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Graham Arnold has named a captain-less Socceroos squad for next week’s training camp in the UAE and following friendly match against Kuwait on October 15,
The 25-man squad announcement comes soon after former national skipper Mile Jedinak announced his retirement from international football earlier this week.
While new manager Arnold is yet to name Jedinak’s successor, there are a number of eligible candidates in the squad. Experienced central defender Trent Sainsbury, who took the captain’s armband in Jedinak’s absence during Australi’s pre-World Cup warm-up games earlier this year, looms as the man most likely to the lead the Socceroos on the field.
Arnold has named four uncapped players in his squad: Melbourne Victory defender Thomas Deng, Netherlands-based attacking midfielder Denis Genreau, former Adelaide United winger Awer Mabil, and Hibernian attacker Martin Boyle.
Deng, Genreau and Mabil will all be looking to earn their international debuts against Kuwait, but that won’t be on the cards for Boyle, who will only be in camp for during the squad’s time in the UAE leg of the camp before heading back to Scotland.
The 25-year-old, who plays his club football alongside Mark Milligan and Jamie Maclaren at Hibs, Boyle is not yet eligible to represent the Socceroos. However, the FFA are of the opinion he meets the criteria to represent Australia – which is where his father was born – and are currently helping Boyle with his eligibility requirements.
“We believe we have selected a well-balanced squad,” Arnold said in a statement announcing the selections.
“This group will have the opportunity to build upon the standards and principles of play that we established in Antalya, and crucially have the chance to implement the new style that we are working towards in an international match situation when we play Kuwait.
“While some players have missed out on this camp, they, along with many other players globally, remain firmly on our radar as we work towards selecting the best possible squad to help us excel at next year’s Asian Cup.”
Arnold has named four goalkeepers in his squad – Mat Ryan, Mitchell Langerak, Brad Jones and Danny Vukovic – but one of them will be ommitted after this weekend.
The Socceroos’ friendly against Kuwait will take place on Sunday, October 16, with kick off scheduled for 3:30am, Sydney time (Saturday, October 15, 7:30pm local time).
Socceroos squad for UAE training camp and friendly vs Kuwait
Mustafa Amini, Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, *Martin Boyle, Milos Degenek, Thomas Deng, Denis Genreau, Alex Gersbach, Apostolos Giannou, Jackson Irvine, Brad Jones (GK), Tomi Juric, Matthew Jurman, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak (GK), Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Josh Ridson, Tom Rogic, Mathew Ryan (GK), Trent Sainsbury, Daniel Vukovic (GK)
*departing camp after United Arab Emirates training camp
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