Forgotten midfielder Massimo Luongo is poised to make his first Socceroos appearance in more than four years after national coach Graham Arnold made seven changes to Australia’s squad for this month’s friendly internationals in London against England and New Zealand.
Ipswich Town midfielder Luongo, who scored for the Socceroos in their 2-1 2015 Asian Cup final win over South Korea, hasn’t played for Australia since January 2019.
Joining him in being recalled are attacking weapons Brandon Borrello, Craig Goodwin and Awer Mabil, left-back Jordan Bos and goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, while uncapped Hibernian right-back Lewis Miller has been called up to the Socceroos squad for the first time.
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Out of the 23-man squad selected for the Socceroos’ 2-2 draw with Mexico last month are injured trio Mathew Leckie, Nathaniel Atkinson and Nick D’Agostino, as well as midfielders Cameron Devlin, Denis Genreau and Aiden O’Neill, and goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Western Sydney’s Borrello, Sydney FC’s Redmayne and Melbourne City left-back Aziz Behich are the only A-League representatives in the squad.
“This squad, along with those players selected in previous windows, are an important part of our journey into 2024 and beyond,” Arnold said.
“We’re building a strong group of players who understand the team culture and values that underpin everything we do.
“We’ve got a fantastic group of young players coming through, many who have come through the Olyroos’ Olympic program, we’re now seeing the benefits of that work and investment.
“The involvement of players in a train-on capacity in this camp is about bringing them into the environment as they continue their development.”
The Socceroos meet England at Wembley on October 14 (AEDT) and New Zealand at Gtech Community Stadium on October 18 (AEDT).
”We’ve played some quality opposition in recent months, and I’ve been happy with how we’re building towards what’s an important period,” Arnold said.
“Aside from the opposition, we’ve been able to vary conditions and personnel to give players the opportunities they need to grow an develop within our environment.
“This period has always been geared towards those outcomes, as we refine the system and style of play that will carry us through the Asian Cup and World Cup qualification.
“I think it’s fitting this work culminates in what will be an amazing occasion at Wembley, as well as the opportunity to face New Zealand.”
Socceroos squad: Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Jordan Bos, Martin Boyle, Caneron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Thomas Glover, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil. Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Andrew Redmayne, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain.
