Socceroos Asian Cup squad: Graham Arnold makes tough calls

A host of Graham Arnold’s squad for the Asian Cup will play for their clubs beyond Christmas in a bid to win the clubs support for the national team. Meanwhile Aaron Mooy is in despite his injury.

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is confident Aaron Mooy will be fit enough to play a significant part in the Asian Cup, but wants clarity “within days” as the countdown to the tournament intensifies.

Unveiling his 23-man squad to defend the trophy in the UAE next month, Arnold said both he and Mooy believed the midfielder would not need to be replaced, despite having initially been ruled out by his club Huddersfield Town.

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Along with Mooy the most eye-catching inclusion is Perth attacker Chris Ikonomidis, while striker Tomi Juric misses out despite playing at the World Cup just five months ago.

Socceroos physio Phil Coles is en route to England to assess the severity of Mooy’s ankle injury and Arnold said the player’s welfare remained the key driver – which is why he will seek an independent medical opinion too.

“We’ve had great communication with Huddersfield, but the most important part of all this is Aaron,” he said. “He wants to go to the Asian Cup, he’s asked for a second opinion, and us to have a look at him.

Aaron Mooy has been named in the Asian Cup squad. Picture: AAP Images

“The kid wants to go. Phil Coles is flying there as we speak and Aaron will be assessed by our medical staff tomorrow. The independent expert will look at him over the weekend, and we’ll make the next decision.

“Aaron wants some independent advice but he believes he’ll be ready and so do we. It’s one step at a time, a process we have to go through.

“I’d like to make a decision within days though so we don’t have this hanging over us.”

Ikonomidis comes into the squad on the back of five goals in eight games for Perth since signing in the off-season.

Graham Arnold has made some tough calls for the Socceroos. Picture: Getty Images

“Chris has made a great start to his time at Perth Glory under Tony Popovic and it has been his form in the A-League that has sealed his place in the squad,” Arnold said. “Chris will add pace and energy to our attack, which is the consistent feature of the players that we have picked in the Socceroos’ attack for this tournament.

“We will play energetic, high-intensity football in the UAE, and the rapid attackers we have selected including Chris, Mathew [Leckie], Robbie [Kruse], Awer [Mabil], Martin [Boyle], Andrew [Nabbout], and Jamie [Maclaren] will enable us to implement our style.”

Chris Ikonomidis in action for Perth Glory. Picture: AAP Images

SOCCEROOS ASIAN CUP SQUAD Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Danny Vukovic, Mitch Langerak Defence: Mark Milligan (c), Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Rhyan Grant, Matt Jurman, Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury Midfield: Mustafa Amini, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic Forwards: Martin Boyle, Chris Ikonomidis, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Andrew Nabbout

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