A-League Tackle: Mathew Leckie headlines players who should be in Socceroos squad

With the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers later this month, Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde argue several A-League stars including Mathew Leckie must be in the mix. It’s all in the Tackle.

Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde argue Mathew Leckie should be in the next Socceroos squad. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

With the Socceroos set to return to action in massive qualifiers against Indonesia and China this month, Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde argue several A-League stars including Mathew Leckie must be in the mix. It’s all in The Tackle.

LECKIE CAN’T BE OVERLOOKED

Mathew Leckie’s big-game experience makes him a must selection in the Socceroos squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.

The veteran attacker has made a timely return to action in recent weeks for Melbourne City after a lengthy and frustrating injury battle.

His return to regular football has been part of the reason for City’s improved form in the past month.

At 34 and having battled too many injuries for his liking in recent seasons, Leckie may not be at the level he once was.

However, at his best, he’s still among the top players in the A-League, and he still can do a job for the Socceroos on the qualifying road to next year’s World Cup.

Since his heroics at the 2022 World Cup, Leckie has only made two appearances for the national team, mainly due to injuries.

However, there’s no denying that when he’s fit and available, Leckie commands a place in the Socceroos squad, particularly in crucial games such as these next two.

With the Socceroos meeting Japan and Saudi Arabia in June, wins over Indonesia and China seem an absolute must if the Australians want to secure a top-two spot, which brings with it guaranteed World Cup qualification, in their group.

Leckie has returned from injury at a key time. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Leckie’s not the only A-League player that deserves selection in the Socceroos squad being named on Friday by national coach Tony Popovic.

His Melbourne City teammate Marco Tilio has also made a timely return from injury to put his hand up for a recall to the national team.

Whether Tilio’s done enough remains to be seen. He might be locked in a selection battle with former A-League prodigy Nestory Irankunda, who is playing well for Grasshoppers in Switzerland and deserves a recall after missing out on the previous Socceroos squad.

Elsewhere at City, left-back Aziz Behich looms as a selection certainty, while the versatile Kai Trewin is also putting a strong case forward for national selection, particularly with a host of central defenders on the injured list.

The form of a couple of Western United players will also have caught Popovic’s eye. Striker Noah Botic’s goalscoring exploits are hard to ignore, while midfielder Angus Thurgate has been superb all season.

Noah Botic is right in the selection frame. Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Sydney FC midfielder Anthony Caceres continues to shine and should be picked, while veteran Sky Blues skipper Rhyan Grant is also a chance considering no player is yet to cement the right-back role for Australia.

Elsewhere, it’s hard to see Melbourne Victory attacking weapon Nishan Velupillay, a favourite of Popovic’s, missing out after his timely return to form on Saturday night.

Another attacking threat who has also made a strong selection case is Western Sydney Wanderers star Brandon Borrello.

And Borrello’s Wanderers teammate, goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, looms as the third gloveman in the squad with Joe Gauci being sidelined with injury.

AWFUL ADELAIDE

Adelaide United is well and truly on the slide, and at this rate, in danger of missing the top six.

The Reds’ performance in their 1-1 home draw on Saturday against last-placed Brisbane Roar was completely unacceptable for a team that wants to be considered a title contender.

Adelaide coach Carl Veart had every right to rip into his team after such a lacklustre and tame display in a game at Coopers Stadium – once a Reds fortress – that should have been a must three points considering where the Roar are placed on the ladder.

The Reds have only picked up two points from a possible 12 in their past four matches, which have included a 2-1 home loss to another one of the competition’s battling teams, Newcastle.

Adelaide’s poor form has resulted in Veart’s men dropping to fifth spot.

A home win over another out-of-form team, Macarthur FC, this Friday is now crucial, not only for the Reds to stop the rot and but also for belief, which they seem to be sadly lacking at the business end of the season.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has plenty of headaches. Photo: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

VIC FANS MUST STAND AS ONE

If you looked at the attendance figures at the three games in Victoria over the weekend, you wouldn’t believe that Western United, Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory are second, third and fourth respectively on the A-League ladder.

Perhaps that’s being a bit harsh on United, whose crowd of 3993 at the 5000-capacity Ironbark Fields for Saturday night’s 4-1 win over Wellington Phoenix was the club’s third-best home attendance of the season.

However, for City and Victory, their weekend crowds were smaller than expected. City only attracted 3569 fans – that’s 424 less than were at United’s match – for their game on Friday night at AAMI Park against Macarthur FC.

As for the Victory, a home crowd of 8206, the attendance on Saturday night for their game against Central Coast Mariners, is also disappointing. This was a club that at one stage averaged more than 31,000 in a season for its home games.

Fans in Victoria consider their state the home of football in Australia. They have three teams that are flying and absolutely must turn out and get behind them for the A-League finals.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

(4-2-3-1): Alex Paulsen (Auckland FC); Hiroki Sakai (Auckland FC), Brendan Hamill (Melbourne Victory), German Ferreyra (Melbourne City), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City); Angus Thurgate (Western United), Jordi Valadon (Melbourne Victory); Riku Danzaki (Western United), Eli Adams (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Grimaldi (Western United); Max Caputo (Melbourne City). Coach: John Aloisi (Western United)

Player of the week: Matthew Grimaldi (Western United)