There is a lot of discussion around the Socceroos and who will be on the plane to Qatar next month. For Neil Kilkenny, he talked up the credentials of Western United team-mate Ben Garuccio.
Garuccio was a standout performer for Western in their Isuzu UTE A-League Championship-winning season, the Australian full-back enjoying a breakout campaign that was capped with him being named the club’s Player of the Season.
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Western head coach John Aloisi has previously said Garuccio should be knocking on Graham Arnold’s door ahead of next month’s FIFA Men’s World Cup.
And with Arnold set to announce his squad in November, veteran midfielder Kilkenny endorsed Garuccio and Western captain Josh Risdon, who was part of the 2018 World Cup team.
“Ben Garuccio last year I thought for me he was the best player in the whole league. His consistency,” Kilkenny told Network 10.
“Hopefully them guys [Garuccio and Risdon] can get a look in and hopefully one or two of them will go to the World Cup.”
Kilkenny added: “I think he has 99% of his squad chosen in his head.
“Through injuries it may change and obviously there might be a bolter at the end of it. You saw at the last World Cup with Daniel Arzani.”
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Garuccio and titleholders Western.
Western’s Championship defence is off to a winless start following back-to-back losses as they prepare to host high-flying Macarthur FC at AAMI Park on Friday night.
