Socceroos coach Graham Arnold faces tough decision on whether to pick veteran Fornaroli for Asian Cup

Veteran striker Bruno Fornaroli’s superb form may not be enough to secure him a spot in Australia’s Asian Cup squad.

Bruno Fornaroli is back in Socceroos contention. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The form of evergreen Melbourne Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli has caused national coach Graham Arnold a selection dilemma ahead of next week’s announcement of the Socceroos’ Asian Cup squad.

At 36, Fornaroli is in rare form, having scored 11 goals in just seven A-League games this season.

A naturalised Australian with two Socceroos caps to his name, Fornaroli is making a case for selection in the Asian Cup, which starts next month in Qatar.

“If you asked any player, no ne would say ‘I don’t want to play with the national team’. That would be crazy,” Fornaroli said ahead of the Victory’s clash with Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

“Of course for me it would be an honour to be back for the Socceroos.”

Graham Arnold has a lot to think about ahead of choosing the Socceroos’ Asian Cup squad. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

However, Arnold must find the right blend of youth and experience in his Asian Cup squad as the Socceroos balance their hopes of winning the tournament as well as preparing for the 2026 World Cup, whose qualifiers have already started.

The Socceroos’ 23-man Asian Cup squad will be made up of three goalkeepers and two players for each of the 10 outfield positions.

Veteran Fornaroli would be vying for one of the two guaranteed centre-forward positions in the squad with 30-year-old Jamie Maclaren, Mitch Duke, who turns 33 next month, and Kusini Yengi, who will celebrate his 25th birthday on January 15.

Of the quartet, Japan-based Duke would be the only certain Asian Cup selection.

And with Arnold also having an eye on Australia’s ongoing World Cup qualifiers and the tournament proper in 2026, Yengi – who has been in good form for his English club Portsmouth – would likely be ahead of Maclaren and Fornaroli in the selection stakes due to his age and potential.

There may yet be room for a third centre-forward in the squad, depending on the versatility of other players who could cover more than one position in the 23.

However, the need to have players prepared for a host of World Cup qualifiers next year is perhaps why Fornaroli – who will be 38 at the time of the tournament in 2026 – would hold no grudges if he was overlooked for Asian Cup selection.

“He (Arnold) is the coach who gave me the opportunity to play for this beautiful country,” the Uruguay-born attacker said.

“I will always be grateful to him, even if I don’t have the chance to come back to (play for) the Socceroos.”

Arnold also has an eye on next year’s Olympic Games.

While clubs must release players for Asian Cup duty, overseas clubs aren’t obliged to allow their players to play for the Tony Vidmar-coached Olyroos in the April-May under-23 Asian Cup, which double as the Paris Olympics qualifiers.

Arnold would therefore be loathe to pick some players for Asian Cup duty, fearing that their overseas clubs would be reluctant to allow them to leave again for April’s under-23 Asian Cup.

Among the players eligible for Olyroos selection are attacking pair Marco Tilio and Garang Kuol, who are both struggling at their respective overseas clubs Celtic (Scotland) and Volendam (Netherlands).

Originally published as Socceroos coach Graham Arnold faces tough decision on whether to pick veteran Fornaroli for Asian Cup