Brandon Borrello and Andrew Redmayne are recalled while former Mariners full-back Lewis Miller gets first call-up.
Isuzu UTE A-League stars Brandon Borrello, Andrew Redmayne and Aziz Behich have all been called up by Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold for the squad to face England and New Zealand later this month.
Also in the 23-man squad, and nearly five years after he last pulled on the green and gold, is Ipswich Town midfielder Massimo Luongo – hoping to earn the chance to face England at Wembley on October 13 (October 14 AEDT).
Behich, who scored for Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night, keeps his place in the squad while Western Sydney Wanderers star Borrello and Sydney FC goalkeeper Redmayne have been rewarded for their form in the Australia Cup.
Scorer of the opening goal in the 2015 Asian Cup final, the 31-year-old Luongo has not been selected since before the COVID pandemic – troubled by a series of injuries, and taking time to settle at club level.
But Luongo has been rewarded for his excellent form since signing for Ipswich in January, one of several changes as Arnold revamps his midfield options for the games against Gareth Southgate’s England then New Zealand five days later.
Alex Robertson, Mohamed Toure and Patrick Yazbek will come into camp as “train on players” in addition to the 23-man squad.
Former Central Coast Mariners right-back Lewis Miller is called up for the first time a year after signing for Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, while wingers Awer Mabil and Craig Goodwin earn recalls after recent club moves.
Luongo’s recall comes at the start of the FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifying cycle, but on the back of unarguable form for an Ipswich side under Kieran McKenna which stormed to promotion from League One last season and now sit second in England’s EFL Championship.
His last call-up was in November 2019, but Luongo hadn’t actually taken the field for the last of his 43 caps since the last Asian Cup in January that year.
The player himself had intimated to KEEPUP earlier this year that he thought his age would make a return to the national team unlikely, but coach Arnold has watched Ipswich several times since the start of this season.
After leaving Sheffield Wednesday under something of a cloud and spending six months with Middlesbrough, Luongo has thrived at Ipswich at the heart of an attacking style of play – and now gets the chance to earn a recall at Wembley Stadium.
The England clash continues the run of strong opposition that Arnold’s side has faced since reaching the Round of 16 at last year’s World Cup, including clashes with Ecuador, Argentina and Mexico.
“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 (since the World Cup) 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.
“l 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.
“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.”
Match details
England v Australia
Date: Friday 13 October (local) / Saturday 14 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 7:45pm (local) / 5:45am AEDT
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play & Paramount+
Australia v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday 17 October (local) / Wednesday 18 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 7:45pm (local) / 5:45am (AEDT)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford
