Graham Arnold will take an inexperienced Socceroos squad to face South Korea in next month’s friendly in Busan as preparations for 2022 World Cup qualifying ramp up.
Of the 24 players named by Arnold today, only six have played ten games for the national side, and just as many players are yet to make their Australian debuts.
Amongst the potential debutants are Sydney FC duo Andrew Redmayne and Brandon O’Neill. The pair are two of four Sky Blues – and 11 A-League players – in the side following their grand final victory over Perth last weekend, Rhyan Grant and Josh Brillante being the others
Melbourne Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas, Stoke City’s 20-year-old defender Harry Soutar, winger Ryan Williams and striker Brandon Borrello round out the uncapped contingent.
The Glory themselves have two players in the squad, defender Matthew Spiranovic and forward Chris Ikonomidis, but there was no place for Jason Davidson despite his excellent performances for Tony Popovic’s side this season.
Instead, Brad Smith makes his return to the Australian set-up after a stint on the outer. The left-back was a regular in the last World Cup qualifying campaign under Ange Postecoglou, but has since fallen behind the likes of Aziz Behich in the pecking order. Behich has also been included in this squad.
Arnold said his side’s first game since the end of the Asian Cup earlier this year gives him an opportunity to provide a number of players with some much-needed international experience.
“Our World Cup qualification campaign preparations start now. The upcoming camp and friendly international in Korea Republic provides us the opportunity to expose more players to international football, which is vital as we prepare for a long qualification campaign,” he said.
“We have seen how arduous the previous World Cup path was for our squad and it is imperative that we spend this valuable time together to have a close look and some of our next generation.”
“We have 11 players in this squad who have all had excellent seasons in the domestic competition and my message to those playing in the A-League is that if you are playing regularly and consistently for your club, you will come into consideration for the next phase of World Cup qualifiers.”
The omission of a host of Socceroos regulars was no knock on those players, with the familiar names missing from today’s squad still firmly in line to play a key role for Australia once World Cup qualifying gets underway.
“The last couple of years has been tough on many of our senior players with little rest in between seasons. I know what those guys are capable of and I believe it is important they start their new campaigns with fresh bodies and minds. They will all be considered again for our first round of qualifiers in September,” Arnold said.
Socceroos squad for friendly vs Korea Republic on June 7
| Player | Caps (Goals) |
|---|---|
| Mustafa Amini | 5 (0) |
| Terry Antonis | 3 (0) |
| Aziz Behich | 35 (2) |
| Brandon Borrello | 0 (0) |
| Joshua Brillante | 5 (0) |
| Thomas Deng | 1 (0) |
| Craig Goodwin | 3 (0) |
| Rhyan Grant | 7 (0) |
| Chris Ikonomidis | 12 (2) |
| James Jeggo | 1 (0) |
| Matthew Jurman | 7 (0) |
| Mitch Langerak | 8 (0) |
| Awer Mabil | 9 (4) |
| Brandon O’Neill | 0 (0) |
| Dimitri Petratos | 2 (0) |
| Andrew Redmayne | 0 (0) |
| Brad Smith | 19 (0) |
| Harry Souttar | 0 (0) |
| Matthew Spiranovic | 35 (0) |
| Adam Taggart | 8 (4) |
| Lawrence Thomas | 0 (0) |
| Rhys Williams | 14 (0) |
| Ryan Williams | 0 (0) |
| Bailey Wright | 23 (1) |
The Socceroos’ friendly against South Korea will be played in Busan on Friday, June 7, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm (AEST).
AGO74
Guest
You can add Matt Ryan to Crawleys proteges.
AGO74
Guest
John Crawley. He’s brilliant. Look not just at Redmayne but also Danny Vukovic and how he took his game to a whole other level once he joined Sydney FC. Separately it’s good to see our first team players not called up and get to enjoy a full off season after WC and Confeds Cup in last two off seasons (on top off all the regular Asian Travel associated with being in the AFC).
TM
Guest
what about George Timotheau ? He just played a full game for Schalke
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Halloran, Duke and Yeboah are too old and not good enough in my opinion.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Personally I think Gersbach, Davidson and Smith are all better than Behich. I wasn't impressed with Behich at the world Cup, confederations Cup and the Asian Cup.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
What do you think about giving some of the other Adelaide players a chance to prove themselves, ie Kitto, Galloway, Marrone (as they are all versatile)? I also believe in the ability of Elsey, Strain and Blackwood.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Have always believed in Redmayne's ability, even though he hasn't played overseas, great to see him break through.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Good to see Smith back. He's been huge in the MLS this season, getting in a couple of teams of the week. Surely will get another crack in Europe before too long. Guessing Behich is there to add a bit of continuity to the line-up, as he's played about half a game all Eredivisie season. Feel for Davidson though. We should make a point of rewarding the best performing Aussie A-league player in each position, and he was certainly the best at LB.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
In the reserves yes, I think he's made it onto the bench once (without gametime) in the first team in the back end of the Bundesliga season. I realise he's a bright prospect and he'll almost certainly be a first teamer next season, but still feels harsh to parachute him in rather than having another look at Halloran, Duke or Yeboah, or giving one of the Olyroos like Stamatelopoulos, Champness or Wales a go. Also presumably Hrustic and McGree are focusing on their club duties and weren't just overlooked..
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Hard to argue with that. Nice to see 4 West Aussies in there.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Ben - I contend that when we play at higher levels and I include ROK there, we struggle in front of goal and we often don’t really look likely to break down a defence and look really dangerous. Qualifiers we do ok but finals of WC - mmmmmm different story but oft repeared.
Brian
Guest
VAR
Brian
Guest
I like the fact its a young squad, now is the time to give guys a chance. What's gonig with Arzani?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Borrello's been out for about a year injured, but seems to have a regular starting spot now at SC Freisburg now, looking at Soccdferway. Good to see him here, but doubt he's up to national standard just yet. Still, it gives him incentive.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It's an age old question but rather a strange one given last qualification we scored equal highest number of goals in the second round and third highest number of goals in the third round (with us not competing in the first round). We bang in the goals, always have, but since they are spread around and not from one source it seems to have people spooked. The better question is "who will stop the goals", as conceding has been a far bigger issue than scoring.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Age old question that rears its head each time.......realistically, who will score some goals?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Probably one of the few chances to look at fringe players before qualification begins. It would be good to face a strong Korea Republic to answer any questions Arnold has around the fringe and their capability during proper qualification games.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Great to see Taggart there. I'm assuming Nabbout couldn't get a release. I can't believe Andrew Redmayne is near becoming a Socceroo. Well done to him after a lot of criticism over his time. Good young squad that will struggle against Korea Republic if they play a strong side.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Well, I guess I can't argue with this squad too much. Very happy to see Borrello, Deng, Goodwin, O'Neill, Redmayne, Smith, Souttar and Taggart given a chance.