Graham Arnold has named an initial 25-player Caltex Socceroos squad ahead of Australia’s friendly against Kuwait on Monday October 15, with two Hyundai A-League players selected.
Former Sydney FC stalwart Arnold has stated his willingness to nurture young homegrown talent during his fledgling months at the helm, and 21-year-old Melbourne Victory defender Thomas Deng is the latest youngster to be handed a chance.
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A fantastic achievement for @thomasdeng24, he received his first @Socceroos call-up! ? https://t.co/gh9mFUbfjz #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/5pKd773Uxi
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) October 5, 2018
Deng is joined by Western Sydney Wanderers fullback Josh Risdon, with the pair both looking to impress Arnold when the Caltex Socceroos squad convene in the Middle East on Monday in preparation for Australia’s crucial pre-AFC Asian Cup preparation clash against Kuwait.
Deng’s rise through the Melbourne Victory ranks has arguably been one of the unsung stories in recent Hyundai A-League seasons.
His call up to the Caltex Socceroos comes nearly three years after he made his Hyundai A-League debut against Adelaide United on October 9 2015. Since then, the Kenyan-born centre back has started 33 of his next 36 Hyundai A-League appearances.
Deng’s quiet yet formidable assurance on the ball has seen him mix it successfully with the Hyundai A-League’s most dangerous attacking players, and he will undoubtedly be eager to impress Arnold when he unites with the Caltex Socceroos in a few day’s time.
Meanwhile, Josh Risdon is still among the newer Caltex Socceroos faces but he proved he’s a valuable asset for the future during Australia’s FIFA World Cup™ 2018 campaign.
The Bunbury-born fullback established himself as a Hyundai A-League regular for Perth Glory at just 19 years old following his debut in November 2010.
Risdon would go on to make 143 appearances in Western Australia before linking up with the Red and Black for the 2017/18 campaign.
Caltex Socceroos Squad – United Arab Emirates/Kuwait – October 2018
|
Name |
Club, Country |
A-International Caps (Goals) |
|
Mustafa AMINI |
AGF Aarhus, Denmark |
2 (0) |
|
Daniel ARZANI |
Celtic FC, Scotland |
5 (1) |
|
Aziz BEHICH |
PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands |
26 (2) |
|
*Martin BOYLE |
Hibernian FC, Scotland |
0 (0) |
|
Milos DEGENEK |
Red Star Belgrade, Serbia |
18 (0) |
|
Thomas DENG |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
0 (0) |
|
Denis GENREAU |
PEC Zwolle, Netherlands |
0 (0) |
|
Alex GERSBACH |
Rosenborg BK, Norway |
4 (0) |
|
Apostolos GIANNOU |
AEK Larnaca, Cyprus |
5 (0) |
|
Jackson IRVINE |
Hull City AFC, England |
22 (2) |
|
Brad JONES (Gk) |
Al-Nasr Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
6 (0) |
|
Tomi JURIC |
FC Luzern, Switzerland |
38 (8) |
|
Matthew JURMAN |
Al-Ittihad Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
4 (0) |
|
Robbie KRUSE |
VfL Bochum, Germany |
67 (5) |
|
Mitchell LANGERAK (Gk) |
Nagoya Grampus, Japan |
8 (0) |
|
Mathew LECKIE |
Hertha BSC, Germany |
56 (8) |
|
Massimo LUONGO |
Queens Park Rangers FC, England |
36 (5) |
|
Awer MABIL |
FC Midtjylland, Denmark |
0 (0) |
|
Mark MILLIGAN |
Hibernian FC, Scotland |
71 (6) |
|
Aaron MOOY |
Huddersfield Town AFC, England |
37 (5) |
|
Josh RISDON |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
11 (0) |
|
Tom ROGIC |
Celtic FC, Scotland |
40 (7) |
|
Mathew RYAN (Gk) |
Brighton & Hove Albion FC, England |
47 (0) |
|
Trent SAINSBURY |
PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands |
38 (3) |
|
Daniel VUKOVIC (Gk) |
KRC Genk, Belgium |
1 (0) |
