Socceroos Squad Notes: Three maiden call-ups, five returning ...
Australia will be looking to build on a positive October FIFA Men's International Window, where we picked up four points from an available six, after a 3-1 win against China PR in Adelaide and a 1-1 draw away in Japan.
Popovic has made eight changes to that final squad from October with three players called up for the very first time - Max Balard, Anthony Caceres and Hayden Matthews - while five Socceroos have been recalled - Milos Degenek, Rhyan Grant, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle and Kusini Yengi.
Here are the headlines from the latest Australian Men’s National Team squad announcement.
First call-upsCentral midfielder Max Balard has been rewarded with a maiden Socceroos call-up after enjoying a fine start to life in the Netherlands, where he has played every single minute for NAC Breda in the Eredivisie so far this season.
The 23-year-old moved to the Dutch club after winning an historic treble with the Central Coast Mariners in the 2023-24 A-League season, when he was also awarded the Mariners Medal as the club’s best player.
Balard’s all-round game, but particularly his ball-winning prowess, has led to him becoming one of the most consistent performers in the Dutch top flight so far this season, and adds further depth to the Socceroos midfield.
Another in-form midfielder receiving his first Australia call-up is Sydney FC’s Anthony Caceres who, like Balard, has played every available minute for his club in the current campaign.
A consistent performer in Australia’s top flight, Caceres has played over 130 times for Sydney FC and has won several individual and team honours along the way, including the A-League Championship, Premiership, Australia Cup, Mariners’ Player of the Year (2015) and Sydney FC Player of the Year (2021/22).
The 32-year-old is another complete midfielder, with excellent technical ability and vision on the ball, offering Popovic even more options in both central and attacking midfield.
The third player set to feature in a Socceroos squad for the first time is Hayden Matthews, who also plays his club football for Sydney FC.
The 20-year-old centre back made his A-League debut for the Sky Blues last season and has completed 90 minutes in each of their three domestic games in 2024-25.
The 6 ft 5 in Aussie is a towering presence at the heart of defence and represented the Australian Men’s U23s earlier this year in their PacificAus Sports Football Series in Vanuatu.
Defender Milos Degenek is back in the Socceroos fold for the first time since October 2023. The FK Crvena zvezda man recently returned to action after nearly a year out with a serious injury and has represented Australia 44 times. The 30-year-old, who is known for his strong mentality and ability to play in multiple positions, adds further depth to Popovic’s stacked group of defenders.
Forward Kusini Yengi returns to the Australia squad after missing the October window through injury and suspension. The Portsmouth striker returned to fitness in late October and has featured in Pompey’s last five Championship matches. With an impressive four goals in just eight caps for his country, Yengi offers plenty of dynamism and pace to Australia’s attack.
Another dynamic forward returning from injury is Hibernian’s Martin Boyle. The 31-year-old has racked up ten goal contributions (five goals, five assists) across all competitions in Scotland so far this season. With pace to burn and the flexibility to play across the forward line, Boyle - who has scored nine goals in 30 appearances for Australia - will, like Yengi, feature in a Popovic squad for the first time.
Western Sydney Wanderers talisman Brandon Borrello is set to feature in a Subway Socceroos squad again after receiving his last call-up in March this year, while his most recent cap came in November 2023 against Palestine. Borrello has bagged two goals and two assists in just three Isuzu UTE A-League matches this time out, and has scored twice across 11 appearances for Australia. Known for his dribbling skills and creativity, Borrello is another dynamic, versatile option for the Socceroos this window.
Finally, after last representing Australia in March 2022, Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant has also been named in Popovic’s squad for November. The 33-year-old, who has racked up over 300 appearances for the Sky Blues, has represented his country 21 times, scoring once. Grant is a physical, hard-working right-back, with excellent leadership skills and passing ability and, while most comfortable on the right side of defence, is another versatile player in this Socceroos squad.
There are four players who could be in line to make their debuts for the Subway Socceroos in this FIFA Men's International Window - Balard, Caceres, Matthews and Paul Izzo.
The next Australia to have the honour of donning the famous Green and Gold for the first time will become cap number 647.
29-year-old Izzo, who has worked under Popovic before at both Melbourne Victory and Greece’s Xanthi, continues to impress in net for Danish Superliga side Randers FC. The South Australian goalkeeper is set to appear in his fourth consecutive Socceroos camp, alongside fellow shot-stoppers Maty Ryan and Joe Gauci.
Subway Socceroos v Saudi ArabiaThursday, 14 November 2024Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, MelbourneKick-off: 8:00pm AEDTTickets: Ticket allocations are currently exhaustedBroadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Bahrain vs Subway SocceroosWednesday, 20 November 2024Bahrain National StadiumKick-off: 5:15am AEDTBroadcast: Paramount+
HOW TO WATCH: Australia vs Saudi Arabia
HOW TO WATCH: Bahrain vs Australia
