There was plenty to dissect from Graham Arnold’s press conference as Australia look ahead to the June 15 clash with Argentina and beyond. Here are the key talking points.
Tuesday’s Socceroos squad announcement offered an insight into more than just the 23 players selected. It offered a glimpse of the future and what could be on the horizon with prospective players.
Former Perth Glory product and Italy youth international Alessandro Circati and Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover have been called up for the first time as Australia prepare to reunite with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Beijing, China on June 15.
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Glover is among seven players from the Isuzu UTE A-League to be part of the latest squad, while others are firmly on Arnold’s radar.
Here are some of the talking points from Arnold’s press conference.
Cummings & Arnold’s gripe
Jason Cummings was not on Tuesday’s list of players included to play Argentina due to injury after his Grand Final heroics for Central Coast Mariners.
Cummings scored a hat-trick and won the Joe Marston Medal in what was likely to be his final game for the Mariners before reportedly joining Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan SG.
Arnold was asked if a move to India put his Socceroos status at risk. It led to the Australia boss discussing the domestic calendar.
“No. As long as he’s playing football,” Arnold replied when quizzed on Cummings’ future with the national team.
“The way technology is these days, I can watch every game he plays.
“When you look at the squad, the hardest thing for me in a lot of ways was keeping (Western Sydney Wanderers star) Brandon Borrello training and fit. Joel King (who was on loan at Sydney FC from OB) obviously just came in late because of Aziz Behich’s injury.
“This time I’ve really been able to pick from two (A-Leagues) teams out of 12. I know I keep banging on about it but you’d hope that the APL (Australian Professional Leagues) would start looking at this.
“It isn’t a one-off situation where the rest of the A-League players can’t be selected. This will happen again in September because of the lack of games and not being match fit. In a lot of ways because of that, it’s taking away opportunities for players to play for their country.
“You really would hope the APL would start looking at that because I could only pick from two teams this time and that won’t change next year in June for World Cup qualifiers. It won’t change in September. I had the same issue last year.
“We need to get in line with each other. Obviously the APL, I believe in it strongly. I believe the players are doing fantastic jobs and the kids are coming through. But it would be handy if they got in line with the international program for players to be fit and ready for these games.”
Arnold added: “Get in line with Europe or Asia. Simple.”
Mariners trio on the Roos radar
Prior to the Grand Final at CommBank Stadium, Arnold revealed Mariners pair Nectar Triantis and Josh Nisbet had caught his eye in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
With Triantis in the Olyroos squad for the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament in France, there was no call-up for the Sunderland-linked centre-back.
There was also another Central Coast star to put himself on Arnold’s radar – Sammy Silvera.
“With Triantis, he is doing fantastic,” Arnold told reporters. “Again, Tony Vidmar probably needed him more than me to be honest. I could’ve brought him in and he sits and watches probably behind Harry (Souttar) and Kye (Rowles).
“Tony Vidmar in September has Olympic qualifiers and he needs to learn his players too. This tournament that is going on, no doubt you’ve seen the selection of the 23. It’s a very strong squad. Those type of players are always on the radar.
“Sammy Silvera as well. He did exceptionally well in the Grand Final. But that was probably down to me if I could say that.
“I had to give a list of 35-40 players two weeks ago for visas and he played a fantastic game in the Grand Final, but I didn’t have him on the list for the visas.”
Two down, two to go?
Alexander Robertson was eligible to represent England, Scotland and Peru before picking Australia and debuting for the Socceroos in March.
Circati had been representing Italy at youth level before accepting a call from Arnold for next week’s Argentina fixture.
The Socceroos coach has been on a mission to secure young talent after Roma’s Sydney-born youngster Cristian Volpato rejected the opportunity to represent Australia at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Volpato still appears to be in the frame to play for the Socceroos and so is Stade de Reims’ former Adelaide United sensation Mohamed Toure, who recently told KEEPUP he was open to representing Australia or Guinea.
“Like the others, it’s conversations and at the end of it, it’s their decision,” Arnold said.
“With Alessandro, the communication I was having with him over the time was always regular but it wasn’t me enforcing the decision because it’s such a massive decision. The heart will tell them what the decision is.
“With Cristian and Mohamed, it will be a conversation. I’ll get across to Europe in early August after we get this game done. Part of my job now is also helping the junior national teams and I’ll go across with Brad Maloney to Thailand for the Under-17 World Cup qualifiers. After that, I’ll go across and meet them face-to-face.
“I think what they saw at the World Cup has inspired them to make these decisions. I think that happened with Alessandro.
“I think they’re all mates and they talk to each other as well. Maybe Robbo is helping there (laughs).”
Arnie’s Messi gag
In the last 16 at the World Cup, Australia came unstuck against Messi’s Argentina.
The Socceroos fought courageously in a 2-1 defeat, but ultimately fell to the eventual world champions, who were fuelled by Messi’s opening goal at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in December.
As Australia and Argentina reunite, how can the Socceroos stop the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner – who has left Paris Saint-Germain and been linked with a sensational return to Barcelona?
“In the tunnel… on the way out,” joked Arnold.
“When you look at the goal, it’s so clear in my mind still. We gave away a silly free-kick and then it was the second phase of defending the free-kick. If you look back closely at it, it was a good play and chase, but I don’t think the lay-off was meant. He turned that lay-off into a goal. But that’s the quality of the person.
“He is incredible and it’s an honour to play against him again.”
An eye on the future
Australia’s latest squad does not feature veteran Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
Instead, captain Mathew Ryan has competition in Adelaide United’s Joe Gauci, back after his debut in the previous international window, and uncapped Melbourne City star Thomas Glover.
With Australia building towards the 2026 World Cup, not before January’s AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, Arnold has his eye on the future.
“There are question marks on certain players if they’ll make 2026. Andrew Redmayne today is 35,” he said.
“We know what Redders can do in cups and tournaments. It gives Thomas Glover and young Joe Gauci this opportunity to come into camp, cause I have one eye on 2026 and who will be available?
“If something happens to Maty Ryan, who is next? The only way I can find that out is in friendly matches. I don’t want to be doing that in World Cup qualifiers. I have to do that in so-called friendly matches.
“Thomas Glover has had a very good season, and so has Joe Gauci. I think watching the Grand Final, if it wasn’t for glover, it would’ve been 10 or 11-1. He’s definitely deserved his call-up.”
