Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay believes Anthony Caceres has played himself into Subway Socceroos contention as he hailed the Sky Blues star’s influence in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Caceres is one of the league’s premier players but the 32-year-old has never represented Australia at any international level.
A two-time A-Leagues champion – who has also won a Premiership and the Australia Cup – Caceres been one of Sydney’s most consistent players since initially joining the club on loan from Premier League giants Manchester City in 2019.
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Tony Popovic’s Socceroos are set to host Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on November 14 before visiting Bahrain on November 20.
Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich, Melbourne Victory trio Nishan Velupillay, Jason Geria and Daniel Arzani, and Macarthur Bulls’ Luke Brattan were involved in last month’s international window.
Talay was asked if he thought Caceres had done enough to earn an international call-up.
“I’m hoping for Cass’ sake,” Talay replied following Friday’s thrilling 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
“He is a great player for us. He’s probably been one of our most consistent players in the time I’ve been at Sydney. Very influential player.
“He can play as a six lower, he can play as a 10 in the next line.
“I’m not the Socceroos coach but I’d definitely be pleased if (Caceres) got the opportunity.”
Talay’s Sydney have won two of their opening three matches in the Isuzu UTE A-League to sit third in the standings, three points behind high-flying Auckland FC.
The Sky Blues are also competing in the AFC Champions League Two – a competition in which they have collected six points from a possible nine so far ahead of Thursday’s showdown with J1 League high flyers Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
