Socceroos midfielder James Jeggo and uncapped goalkeeper Paul Izzo are just two of several former Adelaide United players who are looking to make their mark during the upcoming September qualifiers.
The pair, who both play their club football in Greece, flew into Doha together and have remained in close contact despite living more than two hours apart.
After missing out on June's action due to injury, Jeggo is back fit and ready to add to his five international caps.
Since making his Socceroos debut in 2018, the midfielder has gone from strength to strength, playing his club football in Austria with Sturm Graz and Austria Wien before moving to Aris Thessaloniki last year.
The 29-year-old, who featured in three of the four matches in the first phase of qualification, is eager to pick up where he left off.
“I'm buzzing to be here, obviously, it's been a long time away with everything that's gone on, but excited to be here, excited to see everyone again and get going,” Jeggo said.
Jeggo is one of five former Adelaide players who have been selected in Graham Arnold’s 27-man squad set to represent Australia in its first two FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Qualifiers.
As he entered camp, the midfielder shared how he couldn't wait to meet up with familiar faces after such a lengthy layoff.
“There are heaps of boys who have played for Adelaide, which is great, it’s good for the club as well,” Jeggo said.
“We all enjoyed it there and it's good to see familiar faces again and catch up with everyone.”
Izzo, Awer Mabil, Riley McGree and Ryan Strain have also represented the Reds’ in the A-League while Ryan McGowan also has an Adelaide connection as he was born in the City of Churches.
While the transition from Adelaide to the national team setup has been seamless for some, Izzo has had to bide his time.
Having broken through the ranks to make his senior debut at United as a 17-year-old, Izzo moved to the Central Coast Mariners to establish himself as a number one.
After impressing on the Coast, the South Australian native returned to the Reds, where 78 appearances between 2017 and 2020 proved to be the springboard to a European move to Greek club Xanthi.
Having previously represented the Joeys, Young Socceroos and Olyroos at youth level, the 26-year-old is delighted to be joining Australia's goalkeeping ranks in September.
“I'm obviously very happy, excited, nervous but happy to finally come and join along,” Izzo said.
“I've been close a few times to coming into camp for reasons that never panned out but finally, I read the message and found out I was in the squad.
“It didn't really hit me until the day before I left but it's a massive honour.”
The Socceroos face China PR on Friday, 3 September, with kick-off at 4am (AEST). Australia's second World Cup qualifier against Vietnam in Hanoi will be played on Tuesday, 7 September.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round)
Australia v China PR
Date: Thursday, 2 September 2021
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kick-off: 9pm local (4am AEST – Friday, 3 September 2021)
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 – pre-game coverage from 3.30am AEST
