Talking Points: All the potential debutants & Socceroos returning in September

As the Socceroos prepare for its two upcoming international friendlies against New Zealand ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 beginning in November, we discuss some of the key talking points that have emerged from Graham Arnold’s latest 31-player squad.

The Socceroos play their final match on home soil against the All Whites next Thursday in Brisbane (September 22), before meeting again three days later in Auckland (September 25).

The matches will serve as a good opportunity for players to push their selection cases forward, while fine-tuning tactics with the major tournament commencing in just over two months.

Read on to find out more about the squad set to assemble in the camp in the coming days.

READ MORE: 'Mentality is key': Garang Kuol reacts to maiden call-up at 17

NZ Tickets

Potential debutants

Up to seven players could make their debut for the Socceroos, with Arnold exploring his options.

Keanu Baccus has hit the ground running in Scotland with St Mirren after joining from Western Sydney Wanderers. The 24-year-old has started all seven matches across all competitions, registering one goal and one assist from midfield.

Dynamic full-back Ryan Strain – also of St Mirren – has been called-up for the first time since last year’s September qualifiers against China and Vietnam, where he trained with the squad but did not feature.

Exciting midfielder Cameron Devlin is another of the Australian contingent plying their trade in the Scottish Premiership, and has been a regular with Heart of Midlothian since his arrival in 2021.

After impressing with Central Coast Mariners following a midseason move to Gosford, Jason Cummings has been rewarded with a call-up. Although the 27-year-old has previously represented Scotland on two occasions, they occurred in friendly matches, and means he remains eligible to play for Australia due to holding dual citizenship. The striker has scored 11 goals in 22 matches since joining the Mariners in January.

Having made two English Premier League appearances for Fulham at the beginning of the season, Tyrese Francois was loaned out to HNK Gorica to continue his development. The central midfielder captained the Olyroos during the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

At the age of 30, Harrison Delbridge has been called up to the national team set-up for the first time after the centre-back has impressed in Korea Republic with Incheon United, with the side currently in fourth place.

Last but not least, is 17-year-old prodigy Garang Kuol. The Mariners starlet may have only made his Isuzu UTE A-League Men debut back in April, but is already one of the country’s brightest prospects. Kuol found the net four times in his first seven league games and was called up to an U20 Talent Identification camp last month.

Garang Kuol Jason Cummings

Qualifying heroes

Indeed, the bulk of the squad comprises of players who played crucial roles in helping the Socceroos qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ against Peru in June. All but one of the starting XI from that clash return in Arnold’s squad. Kye Rowles misses out due to a broken foot sustained with Hearts, but is expected to be available for selection come World Cup time.

The Socceroos: Australia's Most Watched

Returning Socceroos

Mitch Langerak is back in the Socceroos fray after reconsidering his decision to retire from the national team. The goalkeeper has eight caps for his country with his last arriving in 2017, during a friendly against Brazil at the MCG. 

Thomas Deng, who has one appearance for Australia, has also earned a recall after a strong start with J2 League outfit Albirex Niigata following a long-term injury, as they current occupy top spot due to a superior goal difference.

After four substitute appearances and a goal with 2. Bundesliga side FC St Pauli, young midfielder Connor Metcalfe returns to the side for the first time since March.

Mitch Langerak
Mitch Langerak is back having initially announced his retirement from international football in May last year.

The Olyroos Connection 

There is also a strong Olyroos connection with eight players having recently emerged from the U-23 set-up and into the Socceroos squad. Nathaniel AtkinsonKeanu BaccusThomas DengCameron DevlinRiley McGreeConnor Metcalfe, and Marco Tilio have made the step up. Tyrese Francois is also into the fold after captaining Australia at June's AFC U23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.

As mentioned, Baccus, Devlin and Frnacois will all be looking to make their senior international debuts.

Socceroos vs New Zealand All Whites

Date: Thursday, 22 September 2022
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
On sale now from www.ticketek.com.au 
Watch: Live on Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+, pre-game from 7.30pm AEST

100 Years History Hub Thin Banner