Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold today announced six potential debutants in his squad for the upcoming friendly international against Korea Republic.
Sydney FC championship winning duo Andrew Redmayne and Brandon O’Neill are rewarded for their successful Hyundai A-League seasons, as is Melbourne Victory’s Lawrence Thomas, whilst 20-year-old defender Harry Souttar, who plays with Championship side Stoke City, English-based winger Ryan Williams and German-based striker Brandon Borrello all have a chance to earn their first Caltex Socceroos caps.
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Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said: “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.”
“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 eleven players in this squad who have all had excellent seasons in the domestic competition and my message to those playing in the Hyundai 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,” he said.
WATCH: Graham Arnold's squad announcement press conference
“This international window also gives me the chance to spend an extended time with some of our more experienced players who have recently been missing from international football, but have been playing well for their respective clubs like Matthew Spiranovic, Rhys Williams, Adam Taggart, Bailey Wright, Josh Brillante and Brad Smith,” he said.
Arnold said it was also important that the players involved in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™, The FIFA World Cup Russia 2018™ and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017™, had an opportunity to refresh ahead of the new season.
“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,” he said.
The inclusion of Rhys and Ryan Williams is the first time two brothers have been named in a Socceroos squad since Dylan and Ryan McGowan were selected in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup squad. Other brothers to represent the Socceroos in recent times include Adam and Joel Griffiths in May 2008, Adam and Ryan Griffiths in March 2008, Tony and Aurelio Vidmar in 2001 and John and Ross Aloisi in 1998.
The international friendly against Korea Republic will be played on Friday, 7 June in Busan and will be Australia’s first senior men’s international since the completion of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™.
Australia will discover its opponents for the first phase of qualifiers in July, and will play FIFA World Cup preliminary fixtures on the road to Qatar at home and abroad in September, October, and November 2019.
Australia’s match against Korea Republic will kick-off at 8pm local time (9pm AEST), and will be broadcast live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network 10 (10 Bold).
Caltex Socceroos Squad | FIFA Window – June 2019 | Korea Republic Friendly
|
Name |
Club, Country |
A-International Caps (Goals) |
|
Mustafa Amini |
Aarhus Gymnastikforening, Denmark |
5 (0) |
|
Terry Antonis |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
3 (0) |
|
Aziz Behich |
PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands |
35 (2) |
|
Brandon Borrello |
SC Freiberg, Germany |
0 (0) |
|
Joshua Brillante |
Sydney FC, Australia |
5 (0) |
|
Thomas Deng |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
1 (0) |
|
Craig Goodwin |
Adelaide United, Australia |
3 (0) |
|
Rhyan Grant |
Sydney FC, Australia |
7 (0) |
|
Chris Ikonomidis |
Perth Glory, Australia |
12 (2)** |
|
James Jeggo |
Austria Wien, Austria |
1 (0) |
|
Matthew Jurman |
Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia |
7 (0) |
|
Mitch Langerak |
Nagoya Grampus, Japan |
8 (0) |
|
Awer Mabil |
FC Midtjylland, Denmark |
9 (4) |
|
Brandon O’Neill |
Sydney FC, Australia |
0 (0) |
|
Dimitri Petratos |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
2 (0) |
|
Andrew Redmayne |
Sydney FC, Australia |
0 (0) |
|
Brad Smith |
Seattle Sounders FC, USA |
19 (0) |
|
Harry Souttar |
Stoke City FC, England |
0 (0) |
|
Matthew Spiranovic |
Perth Glory, Australia |
35 (0) |
|
Adam Taggart |
Suwon Bluewings, Korea Republic |
8 (4) |
|
Lawrence Thomas |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
0 (0) |
|
Rhys Williams |
Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia |
14 (0) |
|
Ryan Williams |
Rotherham United, England |
0 (0) |
|
Bailey Wright |
Bristol City FC, England |
23 (1) |
** Story updated on May 26 to reflect that Western Sydney Wanderers forward Mitchell Duke has replaced Chris Ikonomidis in the squad. Ikonomidis has withdrawn to undergo shoulder surgery.
Upcoming Match | Caltex Socceroos
Korea Republic vs. Caltex Socceroos (International Friendly)
Date: Friday, 7 June 2019
Venue: Busan Asiad Stadium, Busan, Korea Republic
Kick-off: 8.00pm (local); 9.00pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network 10 (10 Bold)