Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Bert van Marwijk has named a 29-player preliminary squad for this month’s friendlies against Norway and Colombia.
And there’s a strong contingent of five Hyundai A-League players.
Josh Risdon of Western Sydney Wanderers had a fabulous game on the weekend in their 1-1 draw with Wanderers and the right full back now gets a chance to add to his five caps in the national team.
Likewise, Melbourne Victory’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup Final hero James Troisi is again included in the Caltex Socceroos squad, as the attacking midfielder looks to add to his 36 caps.
But who are the Hyundai A-League bolters in van Marwijk’s first squad?
Check out the full squad or overseas-based bolters here.
Andrew Nabbout (Newcastle Jets)
While not strictly a Hyundai A-League player anymore after his move to Urawa Red Diamonds was confirmed on Monday, the now former Newcastle Jets attacker has been in irresistible form in 2017/18.
A series of eye-catching performances and wonderful strikes, including a goal-of-the-season contender against Western Sydney, have thrust Nabbout into the limelight and almost demanded inclusion in van Marwijk’s plans.
Dimi Petratos (Newcastle Jets)
Nabbout may have grabbed many of the headlines, but his Jets team-mate has been just as impressive in Newcastle’s stellar season.
Second only to Nabbout in the goalscoring stakes this season with nine goals, the former Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar attacker (and new dad) may just cap a superb Hyundai A-League campaign with a plane ticket to Russia.
Josh Brillante (Sydney FC)
The Sydney FC midfielder has been the model of consistency in the past two seasons, anchoring the Sky Blues’ record-breaking campaigns.
The combative 24-year old earned the last of his five Caltex Socceroos caps in October 2014 but his performances in the Hyundai A-League have seen the drums beating for an international recall.
