Socceroos boss Graham Arnold spoke glowingly of Central Coast Mariners Josh Nisbet ahead of Australia’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifier against Lebanon.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who joins fellow Isuzu UTE A-League players Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne Victory) and Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers) in the squad, has been rewarded for his fine form domestically.
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Nisbet has tallied a league-high seven assists to go with a pair of goals in the league, having helped the Mariners snap their decade-long wait for an Isuzu UTE A-League Championship last season.
He has also scored a pair of goals, while guiding Central Coast to the AFC Cup Inter Zonal Final.
“He is a great kid. Put that aside, he is a very, very good player. He is a smart player. He reads the game very well,” Arnold told reporters before the showdown with Lebanon at CommBank Stadium.
“Even if you’re not involved, you can see from the sideline and from afar that he is a leader on the field. He is coaching players, he is scanning all the time. He makes smart runs. Technically he is good.
“He is not here just because he’s a good kid, he’s here because he’s a very good player. My expectations are that he will improve.”
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The Mariners is where current Subway Socceroos captain Mat Ryan emerged and made a name for himself.
Ryan spent three years in Gosford between 2010 and 2013 before moving to Europe.
Asked about Nisbet, Ryan said: “As long as I’ve been part of the Socceroos set-up, it’s always been very welcoming. Part of the Australian nature and culture is to welcome your mates, and work together.
“He is obviously someone who has earned his call-up through his form with the Central Coast Mariners this season.
“Having met him and chatted a couple of times, you can tell he is a real down to earth genuine kid. He is here to make us stronger and better.
“My advice to him is to come in here and make the most of himself, and believe that he belongs here.”
Featured Image includes photograph from Football Australia
