Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has named a squad with several former Adelaide United players for FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Graham Arnold has rewarded four ex-Adelaide United players with an Australian squad call up for the opening match of the 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- Facing United would be a fairytale, says ex-Red
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has named three South Australians and four ex-Adelaide United men in the squad for the side’s opening match of the 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
SA’s Freiburg of Germany’s Brandon Borrello, 24, who has his roots steeped in local soccer clubs Salisbury United, Salisbury Villa, Western Strikers and Modbury Jets before joining Brisbane Roar, explosive winger Awer Mabil, 23, currently playing for Denmark’s Midtjylland and Craig Goodwin arguably the Reds’ biggest loss from last season have all made the cut.
Currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Wehda Goodwin, 27, joins Mabil, Hertha Berlin’s Mathew Leckie and Jimmy Jeggo of Austria Wien as ex-Adelaide United representatives before the World Cup qualifying away clash against Kuwait on September 10 — a week after a training camp in the United Arab Emirates.
Stream every game of The FFA Cup Round of 16 LIVE and any time on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“Craig Goodwin and Mabil give us completely different options, they can play high and wide especially against defences that are packed we come up against opposition with a back five,’’ Arnold said from the United Arab Emirates.
“Craig has shown that in Adelaide and also in the past, playing wide and on the left with a great left foot that he’s got and with crosses and the same with Mabil.
“He’s doing fantastic with one of the top clubs in Denmark, he played last week and scored.
“Brandon Borrello is really exciting and doing great in the Bundesliga.
“I spoke to him just the other day and he’s got a great mindset of hard work.
“These type of players in the front half of the pitch, players that we’re getting through now have that X-factor to change games.”
After the FIFA World Cup qualifying opener against Kuwait, the Socceroos face Nepal in Canberra on October 10, Chinese Taipei in Kaohsiung on October 15, and Jordan in Jordan on November 14.
Socceroos squad:
Mustafa Amini (Arhaus, Denmark), Aziz Behich (Istanbul Başakşehir, Turkey), Brandon Borrello (SC Freiburg, Germany), Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Apostolos Giannou (AEK Larnaca, Cyprus), Craig Goodwin (Al-Wehda, Saudi Arabia), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Ajdin Hrustic (Groningen, Netherlands), Jackson Irvine (Hull City, England), James Jeggo (Austria Wien), Mitchell Langerak (Nagoya Grampus, Japan), Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Massimo Luongo (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Awer Mabil (Midtylland, Denmark), Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City), Mark Milligan (Southend United, England), Aaron Mooy (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Mathew Ryan (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Trent Sainsbury (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Brad Smith (Seattle Sounders, US), Harry Souttar (Fleetwood Town, England), Adam TAGGART (Suwon Bluewings, Korea Republic).