Graham Arnold excited at Socceroos’ talent production line
Graham Arnold says the new talent coming through the Socceroos ranks gives him goosebumps.
Graham Arnold says new talent coming through the Socceroos ranks gives him goosebumps as he prepares to gather the first squad under his tenure.
The national team will next week return to Antalya, Turkey — the site of their pre-World Cup training camp — under Arnold’s management for an eight-day training camp.
Uncapped players Denis Genreau, Ben Garuccio, Kenneth Dougall, John Iredale and Awer Mabil are among the names that will get the chance to forge international careers under Arnold.
The camp comes just four months before the Socceroos prepare to defend their Asian Cup title in the UAE, and Arnold is confident of doing just that.
“When I look at the squad overall I get goosebumps,” Arnold said yesterday. “Last week I was down with the Olyroos in Canberra. I walked out of the camp so excited. We have some very good, flexible players. We go to the Asian Cup expecting to win every game and we go to the World Cup expecting to win games.”
Arnold has restored World Cup hard-luck stories Alex Gersbach, Bailey Wright and Mitchell Langerak to the national set-up.
The squad of 31 features just two A-League players — Dimi Petratos and Josh Risdon.
It’s the first Socceroos squad selected without considering Tim Cahill, after Australia’s all-time leading scorer called time on his international career following the World Cup.
The 38-year-old could still take a final bow in gold, with the veteran striker in the frame for a farewell appearance in Sydney this November. Football Federation Australia yesterday announced a friendly fixture against Lebanon at ANZ Stadium on November 20, three days after the Socceroos play South Korea in Brisbane.
There are no games for the Socceroos next week.
“Next week’s camp in Turkey marks the start of a new phase for the Socceroos,” said Arnold.
“While we will have numerous field, tactical, and video sessions during the seven days that we are together in Turkey, we will also spend plenty of time off the pitch discussing our individual and team objectives and identity.”
All but five players have been retained from the squad of 23 that represented Australia in Russia. Mathew Leckie, Tom Rogic and Andrew Nabbout are out due to injury, and left-back James Meredith has been overlooked. Arnold’s first match in charge is likely to be in the Middle East during an international window in October.
AAP
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