Socceroos: Mitch Duke in contention to start for Australia against Saudi Arabia

Mitch Duke is hopeful of a happy homecoming when the Socceroos host Saudi Arabia at CommBank Stadium.

Mitch Duke celebrates scoring a goal for Western Sydney during his A-League career. Picture: Dan Peled / AAP

Don’t forget proud Western Sydney product Mitch Duke when assessing the Socceroos’ starting options in attack against Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.

Much has been made of the return of Melbourne City’s trio of forwards, Mat Leckie, Jamie Maclaren and Andrew Nabbout, for Australia’s latest World Cup qualifiers, which include a clash with China next Wednesday morning (AEDT) in Sharjah.

However, it would be silly to dismiss Duke as a starting option.

The 30-year-old marksman has been played in seven of Australia’s eight matches since the resumption of Australia’s World Cup qualifying campaign in June.

Five of those seven appearances have been off the bench, but he has still managed four goals, including a brace as a starter against Chinese Taipei.

Duke has also scored 13 A-League goals at CommBank Stadium, the Parramatta venue of Thursday night’s match, and also the home ground of his former club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Add to that some knowledge he may have picked up from his stint playing in the Saudi Professional League last year for Al-Taawoun, and the Japan-based striker is a genuine option to play from the opening whistle on Thursday night.

Mitch Duke (left) celebrates with Aaron Mooy after scoring against China in September. Picture: Mohamed Farag / Getty Images

“I’m a Western Sydney boy, so I’m very happy to be back here,” Duke said.

“I’m very happy to be back home at a stadium I love, and personally have a very good record at … I’ve scored plenty of goals at this stadium, so I’m hoping to add to that on Thursday night.

“I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming to the game. I had to sort out about 41 tickets, so I’m looking forward to having my own personal support system, and I’ve got a very good connection.

“It’s a very intimate stadium, especially when it’s packed out. Those supporters are going to make a big difference in how we go and they’ll help us over the line to get those three points.

“Let’s make everyone go home happy.”

Duke has just notched up 100 Japanese league appearances.

Currently with second-tier outfit Fagiano Okayama, he also had a stint in the Japanese top-flight with Shimizu S-Pulse from 2015 to 2018.

“It’s a nice little milestone personally for me; Japan football is unbelievable and a very good quality, so to get 100 games there in the league, I don’t think too many Aussies have been able to do that,” Duke said.

“It feels special to do that, and just to represent Aussies in that league and over in Japan is always a good feeling because that’s what you want – Aussies doing well in other countries.

“It’s good. I love my football and my life over there in Japan. I’m just enjoying life – that’s all you can ask.”

Duke was the first overseas-based player to arrive in Australia for this match.

Of the 24-man squad, about half-a-dozen players – including Spain-based goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Germany-based playmaker Ajdin Hrustic – were scheduled to land in Sydney on Tuesday night.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – AFC Asian Qualifiers (third round)

Australia v Saudi Arabia

Thursday, 8.10pm (AEDT)

CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

TV: Live on Network 10

Originally published as Socceroos: Mitch Duke in contention to start for Australia against Saudi Arabia