Socceroos squad notes: Returning players and potential debutants ...
The Aussies will be determined to hit the ground running when they arrive in the city of churches over the weekend after collecting one point from their two games in the September window.
It is a new era for the Australian Men's National Team, with Popovic naming his first squad since being at the helm, while bringing in former Socceroos Paul Okon, Hayden Foxe and Frank Juric to join his coaching staff.
Here are the main discussion points as several familiar faces return to the fray while there is one maiden call up.
Returning PlayersArguably the most intriguing story from Popovic’s inaugural squad is the return of experienced midfielder Massimo Luongo. The 32-year-old had announced his retirement from international football in December last year to prioritise managing his body and was crucial in Ipswich Town’s promotion push last season. However, he has now made himself available for selection and re-joins the team for the remainder of the qualification cycle.
Luongo, who has 45 caps and six goals, has appeared in four Premier League matches with Ipswich Town this season, earning starts against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Dynamic defender Jordan Bos is back after missing the September camp with a minor hamstring injury. The 21-year-old provides undeniable explosiveness and quality to the left side and has shown great form with Westerlo which included an assist in a 2-1 win over Aiden O’Neill’s Standard Liege.
Versatile midfielder Riley McGree returns to the fold for the first time since the March window and could represent his country in his hometown against China PR. The 25-year-old, who possesses 25 caps and one goal, was ruled out of the June and September camps due to injury, but, since his return a week ago, he has contributed with an assist in each of his last two games for Middlesbrough.
Another creative midfielder in Ajdin Hrustic is now available at Popovic’s disposal having recently received regular playing time at his new club Salernitana in Italy’s Serie B. The 28-year-old also registered an assist in a 3-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Serie A outfit Udinese.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos provides an attacking option and returns after earning his inaugural cap during the June window against Palestine in Perth. The Adelaide local was absent last month, succumbing to a quad issue after signing with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.
Midfielder-turned-defender Gianni Stensness is back in the Socceroos set-up for the first time since June 2023. The FK Viking player has two caps to his name, both of which occurred in March 2022, with his debut incidentally coming in a start against Japan. The 25-year-old earns a recall following several consistent performances in Norway’s Eliteserien since overcoming an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, where he has featured as a centre-back.
After more than eight years since his last call-up, right-back Jason Geria is back in Green and Gold colours. Now 31, Geria has been one of the A-League’s most resolute and reliable defenders and has previously played under Popovic during his time at Melbourne Victory. His solitary cap occurred against Greece in June 2016. Geria also showed strong form in this season’s Australia Cup with the Victorian giants finishing as runners-up.
Daniel Arzani also returns to the squad having last appeared for the Socceroos during the June window. The 25-year-old has seven caps and one goal for his country and is a familiar face for Popovic, who coached him at Melbourne Victory.
First call upsNishan Velupillay has been bestowed his first senior call-up. The 23-year-old has previously represented Australia at the U23 level and has made a positive start to the 2024/25 campaign with Melbourne Victory, finishing as the top goalscorer of the Australia Cup 2024 with five goals. He also worked under Popovic at Victory.
As mentioned, Nishan Velupillay could be in line for his maiden senior appearance, while goalkeeper Paul Izzo remains uncapped.
The 29-year-old South Australian impressed under Popovic’s guidance at Victory and subsequently secured a transfer to Danish Superliga side Randers FC at the end of last season. This is Izzo’s third consecutive camp with the Socceroos after his first inclusion in the September 2021 camp.
Match DetailsSubway Socceroos v China PRThursday, 10 October 2024Adelaide Oval, AdelaideKick-off: 7:30pm ACDT (8:00pm AEDT)Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $29 Adult, and $58 Family. Tickets from Ticketek.Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Japan v Subway SocceroosTuesday 15 October 2024 Saitama Stadium 2002, TokyoKick-off: 7.35pm local (9.35pm AEDT)Broadcast: Paramount+
