Socceroos coach Graham Arnold makes surprise selections for Beijing match against Argentina
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold makes surprising selections for match against Lionel Messi’s Argentina – including talented teenager who turned his back on Italy to wear green and gold
- Two unlimited players in a 23-man squad
- Melbourne City goalie Tom Glover is praised
- Friendly match to be played in Beijing on June 15
Alessandro Circati, a dual national defender who has rejected overtures from Italy and pledged his future to the Socceroos, has been included in Graham Arnold’s 23-man squad to face Argentina.
Circati, who practices at Serie B club Parma and has previously played for Italy’s junior teams, is the latest coup for Arnold after calling up rising Manchester City star and England youth international Alex Robertson in March.
The 19-year-old Circati is one of two uncapped players, along with Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, to be called up for the one-off friendly in Beijing on June 15 at the expense of Sydney FC No.1 Andrew Redmayne.
AS Roma’s Sydney-born playmaker Cristian Volpato, who is also eligible for Italy, is not included.
Alessandro Circati (left) has been included in the squad for the Beijing game after impressing for Parma in Italy’s Serie B competition
He will be joined by Socceroos stalwarts such as World Cup hero Harry Souttar (pictured playing against Argentina in Qatar last December)
Midfielder Denis Genreau, defender Gianni Stensness and left-back Joel King have all been recalled after missing two friendlies against Ecuador in March.
Veteran campaigners Aziz Behich, Jason Cummings, Milos Degenek, Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy and Bailey Wright are all unavailable.
“Regardless of who we played in June, I made no secret of the fact that this window would be a glimpse into the future,” Arnold said of a squad of 16 players with 10 caps or less.
“We always intended to reward players who have had strong seasons at club level to show what they can do on the international stage.
“With the advantage of having five friendlies before our 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off in November, we should use each of these games to prepare as best we can, and we should also have one eye on the Asian Cup. of January.’
Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover (left) had a torrid time in his team’s 6-1 grand final defeat to Central Coast but still managed to win his first cap for Australia
This month’s friendly is the first meeting between the two sides since Argentina knocked out Australia at the World Cup en route to winning the tournament last year.
A number of promising players, including Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol and unrestricted Central Coast Mariners defender Nectar Triantis, have been left off the Socceroos squad and will instead play for the under-23s in France’s Maurice Revello tournament.
The tournament is seen as an essential prelude to the Olympic qualifiers in September.
Arnold has long stressed the importance of qualifying for the Olympics and sees next year’s Games in Paris as an important preparation tool for the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Graham Arnold overlooked young stars like Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol and Mariners defender Nectar Triantis so they could play in the national under-23 side
Socceroos Squad:
Goalkeepers: Matt Ryan, Tom Glover, Joe Gauci
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Jordan Bos, Alessandro Circati, Joel King, Kye Rowles, Gianni Stensness, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Cammy Devlin, Denis Genreau, Ajdin Hrustic, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Alex Robertson
Attackers: Brandon Borrello, Mitch Duke, Jamie Maclaren, Mathew Leckie.