Graham Arnold on Tuesday announced his latest 26-man squad for the impending two-match international friendly series against Ecuador.
Among the list of players, four have been called up to the national team set-up for the first time including Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci, Melbourne City duo Jordan Bos and Aiden O'Neill and Manchester City youngster Alex Robertson.
Gauci was called into a March 2022 camp, however that was purely as a train-on player and has now been included as one of the three main shot-stoppers.
- MATCH ONE (March 24, Sydney) - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
- MATCH TWO (March 28, Melbourne) - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
READ: Squad Announcement Talking Points - Four Potential Debutants
WATCH: Graham Arnold's Socceroos v Ecuador Squad Announcement Press Conference
Robertson chatted exclusively to Socceroos.com.au, while the three A-League players spoke to the media at their club's press conferences following the exciting news.
Here is how each of them reacted.
Joe Gauci
On receiving the news...
Yesterday was a day off and I was just sitting at home with the family and got a call from a number I didn’t have. It was Graham Arnold on the other end and it was a real surreal moment for me. I was left speechless and still now, I’ll be struggling to find the words to express the feeling that I have to be called up into the National Team. It’s always an honour and a really, really proud moment for myself and for my family.
On his expectations for the camp...
I have no expectation to go in and play. I’m going in to learn and if I get that the opportunity to make an appearance then I’ll take it with both hands. It's something that will be again, another extremely proud moment. For me, it’s probably just going in and showing what I can do and (gain) some development as well. But, of course, I have my eye on the future and hopefully being part of this setup for years to come.
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On previous camp experience as a train-on...
I think it was a good good settler, a couple of days just to get the set up and you know, also meet a lot of the boys that will be going into this squad as well as meeting the coaches and working with them. So I think it'll be good, I'll be lying if I'm saying there'll be no nerves this time, I think there definitely will be, but I'm looking forward to it and that was a great taste for me and things pushed me on to you know, want to get back there.
On what it would mean to debut...
It would mean the world. To represent your country is a fantastic honour. I had a taste of it with the Under 23s posts last season, and that was fantastic. That was my first ever experience of national team, competition or an international appearance. So to make it for the Socceroos would be a really, really special moment.
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Jordan Bos
On receiving the call...
Graham Arnold called me yesterday morning and it was the best phone call you can get so I was stoked about it.
On being compared to Scott Chipperfield...
Look, that's it's amazing when people compare me to such good players and high expectations, but I just try to focus on today and don't let it get to my head or just keep pushing every day.
On training with Aziz Behich...
Definitely just learn as much as I can from him and I'm excited to just learn off all the boys really get that experience and see see what I need to do to get in that spot.
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Aiden O'Neill
On what the call-up means to him...
I've had had a few setbacks in the last few years and the injuries that I've had. I've been working really hard on my game and I'm just really grateful for the opportunity to be honest, just to be involved in that group, and you know the success that they've had at the World Cup, to be a part of that and yeah, just enjoy every moment.
On his role within the team...
We (Graham Arnold and himself) haven't haven't spoke too much about that. I'm sure we'll probably have a sit down and have a chat about that at some point and, and train and I'm coming into this group. There's players that have an amazing international experience. I'm just starting off, I'll be taking everything in and and learn as much as I can and yeah, we'll see what happens.
On Jordan Bos' form and potential...
He's unbelievable, he's really just taking everything in his stride for his age. He doesn't think overthink things. He just goes out there and does what he does. I mean, he's got everything to play at the top. I've been overseas and been involved with a Premier League team and I can honestly say he would slot into that and be able to play week in week out in that division. So he's got a very bright future ahead of him.
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Alex Robertson
On potentially becoming a third generation Subway Socceroo...
My dad and my granddad played for the Socceroos, so to be the third generation will hopefully will be a privilege. Australia is my home Australia, it's where I grew up, and to be back there, to be able to pull on that that Socceroos Jersey will be something special. And I think, you know, it'll just bring back all my memories as a kid, played football in Australia and just kind of put it all together and just be able to do that."
On his national team options and accepting Graham Arnold's call...
With England, obviously I've been here now for seven, eight years. It's been like a second home to me. I've attended school here, I've played here for the last seven years. Scotland, I was born there. You know, it's it's a country that I was just on loan at to Ross County. It was a good experience. And then Peru, my mum and grandma are from there and her side of the family, but I've never actually visited.
But you know Australia just hits home. It's got a place in my heart. Because that's where I believe I'm from. And that's where I grew up and it's where I have all my memories from a child. So when I got the call to play for Australia, it was kind of a no brainer, really and I know it took a few days but them few days, I knew from the very first time Arnie (Graham Arnold) called me that I'd say yes. But you know, it's just kind of sorting some things out, but when he called me it was kind of just say, 'yeah for sure I'm going do it, you know, that's going to be a special moment for me in my career'.