Luongo recalled to Socceroos for huge friendlies
Australia coach Graham Arnold named his 23-man squad for the keenly-anticipated October internationals against England at Wembley and New Zealand in Brentford, with veteran Ipswich play-maker Massimo Luongo earning a recall to the national team.
The first of two matches pits the Socceroos against Gareth Southgate's side at Wembley Stadium on Friday, 13 October (7:45pm local kick-off) – the first time an Australian side has appeared at the iconic venue.
A clash with the All Whites at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford will follow on Tuesday, 17 October (7:45pm local kick-off), with the Subway Socceroos facing the All Whites for the the recently-rediscovered New Zealand and Australia Soccer Ashes Trophy.
In addition to the selected 23-man squad, Arnold will bring three train-on players – Alex Robertson (Portsmouth FC), Mohamed Toure (Paris FC) and Patrick Yazbeck (Viking FK) – into camp as part of their continued development through Football Australia’s elite pathw
After making a successful return from an ankle injury for FC St. Pauli last weekend, Jackson Irvine will take his place in the squad, while Craig Goodwin has also been named after his recent move to Al Wehda FC in the Saudi Pro League, scoring a goal in each of his first three appearances.
After a strong start to the season in the EFL Championship for Ipswich Town FC, 43-cap Socceroos star and 2015 AFC Asian Cup-winner, Massimo Luongo will join the squad for the first time since 2019.
Lewis Miller earns his first senior national team call up, with the 23 year-old Hibernian FC defender joining a growing contingent of Socceroos players plying their trade in the SPFL.
Awer Mabil returns after his recent move to Swiss club, Grasshopper Club Zürich, while Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers FC) and Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC) have also been named.
“We’ve played some quality opposition in recent months, and I’ve been happy with how we’re building towards what’s an important period,” Arnold said. “Aside from the opposition, we’ve been able to vary conditions and personnel to give players the opportunities they need to grow and develop within our environment.
“This period [post-Qatar 2022] has always been geared towards those outcomes, as we refine the system and style of play that will carry us through the Asian Cup and World Cup qualification.
“I think it’s fitting this work culminates in what will be an amazing occasion at Wembley, as well as the opportunity to face New Zealand as we play for one of the earliest trophies in Socceroos’ history.
“This squad, along with those players selected in previous windows, are an important part of our journey into 2024 and beyond. We’re building a strong group of players who understand the team culture and values that underpin everything we do.
“We’ve got a fantastic group of young players coming through, many who have come through the Olyroos Olympic program, we’re now seeing the benefits of that work and investment. The involvement of players in a train-on capacity in this camp is about bringing them into the environment as they continue their development."