Rising Sydney FC stars Andrew Hoole and Christopher Naumoff are on the back foot before the A-League season has begun thanks to their ill-timed Olyroos call-ups.
Naumoff, 20, and new signing Hoole, 21, are two of seven local players away with the Olyroos in Korea for two friendlies as part of their qualifying route to next year’s Olympic Games.
Their call-up by coach Aurelio Vidmar means they will miss the Sky Blues’ opener against Melbourne City on Saturday night and an irritated Graham Arnold said it won’t be easy for the talented youngsters to earn re-selection in a squad boasting depth.
“World Cup qualifiers for Ange (Postecoglou), no problem,” Arnold told AAP.
“And I understand Aurelio’s side – I’ve been the Olympic coach so I understand it. But for friendly games?
“Hoole and Naumoff, I don’t want to say it, but they’ve lost their starting positions.
“They’ve had to go away, they have to earn it back now.
“If you look at this weekend, whoever I play in their position, he’s got first crack. If he does well, where does it leave those two kids?”
Sydney FC are one of six A-League sides to have lost players to international matches for round one, with Postecoglou’s Socceroos also away in Jordan where they lost their 2018 World Cup qualifier 2-0 early on Friday morning (AEDT).
The squad includes Melbourne City star Aaron Mooy, though Arnold is still preparing his team for the possibility of facing the menacing 25-year-old at Allianz Stadium.
The midfielder played the full 90 minutes against Jordan in Amman but has been named in coach John van ‘t Schip’s extended squad for the match.
“He arrives back Saturday morning so I think he’ll play,” Arnold said.
“A kid at that age should be able to back up.”
MISSING IN ACTION: SOCCEROOS AND OLYROOS AWAY ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY
* Adelaide United – Tarek Elrich, Eugene Galekovic (Socceroos)
* Brisbane Roar – Matt McKay (Socceroos), James Donachie (Olyroos)
* Central Coast – Paul Izzo (Olyroos)
* Melbourne City – Aaron Mooy (Socceroos)
* Melbourne Victory – Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Scott Galloway, Jason Geria, Connor Pain (Olyroos)
* Sydney FC – Andrew Hoole, Christopher Naumoff (Olyroos)
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