Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic Unveils Squad with Three Uncapped Players for Crucial Friendlies
Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic has announced a 26-player squad for upcoming international friendlies against Cameroon and Curaçao, featuring three uncapped players. This selection marks one of the final opportunities for players to impress before the World Cup, with Popovic emphasizing a philosophy of not making promises to secure commitments from young talents.
New Faces and Notable Absences in the Squad
The uncapped players called up include Ante Šuto, a striker from Hibernian born in Croatia, defender Lucas Herrington of Colorado Rapids, and forward Deni Jurić, who returns after an injury setback. However, the squad notably excludes Adrian Segečić, last season's A-League Men golden boot winner now at Portsmouth, who has opted to represent Croatia internationally.
Popovic expressed respect for Segečić's decision, stating he did all he could to persuade the 21-year-old but refuses to "sell the shirt" by guaranteeing playing time. "If you're getting called up for Australia through the junior levels, then you get called up by the Socceroos, shouldn't that be enough that you're wanted?" he questioned, highlighting his stance against making empty promises to retain players.
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
With injured striker Mo Toure also missing, the friendlies present a chance for Jurić and Šuto to prove their worth upfront. Šuto, who has never visited Australia and qualifies through his father, faces an exciting new experience, as Popovic noted during a press conference at the Sydney Opera House. The matches against Cameroon in Sydney on March 27 and Curaçao in Melbourne on the following Tuesday serve as key World Cup preparations.
Curaçao's visit is particularly significant as the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup finals, offering a compelling preview of the tournament. Ahead of Australia's World Cup campaign starting in June, a wider squad will train in California, with final friendlies against Mexico and another opponent before Popovic selects his final 26 players.
World Cup Schedule and Squad Dynamics
Australia's World Cup journey begins on June 13 against a Uefa playoff winner, followed by matches against the USA in Seattle on June 19 and Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 25. Popovic emphasized that squad places remain open, as evidenced by the inclusion of new faces, reinforcing his commitment to merit-based selection.
The full Socceroos squad includes: Patrick Beach, Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Ajdin Hrustic, Nestory Irankunda, Jacob Italiano, Paul Izzo, Deni Juric, Fran Karacic, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Riley McGree, Aiden O'Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Alex Robertson, Mat Ryan, Ante Suto, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, and Patrick Yazbek.
