In-form Middlesbrough winger Sammy Silvera and Scottish-born defender Cameron Burgess are in line for their first senior Socceroos caps after they were called into Australia’s squad for this month’s friendly against Mexico.
Australia manager Graham Arnold unveiled his squad on Friday with Silvera and Ipswich centre back Burgess joined in the senior set-up by Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Parma defender Alessandro Circati, who was named but didn’t play in June’s friendly against Argentina, is also picked in a youthful Socceroos squad.
The coach also revealed that he was offered the manager’s job at Scottish club Hibernian, but turned it down in order to remain with Australia.
“It was an honour that Hibs rang me and offered me the job but I’ve got a job to do here,” he said.
“I will say I love coaching our nation, I feel I’ve got a great job.
“For me it’s all about Mexico, getting ourselves ready for that and developing and helping our boys in Australia.
“I spoke to their owner and at this moment the timing’s not right. I have a job on my hands here and I have full focus on the Socceroos.”
Arnold would have chosen more emerging talent but injury prevented Portsmouth’s Kusini Yengi and Belgium-based leftback Jordan Bos joining the squad for the September 10 international in Dallas.
The squad contains just two players from the A-League Men.
Silvera, 22, has impressed at club level for Boro since leaving the Central Coast Mariners in the off-season.
“He’s doing very well on the right wing,” Arnold said.
“In the A-League he was hot and cold but he seems to be performing more (consistently) at a good level now.”
Burgess’s selection is also interesting given Harry Souttar’s struggle for minutes at Leicester and a long-term injury to Gianni Stensness ahead of January’s Asian Cup.
Born in Aberdeen before spending his formative years in WA, Burgess, 27, won youth caps for Australia and Scotland.
“We’ve watched him for about 12 months and I would’ve picked him for the Argentina game but he was injured,” Arnold said.
“It’s fantastic to have another left footed centre back, he’s 198cm, a big boy, very strong and he’s playing at a very good level with Ipswich.”
Arnold has left the likes of Garang Kuol, Adjin Hrustic, Jason Cummings and Awer Mabil out of September’s squad.
The Socceroos boss said Man City midfielder Alex Robertson, who is on loan at Portsmouth, was not selected to allow him to focus on club football.
Mathew Leckie and Aziz Behich are the only two players chosen from the A-League Men.
Arnold has frequently bemoaned the league’s start date, which comes after the September and October windows, and has meant Brandon Borrello, Jamie Maclaren and Craig Goodwin have been overlooked.
“It hurts and damages the September and October windows,” Arnold said.
“It’s the hardest thing to ring those players and tell them that they haven’t been selected and it’s not their fault. It’s the domestic league and the structure that we have.”
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (capt), Tom Glover, Ashley Maynard-Brewer*
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Cameron Burgess*, Alessandro Circati*, Milos Degenek, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Martin Boyle, Cammy Devlin, Denis Genreau, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Sammy Silvera*
Forwards: Nick D’Agostino, Mitch Duke, Mathew Leckie
*Denotes uncapped.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Ok fair enough. There is an x factor about Silvera and Arnie is probably just playing the game to appease the media hounds.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
That is the point I am making, Arnie even says he has been more consistent in England how is that possible given how long he has been there. Silvera should have been selected because he was the best Australian player in the final series.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Geez he has literally just unpacked his suitcases and you're already on his case about "has he done anything"? Have you ever played or coached football at any level?
Grem
Roar Rookie
He’ll be back, but his Socceroos dream is over. No more World Cups for Jason. I think he might have been a bit like JMac - a very good A Leagues striker, but not quite an international one.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I like the look of Sydney. These young guys – Kurcharski, Aminitides, Girdwoid-Reich, Gurd, Adams, Holman mixed in with Rodwell, Mac, Lolley, Caceras and a new striker. This could be an exciting year. A bit Mariners/AU like plus some experienced top level players.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Sadly, that’s probably the case. I’m hoping he’ll be back with CCM in two years for another crack at the Socceroos. I’m cautiously optimistic.
Brendan
Roar Pro
True. WSW look impressive. I’m surprised, because until recently, they had a habit of letting up-and-coming talent slip through their fingers.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Cummings left himself out by going to the IPL...
Garry
Roar Rookie
WSW look lethal atm
mrl
Roar Rookie
Lack of media coverage is what makes it magic. No over the top crap….just people attending who care about their team and the wonderful players who train their guts out to have a crack at the “professionals”.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Has Silvera actually done anything in England yet. FInal series in the A-league he was scoring sensational goals and assists. Aided of course by being up against Lopez and Reiz. Arnies selection policy seems to be play in the Championship your automatically in the squad.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If it so magic then why doesn't the media cover it in the slightest. Even in the good old days of the SMH covering the A-league they skipped on the Australia cup. Its money down the drain and its also artificial with a rigged draw. The only people that back it are the gooses that back the second division and seem to have a hard on for the so called old clubs. What about the final crowds it gets. it hasn't cracked 20k for the final. People dancing up and down about 16k when it was Sydney United and Macarthur and the first derby final was ridiculous as well
mrl
Roar Rookie
It is magic....the only true national competition of any sport in Australia. Every club in in the country gets a crack. We know an Aleague club will win...but you never know...
Brendan
Roar Pro
I’d love the Metrostars to progress. Although, Melbourne City look strong.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I like Arnold, but cynically, did he have to admit rejecting the job at Hibernian? Privately, he didn’t have to whisper a word. Ok, I’m just bitter he left out Jason Cummings.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Perhaps a Sydney FC v Metrostars final.
mrl
Roar Rookie
On a more important note…Metrostars from Adelaide powering on in the FFA Cup or Australia Cup or whatever it’s called. Come on!!! What a wonderful competition!!
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Expecting Mexico to put 5 or more past us for this game, pretty weak squad and a lot of first timers so it will be a hit out they will wanna forget. I can just here the fans saying "Hè's rebuilding the squad" after we lose our next five matches.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Part of the youth team almost 10 years ago and then since has been around the lower leagues in England and had not had any interest from anyone till he is in the championship this season.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He is a left back, which is very handy, especially with Bos injured. Bos, Behic, Burgess and King - that’s a lot of competition for that position. He is also a former Australian youth representative, so he has been part of our set up. Arnold just needs to be get Volpato over the line now.