SA trio Brandon Borrello, Craig Goodwin and Awer Mabil rewarded with World Cup qualifier call-ups
Three South Aussies will feature in the Socceroos’ next two World Cup qualifiers. And coach Graham Arnold has unwittingly given Adelaide United a boost by removing two key rivals from their A-League season opener.
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South Australians Brandon Borrello, Craig Goodwin and Awer Mabil have been named in the Socceroos’ two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has unwittingly also handed Adelaide United a huge favour.
The Reds will open the 15th A-League season against a depleted Sydney FC at Hindmarsh on Friday night.
Arnold named Sydney’s Rhyan Grant and gloveman Andrew Redmayne in the squad to face Nepal in Canberra on Thursday and Chinese Tapai in Kaohsiung on October 15.
Australia beat Kuwait 3-0 away in their opening World Cup qualifier.
Nepal lost their opener 7-0 to Kuwait and beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 after the Nepalese crashed to Jordan 2-1 last month.
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“Our group did very well in their first qualifier away from home, so I am pleased to be able maintain significant consistency within the squad as we seek to build upon our strong start to qualifying for Qatar,” Arnold said.
“Trent (Sainsbury) is managing a minor injury but remains on standby for the squad should we need to call him in.
“Bailey (Wright) is a big part of our plans and a great player and person to have in the squad, so we are pleased that he will be with us this month.
“Many of the players in our squad for this window have impressed with their clubs since our win in Kuwait, so we are confident that they will arrive ready to put on great performances both home and away.”
The 23-man squad will start assembling in Canberra from Monday before Thursday’s clash.
The squad: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Milos Degenek, Apostolos Giannou, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, James Jeggo, Mitch Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Mark Milligan (c), Aaron Mooy, Andrew Redmayne, Mathew Ryan, Brad Smith, Adam Taggart, Harry Souttar, Bailey Wright.