Socceroos coach Graham Arnold makes surprise selections for match against Lionel Messi’s Argentina – including talented teen who turned his back on Italy to wear green and gold
- Two uncapped players in 23-man squad
- Melbourne City goalie Tom Glover gets nod
- Friendly to be played in Beijing on June 15
Dual-nationality defender Alessandro Circati, who has rejected overtures from Italy and pledged his future to the Socceroos, has been named in Graham Arnold’s 23-man squad to take on Argentina.
Circati, who plies his trade with Serie B club Parma and has previously played for Italy’s junior teams, is the latest coup for Arnold after he called up rising Manchester City star and England youth cap Alex Robertson in March.
The 19-year-old Circati is one of two uncapped players along with Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover, who has been called in at the expense of Sydney FC No.1 Andrew Redmayne for the one-off friendly in Beijing on June 15.
AS Roma’s Sydney-born playmaker Cristian Volpato, who is also eligible for Italy, is not included.
Alessandro Circati (left) has been called into the squad for the Beijing game after impressing for Parma in Italy’s Serie B competition
He’ll be joined by Socceroos stalwarts like World Cup hero Harry Souttar (pictured playing against Argentina in Qatar last December)
Midfielder Denis Genreau, defender Gianni Stensness and leftback Joel King have all been recalled after missing the two friendlies against Ecuador in March.
Experienced campaigners Aziz Behich, Jason Cummings, Milos Degenek, Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy and Bailey Wright are all unavailable.
‘Irrespective of who we played during June, I have made no secret that this window would provide a glimpse into the future,’ said Arnold of a squad containing 16 players with 10 caps or fewer.
‘We were always going to reward players who have had strong seasons at club level to show what they can do on the international stage.
‘With the benefit of having five friendlies before our 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starts this November, we need to use every one of these matches to prepare as best we can, as well as having one eye on January’s Asian Cup.’
Melbourne City goalie Tom Glover (left) had a torrid time in his team’s 6-1 grand final defeat by 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 Australia out of last year’s World Cup en route to winning the tournament.
A number of promising players, including Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol and uncapped Central Coast Mariners defender Nectar Triantis have been kept out of the Socceroos squad and will instead feature for the under-23s in the Maurice Revello Tournament in France.
The tournament is seen as a vital tune-up for Olympic qualifiers in September.
Arnold has long stressed the importance of qualifying for the Olympics, viewing next year’s Games in Paris as a key 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-23s side
Socceroos squad:
Goalkeepers: Mat 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
Forwards: Brandon Borrello, Mitch Duke, Jamie Maclaren, Mathew Leckie.
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