March 14 – Ahead of crunch World Cup qualifiers in March at home to Indonesia and away to China, Australia manager Tony Popovic has rung the changes in his squad, dropping striker Mitchell Duke and naming three debutants.
Popovic axed Duke, a mainstay under Graham Arnold, and opted for Portsmouth forward Kusini Yengi, who is returning from a lengthy injury. With a shortage in defence, including Harry Soutar, Alessandro Circati and Jordy Bos, Sydney FC centre-back Alex Grant, Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin and Hibernian star Nectar Triantis are all line for their debut with the Socceroos. He also handed returns to full-back duo Jason Davidson and Fran Karacic.
Last year, Popovic succeeded Arnold, who stood down citing that his time had run its course. Arnold took Australia to the last sixteen of the 2022 World Cup, but Australia disappointed at the 2024 Asian Cup. In his first four matches, Popovic drew thrice and defeated
On March 20, Australia will host Indonesia before taking on China five days later in Hangzhou. The Socceroos are second in their group, but four teams are trailing the Australians by a single point. The first two teams clinch an automatic ticket to the 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Paul Izzo, Tom Glover; defenders: Aziz Behich, Cameron Burgess, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Alex Grant, Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Kai Trewin; midfielders: Anthony Caceres, Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Ryan Teague, Nectar Triantis; attackers: Daniel Arzani, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin, Adam Taggart, Marco Tilio, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi.
