Melbourne Victory star Bruno Fornaroli has been called up for next month’s AFC Asian Cup in Qatar and he is one of four Isuzu UTE A-League-based players in the Socceroos squad.
Fornaroli, Melbourne City full-back Aziz Behich, Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci and Western Sydney Wanderers shot-stopper Lawrence Thomas are in Graham Arnold’s 26-man squad ahead of the January 13 opener against India.
Fornaroli has not represented the Socceroos since earning his two international caps in March last year, however, the 36-year-old forward has earned a re-call thanks to his red-hot form.
The Uruguay-born veteran has scored 12 goals in just seven appearances for high-flying Victory this season.
Uncapped trio Patrick Yazbek, John Iredale and Gethin Jones have also been called up.
It is a first call-up for former Sydney FC youngster Iredale, who is playing in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga with Wehen Wiesbaden after the 24-year-old forward scored against Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe’s St Pauli last week.
Perth-born ex-Wales youth international Jones, 28, is also in the squad following his form for Bolton Wanderers in England’s League One, while Sydney FC product Yazbek has been rewarded for his form in Norway with Viking.
“At our core we have an extremely connected group, who have built a strong culture over many years. We’re welcoming in some new players who I think will prove fantastic additions to that,” said Arnold.
“It’s important that we bring energy and intensity to both our preparation and play, it’s something we’ve become renowned for and will be a big part of the group’s success moving forward.
“We’ve had to be strategic with some of our selections, considering our Olympics qualification commences in April and have looked to balance the age profile and experience of players across various positions in the squad.
“I’m excited about the potential within this group and am looking forward to getting into camp in the New Year.”
The Socceroos – the 2015 champions – are set to face India, Syria and Uzbekistan in Group B at the Asian Cup.
Arnold’s Australia head into the tournament boosted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and its decision to increase squad sizes from 23 to 26 players.
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“The decision by the AFC was based on feedback from coaches following last year’s World Cup, and it’s a positive outcome that has given us plenty to think about in recent days,” Arnold said.
“Overall, I’m extremely happy with the squad we’ve selected for the Asian Cup, it strikes the balance that we’re looking for when considering we’ve only just commenced World Cup qualification in November.”
A-Leagues stars at the Asian Cup: what they said after Asian Cup call-ups
All four of the A-Leagues’ Asian Cup squad members spoke to the media on Friday after the confirmation of Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold’s squad. Here’s what they had to say.
Lawrence Thomas – Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas is into his second season at Wanderland, and he credits his return Down Under, and subsequent body of work in the Isuzu UTE A-League, as the catalyst for his return to the national fold.
Speaking to the media on the morning his position in the Asian Cup squad was confirmed, Thomas said enjoying his time on the park with the Wanderers has translated to the form which led Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold to label him as the best goalkeeper in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time coming back home,” Thomas said. “I think it’s had a big part to do with my performances on the field so looking forward to getting there and getting involved.
“I think the enjoyment I’ve had coming back has correlated on the field into the solid performances for the last year and a half.
“I had a good call last night from JC (John Crawley) the goalkeeping coach (to say) I’ve been selected to go to the Asian Cup, which is a really proud moment for myself,” he added.
“Over the moon, excited, off to a big tournament which I’m stoked to be a part of. I’ve really enjoyed my time coming back home, and I think that’s had a big part to do with it, with my performances on the field. I’m just looking forward to getting there, getting involved and starting to rip in.”
Bruno Fornaroli – Melbourne Victory
It’s hard not to feel delighted for 36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli as he prepares to venture to Qatar for the Asian Cup – and it’s safe to say his Melbourne Victory teammates feel the same way.
Addressing the media on Friday, Fornaroli was interrupted by Victory players passing by on multiple occasions. Goalkeeper Paul Izzo was the main antagonist, singing the words “Bruno’s on fire, your defence is terrified” to the tune of Gala’s Freed From Desire.
“It’s great,” Fornaroli said. “They’re a part of this (too). I’m here because the work that they do every single week and weekend, to help me to score goals.
“I have to say thank you to my teammates, to the staff, to the club to support me. Of course, I’m very happy to be back to the national team… for me it’s great, because they feel happy for me – and this is great to see. I think (there’s) nothing better than to see your teammates celebrate for you. And they celebrate, they are happy… and it’s massive.”
Fornaroli was with family when Socceroos boss Graham Arnold gave him the call to confirm his selection.
“Actually I was with my computer studying!” He said. “Then I saw the name on the phone. Then of course, I was so happy, excited.
“He gave me the welcome and said to me: ‘Congratulations on the great start’. I have to keep improving, keep enjoying my football… I’m so happy to be back in the Socceroos.
“My wife was close to me, and my family was so happy as well. My kids, my wife. They’re all a part of this. In difficult moments, they are there to support me and they celebrated this as well.”
Aziz Behich – Melbourne City
Defender Aziz Behich is preparing for his third Asian Cup campaign with the Socceroos – but in the words of the Melbourne City left-back, getting the call to confirm his place in the squad filled him with the same amount of pride as any other time in his career, be it major tournaments or friendlies.
Behich returned to Australia ahead of the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign, joining Melbourne City for the club’s Premiership defence. Eight rounds into the season he’s made eight starts in as many games, and feels confident in bringing his best form to Qatar for the Asian Cup.
The 33-year-old won the Asian Cup in 2015 under Ange Postecoglou on home soil; eight years on, he predicts the current squad is capable of putting together an impressive campaign in Qatar.
“It’s nice to go to another Asian Cup,” Behich said. “We got told yesterday individually.
“It’s exciting. This is my third one now, I was part of the winning one and the one in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) as well. I never take it for granted getting selected for the national team, whether it’s a friendly game or a tournament. I’m really excited, and really looking forward to it.
“I feel great now. I had a good pre-season under my belt at Melbourne City, and I think I’ve started the season really well on a personal level.
“I’m playing with confidence, I feel good… the body feels great, and I’m really looking forward to it. I think we’re going to go really well over there.”
Joe Gauci – Adelaide United
Since his latest appearance in a Socceroos squad in November, Adelaide Untied star Joe Gauci has quietly set about pushing for a spot in the Asian Cup squad – and on Friday morning, his aspiration was realised.
The 23-year-old joins fellow A-Leagues star Lawrence Thomas, and Socceroos No.1 Mathew Ryan, in the three-player goalkeeping brigade for the tournament. Gauci debuted for Australia against Ecuador in March, and was included in the 23-man squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait and Palestine in November.
The recent recall led Gauci to fix his gaze on January’s Asian Cup; receiving confirmation of his call-up was a surreal moment for the Reds shot-stopper who, at the start of 2023, thought he had no chance of a surge to the Asian Cup.
“It’s a very, very proud moment for myself,” Gauci said. “(It’s) something that I’ve been aiming towards. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t aiming towards it.
“Since being in the squad in November, there was talk of the Asian Cup. And it was for me to come back to Adelaide and just knuckle down and focus on my performances and hopefully do well enough to get the call up, which I’ve been able to do.
“So, a very proud moment for myself. At the start of the year, I wouldn’t have thought I’d be in the position that I am now. I’m very grateful.”
