowles could be forced to play at left-back whenever Behich is absent.
Arnold said his lack of game time was a concern but added: “The way he plays for us, the goals he scores – he’s probably our leading scorer in my reign!”
“I know he’s working extremely hard and I know he’s ready for these games.”
23-year-old Sydney FC fullback Joel King has been viewed as a long-term prospect at the troubling left-back position after impressing at the Tokyo Olympics and in four Socceroos appearances.
He was an unused substitute at the 2022 World Cup but has fallen down the pecking order since then. All four of his Socceroos appearances came in 2022, and missed out on this window due to only just having recovered from a toe injury.
29-year-old Callum Elder at League One side Derby County could have been in the mix for a recall, only to suffer an ankle sprain a fortnight ago.
Outstanding 21-year-old Jacob Farrell of the Central Coast Mariners could be the next in line. He will feature this window for the Olyroos (U-23s) at the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia, a crucial preparation for the Olyroos ahead of the U23 Asian Cup which doubles as Olympic qualifiers.
Graham Arnold will certainly be keeping a close eye on Farrell – and many other Olyroos stars – as he looks to build his squad for the future with the World Cup firmly in mind.
For now, however, Arnold faces a conundrum over whether to stick with Bos as a winger or shift him to left-back, where he has both the potential and the opportunity to be the long-term answer to a major selection problem.
Tom Glover (R) could be in line to debut.Source: Getty Images
THREE POTENTIAL DEBUTANTS
Behind captain Maty Ryan, there are two young goalkeepers: Joe Gauci of Aston Villa and Tom Glover of Middlesbrough. The highly talented duo headline the list of potential replacements for 31-year-old Ryan, though the Socceroos’ first-choice number one shows no signs of slowing down.
Glover has been in Socceroos camps multiple times – most recently in October in London – but has not yet debuted. The 26-year-old has played 20 times for second-tier Boro this season and could well earn his first cap should Arnold look to blood the next generation.
23-year-old Gauci has not yet debuted for Premier League club Aston Villa after his groundbreaking move in the January transfer window, but has two caps for the Socceroos already and is perhaps already ahead of Glover in the pecking order.
On the other end of the pitch, Germany-based striker John Iredale would be a shock debutant given his patchy form in the Bundesliga 2 this campaign, with three goals and an assist in 16 appearances in all competitions.
The striking position is an area where the Socceroos are struggling for depth, particularly in the younger generation, and the 24-year-old boasts plenty of physicality – which could help his case for a debut.
Perhaps the most intriguing decision among the selections was that of defensive midfielder Patrick Yazbek.
The 23-year-old has been absolutely stellar for Norwegian side Viking FK this campaign and certainly deserves to be in the Socceroos. With Aiden O’Neill and Alex Robertson both ruled out, he is more than capable of stepping up as Keanu Baccus’ back-up in the defensive midfield role.
Yet questions have been raised over whether he would be better off playing with the under-23s in Saudi Arabia, where he had been called up before being poached by Arnold’s Socceroos.
The Asian Cup has ended and the Socceroos are back at their clubs – although for some of them, the January transfer window saw them secure major transfers.
Now, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold can turn his full focus to World Cup qualification, with the Aussies resuming their road to the 2026 tournament next month.
Here’s the situation for every Socceroo – and a couple of other guns who are knocking down the door for international selection.
This mega Roo Radar begins with Socceroos who featured in the Asian Cup squad sorted by position, before including a number of other notable names.
The Socceroos skipper recovered from a fractured cheekbone in time to play in all five of the Socceroos’ Asian Cup games and was a calming presence throughout.
With Ryan between the sticks the Socceroos conceded just three goals all tournament long, one of which was a penalty and another an unstoppable free-kick from South Korean star Son Heung-Min.
Ryan kept up his trend of clean sheets in his first game back for AZ Alkmaar as they drew 0-0 with Almere City.
Ryan needed to wear a face mask for some Asian Cup games after surgery on a fractured cheekbone.Source: Getty Images
Joe Gauci
Gauci travelled to Qatar as the clear back-up to Ryan but he did earn a start in the final warm-up match against Bahrain which the Socceroos won 2-0.
Despite not playing, Gauci generated plenty of headlines in Australian football after he completed a switch from Adelaide United to Premier League outfit Aston Villa for up to $2.5m
Emi Martinez, the latest recipient of the Yashin Troph for the best goalkeeper in the world, is Villa’s clear number one as Gauci will compete with Swedish veteran Robin Olsen for the back-up role.
Gauci has already been heavily involved at the Birmingham outfit and was a part of the warm-up drills prior to his new side’s fixture against Manchester United at Villa Park.
The 23-year-old has also been registered in Villa’s squad for the remainder of the Europa Conference League.
Could we see Gauci in the Premier League this season?Source: Getty Images
Lawrence Thomas
Although Thomas didn’t see a single minute of action for the Socceroos, he was thrust straight back into action for the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Thomas was included in the Wanderers’ extended squad for the fixture against Macarthur on February 4 but came on at halftime in place of Daniel Margush.
Unfortunately for Thomas, there was little he could do to prevent Valere Germain’s winner in the 93rd minute as Macarthur sealed a highly controversial 4-3 victory that sparked a furious rant from Wanderers boss Marko Rudan in his post-match press conference.
DEFENDERS
Nathaniel Atkinson
The 24-year-old right back made three Asian Cup appearances for the Socceroos, but faces a tough task to regain his place in the starting XI for Scottish side Heart of Midlothian. Hearts signed 20-year-old Jamaican talent Dexter Lembisika on loan from Premier League side Wolves in mid-January, and he’s impressed in six appearances since the move. Atkinson came off the bench to replace Lembisika in a Cup game on the weekend but will be desperate to earn his place back in the starting side.
Aziz Behich
33-year-old Behich sealed a massive loan move to Saudi club Al-Nassr – joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo – after playing every minute of the Socceroos’ five Asian Cup matches at left back. He debuted in an Asian Champions League clash, playing the full 90 minutes, in a promising sign he’ll be in the starting XI for the Saudi giants for the remainder of the season.
Behich in the yellow and blue of Al-Nassr.Source: Getty Images
Jordy Bos
The supremely talented 21-year-old locked down the left wing-back role at Belgian club Westerlo this season after joining from Melbourne City last July (for a fee that was at the time the Australian record). Since returning from the Asian Cup, where he made five appearances (three starts) and scored a goal off the bench against India, he’s immediately regained his starting spot at club level.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold prefers to use him as a left winger, but Bos has typically been used as a fullback by Westerlo who sit 11th in the Belgian Pro League.
Cameron Burgess
The Scottish-born 28-year-old is right back in English Championship team Ipswich Town’s starting XI after returning from the Asian Cup, where he started one game and came off the bench in the quarter-final defeat.
Ipswich sit fourth in the Championship with a game in hand as they chase promotion to the Premier League, and Burgess looks set to add to his 24 league appearances already this season – remarkably, he has never been substituted in those matches.
He plays alongside Aussie midfielder Massimo Luongo, who turned down an Asian Cup call-up and retired from international duty to focus on the club’s promotion push.
Thomas Deng
The 26-year-old didn’t get onto the field in the Asian Cup – and hasn’t played for the Socceroos since March last year – but he’ll be eagerly anticipating the start of the new J-League season next weekend. The versatile centre-back started most matches for Japanese top-flight club Albirex Niigata last season as they finished tenth, and he’ll hope to retain his role this time around.
Gethin Jones
The 28-year-old is back in the starting line-up at League One club Bolton Wanderers after three starts for the ‘Roos in Qatar – and he’s even worn the captain’s armband in both games since his return. And this week, the right-back scored his first league goal of the season with a looping set-piece header in a 2-1 win for the third-placed side. With games in hand, Bolton are well in contention for automatic promotion that would see Jones reach England’s second tier.
Lewis Miller
The 23-year-old right back played less than 50 minutes across two Asian Cup games, but he’s another Aussie to return straight to the starting line-up at club level. Miller made his 16th start of the Scottish Premiership season (plus one bench appearance) in Hibernian’s 2-1 defeat to heavyweights Celtic, then backed up on the weekend with another start in a cup win.
All up, he’s played 41 times for Hibs since joining in July 2022, and shows plenty of promise as a long-term Socceroos prospect despite struggling in the Asian Cup.
Kye Rowles
Rowles started every single league game for Hearts (in Scotland) before the Asian Cup, and came right back into the side in a cup win on the weekend. The 25-year-old was a standout in the Asian Cup, playing every minute in four of the five matches, and is contracted with Hearts until 2028 – showing just how much they value the cool, calm, and collected centre-back.
Harry Souttar
Souttar is in a dire position at his Championship club Leicester, with the 200cm centre-back in virtual exile. He’s played just four appearances (two starts) this season for a total of 188 minutes. A strong Asian Cup performance put him in the shop window in the January transfer window, with Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic both interested in a loan move – but a deal to join brother John at Rangers fell through on deadline day. Saudi side Al-Nassr were also interested.
Souttar has vowed to fight for minutes at Leicester, but is unlikely to feature unless a starting centre-back is injured.
“I know obviously to continue to be in the national team, I’ve got to be playing club football – but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes,” Souttar told AAP during the Asian Cup.
“He’s got to sort out his club career, he really does,” coach Graham Arnold told AAP. “This can’t go on forever.”
For now, Souttar will be waiting desperately for the season to end and the next transfer window to offer him a way out of his nightmare.
Souttar kept up his incredible scoring record by pitching in at the Asian Cup.Source: Getty Images
MIDFIELDERS
Keanu Baccus
After playing all five matches at the Asian Cup, Baccus returned to Scottish club St Mirren with a half-hour bench appearance before a 90-minute effort against Celtic in the Cup. He’s started most games this season – and come off the bench in the handful where he’s started from the pine – and looks a crucial player in St Mirren’s run home. 25-year-old Baccus is also off-contract at the end of the season, so the next few months will be crucial for his future.
Jackson Irvine
The midfield maestro is back at German second-tier club FC St Pauli, where he wears the captain’s armband – but missed out on playing on the weekend after being “quite sick” and having a “really bad week”. He’s back at training with the team now, who are three points clear at the top of the table despite suffering their first league loss since April 2023. 19-year-old Aljoscha Kemlein (on loan) has been excellent in filling in for Irvine in recent weeks, but the 30-year-old Aussie is nailed-on to get back into the starting team and push for promotion to Germany’s top flight in the next few months.
Irvine was devastated after Australia’s Asian Cup exit.Source: AFP
Riley McGree
McGree started six of the first ten Championship matches for Middlesbrough (and came off the bench in the other four) before suffering a foot injury that ruled him out for two months.
He returned for just a handful of bench appearances before jetting off to the Asian Cup, where he made two starts and three substitute showings. Those handy minutes put him in good stead upon his return to club football, where he came back with a bench appearance before playing the full 90 minutes yesterday – but at attacking midfield rather than his usual left wing role. That’s because Middlesbrough signed 23-year-old talent Finn Azaz from Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle in early January. He had seven goals and five assists before the move, and has nabbed a goal and an assist in five appearances for his new club since then. McGree has a tough battle on his hands to unseat Azaz, but could be
Connor Metcalfe
The 24-year-old has appeared in every match for the Socceroos since the start of 2023, and continued that run with three starts and two sub appearances at the Asian Cup. Since then, he’s returned to FC St Pauli alongside Irvine, and played 28 minutes off the bench upon his return. Overall, he’s made 21 appearances this season with 12 starts and nine substitution efforts – so will be looking to press his case for a locked-down starting berth in the final months of the season.
Aiden O’Neill
The defensive midfielder has been sensational for Belgian club Standard Liege this season, and took things to another level last weekend with a sensational goal in a 1-0 win over OH Leuven.
On the edge of the area, O’Neill chested the ball down before slamming a half-volley into the net, his first goal for the club after joining last July.
“To be honest, there is a bit of luck in this goal,” the Aussie told DH Les Sports+. “I was in a good position and I said to myself ‘why not take my chance?’.
“I had already dreamed of scoring a goal like that but, to succeed in doing it, especially in such an important match, is something else. It means a lot.
“I had already scored goals from outside the box but, yes, I can say that this one is probably the best of my career. And it brings three super important points for the team.”
O’Neill had started six-straight league matches before the Asian Cup and looks to be back in the first team.
Aussie returns from Asian Cup in style | 00:41
FORWARDS
Martin Boyle
Having missed the 2019 Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup through injury, Boyle finally got to represent the Socceroos at an international tournament.
The 30-year-old winger even got his first tournament goals, scoring a penalty against Uzbekistan and one of Australia’s four against Indonesia.
Boyle has wasted little time in returning to form for club side Hibernian since returning, scoring once and assisting another in the club’s 3-1 win over Inverness CT in the fifth round of the Scottish FA Cup.
He also played the full match as a right winger in a 2-1 defeat to Celtic on February 7 as Hibernian remain in eighth in the Scottish Premiership.
Sammy Silvera
Since moving to Middlesbrough from the Central Coast Mariners last summer, Silvera has largely been used as an impact substitute, coming off the bench 13 times prior to the Asian Cup.
Silvera enjoyed a similar role for the Socceroos in Qatar whenever Arnold sought out a fresh injection of pace and trickery but struggled to find his groove.
The Aussie youngster has once again reprised his role as an impact sub upon returning to Middlesbrough, coming off the bench in Boro’s last three Championship fixtures against Sunderland, Bristol City — where he scored a 91st-minute consolation goal — and Preston North End.
With 15 game left in Middlesbrough’s season, Silvera will hope to earn some regular starts as he looks to prove he belongs at the Championship level.
Bruno Fornaroli
Fornaroli entered the Asian Cup on the back of some scintillating form for Melbourne Victory, scoring 13 goals in 10 games.
A first start in Qatar for Fornaroli didn’t arrive until the Round of 16 clash against Indonesia as a result of Mitchell Duke’s injury-enforced absence, with the Victory man consigned to cameos off the bench in the Socceroos’ other games.
Fornaroli fired a blank in his first game back for Victory (1-0 defeat to Macarthur), when he suffered a fractured hand – but still played the entire game. He has since undergone surgery but could still play this weekend, and it’d be silly to bet against the 36-year-old enjoying another rich vein of scoring form.
After all, he’s still tied first for the golden boot race alongside Newcastle’s Apostolos Stamatelopoulos despite missing five games.
’El Tuna’ may be 36 years old, but he’s in vintage scoring form.Source: Getty Images
Kusini Yengi
Yengi took major strides in staking his claim to be the Socceroos’ next long-term option up front, starting the group stage clash against Uzbekistan in place of an injured Mitchell Duke, with Arnold describing his performance as “outstanding.”
He may not provide the same relentless pressing as Duke does up top, but Yengi’s physicality and ability to hold the ball up certainly caught the eye.
Yengi earned his call-up thanks to a strong debut season for League One promotion hopefuls Portsmouth with seven goals in 17 appearances prior to the Asian Cup.
And the former Western Sydney Wanderers man didn’t need to wait long to make an impact on his return at Fratton Park, scoring the first of Portsmouth’s three in a win over Cambridge United.
Marco Tilio
Having secured a dream move from Melbourne City to Celtic last summer, Tilio’s endured a Glaswegian nightmare.
The 22-year-old had clocked 28 minutes all season long under Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers but was still included in Arnold’s Asian Cup squad due to his ability to “bring that bit of difference as an impact player” and to “get that smile back on his face.”
Tilio appeared just once for the Socceroos in Qatar — five minutes off the bench against Uzbekistan — but has since secured a loan move to Melbourne City for the remainder of the season.
He made his return in the 5-1 humiliation against Brisbane in a 32-minute appearance off the bench and one would imagine it won’t be long before he’s back starting games again.
It is a loan move that must work out for Tilio in a bid to force his way back into Rodgers’ Celtic plans.
Otherwise his time with the Hoops could be over as quickly as it began.
Mitchell Duke
Duke remains Arnold’s first choice at striker, although the two group stage fixtures he played in didn’t exactly play to his main strengths of stretching opposition backlines.
The 33-year-old also had a golden chance to send Australia into the semi-finals against South Korea but flashed his header wide.
Duke is now gearing up for the 2024 J1 League season with Machida Zelvia having helped the team achieve promotion last year.
At his age, it’s likely Duke has just one more World Cup cycle left in him as Arnold must eventually turn to the next generation.
But as long as Duke has plenty of running left in him, he won’t give up his starting spot without a fight.
Craig Goodwin
Goodwin continues to age like a fine wine and richly deserved his spot in the AFC’s Asian Cup 2023 team of the tournament.
However, Goodwin cannot let his performances for club or country dip knowing Jordan Bos is breathing down his neck as his replacement at left wing, even though the latter has made his name predominantly as a left back.
The 32-year-old last featured for Saudi Pro League side Al-Wehda on December 31 before the league took a brief pause, but has started 13 of the 14 league games he’s played in this season.
Goodwin will most certainly have a vital part to play in the Socceroos’ road to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and will hope to feature at the tournament.
Goodwin’s outstanding performances at the Asian Cup saw him named in the team of the tournament.Source: Getty Images
John Iredale
Iredale represented somewhat of a surprise inclusion in Arnold’s Asian Cup squad, although the Aussie boss revealed the forward was a player he’d “admired for a long time.”
The 24-year-old, who plies his trade with 2. Bundesliga side Wehen Wiesbaden, didn’t see a minute of action in Qatar but earning a call-up is no easy feat.
In his return to action for Wehen Wiesbaden, Iredale came off the bench against FC Nuremberg for a brief cameo.
However, should Iredale start to receive more regular starts, expect him to figure in the conversation for Socceroos inclusions for several more international windows to come.
OTHERS — NON ASIAN CUP
Calem Nieuwenhof
The 22-year-old centre midfielder (well, he turns 23 tomorrow!) was one of the standouts in the last A-League season before moving to Scottish club Hearts in July. Since then, he’s come along in leaps and bounds – so much so that his coach is confident he’ll lace up his boots for the Socceroos soon.
After a slow start to the season, Hearts are third in the league with eight wins in a row in all competitions, and their Aussie foursome of Nieuwenhof, Kye Rowles, Nathaniel Atkinson and fellow young midfielder Cameron Devlin have been crucial to their success.
He’s played 25 times in all competitions, scoring two goals in his last five games and picking up an assist. His most recent goal was an absolute stunner.
Crucial to his rise has been an increased physicality and toughness in the midfield scrap – with the Scottish league the perfect place for the youngster to grow in that regard.
“The character he is, he’s a reserved person and is really chilled out,” coach Steven Naismith told The Scotsman. “That probably went against him in his first few months when he was finding his feet, but in training you can see his quality – his calmness in possession, his understanding of the game, his range of passing, and he is a goal threat as well.
“He’s one of the fittest players at the club. What he brings on and off the ball is really important. He’s consistently improving and becoming more dominant in games, which is why we signed him. We knew he was a good player, he’s a really good player.
“He’s got a desire to get into the international team and I don’t think that’ll be too far away if he continues in the same vein of form.”
Nieuwenhof said his manager was ‘not wrong, for sure’ about being chilled out – but added: “You need to go into every game with that mindset that you are going to have to get stuck in and get involved. Cammy’s great to learn from. He’s a real dog and a really aggressive player. For sure that is something I can take from his game. That’s something I have really learned across the last few months and brought it into my game and just trying to get consistency into that side of my game, the physical aspect.”
For now, he looms as a crucial member of Australia’s Under-23 Olyroos squad who will compete in the U-23 Asian Cup in April-May in a bid to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. But he’s building a compelling case to join the Socceroos’ stacked midfield ranks.
Two-cap Socceroo Cameron Devlin, meanwhile, was ruled out for around six weeks after an ankle injury which cost him a place at the Asian Cup. The 25-year-old has been on the bench for the last two games for Hearts but has not yet played.
Alessandro Circati
Circati’s stock continues to rise with every game for Serie B side Parma and it’s only going to strengthen the case for his inclusions in future Socceroos squads.
The 20-year-old was left out of the team that went to the Asian Cup as Arnold felt it was better for his development to keep playing at club level rather than warm the bench in Qatar.
Since Serie B resumed from the winter break, Circati has started three of the five games, with one draw and two wins in that time with Parma losing one of the games he was benched for.
Circati has plenty of years on his side and, crucially, the benefit of regular game time.
Additionally, Parma are six points clear at the top of Serie B and are no doubt the favourites for promotion, meaning Circati could very easily be lining up in Italy’s top flight next season.
If Parma go up and Circati starts Serie A games, the noise will only grow louder for his inclusion in Socceroos line-ups – and the rumours of Premier League interest will only grow stronger.
Ajdin Hrustic
Hrustic has rapidly fallen from his status as one of the Socceroos’ key creative outlets to the international wilderness, but a January switch could provide the spark needed to get his career back on track.
The midfielder’s move from Frankfurt to Serie A side Hellas Verona has been an unmitigated disaster, failing to even make the bench for any of their league games this season.
But Hrustic sealed a loan switch to Dutch side Heracles Almelo and earned a start in just his second match, helping the club to a 3-2 win over Vitesse. It was his first top-flight start in over a year.
It’s a much-needed move for Hrustic if he is to force himself back into Arnold’s thoughts ahead of World Cup qualification.
Hrustic has not appeared for the Socceroos since a 45-minute showing in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Argentina in China last June.
Given the Socceroos’ struggles when it came to unlocking deep-lying defences at the Asian Cup — a problem the Aussies will encounter throughout the road to the 2026 World Cup — Hrustic’s return would be a welcome one.
Hrustic finally ended a year-long nightmare at Verona.Source: Getty Images
Cristian Volpato
Until Volpato makes his international future clear, there’s still a chance he could be capped for the Socceroos in the not-too-distant future.
Speaking to ESPNprior to the Asian Cup, Arnold revealed he had been in constant communication with Volpato but the talented midfielder “wants to just focus on his club career” for now.
Since moving from Roma to Sassuolo last summer, Volpato has largely been consigned to appearing off the bench and only just made his first start of the season against Bologna.
But Volpato made full use of the opportunity, scoring a stunning goal to give Sassuolo a 2-1 lead in the 34th minute as they went on to record a 4-2 victory.
With the 2026 World Cup cycle about to begin, could Volpato’s interest in international football be piqued?
Nestory Irankunda, Garang Kuol and Awer Mabil
And what of the Socceroos’ attacking trio of Nestory Irankunda, Garang Kuol and Awer Mabil?
Mabil has been a mainstay of the Socceroos set-up and loomed as a likely inclusion for the Asian Cup squad, but he picked up an injury in Grasshopper’s 1-0 win over Basel on December 10 and has not been sighted since.
Prior to the injury, Mabil had been in solid form throughout the season and started eight out of 12 games he appeared in, with four goals and three assists to boot.
At 28 years of age, expect Mabil to be in and around Socceroos squads for the next World Cup cycle.
Popular figure Awer Mabil missed the Asian Cup with injury.Source: Getty Images
On the other end of the age spectrum is Kuol and Irankunda.
Kuol burst onto the scene for the Central Coast Mariners and earned a move to Premier League side Newcastle United, but from there his club journey hasn’t gone as he’d have hoped.
He moved to Eredivisie side FC Volendam on a season-long loan but they sit in 17th place, nine points away from safety.
Kuol himself has struggled to hold down a starting spot as well, clocking just 55 minutes of action since December.
It’s important to remember he is just 19 years of age and there’s plenty of time on his side, but as it stands, he’s behind in the pecking order of Socceroos’ wingers.
Garang Kuol scored his maiden Socceroos goal last March.Source: Getty Images
Then there’s Adelaide United winger Irankunda, who recently turned 18 and is headed for Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
The teenage sensation turned heads with blistering power in his shots and silky runs down the right, breezing past defender with ease.
However, since his move was announced, Irankunda has often cut a frustrated figure on the field and Adelaide coach Carl Veart even said he doesn’t “see enough happiness” from the prodigy.
Irankunda was brought into the Socceroos fold as a train-on player for the friendlies against Ecuador in March last year and has also featured for the Joeys.
Should Irankunda continue his remarkable upward trajectory with Bayern, a full Socceroos call-up is not out of the question and he could loom as a major game-changer for the upcoming World Cup cycle.
History will show it was the Ange Postecoglou-led Socceroos who emerged victorious, with a James Troisi strike in extra time proving the difference.
It was the first continental triumph in Asia for the Socceroos and a landmark moment in Australian football.
For South Korea, the defeat meant its agonising wait for a first Asian Cup triumph since 1960 — a tournament which featured only four teams and 80-minute games — rumbled on.
In the early hours of Saturday, the two nations will collide for the 29th time in the quarterfinal of the 2023 Asian Cup, as South Korea looks to banish the demons of 2015.
And, in a cruel twist for the Socceroos, one of their own could be the architect of its downfall in Qatar.
The Socceroos will take on South Korea in the quarter final of the Asian Cup. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WILD CONTRAST IN PATH TO ASIAN CUP QF AS ARNIE’S TROOPS SHOW UP WORLD NO. 23
South Korea’s road to the final eight at this Asian Cup has been far from smooth.
Jurgen Klinsmann took over managerial duties from Paulo Bento last February but his tenure has been dogged by large swells of criticism from South Korea.
The German great quickly found himself offside when he elected to remain living in the United States once appointed to the role, relying on his assistants to attend K-League matches and report back to him.
It is in complete contrast to Klinsmann’s predecessors, who all made the move to South Korea after earning the job.
Klinsmann’s early results did not help either, failing to win any of his opening five matches before finally achieving his first victory as South Korea boss after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in September.
Drawn in Group E alongside Bahrain, Jordan and Malaysia, nations ranked 86th, 87th and 130th in the world respectively, it represented a golden chance for Klinsmann and his troops to make an early statement at the Asian Cup.
But if pundits thought a cruisy 3-1 win over Bahrain was a sign progression to the knockout stages would be a breeze, how wrong they were.
Klinsmann hasn’t exactly won over Korean fans since his appointment in February 2023. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
South Korea were bailed out by an own goal in second half stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw against Jordan and conceded in the 15th minute of second half stoppage time against Malaysia to draw 3-3.
Klinsmann was even seen sporting a smile after the draw against Malaysia, a gesture that gave his most vocal detractors even more ammunition.
The two draws meant South Korea, rather embarrassingly, finished second in their group behind Bahrain.
In a twist of fate, not topping Group E meant the Taegeuk Warriors avoided a clash against fellow Asian heavyweights Japan, as a Round of 16 fixture against the Roberto Mancini-led Saudi Arabia beckoned instead.
Yet again, South Korea were rescued by stoppage time heroics as Cho Gue-Sung scored the equaliser in the 99th minute after Abdullah Radif put Saudi Arabia ahead almost as soon as the second half began.
Neither side could find the winner in extra time, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout in which South Korea prevailed to seal a quarterfinal showdown against the Socceroos.
In contrast to South Korea’s journey, the Aussies were rarely troubled by their Group B rivals.
Graham Arnold’s side kept clean sheets in wins over India and Syria but once again, a perceived lack of inventiveness in the final third was the main talking point from the first two games.
Struggling to break down teams who defend in deep, low blocks has been a constant criticism throughout Arnold’s tenure, although the Aussie boss has passionately argued it is results rather than style that matter most in tournament football.
Arnold has been criticised for a lack of creativity in the final third. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater also defended the team’s tactical approach in the Asian Cup, reiterating the need to “build” as the tournament goes on.
“I spoke to Arnie about it, and he doesn’t like to get too much into it but I can tell his disappointed … I think (the criticism) is unfair,” Slater told SEN.
“We’re in a tournament (where) we’ve conceded one goal, we’ve scored eight. Have we played like Brazil at their best? No, but it’s a tournament and you build.”
A controversial penalty helped the Socceroos seal top spot in Group B with a 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan and was followed by a comfortable-yet-feisty 4-0 victory over Indonesia in the Round of 16.
Given South Korea have a day less to recover from the draining 120-minute encounter against Saudi Arabia, it is a huge bonus for the Socceroos, even if Klinsmann suggested a penalty shootout win “gives the team an enormous amount of energy.”
Couple that with the Socceroos’ propensity to perform with reduced possession against better teams and it’s as good a chance as ever for the Aussies to make the semi finals.
A win for either nation would lead to a semi final against Jordan or Tajikistan, who are ranked 106th in the world.
It would be too dismissive to suggest the winner between South Korea and Australia would go on to a spot in the Asian Cup final, but an easier ride to the last stage might not present itself ever again.
The Socceroos will face either Tajikistan or Jordan should they beat South Korea and qualify for the semi finals. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)Source: AFP
THE TRIO OUT TO VANQUISH DEMONS OF 2015 … AND HOW ANGE HAS PLAYED A HELPING HAND
Few in South Korea have forgotten what happened in the final of the 2015 Asian Cup.
That day, a 22-year-old Heung-Min Son scored a stoppage time equaliser in the second half to cancel out Massimo Luongo’s sizzling strike and send the contest to extra time.
But, as then-Socceroos boss Postecoglou was at pains to point out during his team talk prior to extra time, Son and his South Korean teammates had exhausted every ounce of energy they had while the Aussies appeared fresh as a daisy.
The Socceroos soon found the winner courtesy of James Troisi in a moment etched into Australian football folklore, but for South Korea it represented yet another Asian Cup heartbreak.
Of that Socceroos team that started in the final, only Mat Ryan and Aziz Behich remain.
As for South Korea, the trio of Son, Kim Young-Gwon and Kim Jin-Su are the sole survivors.
Having come agonisingly close to ending the nation’s wait for a first Asian Cup since 1960, the trio’s desire to vanquish the demons of 2015 will burn deep.
Much has changed since that day at Homebush, especially for Son.
It was only a few months after the 2015 Asian Cup he moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspur for $AUD42 million, where he remains today.
In the near-decade he has spent in north London, Son has established himself as one of the Premier League’s deadliest wingers.
Heung-Min Son was left devastated after losing the 2015 Asian Cup final to Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Whether it be burning defenders for speed or producing Houdini-like escapes to wriggle out of tight spaces with the ball, the South Korean has constantly dragged Tottenham out of several holes.
Although Son suffered a dip in form last season under Antonio Conte and scored only ten league goals — his lowest tally since the 2015/16 season — the 31-year-old is back to his brilliant best.
Behind Son’s resurgence this season has been former Socceroos boss Postecoglou, who took over from Conte as Tottenham manager.
It was Postecoglou who named Son as Tottenham’s new captain in the wake of Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich and it is a role in which he has embraced and subsequently flourished.
Even though some pundits anticipated Son to struggle without Kane, he has stepped up in the latter’s absence with 12 goals and five assists from 20 league games.
Despite entering the Asian Cup as the most dangerous player across the entire competition, Son has been largely nullified by weaker opposition.
But it didn’t stop Arnold from cracking a joke about how he plans to stop the rampant Spurs winger.
“I rang Ange and asked Ange if he can take him back,” Arnold said during a press conference.
Ange Postecoglou has got Heung-Min Son firing. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Although Arnold publicly took a humorous stance on the matter, privately he will have been intensely plotting on how to prevent Son from running riot.
But it’s not like the Socceroos boss will need to draw up a blueprint from scratch.
After all, the Socceroos defenders have come up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jack Grealish and Lionel Messi twice in the space of just over a year.
Son isn’t the only attacking threat the Socceroos must plan for, with Wolves forward Hwang Hee-Chan and Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-In also presenting major defensive headaches.
However, the Socceroos are one of the strongest teams defensively at the Asian Cup having faced just four shots on target throughout the entire tournament.
It’s why Behich is not losing sleep about what South Korea’s forwards are capable of.
“We don’t focus on individuals in teams,” Behich said, per ESPN.
“Yeah, you have to be careful, it’s obviously in the back of your mind as a player when you’re on the pitch that these types of world-class players can change a game in a moment.
“But it’s all about us and what we can do as a team.”
Socceroos gear up for South Korea clash | 01:27
Given South Korea’s short turnaround from their Round of 16 fixture, the deck is heavily stacked in the favour of the Socceroos when it comes to the physical battle.
But, much like the Socceroos against higher ranked opponents, beware the team that is ready to run itself ragged for the cause.
Couple that with a trio, led by talismanic skipper Son, desperate to avenge the 2015 Asian Cup final defeat, and Arnold will be in for one of the toughest tasks of his managerial career.
But if he passes the test, the case for Arnold as one of the Socceroos’ greatest coaches will be significantly strengthened.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has made three changes to the team that beat India as Australia look to seal a spot in the knockout stages with a win over Syria.
Jordan Bos, Aiden O’Neill and Cameron Burgess have been named to start as Craig Goodiwn, Keanu Baccus and Kye Rowles drop to the bench.
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ Asian Cup clash against Syria in our LIVE BLOG below!
Bos earned plenty of plaudits for his impact off the bench against India as the left winger scored with his first touch of the game and provided plenty of attacking endeavour.
Burgess’ physicality will be welcomed, especially on set pieces, while O’Neill is tasked with breaking up Syrian attacks at the base of midfield while keeping the Socceroos ticking over with precise passing.
Syria go into the contest off the back of a gutsy 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan in which the latter had 66 per cent of the ball and fired off 14 shots but could not find a way through.
Towering defender Harry Souttar fears for his Socceroos future due to his lack of football at club level.
Despite his name being one of the first on national coach Graham Arnold’s team sheet, Souttar admits that will end if he continues to sit on the bench for English Championship leaders Leicester City.
The 200cm centre-back has made just four appearances, only two of them as a starter, in all competitions for Leicester this season as he remains out of favour with manager Enzo Maresca.
Souttar has been linked with moves to Scotland and Saudi Arabia, as well as English Premier League cellar dwellers, but is adamant a move has “not even crossed” his mind as he concentrates on the Socceroos’ current Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.
“My full concentration is on Australia and I think it would be disrespectful to the country, my teammates, and the staff here if my head was anywhere else and thinking about these other things when we’ve got a massive tournament here,” he said.
Souttar knows he needs to be playing more at club level if he is to keep his spot in the Socceroos. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
However, the 25-year-old Scotland-born Socceroo knows he can’t afford to remain inactive at club level if he wants to continue being selected for Australia.
“It’s not been great that I’ve not got match minutes at my club, and obviously I know that can’t continue if I want to be a part of the national team,” Souttar said.
“Any player just wants to play football so I’m looking at it as a positive that I’m here (in Qatar) and I’m getting minutes and playing football, doing what I love again.
“You always want to pull that (Socceroos) shirt on. It just gives you an added something.
“You’re running on adrenaline and you’re playing football for a different reason as well, which always helps.
“There’s always that little bit more of that something special in the air.”
Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan has been brought back into the starting lineup but there was no such luck for Riley McGree as Australia take on India in their Asian Cup opener.
Both players did not take part in the warm-up friendly against Bahrain but the duo were passed fit for the India clash.
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ Asian Cup clash against India in our LIVE BLOG below!
However, Ryan earned a start while McGree was left to make do with a spot on the bench.
Elsewhere across the team, Martin Boyle finally gets to represent Australia in an international competition after injury robbed him of appearances at the 2019 Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
There’s also a competitive debut for Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones, who slots in at right back.
Arnold also went with the familiar trio of Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus and Connor Metcalfe in midfield.
The Aussies will look to avoid a similar start to this edition of the Asian Cup after a disastrous start in the last time they competed in the continental competition.
The Socceroos slipped to a shock 1-0 loss against Jordan five years ago but thankfully rebounded with wins against Palestine and Syria to seal a spot in the knockout stages.
Although India may be ranked 77 places below the Socceroos in 102nd, they will likely look to sit deep and stunt the Aussie forwards.
The ability to break down India’s low block will also be of great interest to Aussie fans given the Socceroos’ struggles over the years to unlock deep backlines.
