Bayern Munich-bound prodigy Nestory Irankunda is poised to make his Socceroos debut following confirmation of his selection in Australia’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.
National coach Graham Arnold on Wednesday named a 25-man squad, and it included teenage sensation Irankunda, as well as former whiz-kid Daniel Arzani, who hasn’t played for the Socceroos since the 2018 World Cup.
Arzani, 25, has earnt his recall after helping Melbourne Victory reach the A-League grand final, while Irankunda – who will leave Adelaide United to join German giants Bayern Munich – was part of the A-League All-Stars squad that beat a severely weakened Newcastle United 8-0 last week.
As revealed by News Corp Australia last week, Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan wasn’t chosen, with Arnold “resting” him.
Overall, there are 11 changes from the squad that beat Lebanon twice in March.
Out are Ryan, injured quartet Brandon Borrello, Craig Goodwin, Riley McGree and Tom Glover, as well as defenders Nathaniel Atkinson and Thomas Deng, midfielder Patrick Yazbek, and attackers Bruno Fornaroli, John Iredale and Sammy Silvera.
Apart from Irankunda and Arzani, coming into the squad are defenders Aziz Behich, Alessandro Circati and Ryan Strain, midfielder Cameron Devlin, uncapped striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, wingers Martin Boyle and Mathew Leckie, and goalkeepers Paul Izzo and Lawrence Thomas.
Uncapped pair Nestory Irankunda (left) and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos have been named in Australia’s 25-man squad for two World Cup qualifying matches next month. Picture: Martin Keep / AFPSource: AFP
“We’ve got several players who’ve had significant workloads in recent times, and it’s important we give them a proper break,” Arnold said.
“I want to ensure they’re physically and mentally prepared for another big 12 months of
qualification.
“This has also allowed us to provide opportunities to players who have been performing well at their clubs as we continue to build depth right across the pitch.
“Our leadership group of Jackson (Irvine), Aziz (Behich) Mat (Leckie), Harry (Souttar) and Adam (Taggart) will have an important role to play throughout this camp in welcoming those players, as they demonstrate the core values that are central to the Socceroos’ culture.”
Despite having already qualified for the third round of the Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos are desperate to beat Bangladesh in Dhaka next Thursday, and Palestine in Perth on June 11 to give them the best possible chance of being among the three nations in pot one for the round-three draw.
“I’ve spoken about how important these two games are when it comes to official FIFA rankings, and while we’ve qualified for round three it’s important that we take all six points,” Arnold said.
“It’s an expectation we set ourselves as a group and as always, getting our mentality right will be crucial to securing two wins and giving ourselves the highest possible ranking ahead of the draw for round three.”
Socceroos squad: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory), Keanu Baccus (Mansfield Town), Aziz Behich (Al-Nassr), Jordy Bos (KVC Westerlo), Martin Boyle (Hibs), Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Mitchell Duke (Machida Zelvia), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United/Bayern Munich), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Paul Izzo (Melbourne Victory), Gethin Jones (Bolton Wanderers), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners), Kye Rowles (Hearts), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Ryan Strain (St Mirren), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth).
While injuries to key veterans like Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie have thrown a spanner in the works and could require a couple of risky gambles, there’s a bigger problem facing Arnold as he eyes a first title since the Socceroos’ maiden triumph in 2015.
Another crucial tournament looms just a couple of months after the Asian Cup, when the Olyroos compete in the under-23 Asian Cup in Qatar. That tournament doubles as the qualification path to the Paris Olympics (also an U-23 tournament), with the top three teams Asian directly qualifying and the fourth-placed team heading to a playoff against African nation Guinea.
But, while clubs are forced to release players to play for the senior national team, such as for January’s Asian Cup, the same rules don’t apply to the under-23s.
Many clubs would be understandably unhappy to lose young stars for up to six weeks in January-February and then for around a month in April-May – which is a crucial late-season period for many competitions around the world. And even though clubs are technically forced to release players to play for the senior team – the Socceroos – it’s a poorly-kept secret in world football that many clubs pressure players to reject international call-ups.
Arnold has a difficult balancing act – picking the best squad possible while not jeopardising the needs of the Olyroos led by coach Tony Vidmar, and all while trying to keep the clubs (relatively) happy.
We analyse the Socceroos state of play ahead of the Asian Cup.Source: FOX SPORTS
Choosing not to call up a young player now would logically mean a club would be more likely to release them for the U-23 tournament.
Given that Arnold believes the Olympics are highly valuable for a player’s development – so much so that he even took over the Olyroos and guided them to the Tokyo Olympics while still in charge of the Socceroos – Arnold is expected to help ensure Vidmar has the best players at his disposal in April.
But some clubs might still choose to not release a player for the Olyroos even if they are omitted from this tournament – again, it’s somewhat understandable given the Olympic qualifiers (the Asian U-23 Cup) takes place in that crucial April-May period.
But other under-23 players are simply so talented or in such hot form that Arnold could (or should) select them in his Socceroos squad, consequences be damned.
As many as ten under-23 players would have been in contention to feature in the Socceroos side this time around – especially given that the Asian Cup has just changed the squad rules to allow 26-player squads instead of the usual 23.
Two youngsters – Jordan Bos and Alessandro Circati – were in last month’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.
Bos is the long-term future for the Socceroos at left-back and is likely to be selected alongside Aziz Behich. He’s an example of a player that is so valuable to the Socceroos now that Arnold would not want to make the sacrifice of not selecting him for the tournament – even if that sacrifice would convince Bos’s Belgian club Westerlo to release him for the Olyroos.
Of course, it is just as likely that Westerlo would refuse an U-23 call-up for Bos, regardless of whether or not he goes to the Asian Cup with the senior team. But the situation in Bos’s case is simple – and since he’s just-about nailed on as the number one Socceroo at the position, selecting him won’t mean the youngster is attending the tournament only to sit on the sidelines.
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Circati, meanwhile is behind Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles in the centre-back pecking order, but is playing regularly in the Championship and would be an obvious pick for the squad if he wasn’t under 23. Given there are other strong options available, like Cameron Burgess, the versatile Thomas Deng, or even Alex Grant or Curtis Good, Circati could miss out – but that would not be based on form.
Six more U-23s have been part of Socceroos camps this year. That includes midfielders Alex Robertson and Patrick Yazbek, and forwards Mohamed Toure, Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol and Nestory Irankunda (the latter as a train-on player).
Of those players, Robertson is in such sensational form for Portsmouth in League One that Arnold will be very tempted to select him.
But Portsmouth would be loathe to lose him for up to six weeks – or as many as eight games – in January. Then again, they probably would reject an U-23 call-up come April-May.
Besides, there are plenty of other midfielders in form and further up the pecking order. Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus and Connor Metcalfe have formed a potent combination in the centre of the park and look set to reprise that trio in the Cup.
Perhaps it would be better for Robertson and his career to play eight games at club level rather than fight for minutes at the Asian Cup?
These are the kind of brutally difficult selection decisions that Arnold must make.
Tilio, Toure and Kuol are each struggling for game-time at club level, while 17-year-old Irankunda is probably not ready for the senior team. But Tilio is the most experienced at the Socceroos level and could benefit from (any) match minutes as he looks to convince his Celtic coach to give him a shot back at club level.
21-year-old Yazbek, like Irankunda, hasn’t debuted for the senior team yet and is probably too far down the pecking order to be selected this time around.
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So among those who have been in Socceroos camp in 2023, Bos is by far the most likely to feature in the Asian Cup. Circati and Robertson would be in the mix based on form, but managing club relationships and doing what is best for their development could see them miss out.
But there are more young guns who haven’t yet been handed a senior call-up that could still be in the mix for selection.
That includes former Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, currently in fine form for Heart of Midlothian in Scotland. That list also includes Nicholas Bilokapic, probably a little too far down the goalkeeping pecking order but one for the future if not selected now. No.1 keeper and Australia captain Mat Ryan is set to recover from a cheekbone fracture in time for the opening game of the tournament, if not perhaps the second game, while Joe Gauci of Adelaide looks to be the likely back-up.
Given a third-choice keeper is unlikely to earn any minutes at the tournament, Bilokapic is exactly the sort of player that Arnold would prefer stays at his club (League One team Peterborough United) and gets regular minutes to continue his development. Fingers crossed, though, that Peterborough allows their young gloveman to play for the U-23s.
The list of injured players throws up major headaches. Leckie has experienced a tricky run of injuries which have prevented him from playing a string of consecutive games at any point in the last six months. And given the squad assembles for the tournament on the first of January, it might come too soon for the Melbourne City attacker.
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Awer Mabil, Gianni Stensness, Nicholas d’Agostino, and Mohamed Toure are all set to miss out with injury, as are Brandon Borrello and Ryan Strain. Striker Jamie Maclaren has been managing an ongoing foot injury, while Riley McGree has only just returned to training. Denis Genreau is also battling a long-term groin injury and has been struggling for game-time.
Plenty of other players are struggling with a lack of game time or are frozen out at their clubs – like Marco Tilio, Ajdin Hrustic and Fran Karacic. Oh, and Massimo Luongo is also out of the picture after retiring from international football to focus on his club’s bid for Premier League promotion.
With so many players unavailable or risky selections, Arnold faces a big headache – one that only adds to the headaches surrounding balancing the Socceroos’ immediate needs with those of the Olyroos.
The answer might just be more left-field selections – under 23s or not.
Arnold’s team announcement on Friday morning (set for 10am AEDT) could deliver plenty of shocks as he gambles on fitness, form, and with one eye firmly on the future of his team when it comes to the Paris Olympics and the 2026 World Cup.
Not one single player in the green and gold could be disappointed with their performance, as everyone worked tremendously hard to replicate the same feat of the 2003 squad that famously beat England 3-1.
Foxsports.com.au breaks down how everyone performed in Socceroos Player Ratings!
On a greasy surface, he was forced to show his skills with the ball at his feet perhaps more than he’d like, with plenty of back-passes coming his way – including an utterly atrocious one from Cameron Burgess. But Ryan was exceptional with his distribution despite the conditions. He consistently read the long ball well as England sprayed it forwards, and cleared the danger with his sharp movement. He did just about well enough when one-on-one with Ollie Watkins in the first half, forcing the striker wide – with Watkins only managing to hit the post from a tight angle after rounding Ryan.
There wasn’t much he could do when Watkins slid home to convert Jack Grealish’s driven cross and was rarely called into action throughout the game.
Kye Rowles: 6
For the second consecutive match in the green and gold, the centre-back was asked to play on the left side of the backline, and there were early concerns when England’s attack danced around him to create the first proper chance of the game inside ten minutes. But after being badly exposed in that incident, he settled into the match well and battled hard against the likes of Bowen. Never shying away from a tackle, he was left bloodied and needing treatment after an early head clash, but played on sporting a large bandage. He came close to scoring but snatched at a volley from close range after a first-half corner.
Cameron Burgess: 5.5
The hard-nosed centre-back showed his toughness after copping a brutal tackle to the shins after 20 minutes – for which the Australian was somehow penalised. There was incredibly nervous moment in the 25th minute when a miscommunication with Ryan saw Burgess play a waist-high backpass from a tight angle inside his own penalty area – forcing Ryan into a desperate clearance inside the six-yard box. Unfortunately he was caught napping at a critical moment as he failed to block Jack Grealish’s cross which was converted by Ollie Watkins.
Burgess switched off at a crucial moment. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
Harry Souttar: 7
Things might not be going exactly how he would have imagined at club level, but it was a stirring return to form for Souttar, who was imperious in defence. He was caught out for pace once or twice by England’s well-timed runs behind the line, but his defensive work to recover his ground was exceptional, highlighted by an exceptional last-ditch tackle just before the halftime whistle that – had he mistimed it – would certainly have been a penalty.
Ryan Strain: 7
A strong display from the St Mirren right back in his first Socceroos start.
He picked up an early booking for a cynical foul on Jack Grealish, but Strain didn’t waver from his defensive duties and continued to make several important challenges throughout.
Strain could’ve — and should’ve — opened the scoring when he made a lung-bursting run into the box to receive the ball from Martin Boyle, but his effort was cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk.
Ultimately did an exceptional job at keeping Grealish, a £100m superstar, quiet for the majority of the evening.
Jackson Irvine: 6
The fact Irvine recovered so quickly after suffering a torn lateral ligament in the Socceroos’ friendly against Mexico is a minor miracle in itself.
But the midfielder rarely looked like he was making a comeback from injury in an all-action display.
Irvine didn’t get on the ball as much as he perhaps would have liked as his primary focus was on shutting down England’s star-studded midfield.
Keanu Baccus: 8
Baccus didn’t shirk a challenge at all throughout his time on the field and even shirtfronted England defender Levi Colwill.
The physical battle aside, Baccus showcased his brilliant technical ability as he constantly found ways to wriggle out of tight spaces to keep the passage of play ticking over.
Baccus also pinged a beautiful ball in the path of Martin Boyle late in the first half which almost led to a goal, but it was not to be.
Baccus came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)Source: AFP
Connor Metcalfe: 6
Having played largely as a winger for club side FC St Pauli, Metcalfe slotted in as a second striker in support of Mitchell Duke.
Unfortunately he didn’t get as many clean breaks on goal and had to use up a significant amount of energy trying to chase down England’s backline.
Metcalfe came agonisingly close to a late equaliser but his header smacked against the post.
Was subbed off in the 90th minute for Mohamed Toure.
Craig Goodwin: 7.5
The winger gave England plenty of headaches with his dribbling and willingness to drive forward from the left flank.
His set-piece delivery was also outstanding and could – or should – have been rewarded with a goal.
Aside from his quality on set pieces, Goodwin pulled out plenty of flicks and tricks to help break England open as he carried his club form for Al-Wehda into the international arena.
Got a well-deserved breather when he came off in the 73rd minute for Brandon Borrello.
Martin Boyle: 6.5
Boyle’s electric pace was a constant threat on the counter attack and the Aussies most certainly looked to use it by playing long balls over the top in his path.
Even if he wasn’t coming close to getting to the ball, Boyle showcased his grit by chasing down everything.
The Hibernian flyer carved out the Socceroos’ best opening of the game when he latched onto a long ball from Baccus and slipped in Ryan Strain, who was denied on the line by a last-ditch block.
Mitchell Duke: 5
Duke flashed wide with a thumping volley early in the first half, and that was the only look at goal he really got.
He had the thankless task of challenging for every ball lumped forward and pressing England’s defence and although Duke has bundles of energy, his legs could only keep up the energy for so long.
His defensive work came at a cost as he wasn’t as effective as he would’ve liked going forward.
Duke had a thumping volley fly just wide of the post. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
SUBS
Jordan Bos: 5
Came on for Mitchell Duke in the 73rd minute.
Normally a left back, Bos was deployed high up the field for the final 20 minutes in an interesting tactic from Arnold.
Bos was confident on the ball but didn’t have the one-on-one skills to take on his marker.
Brandon Borrello: 5
Came on for Craig Goodwin in the 73rd minute.
Was largely anonymous as the Aussies tried to find an opening.
Awer Mabil: 6
Came on for Martin Boyle in the 83rd minute.
Mabil’s biggest moment came when he tracked back and made a crucial block in the dying minutes of the game, although he looked lively and attempted to make something happen in the final third.
Aziz Behich: 6
Came on for Kye Rowles in the 83rd minute.
Behich didn’t make much happen offensively, but he was cool under pressure as the last defender on corners.
He was comfortable when England countered from corners and made an important challenge to prevent the hosts from adding another goal late in the contest.
Lewis Miller: 5
Came on for Ryan Strain in the 73rd minute.
Made his Socceroos debut but didn’t quite have the same industry as Strain did, although it’s difficult to make a big impact as a defender coming on with 20 minutes of action left.
Mohamed Toure: N/A
Came on for Connor Metcalfe in the 90th minute.
A pleasing moment for the 19-year-old as he made his Socceroos debut, although he had little time to make an impact on the contest.
Who will make the next Socceroos squad for the match against Mexico on September 10.Source: Getty Images
BELGIUM
The Jupiler Pro League in Belgium recently gained two Aussies, with former Melbourne City duo Jordan Bos and Aiden O’Neill joining KVC Westerlo and Standard Liege respectively.
The pair were some of Melbourne City’s finest performers last season en route to a premiership and grand final appearance and resulted in Socceroos call-ups for both.
Bos’ switch to Westerlo broke the record for the most expensive outgoing from Australia, with the deal reportedly worth $AUD2 million.
Westerlo have wasted no time in throwing the left-back into the deep end as Bos has started three from four games for his new club.
As for O’Neill, he has started all four games for Standard Liege as a defensive midfielder but is yet to taste victory.
With Bos and O’Neill enjoying regular game time so far, it bodes well for the rest of the season as they look to maintain their spots in Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad.
The other Aussie in Belgium is Jason Davidson, who joined KAS Eupen last season.
Davidson has been a left-back for most of his career but has impressed for Eupen as a centre-back this season and has played every minute of his side’s four games with two wins and a
Jordan Bos battling Angel di Maria of Argentina.Source: Getty Images
ENGLAND
Tom Glover, Riley McGree and Sammy Silvera (Middlesbrough)
There’s three Aussies at Boro this season, with Olyroos gun Samuel Silvera also joining the books just last month. But it hasn’t been a great start to the season, with the team failing to win any of their first three Championship matches. Left-winger Silvera has been having the best run so far, with an assist to pick up a draw last time out, and another assist in a cup win. After starting on the bench in the opening league game, he’s now started three straight games (all comps) and the 22-year-old looks set to have a big impact as he takes a major step up this season after joining from the Central Coast Mariners.
25-year-old Glover, who also moved from down under in July, played the cup game but is currently the number two gloveman at the club behind Senegal international Seny Dieng, who joined one day later. But with Boro struggling defensively, Glover will be hoping to crack into the first team – or else enjoy a good cup run to get minutes under his belt.
McGree meanwhile started the first league game but has since come off the bench in the three other matches – and bagged a goal in the cup. The 24-year-old even had a stint at an unfamiliar left-back position in pre-season. As the team looks to climb up the ladder after their miserable start, he could find a way back into the starting side more regularly.
McGree in action against Argentina in June.Source: Getty Images
Harry Souttar (Leicester City)
There’s been plenty of talk over a possible exit from the club after they were relegated from the Premier League, but it hasn’t happened … yet. Leicester sold Harvey Barnes and James Maddison for big money to balance their books, but they still need to trim a bloated squad (and wage bill!). Harry Souttar hasn’t been given much of a look-in by new manager Enzo Maresca, and an exit appears reasonably likely. He was left on the bench for their first league game and out of the squad completely for the two following games. Maresca said: “Harry’s a guy who since day one has been working very well. But because the window is open, for Harry and for the rest of the 25 players that we have, something can happen.”
Scottish giants Rangers have been linked with a move that would reunite Harry Souttar with his brother John. Without a move, Souttar seems likely to only get limited game-time.
Alexander Robertson (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City)
The 20-year-old central midfielder has settled in very well to life in League One at Portsmouth, playing all five of their matches (all comps) since his loan move this month. He scored in a penalty shootout win after coming on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy (formerly the Papa John’s Trophy, a cup competition), and has started their last two league matches. The young playmaker looks extremely classy and comfortable on the ball and the early signs are promising a breakout campaign in his first full season of senior football. Making it into Manchester City’s senior team still feels a while away, but with Kevin de Bruyne’s serious injury and subsequent surgery ruling him out until the end of the calendar year, another injury or two could see Pep Guardiola recall the Aussie young gun from loan for added depth. It’s not likely, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility – and every week that Robertson continues to impress at Portsmouth helps to build his case.
There’s another Aussie at Portsmouth in 24-year-old Kusini Yengi, a former Olyroos player, with the left-winger starting the season brilliantly by scoring four goals in three appearances before an ankle injury ruled him out until mid-October. When he’s back, keep a close eye on the former A-Leagues star.
There’s also several other Australians in England who are either in or awfully close to the Socceroos squad.
Ipswich Town duo Massimo Luongo and Cam Burgess are no doubt loving life at the minute.
It’s early days in a long and gruelling Championship season, but the Tractor Boys are in first place having won three games from three and conceding just one goal in that time.
Luongo and Burgess have played every minute of Ipswich’s campaign so far and have caught the eye of Arnold who reportedly watched the duo last weekend.
Burgess was set to be included in the Socceroos squad for the Argentina friendlies but was ruled out with injury, yet his form so far has no doubt boosted his chances.
Massimo Luongo is in the Championship for the first time since 2020-21.Source: Getty Images
Elsewhere in League One is Aussie duo Callum Elder and Kenny Dougall who are at Derby County and Blackpool respectively.
Elder came off the bench for slim minutes in the first four of Derby’s league matches and the 28-year-old left back is struggling as he pushes for a first-team spot.
30-year-old central midfielder Dougall has two starts, one in the cup and one in the league, with two more league appearances off the bench.
However, with Arnold taking a view towards the future in his squad selections the chances of Elder and Dougall returning to the Socceroos fold appear limited.
There’s also Tyrese Francois with Premier League side Fulham. Francois, a 23-year-old midfielder, spent part of last season on loan at HNK Gorica in Croatia after making one Premier League appearance off the bench. He suffered an injury late last season and it’s unclear if he’s currently fully fit, having trained with the first-team squad but not travelling with them to the USA in pre-season. He has not been named in a Fulham squad so far this season. A transfer is also a possibility, as is a loan deal, as he needs more match minutes to grow in his career.
FRANCE
Denis Genreau (Toulouse)
Denis Genreau will look to pick up right where he left off after the midfielder enjoyed a strong end to the 2022/23 Ligue One campaign.
The midfielder, who dealt with a series of niggling injuries last season, started Toulouse’s first league game of the season in a 2-1 win over Nantes before coming on as a substitution in a 1-1 draw with PSG.
At 24 years of age, Genreau is only going to get better and if he can nail down a regular spot in Toulouse’s midfield, there’s no reason to assume otherwise.
He made the Socceroos squad for the recent Argentina friendly and will hope to maintain it in the lead-up to the Asian Cup.
In France’s second tier is Mohamed Toure, who linked up with Paris FC on loan from Reims.
The teenager came on as a sub in Paris’ second game of the Ligue Two season against Grenoble but wasn’t in the squad for their other two fixtures due to an unknown injury.
Even if Toure doesn’t get the minutes he hopes for, a loan experience at 19 is invaluable as he looks to prove himself in France.
Toulouse’s Australian midfielder Denis Genreau (L) in a pre-season friendly with Roma this month.Source: AFP
GERMANY
Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (FC St Pauli)
Many have said it before, but it’s hard to think of a footballer who fits a club’s ethos quite like Jackson Irvine does at FC St Pauli.
The all-action midfielder, who dons the captain’s armband for the club in the German second tier, has started every game for St Pauli this season and will no doubt be a key figure in their push for promotion.
Irvine is joined at the club by fellow Australian Connor Metcalfe, who moved to St Pauli last season.
Although the 23-year-old showed glimpses of his quality, he never quite found a consistent run of form.
But Metcalfe has also started in St Pauli’s three league games so far as a right winger which bodes well for getting opportunities to shine.
St Pauli came awfully close to promotion to the Bundesliga last season and finished fifth, so expectations will be high for Irvine and Metcalfe to deliver if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.
Irvine captaining St Pauli this month.Source: Getty Images
INDIA
Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan)
Not many score a hat-trick to win an A-League grand final in their last game, but then again, not many footballers are Jason Cummings.
The cult hero left a lasting impression both on and off the field in a two-year stint with the Central Coast Mariners where he scored 31 goals from 50 games and earned a spot in Australia’s World Cup squad.
Cummings has since moved to India for a life-changing salary and has already scored twice for his new club Mohun Bagan in three games.
However, his status with the national team could come into question given the level of football on show in India.
Time will tell whether it proves to be a detrimental factor but if Cummings scores goals in India like he did in Australia, it will be hard to argue he doesn’t deserve a spot in the Socceroos squad.
There’s also Rostyn Griffiths in India, with Mumbai City. The 35-year-old has never been capped for Australia and has missed his chance, but keep an eye out for the Asian Champions League, where he’ll face Saudi mega-team Al-Hilal featuring Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Cummings moved to India after winning the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners.Source: Getty Images
ITALY
Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo)
Cristian Volpato finds himself in new surroundings after moving to Sassuolo from Roma in the summer window for an estimated £6.4 million.
It is hoped a switch to Sassuolo will lead to increased game time for the talented 19-year-old, although both of his first two games for his new club have come from the bench.
Volpato did chalk up an assist in Sassuolo’s 5-2 win over Cosenza in the first round of the Italy Cup.
Prior to the 2023/24 season, Arnold confirmed he would visit Volpato in an attempt to convince him to represent the Socceroos ahead of Italy, but as of now there are no indications who he will play for on the international stage.
Time will tell on Volpato’s international future, but the teen must focus on performing for his new club first before thinking about whether to don the green and gold or the famous blue of Italy.
Alessandro Circati (Parma)
After a lengthy courting process, Arnold finally convinced promising defender Alessandro Circati to pledge his international allegiance to Australia ahead of the Argentina friendly.
The teenager had the benefit of playing in a defensive unit for Serie B side Parma with legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon barking orders behind him.
Although Buffon has since retired, Circati has no doubt taken on plenty of wisdom from the Italian superstar and will look to apply it this year for club and country.
The 19-year-old was part of a defensive unit that kept a clean sheet in Parma’s Serie B opener against Feralpisalo and in their Italy Cup first round clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Bari.
Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona)
Having long been heralded as Australia’s key attacking force from midfield, Ajdin Hrustic has struggled in recent times.
Hrustic moved to Verona from Eintracht Frankfurt in last year’s summer window in search of game time but that never quite materialised.
The 27-year-old also underwent ankle surgery in early January and is yet to return to the field for Verona in Serie B after they were relegated at the end of last season.
There’s still plenty of time for Hrustic to turn things around at club level but if he cannot get on the park in the Italian second division, it will spark serious fears for his hopes of making Australia’s Asian Cup squad.
Hrustic has a lot of work to do.Source: Getty Images
JAPAN
Mitch Duke (Machida Zelvia)
The veteran striker joined Machida Zelvia in January and has had a strong season, with five goals and six assists in 24 appearances in the second division plus a cup goal. He was a regular starter earlier for most of the year but has come off the bench in the last four games for the team currently six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. His team still has 12 matches to play as they chase promotion.
Socceroos star Duke and Lionel Messi shake hands at the World Cup.Source: Getty Images
Mitch Langerak (Nagoya Grampus)
Langerak is having yet another fantastic season for top-flight side Nagoya Grampus. The entrenched starting goalkeeper has played 28 games in all competitions with just 23 goals conceded and 11 clean sheets. He was a shock omission from last year’s World Cup and at 35 years old appears to be on the outer of the national team, but is consistently performing at the top level and could fill in for the Socceroos at any point. Nagoya are third on the ladder, five points off the lead.
Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata)
Deng is also in the top flight with Albirex Niigata, the 14th-placed team. It’s been an up and down season (which began in February) for the 26-year-old central defender. From late May to early June he dropped out of the squad completely, but regained his place for seven-straight starting appearances before a stint off the bench last time out. Overall he’s made 21 appearances in all competitions this year. If he can lock down that place in the starting XI, he’ll continue to press his case for a spot in the Socceroos’ defensive line.
KOREA
Harrison Delbridge (Incheon United)
Delbridge continues to be a mainstay in the backline for Korean side Incheon United, starting 19 of 27 league games this season.
His impressive form last year earned a call-up to the Socceroos for the double-header against New Zealand where he made his international debut.
However, Delbridge likely faces an uphill battle to break back into the team with the likes of Souttar, Kye Rowles and Circati ahead of him in the pecking order.
Delbridge for the Socceroos in September last year.Source: Getty Images
NETHERLANDS
Garang Kuol (Volendam, on loan from Newcastle)
18-year-old Kuol had a difficult first season in Europe, making just nine appearances for Hearts in Scotland on loan from Premier League side Newcastle – and almost all of them coming off the bench. Now he’s been sent to Volendam, a renowned nursery for young players, to get more minutes and continue his development. He got 24 minutes in their first league match of the season but was left out of the squad for the second match. Coach Matthias Kohler said: “We have to be patient with him. That is simply the case with a young player who comes from a foreign competition.”
Despite his limited minutes at club-land, he picked up his first Socceroos goal against Ecuador in March.
This will be a big season for Kuol’s growth, and getting as many minutes as possible is crucial.
Kuol celebrates his first goal for the Socceroos in March.Source: Getty Images
Mat Ryan (AZ Alkmaar)
The 31-year-old gloveman is the settled number one at AZ Alkmaar, having joined the Dutch club in January. The Socceroos skipper has had a great start to the season, with two clean sheets in his first five matches – four wins and a draw. Their two league wins and a +6 goal difference has them top of the Eredivisie league ladder, having finished a strong fourth last season.
On Friday morning, his side continued their bid to reach the third-tier European continental competition – the Europa Conference League – with a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Brann of Norway. Ryan made five saves in another strong showing.
NORWAY
Gianni Stensness (Viking FC)
The 24-year-old centre-back/defensive midfielder had been in fine form in recent months, earning himself a first Socceroos call-up in 12 months against Argentina in June. But things came crashing down when he tore his ACL in training later that month. He’ll be out until the end of the year.
But young Aussie teammate Patrick Yazbek, 21, is having a sensational season, bagging one goal and five assists in 18 appearances (all comps). The centre-midfielder looks to be a key figure in the Olyroos team aiming to reach the Paris Olympics.
Rounding out the Australian trio at Viking is Nick D’Agostino, although the striker has largely been consigned to an impact role off the bench.
The Heart of Midlothian contingent again features FOUR Aussies this season, although Garang Kuol has been replaced this year by another young gun Calem Nieuwenhof.
The team is third in the league after two rounds, with a win and a draw, and are also competing in the Europa Conference League play-offs, where they suffered a 2-1 first-leg loss to Greek league leaders PAOK on Friday morning.
Right-back Nathaniel Atkinson has started five games so far including that defeat, after a very strong finish to last season after a rollercoaster year saw him bounce in an out of the side but mostly feature off the bench. Early signs are very promising for the 24-year-old as he looks to take a step up in his career.
25-year-old Kye Rowles has played every minute of their six games in centre-back and is a lock to start. He’ll be hoping to avoid another injury like the metatarsal fracture he suffered in September last year that threatened his World Cup hopes. Luckily he returned in time to star in Qatar and quickly nail down his place in the Hearts’ starting side after that – and this season promises another strong campaign.
Cameron Devlin has enjoyed a bright start to the season.Source: Getty Images
Cammy Devlin bagged a brace in the Europa Conference League play-offs a week ago and has started five matches already, coming off the back of a breakout 41-game season last time around. With Aaron Mooy’s retirement, he’ll back himself to step up and fill the gap in the midfield – and his early form certainly boosts his case.
Calem Nieuwenhof, 22, made the move to Scotland on the back of a truly outstanding individual campaign for the Western Sydney Wanderers. The versatile midfielder is on a four-year contract and has plenty of time to grow, but appears to have settled well after a transfer he called an ‘easy decision’. He started their first league game in an attacking midfield role and a cup game in a defensive midfield position, and his ability to play in different roles is a key reason he should feature plenty off the bench, if not force his way into the starting team.
Devlin celebrating his brace.Source: Getty Images
Marco Tilio (Celtic)
Tilio broke the record for an outbound transfer from Australian shores at the start of July when he left Melbourne City for the Scottish giants for a fee over $2 million Australian. The youngster who turned 22 this month is however still recovering from an unknown injury that he suffered on Olyroos duty in June, with Celtic coach Brendan Rogers revealing last month that Tilio would miss the first few weeks of the season.
It will take him some time to get up to speed with the intensity of Scottish football and life at the champions. With the likes of Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda on the wings at the club, he’ll find it hard to break into the first team as a regular starter, but he’s got plenty of promise and will look to show what he can do off the bench at first.
Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain (St Mirren)
Last season was Keanu Baccus’ first in Scotland after joining St Mirren from Western Sydney Wanderers, and he racked up 36 appearances. That led to St Mirren agreeing a reported £275,000 sale to Bolton in England’s League One (third tier). But the deal fell through – reportedly due to difficulties obtaining a work permit – and reported interest from Scottish rivals Hibernian never eventuated.
The 25-year-old has played every minute of the club’s two league games already – both wins – and has also picked up one assist in three League Cup matches.
His physicality and hard work continues to impress in the rough-and-tumble Scottish Premiership, and he’ll hope to guide St Mirren to better than last year’s sixth placed this time around, especially after they struggled at the dying stages of last season.
With just one year left on his contract, St Mirren will definitely be looking to lock him down on a fresh deal so they can cash in when bigger clubs (almost inevitably) come calling.
And Baccus continues to go from strength to strength for the Socceroos, playing the full game against Argentina in June. With Aaron Mooy’s retirement, coach Graham Arnold could turn to another Scotland-based player in Baccus to step up at the base of the midfield.
Baccus battling Argentina in June’s friendly.Source: Getty Images
Like his club teammate Baccus, Ryan Strain had a standout season in his maiden campaign in Scotland. The right back is receiving interest this transfer window, and a deal could easily still happen before the window closes.
But manager Stephen Robinson said last month that the club had ‘no bids or offers’ for the player, claiming that meant other clubs were “not realising how good a player” he is.
“Long may it continue,” the St Mirren boss told BBC Scotland.
“We don’t want to let him go. We don’t need to sell, we’re not in the [financial] position we were in last year.
“Ryan’s done terrifically well. He’s a very, very good footballer if he doesn’t complicate the game.”
He’s started five cup games and bagged four assists already, and also started both league games in a sensational start to the season.
Scottish journalists are raving about the 26-year-old, with many declaring him the best right wing-back in the league outside of the ‘big two’ of Celtic and Rangers.
He only debuted for Australia last September and missed the World Cup, but the 26-year-old is arguably the most in-form Socceroo in the world right now.
Like Baccus, he also is in the final year of his contract, and St Mirren will make handing him a new deal a priority so as not to lose him for free at season’s end.
It looks like an all-Scottish league battle for Australia’s right back spot between Strain and Atkinson.Source: Getty Images
Martin Boyle, Jimmy Jeggo, Lewis Miller (Hibernian)
Martin Boyle is back! Earlier this month, the 30-year-old winger scored a brace in his first competitive fixture since October 2022, when he underwent surgery on an historical ACL injury. He had said days before that the team’s physios must “hate him,” given how hard he was pushing to return ahead of schedule. All up, he’s now had seven starts for three goals. He’s still not fully fit, but signs are promising that he’ll return to his best.
Jimmy Jeggo has been battling for a spot in the first team at Hibs, making two starts and five bench appearances so far this season. He joined the club in late January and played 17 times in all competitions last season, starting every single one of those games. But Hibernian signed 22-year-old Wales international Dylan Levitt in July, a former Manchester United academy player, and the pair look set to battle for starting duties in the coming weeks.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Lewis Miller, the 22-year-old right back who hasn’t yet played for the Socceroos but has featured for the Under-23 Olyroos. Miller is in his second season with Hibernian, but looks set for far more game time this campaign.
However, he’ll have to improve his game after a torrid showing in Hibs’ 5-0 loss to Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff clash at Easter Road, where three of the goals came from Miller’s flank.
SERBIA
Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade)
Degenek is back for a third stint at his boyhood club, having spent 18 months in the US. With three starts, three wins, and three clean sheets – and the team not conceding after he came off the bench in the other league match – it’s been a perfect opening to the new campaign. The 29-year-old has fit right back in, and looks like he’s cemented himself as one of the first-choice options at the heart of defence. He’ll also get the chance to play in the Champions League once again.
Interestingly, six-time reigning champions Red Star are playing a three-man backline this campaign, which could give Arnold room to change up his Socceroos defensive structure.
Degenek is in good form at the start of the new season.Source: Getty Images
SINGAPORE
Bailey Wright (Lion City Sailors)
In a move that caught many by surprise, Bailey Wright left Sunderland a year early to join Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors.
The switch to Singapore brings and end to Wright’s time in England where he had played since 2010.
Wright confirmed he had received offers from clubs in England and even from the A-League, but turned it down in pursuit of a new challenge in Singapore.
Having made the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, the decision to move to Singapore is a curious one.
But the 30-year-old has earned the opportunity to pursue a switch for financial reasons and could still venture down to the A-League at some stage in the future.
SWITZERLAND
Awer Mabil (Grasshopper Club Zurich)
The pacy winger will play in a seventh European country this season after signing a deal at Swiss side Grasshoppers.
The team is the most successful in Swiss history, but haven’t won the league in two decades and have struggled in recent years – finishing eighth and seventh in the last two seasons after returning to the top flight after a couple of years in the second division.
They’ve started the new campaign poorly with just one win and one draw from their first four games, meaning Mabil has a great opportunity to cement a spot in the line-up.
It is a much-needed move for the Aussie with 32 international caps and nine goals to his name. Having struggled for game time at Cadiz in Spain’s La Liga (six appearances), he moved to Czechia for the latter half of last season with Sparta Prague, but 15 of his 16 appearances came off the bench. He scored twice (both penalties) and added three assists.
Ahead of his 28th birthday next month, he’ll hope for regular minutes to return to top form. The deal is for two years with an option for a third.
QATAR
Trent Sainsbury (Al Wakrah)
Having been left out of the Socceroos squad for the World Cup, many felt it was the end of the road in the national team for 31-year-old Trent Sainsbury.
Whether he can force his way back into contention remains to be seen, but starting for Qatari side Al Wakrah will give him the best chance possible for that.
Sainsbury started and kept a clean sheet in his side’s Qatar Stars League opener against Muaither SC as Al Wakrah ran out 3-0 winners.
But no matter how often he plays in Qatar, Sainsbury has plenty of bodies in front of him if he is to return to the heart of the Socceroos backline.
Sainsbury’s last Socceroos match in September 2022.Source: Getty Images
WHO ELSE?
Left-back Brad Smith is in the USA for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, where he’s scored two goals in 15 appearances (all comps). But he’s struggling to lock in a spot in the first team and a recall to the Socceroos looks unlikely.
Meanwhile, Tom Rogic is without a club after leaving West Brom in May after a difficult season. He turned down an optional one-season extension on his contract and has not yet found a new club. It mirrors what happened 12 months ago, when he left Celtic but didn’t find a new club – West Brom – until September. This time around, the 30-year-old might look for an easier challenge, including a possible return down under.
A 20-year-old rising star put his name up in lights with a standout performance against Argentina, despite the Socceroos falling to a 2-0 defeat to the reigning World Cup champions.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old defender impressed despite playing just 17 minutes off the bench in his second international game – and after missing out on the 2022 World Cup squad, he could be in line for more minutes in the future.
Here’s how every Australian performed in the huge international friendly in Beijing.
Lionel Messi was the standout, but it was mixed performances from the Aussies.Source: AFP
Mat Ryan: 5
There was nothing he could to stop Messi’s second-minute goal except pick the ball out the back of his net, while it would have taken something special to deny the second goal.
But Ryan raced off his line well in the 36th minute to intercept a pinpoint Messi through ball just before an on-rushing attacker, and made a number of strong saves to keep the scoreline more than respectable.
There were some minor concerns, however, with some wayward passing and once or twice struggling to judge or clear crosses.
In previous years, reports from England claimed that Premier League teams viewed Ryan as having a weakness against crosses.
But it has not been a typical issue in international matches for the green and gold gloveman (though he was decked out in lavender in Beijing).
And he was certainly not at fault for the two goals, while he saved what could easily have been a third goal with a sublime stop from Julian Alvarez.
Jordan Bos: 7.5
It was a standout performance from the 20-year-old in just his second cap, with his first half effort particularly impressive.
If Aziz Behich’s marauding runs were the highlight from an Australian point of view in the December meeting with Argentina, Bos did his finest impersonation in Beijing.
In many ways, this game felt like a changing of the guard at left back. With Behich absent, Bos was solid in defence and attack, and looks set to be the long-term solution at the position.
No Australian won more tackles or duels.
He played some sublime passes and crosses, with a team-high 73 touches, and charged forwards with the ball with youthful exuberance – even if that meant taking a touch too many once or twice, or a poor shot when other options were probably stronger.
Better decision-making in the final third will come with experience, and there’s no doubt after tonight that many more minutes in the green and gold are coming.
Coach Graham Arnold said afterward: “That’s how he needs to play! That’s what I’m saying; I’ve got to play players to their strengths. Jordy’s strength is going forward, and making sure we’re protecting him defensively. He’ll improve out of sight with that.
“This game, the kid will walk away knowing he belongs. He’ll have that belief that he belongs on the big stage now.
“I just think he’s got such a bright future, not just individually but for the Socceroos as well.”
Atkinson finished his season at Hearts in Scotland in good form, but Argentina’s dangerous front line posed a much sterner test – and he was caught out at times.
The right-back had a rather difficult night, particularly against dangerous Fiorentina attacker Nicolás González.
He didn’t have much an impact going forward – making just 27 touches in his 73 minutes, although his passing was safe and secure. Much of that was down to the strategy of allowing Bos to use his attacking skills, with the other defenders shifting to cover him – therefore keeping Atkinson in a more defensive-minded role.
Atkinson was unlucky to earn a yellow card for a fine slide tackle early in the second half, but made a number of solid challenges – particularly when he halted a charging Alexis Mac Allister in the first half-hour.
Harry Souttar: 4.5
He struggled early on – perhaps reflecting his lack of recent game time at Leicester – but grew into the game, like most of his teammates.
He made a team-high four interceptions and was typically strong in the air, but did have a handful of tough moments – like in first-half stoppage time, when Souttar’s attempt to nab the ball from Alexis Mac Allister saw the Aussie left sprawling on the ground by the Argentine midfielder.
However, Souttar continues to forge a good combination with Kye Rowles, often perfectly timing his covering runs for the fellow centre-back.
A perfect example of that came seven minutes into the second half when Souttar made a sublime touch with an outstretched leg to stop Angel Di Maria getting on the end of a long route-one ball and having a one-on-one in the Australian area.
And Souttar showed some fine footwork belying his immense size to dribble out of significant trouble three minutes later.
Kye Rowles: 4.5
In short, Kye Rowles received a footballing lesson from the greatest of all time.
Messi curled the opening shot around Rowles’ attempted block in the second minute – though it would be rather harsh to say the Aussie should have done better.
But he was utterly caught out by the superstar later in the opening half when Messi perfectly timed a run behind the backline and left Rowles for dead, only for Messi to overhit his chip shot.
Rowles was humbled in the 79th minute again by Messi, who turned and jinked past the Australian more than once despite Rowles’ desperate – and illegal – attempts to restrain him.
But Rowles is far from the first to be on the wrong side of a harsh lesson from the diminutive legend – who has made the world’s best look silly time and again in his career.
Even so, there were still plenty of positives!
Rowles had 73 touches (equal team-high), both attempting and completing more passes than any other Aussies at 96.9 per cent accuracy. He added a pair of tackles and clearances as well as an interception.
Rowles was ready to try a rugby tackle.Source: AFP
MIDFIELD
Aiden O’Neill: 5.5
It was a solid but unspectacular effort from the midfielder, who signed for Belgian club Standard Liege in recent days.
The 24-year-old was dependable with his distribution, completing 92.1 per cent of his 63 passes. But he struggled to have an impact on defence, losing all three of his duels. He desperately attempted to shut down Messi before the opening goal, but was flummoxed by the tricky Argentine and left red-faced on the grass.
In the first half, he lost the ball a little too frequently by trying to run through the central channels – something that was a key issue early on, with the Socceroos struggling to maintain possession.
But O’Neill settled as the game wore on and put in a very strong shift in what was just his third cap, before being taken off after 63 minutes.
Keanu Baccus: 5
Baccus fouled an opponent in the first 30 seconds of the match, setting the tone for a physical and tough contest where the referee put away his whistle for much of the match.
The midfielder was Australia’s most fiery player, and he constantly toed the line between aggression and losing control but never quite stepped over it.
He passed well, tackled hard – sometimes too hard – and picked up an interception, and his tough approach was key to Australia’s period of dominance after the opening 15 minutes.
Baccus was in the wars all night.Source: Getty Images
Mathew Leckie: 4.5
It would be incredibly harsh to judge Leckie’s performance on his role in the match’s biggest moment, for it was he who slipped to the ground and gave Argentina the ball that led to the early goal.
But he was one of Australia’s more impressive players in the first half, doing plenty to inspire his younger teammates with his intensity. But his passing was a little sloppy and he failed to make much impact in the final third.
He also made another a poor mistake late in the first half to give away the ball and gift Argentina another strong chance, and faded after halftime.
He was kept quieter than McGree on the other flank, and was taken off after 73 minutes after his second-half shift to centre-forward did not pay off.
Riley McGree: 6
It was a classy performance from the in-form attacking midfielder, fresh off a strong season with Championship side Middlesbrough. Playing out wide, his movement was exceptional, making incisive runs into space and stretching the defence.
He combined well down the left flank with Bos and put in some good crosses before being taken off after 73 minutes.
McGree can be pleased with his performance.Source: Getty Images
STRIKERS
Jamie Maclaren: 3
The Melbourne City striker was starting his first game for Australia since starting against Oman in February of last year.
But after another sensational domestic season where he netted 24 league goals, chances were far harder to come by against the world champs and Maclaren had a very quiet night. He took just one shot, a bold first-time volley that went backwards.
With Australia playing with dual strikers, Maclaren was attempting to run off the back of target man Mitch Duke. The strategy did not quite work out, with Maclaren making just 10 touches including four made passes before being taken off at halftime.
He worked hard defensively with some intelligent pressing and made a couple of tackles.
Mitchell Duke: 3
Duke is a tireless and selfless worker, throwing his body about to win the ball for his teammates. But he wasn’t at his best in that department in this game – struggling as he battled for the ball and winning just one of eight duels.
He managed 12 pass attempts at 58.3 per cent completion. While it is not unusual for Duke to make few passes and have a low accuracy – as a hold-up man when the Socceroos tried long balls to play out of trouble – both stats were well below his best.
And in the end, strikers are judged most of all on their work in front of goals, and Duke missed an absolute sitter. From just outside the six-yard box and right in front, having got in front of his defender, he simply had to score.
He was taken off after 63 minutes.
SUBSTITUTES
Ajdin Hrustic: 5.5
Had a solid performance after replacing Maclaren at halftime, with 37 touches in his 45 minutes.
He was comfortable on the ball and frustrated Argentina’s defenders, winning three fouls – a team-high despite playing just the second half.
He made 27 passes at a fine rate of 88.9 per cent accuracy, but his crossing was sometimes wayward.
Nevertheless, playing in a wider position than usual showed his flexibility and he had strong moments.
Ajdin Hrustic was strong off the bench.Source: Getty Images
Denis Genreau: 4.5
Genreau was oh-so-lucky that his first touch in the game didn’t lead to a Messi free-kick goal, after fouling the maestro just outside Australia’s area. However, the resulting attempt did go out for a corner, and Argentina scored from that corner. It wasn’t a great start, and the game certainly changed from there – and with substitutes coming thick and fast from both teams. Genreau failed to assert himself on the game, with his passing wayward at times under pressure.
Brandon Borrello: 4.5
Replacing Duke, Borrello played a very similar style of game – throwing himself about with great physicality and winning a couple of fouls in the process. He never had a sight at goal – nor a touch in the final third – but was dependable elsewhere.
Alexander Robertson: 4
He had very little impact in his 17 minutes, besides a speculative long-range shot – and was brushed repeatedly by Messi when he tried to grab the legend’s No.10 shirt at full-time.
Connor Metcalfe: 4
Like Robertson, struggled to find a way into the game.
Ryan Strain was a standout off the bench.Source: Getty Images
Ryan Strain: 6.5
There were plenty of promising signs from his brief time on the field, in what was his second cap for the Australian side.
He won all four of his duels, made two clearances – the most of any Aussie outfielder – and nabbed an interception.
Perhaps it was the slower pace of the game after the substitutions and the second goal seemed to seal the result, but he injected himself into the match with great intensity and got on the ball with far more regularity than the man he replaced.
He had 22 touches in 17 minutes, compared to Atkinson’s 27 in 73 minutes.
26-year-old Strain passed well and looked lively, and could well have done enough to earn a start in the future.
After missing out on the World Cup and being left on the bench against Ecuador earlier this year, it was the perfect reminder to Arnold that he can contribute to the side.
