Socceroos boss Graham Arnold set to experiment in final hitout before 2022 World Cup qualifiers

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold will continue to “explore what else there is out there” as he turns his attention to the A-League finals before Australia’s friendly in June with South Korea.

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold will keep an eagle eye of the A-League finals series, declaring he will use June’s friendly with South Korea as a chance to experiment ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Capped and uncapped players are on the radar, including Scottish-born Harry Souttar (Fleetwood Town), Brad Smith (Seattle Sounders), Ryan Williams (Rotherham United) and A-League trio Riley McGree, Nathaniel Atkinson (Melbourne City) and Tommy Deng (Melbourne Victory).

Arnold revealed veteran utility Mark Milligan would play on, but he and a host of Asian Cup squad members would be rested for the June 7 Busan clash.

“It’s a good opportunity to test the growth and depth of the Socceroos and some players I haven't been able to see,’’ Arnold said.

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Brad Smith’s form will be monitored closely in the countdown to the Socceroos’ June friendly with South Korea.

“It will be a mixture of (Asian Cup squad members) and players I haven’t seen.

“Our World Cup qualifiers start in September and its a last chance for us to explore what else there is out there.

“I need to find out what happens if we get injuries, what happens if guys retire.

“I need to have the trust and belief in those players that they can go out and do a job for Australia in any match.”

 Arnold attended both A-League elimination finals at the weekend, and said fresh faces could come into Socceroos reckoning if they performed when it counted.

Nathaniel Atkinson is another to come under scrutiny.

The June game takes on great significance as they are the Socceroos’ first games since the Asian Cup, after opting not to play a friendly in March, while Arnold took charge of the Olyroos who advanced to the final phase of Tokyo 2020 qualifiers.

“They have got two weeks and big games,’’ he said.

“When you see these type of players you see how they handle the pressure and deal with it during the finals series and that sends a strong signal as well.

“I have a good list of other players as well as A-League players. This top six series is about pushing their case forward again.

“I have watched ever A-League game since I returned from the Asian Cup and I have seen the young boys come through and do exceptionally well.”