Sign Up
..... Connect Australia with the world.
Categories

Posted: 2024-03-14 01:48:52

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is concerned European clubs are pressuring young Australian players to make themselves unavailable for international duty.

Arnold was speaking after announcing the Socceroos squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Lebanon, with Parma defender Alessandro Circati left out.

Considered as a future Socceroos star, Circati was a notable absentee from the squad selected for the matches against Lebanon in Parramatta on March 21 and Canberra on March 26.

The 20-year-old's club commitments also look set to rule him out of next month's U23 Asian Cup, which falls outside the FIFA window and where a spot at the Olympic Games in Paris is up for grabs.

Parma is chasing promotion to Serie A and Arnold had hoped by not calling up the one-cap international for January's Asian Cup, his club side would play ball.

But two months down the track that appears less likely.

"I think a lot of people need to understand the pressure the players get put under from their clubs overseas," Arnold said.

"To play for Australia is a lot. Alessandro and even Cristian Volpato … they have to focus on their club careers."

The irony is that Olympic tournaments have often been a springboard for emerging players to secure lucrative moves elsewhere.

Asked if he expected Circati to be released for next month's U23 Asian Cup, Arnold said: "I'd be doubtful about that.

"(Olyroos coach) Tony Vidmar is getting quite a number of overseas-based clubs refusing to release players in April so it'll be predominantly players from the A-League."

Arnold has had to look to the home front to supplement his senior squad in their first matches since their quarterfinal exit at the Asian Cup.

Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart and Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello are both back in the squad, which could secure the Socceroos' passage to the final round of World Cup qualification.

Creative midfielder Adjin Hrustic is also back in the mix, but there is no place for Central Coast Mariners playmaker Josh Nisbet, who has arguably been the form Australian player in the competition this year.

Socceroos squad: Mat Ryan (captain), Joe Gauci, Tom Glover, Nathaniel Atkinson, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Gethin Jones, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Keanu Baccus, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Patrick Yazbek, Brandon Borrello, Mitchell Duke, Bruno Fornaroli, Craig Goodwin, John Iredale, Sam Silvera, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi

AAP

View More
  • 0 Comment(s)
Captcha Challenge
Reload Image
Type in the verification code above