Why Socceroos coach made shock call on talented star… and left out veteran: Talking Pts

The Socceroos squad to face Indonesia and China this month in two crucial World Cup Qualifiers was always going to be different – a raft of injuries to key players made that a certainty – but the 26 names decided upon by coach Tony Popovic is truly an eclectic mix of tried and tested, generation next and those who might’ve thought their time had passed.

There’s only one thing for certain about a Popovic squad: You never know what you’re going to get. This isn’t a bad thing and those stuck on the rehabilitation table have forced him to look far and wide.

The result is change en masse with few areas of the squad not impacted.

Extended 26 player Socceroos squad:

Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Thomas Glover (GK), Craig Goodwin, Alex Grant, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Nectarios Triantis, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi

A RAFT OF INJURIES

The list of unavailable players is a long one. Ready, take a deep breath and go.

Goalkeeper Joe Gauci (hip), defenders Hayden Matthews (ankle), Harry Souttar (achilles), and Jordy Bos (hamstring) are all sidelined while Riley McGree can’t shake off what Middlesbrough are calling a knock. Alessandro Circati ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee just before Popovic took charge late last year and the 21-year-old Parma defender would’ve been a certain starter if available.

Popovic has always been bullish about meeting poor circumstances with a defiant attitude and that remains the case.

“That gives an opportunity to someone else,” is his assessment of the injury list.

“I’ve quickly learned in this role that you can never take anything for granted.”

“We’re very happy with the squad we’ve assembled.”

GOALKEEPERS

Mat Ryan looks certain to continue in goal. The captain was dropped to the bench for three games when Popovic took over as coach before reclaiming his spot between the sticks from Joe Gauci for their last start 2-2 draw with Bahrain in November. A move to Ligue 1 side Lens in January helped the skipper regain rhythm after being frozen out at Roma in Italy. Paul Izzo has been a mainstay in goal for Randers FC in Denmark and looks the most likely to feature should anything happen to Ryan in camp while Thomas Glover has featured seven times for Middlesbrough in the second tier Championship in the UK this season but has spent the last eight games on the bench.

DEFENDERS

This was the area of the squad most impacted by injuries. Three of Australia’s first choice back five are out of action (Harry Souttar, Hayden Matthews, Jordy Bos) before you even account for the absence of Circati. It’s no surprise then that this is the area of the 26-player squad where Popovic invested most heavily in reinforcements.

There are six centre back options (Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles, Alex Grant, Kai Trewin and Milos Degenek), two right back choices (Lewis Miller and Fran Karacic), and two left backs (Aziz Behich and Jason Davidson).

“They are key players of course, but would you classify Jason Geria as a key player now in the Socceroos backline?” Popovic asked reporters when questioned about the job he needed to do to patch up his backline.

The intimation being that before Geria was handed a Socceroos re-call by Popovic in October he too would’ve been thought of as patching up a hole in the backline. Instead, he’s been one of Australia’s best and earned a move back to the J-League from Melbourne Victory. Geria has struggled for game time in Japan, but his importance to the national team remains high.

“I’m confident that someone else who has now been selected may take that opportunity,” Popovic continued.

Alex Grant could be that man.

Popovic and Grant worked together at Perth Glory before both left at the same time. Popovic departed for an opportunity in Greece and Grant headed for Korea and then China.

While admitting he was concerned about Grant’s recent amount of game time – he hadn’t played for seven months before signing a short-term deal in February to return to Australia with Sydney FC through until the end of the A-League season – Popovic has a feeling the 31-year-old’s experience could be required.

He’s racked up four appearances for the Sky Blues since departing China and been dependable. It’ll have to be enough.

“He’s just a tough defender. I feel there might be a moment in these two games that we need that,” Popovic said.

Fran Karacic gets his first Socceroos call-up since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Now 28, the right back impressed Popovic with his maturity and leadership skills.

Karacic has thrived at NK Lokomotiva in Croatia, where he landed after a rocky search for a new club, and been handed the captain’s armband.

“You can just see a different player. I don’t know if the responsibility has helped him, but he seems a leader on the field.”

“I want to see what he can do in our environment.”

The message is clear.

While externally people might see trouble, internally Popovic sees opportunity.

MIDFIELDERS

The only area of the squad as stacked as the centre of defence is central midfield.

Popovic has five options to choose from (Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Ryan Teague, Anthony Caceres and Nectarios Triantis).

Teague and Triantis are the new faces.

Popovic thought about picking Teague in the October and November window. The decision to overlook the Melbourne Victory man prompted speculation he’d consider switching allegiances to play for China. The coach insists those rumours weren’t a factor in his decision-making process.

“If someone chooses to play for another country that’s their choice,” Popovic said.

Instead, it was form alone that sealed Teague’s spot.

“I think in the last month or so he’s really stepped up his game and with Ryan, I believe whenever there’s a big game he really steps up and I think he’s showing a character and personality that we want to see in the Socceroos.”

Triantis has transformed himself into one of Hibernian’s most valuable players in Scotland scoring three goals and providing five assists as a deeper lying midfielder.

One of those assists came with Popovic in the stands for Hibernian’s clash with Celtic in late February. It might not have sealed his spot then and there, but it didn’t hurt.

Triantis was another Popovic pondered picking in October and November, but felt he was “a little bit raw” but has since “developed confidence, obviously a lot of belief and is playing really well.”

WINGERS

Daniel Arzani, Marco Tilio, Craig Goodwin and Martin Boyle can cover the inverted winger role in Popovic’s system.

Arzani’s selection was unexpected.

Popovic gave the hugely talented 26-year-old a massive reality check in January when he revealed to reporters that Arzani’s effort during the camp in October “wasn’t good enough” and that his “level was really poor in training.”

Arzani responded with some encouraging recent performances for Melbourne Victory.

“He gets another chance, I’m sure he didn’t expect it,” Popovic said.

“I’m hoping that Daniel will come in, train a lot better than he did in October and this time we think about putting him on the field and showing that great talent that I know he has.”

It’s a huge opportunity for Arzani, but Popovic also knows the campaign has reached a critical point where failure as a team will put their World Cup hopes in jeopardy.

If Australia is chasing a goal late against Indonesia or China Arzani could be the answer.

While Arzani was dubbed “the next big thing in Australian football” when he burst onto the scene as a teenager in 2018, it looks like that burdensome tag will be shared by multiple players coming behind him.

Several members of the Young Socceroos who recently won the U20 Asian Cup also possess touches of magic. A crop of technically adept players is on the way, even if deemed not quite ready for the main stage just yet. The next World Cup Qualifying cycle will be where they get to perform.

STRIKERS

Mitch Duke was left out due to a “lack of game time,” according to Popovic.

The striker has been a regular for the Socceroos since 2019. What he has lacked in goals has been made up for somewhat by relentlessly leading Australia’s forward press. The currency for a striker though will always ultimately be goals and Duke has scored just four times in 24-games since the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The 34-year-old is on the books of Machida Zelvia in the J-League and has been limited to just 45-minutes this season.

Duke needs minutes and goals with Popovic quick to point out this isn’t the end of the road for the veteran forward.

“That doesn’t equate to him never being selected again,” he said.

“I’m sure if Mitch gets some minutes under his belt, he comes into contention for June.”

The decision to pick Kusini Yengi by that logic is both contradictory and not so at the same time.

Yengi injured his knee in the Socceroos match with Bahrain in November and spent three-months on the sidelines. He returned for Championship side Portsmouth in late February but has been limited to 28-minutes from four games.

“They’re both in a very similar position,” Popovic admitted.

“But I think in terms of the profile of player, they’re two different types of players and we don’t have anyone that has the style of play or the profile that Kusini has.

“I was in London to watch him a few weeks ago. So, I saw the way he was moving. I can see that he has looked after his body really well.

“For a first game since November. He gives us something a little bit different to what the other attackers do.”

That profile includes size, speed and most importantly goals. Yengi has scored six times in 12-appearances at international level.

He’ll be joined in camp by fellow forwards Brandon Borrello from the Western Sydney Wanderers and Adam Taggart from the Perth Glory.

Just who will start against Indonesia in Sydney on Thursday night remains a mystery. Taggart has been in good form for the Glory with seven goals from 19-games in the A-League Men’s so far this season while Borrello has five goals and also seven assists.

THOSE WHO MISSED OUT

Adrian Segecic has been in incredible form for Sydney FC with a string of spectacular goals but instead will be with the Under 23’s at the Doha International Cup at the same time as the Socceroos are playing.

Nestory Irankunda isn’t in that squad or the Socceroos despite the 19-year-old being named the Swiss Super League’s Player of the Month for February after his move from Bayern Munich to Grasshoppers.

Popovic admitted he was “tempted” to bring one or both of them in and although ultimately deciding against it said he was “happy that they’re playing and they’re playing well, and they just need to continue.”

Western United striker Noah Botic leads the race for the golden boot in the A-League Men with 10 goals from 20-games. His exclusion follows Popovic’s warning to Australia’s young stars in January that form over a long period would trump short term excitement.

“It’s the first year that he’s had consistent football, that he’s backing up every week playing,” Popovic said.

“He’s always been a natural goal scorer.

“He has a wonderful mentor there (in Western United coach and former Socceroos striker John Aloisi) that can hopefully take him to the next level, and he might be there in the future.”

Max Balard can feel hard by.

Balard has been a regular starter for NAC Breda in the Dutch top flight this season and been dubbed the “Aussie Kante” by fans of the club who’ve compared him to former Leicester City and Chelsea star N’golo Kante – a player who built an impressive career off the back of workrate and industry in midfield.

“He’s probably one that’s probably unlucky not to be there,” Popovic revealed after announcing he’d gone for Teague and Triantis instead.

Balard earned a maiden Socceroos call-up for the November window against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, but didn’t get on the field in either game.

THE STATE OF PLAY

Australia is currently in second spot in group C during the third round of qualifying after racking up seven points from six games.

Finish first and second in your group and you can start planning for a World Cup appearance. The complicating factor here is that last placed China is on six points.

Two wins over the next week and a half would put the Socceroos on the brink of qualifying for the game’s global showpiece in 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico. The alternative, with games against Japan at home and Saudi Arabia away in June, pitches them headfirst into another qualifying scrap where the side is still a chance of punching its ticket in the fourth round. The margin for error is narrow.

“We understand very clearly where we are at in the qualification games. We also know that we’re second and we have a chance to cement that spot,” Popovic said.

“It’s in our hands. We need to embrace the pressure and that expectation.”