Winger Martin Boyle keen to start for the Socceroos against Palestine
The emergence of fresh attacking talent has some experienced Socceroos looking over their shoulders.
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As pleased as star winger Martin Boyle is about the arrival of some fresh attacking faces in Australia’s squad, he’s anything but ready to give up his spot in the Socceroos’ best 11.
Having missed Australia’s two matches against Lebanon in March through injury, and watched from the bench last Thursday in Dhaka where the Socceroos beat Bangladesh 2-0, Boyle is set to start in Tuesday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Palestine in Perth.
“For me, it’s important,” Boyle said.
“We all want to be playing, we all want to get caps and we all want to win games, so the competition is as strong as ever, and we’re all working hard.”
The likes of Bayern Munich-bound teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, recalled former prodigy Daniel Arzani and Newcastle Jets marksman Apostolos Stamatelopoulos have added to Australia’s attacking options in the current camp, while the recent emergence of centre-forward Kusini Yengi has also put more experienced forwards on notice.
“The younger generation’s definitely getting stronger,” 31-year-old Boyle said.
“The confidence they have, as well – at that age I never had that kind of confidence.
“It’s nice to see, but also we have to keep them well on the ground to keep them as humble as ever, but the talent that is coming through just now is really exciting, and the next few years could be really good for Aussie football.”
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said the Perth conditions would be “perfect” for Boyle, who was among half a dozen players who weren’t risked in Dhaka due the poor state of the pitch.
“I’ve kept them fresh for this one,” Arnold said.
“I expect `Boyley’ to be at his best, It’s perfect conditions for him.
“He brings a lot of energy into camp but also he’s great for the culture of the team. I’m excited to see him play.”
Like Hibernian ace Boyle, 31-year-old Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart is desperate to start on Tuesday night in his home city.
“I’ve never played for the national team in front of my friends and family, so this will be the first time,” the A-League’s reigning Golden Boot said.
“It’s something that as a young Perth boy you’d always dream of. (Socceroos) games in Perth don’t come around too often, so it’s almost a bit of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I’m definitely looking forward to being on the field this time.”
Arnold confirmed he would make nine changes to the side that started in Dhaka.
“This window for me is also about testing some players and looking at players in a different way,” he said.
“There’ll be no confusion. It’ll be a well prepared team.”
Arnold said that defender Kye Rowles and striker Mitch Duke would not be in the match-day squad to avoid the possibility of getting booked and missing the start of the AFC’s third round of World Cup qualifiers – for which the Socceroos having already qualified for regardless of Tuesday night’s result – due to suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Victory over Palestine would give the Australians a perfect second-round record of six wins from as many games, and improve their chances of being among the three nations in pot one for the third-round draw.
AFC second-round FIFA World Cup qualifier
Australia v Palestine
Tuesday, 10.05pm (AEST), 8.05pm (AWST)
HBF Park, Perth
Originally published as Winger Martin Boyle keen to start for the Socceroos against Palestine
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