Squad Announcement Talking Points: Four potential debutants and more!

From 21 World Cup heroes, to four potential debutants and a couple making their international comebacks, there is plenty to get excited about from Graham Arnold's latest squad.  

Injuries to Martin Boyle, Ajdin Hrustic, Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie and the retirement of Danny Vukovic, have opened the door for some fresh faces in the Subway Socceroos' squad this month, which is otherwise filled with the figures who made history in Qatar. 

Read more about the players - new and returning - who will be involved when the Green and Gold take to the pitch in Sydney and Melbourne this month. 

Potential Debutants 

Up to four players - all playing different positions - could earn their first senior international caps against Ecuador. 

Manchester City's Alexander Robertson is a name sure to stand out to many. 

Should the 19-year-old make his Socceroos debut, it will mark three generations from the same family who have donned the green and gold for the senior men’s national team, following his grandfather, Alex Robertson Sr. (1984) and father, Mark Robertson (2001).

The young midfielder is currently training day in, day out with the first team under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City - featuring and scoring regularly for their U-23's side.

While Robertson is eligible for other international sides such as England, Scotland and Peru, the youngster has decided to join his first senior Australian camp next week with the goal of pulling on the green and gold. 

Another option in the centre of the park drafted into Graham Arnold's squad is Melbourne City's Aiden O'Neill.

The midfielder is no stranger to the international set-up, having featured for the Olyroos on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

After some injury challenges the former Burnley youth product has made over 50 A-League Men's appearances for the reigning premiers, evolving into an important part of Patrick Kisnorbo, and now Rado Vidosic's plans. 

O'Neill will be joined by another Olyroo, and club teammate, Jordan Bos. 

The left back is another player who has enjoyed a standout campaign in Australia, demonstrating his powerhouse ability in defence, and technically prowess in attack. 

Bos last pulled on the green and gold at youth level for the Australia U-23's at last year's AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022, when the side finished in fourth position. 

Another impressive figure emerging from that camp was Joe Gauci, who has received the nod to join the Subway Socceroos' goalkeeping stocks. 

After bursting onto the scene with Adelaide United, the 22-year-old previously received a first taste of the Socceroos setup when he joined camp as a train-on in March 2021. 

A year later, the young goalkeeper is set for his first senior call-up. 

A teammate of Gauci - Adelaide United and Subway Joey attacker, Nestory Irankunda, will also join the Subway Socceroos in camp as a train-on player, giving the 17-year-old exposure to the senior national team environment.

Returning Socceroos

Two previously-capped players who unfortunately missed out on the opportunity to travel to Qatar will be back in the fold and out to impress this month. 

Connor Metcalfe, club teammate of Jackson Irvine at FC St Pauli has enjoyed a solid run of form with the 2. Bundesliga club in recent weeks. 

Metcalfe made his international debut in June 2021, featured sporadically throughout Australia's qualification journey, and Graham Arnold has explained only narrowly missed out on a place in the Subway Socceroos' world cup squad. 

Back in the set-up this month, the former Melbourne City midfielder will be out to add to his five international appearances to date. 

Brandon Borrello is another who returns to the fold off the back of some impressive club fold. 

After returning to Australia from Germany, the versatile attacker has hit the ground running for Western Sydney Wanderers, often playing in a less familiar number nine role. 

Four goals in five names saw Borrello named the A-League Mens' Player of the Month for February, and he has been further rewarded with a spot amongst Australia's attacking ranks once again.

World Cup Heroes 

16 players who enjoyed match minutes as Australia secured their best ever FIFA World Cup finish in December last year will be joining the homecoming parade in Sydney and Melbourne.

Goalkeeping stocks include captain Maty Ryan, plus Andrew Redmayne, who played an iconic role in qualifying for the tournament. 

At the back Aziz Behich could line up on the left after an impressive run of performances in Qatar, while now-Premier League defender Harry Souttar is joined by Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright and Milos Degenek as centre back options. 

The latter is also an option to play at right back, as shown in the Round of 16 against Argentina, alongside Heart of Midlothian man Nathaniel Atkinson. 

Aaron Mooy is in the squad, fresh off his stunning form in Scotland, as is Middlesbrough's Riley McGree, St Pauli's Jackson Irvine, and St Mirren's Keanu Baccus, who caught the eye of many with his start against Argentina. 

World Cup goalscorers Craig Goodwin and Mitch Duke are both set to feature in attack, while the sole scorer last time the Subway Socceroos played on home soil and recently-named Young Australian of the Year Awer Mabil will be involved.  

A couple of headline-grabbing debutants in September last year are also back after featuring off the bench throughout the FIFA World Cup, with Central Coast Mariners past and present Jason Cummings and Garang Kuol both named in the squad. 

The squad also includes a handful of players who did not take to the pitch in Qatar, but buoyed by their World Cup experience will be itching to make an impact heading into the new cycle. 

These include Japan-based defender Thomas Deng, energetic midfielder Cameron Devlin and young attacking livewire Marco Tilio, who have all been in solid form for their clubs since the tournament. 

WATCH: Graham Arnold's squad announcement press conference 
READ: Subway Socceroos squad named for 'Welcome Home' series

Tickets for the Subway Socceroos’ “Welcome Home” Series are available from socceroos.com.au and start at $10 for Juniors and $20 for Adults with Concessions starting at $15.

Football Australia can confirm that $1 from every ticket sold for both matches will be donated to the CommBank Pararoos. The CommBank Pararoos are Australia’s national men’s football team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or symptoms acquired from stroke.

The two match "Welcome Home” series will be broadcast live on Network 10 and Paramount+.

SUBWAY SOCCEROOS SQUAD – WELCOME SERIES VS EQUADOR – MARCH 2023

SUBWAY SOCCEROOS’ WELCOME HOME SERIES – MATCH SCHEDULE

Match Day One
Date: Friday, 24 March 2023
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Time: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=SOCECU23
Broadcast: Live on 10 in Sydney and Melbourne, 10 Bold in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth, and on 10 Play and Paramount+.

Match Day Two
Date: Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/25005E53BFD52417
Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+

Melbourne Two Match Deal
Subway Socceroos v Ecuador: Tuesday, 28 March, 7:30pm AEDT
CommBank Matildas v France: Friday, 14 July, 7:30pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/25005E618FB73FBF

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