Perth Glory marquee striker Mile Sterjovski has been assured by national coach Pim Verbeek he remains squarely in the Socceroos’ plans despite missing out on selection for next week’s friendly against South Korea in Seoul.
Jason Culina and Shane Stefanutto were the only A-League players to make the 24-man squad, with Glory’s Socceroos triumvirate of Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne failing to make the cut.
“We spoke with Pim and he made it clear he didn’t want to disrupt us from our preparations because we had a bit of a slow start to the season,” Sterjovski said.
“He wanted us to do the best for our club and said ‘look forward to seeing you in October’ (when Australia takes on the Netherlands).
“I knew it might have been on the cards with the way the fixture list is.
“We play on the Friday night with the Glory (away to Central Coast on September 4) and the Korea match was the next day.
“It kind of gets rid of a headache because you don’t really want to choose.
“I definitely want to be playing for the Glory and obviously for the Socceroos but this way the decision was made for me and I’m looking forward to concentrating on the Glory.”
Sterjovski said Perth’s stuttering start to the season may have played a big part in his omission.
“Jason Culina’s team Gold Coast are doing quite well … whereas we had a bit of a slow start, two away games and we’ve only had the one win,” he said.
“I think he (Verbeek) wanted us to stay here to try to improve our standing on the table and improve our games here.”
Sterjovski is yet to notch a goal for Perth Glory but has looked lively in the past two matches after enduring a forgettable debut.
The 30-year-old has alternated between a role up front and on the wing but will be looking to open his goal tally in Friday night’s clash with Melbourne Victory at ME Bank Stadium.
Melbourne notched their first win of the season last week with a 1-0 triumph over North Queensland and Victory goalkeeper Glenn Moss said the team was eager to bank another three points against the Glory.
“The squad that we’ve got is good enough to win every game we go into so we’ll be going out there to put a few past them,” Moss said.
“We’ve just to go out there and utilise our attacking power.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to sit back just because we’re not at home.”
Perth will be boosted by the return of Brazilian midfielder Amaral, who has signed with the club on a nine-match guest stint after having his previous season ruined by a hamstring injury.
The 36-year-old is likely to start on the bench, with coach Dave Mitchell hinting during the week he was almost certain to stick with the starting XI that beat Newcastle 2-0 last Sunday.
Melbourne will be without defender Evan Berger, who has been ruled out for two weeks with a groin strain.
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