Midfield maestro Massimo Luongo is set to make his long-awaited return to the Socceroos squad after more than four years. Luongo, who was a regular for the Australian national team and named the player of the tournament during the 2015 Asian Cup, has not been selected since October 2019 due to injury. However, his exceptional form with Ipswich Town in the Championship has caught the attention of coach Graham Arnold, making Luongo and his clubmate Cam Burgess impossible to overlook.
Luongo’s inclusion in the squad comes as Australia prepares to face England at Wembley on October 14th, followed by a match against New Zealand in what is being dubbed the “Soccer Ashes” at Brentford four days later. These matches serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in November and the Asian Cup in January.
Arnold expressed his satisfaction with the team’s recent performances, stating, “We’ve faced some tough opponents in recent months, and I’m pleased with how we are progressing towards our goals.” He added, “The focus has always been on refining our system and style of play, which will carry us through the Asian Cup and World Cup qualification.”
Arnold also highlighted the significance of the upcoming matches, saying, “It’s fitting that our hard work culminates in the opportunity to play at Wembley and compete for one of the earliest trophies in Socceroos’ history.” He emphasized the importance of the current squad and previous selections in shaping the team’s future, stating, “This group of players, along with those chosen in previous windows, are crucial to our journey beyond 2024.”
The squad includes the return of midfielder Jackson Irvine, who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained during a match against Mexico. Furthermore, left-back Jordy Bos is back after recovering from appendicitis. With Nathaniel Atkinson sidelined due to an ankle injury, right-back Lewis Miller has earned his first call-up to the national team, impressing with his performances for Hibernian in Scotland under the guidance of former Central Coast boss Nick Montgomery.
In terms of the attacking lineup, Awer Mabil makes a return after settling in at Swiss Super League club Grasshoppers. Brandon Borrello, Aziz Behich, and Andrew Redmayne are the only A-League Men players selected, as Melbourne City’s Mathew Leckie is currently sidelined with an injury. Exciting young talents Mohamed Toure, Alex Robertson, and Patrick Yazbek have been included in the squad as train-on players, highlighting the team’s commitment to nurturing new talent. On the other hand, Cammy Devlin, Denis Genreau, Aiden O’Neill, Nick D’Agostino, and goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer have been omitted from the squad.
The final squad includes a mix of experienced and fresh faces, with players like Mat Ryan, Tom Glover, and captain Mat Ryan leading the way. The likes of Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Keanu Baccus, and Harry Souttar bring a wealth of international experience to the team. Meanwhile, uncapped players Alessandro Circati, Lewis Miller, and Sam Silvera are hoping to make their mark on the international stage.
Overall, the Socceroos squad is well-equipped and eager to showcase their skills in the upcoming matches, as they continue their journey towards World Cup qualification and Asian Cup success.
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