There are heaps of A-League stars poised to play in World Cup qualifiers in the coming weeks. Here’s your update on who’s in the frame for the big games on the international stage.
AUSTRALIA
Caltex Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou will next week select his squad for the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iraq in Tehran on March 23 and then UAE in Sydney on March 28.
*Melbourne Victory star James Troisi: The AFC Asian Cup hero is at the top of the list for his string of eye-catching displays. With Celtic’s Tom Rogic unavailable with an injury, Troisi is a like-for-like attacking midfield replacement in what would be his first international call-up since November 2015.
*Melbourne City’s Tim Cahill: After missing the last game with Thailand, Australia’s greatest-ever scorer should be back, with seven goals to his name from 17 A-League appearances.
*Sydney FC’s Alex Wilkinson: the 32-year-old defender is playing regularly and a part of the Hyundai A-League’s most miserly defence. His experience could be vital in these must-win games.
*Melbourne City defender Ivan Franjic: The right-back spot is one area that’s wide open right now and the 29-year-old’s consistency and international experience should earn him a call-up, along with Perth’s Josh Risdon.
*Other contenders for a call-up include: Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Danny Vukovic, Josh Brillante (both Sydney FC) and Neil Kilkenny (Melbourne City)
NEW ZEALAND
Anthony Hudson’s troops face back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Fiji, away on March 25 before heading back to Wellington on March 28.
Wellington Phoenix will have a host of players involved in the All Whites squad, with as many as 10 players in line for a call-up.
Keeper Glen Moss, defender Andrew Durante, winger Kosta Barbarouses, left-back Tom Doyle, Michael McGlinchey, Louis Fenton, Matthew Ridenton and Shane Smeltz are just some of the players expect to be named.
*Melbourne Victory star Marco Rojas: Last weekend’s Performer of the Round, Rojas is a certain selection with 11 goals and 10 assists from 18 games. How can you not select the ‘Kiwi Messi’?
*Central Coast defender Storm Roux: Has been one of the Mariners’ most consistent players this season and a likely starter at right-back against the Fijians.
*The Ingham brothers – Jai and Dane: According to a report in Thursday’s Herald Sun newspaper, the Victory winger is set to be included in the NZ squad as well as his 17-year-old brother Dane, who has made a handful of appearances at Brisbane Roar, including a stunning goal in Perth.Â
KOSOVO
Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha is hopeful of making a debut for Kosovo – the country of his birth – in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iceland.
Berisha – who has previously had 17 caps for Albania – received a special clearance by FIFA in January to switch to Kosovo, which only became a FIFA member last year.
The 31-year-old’s goals in the Hyundai A-League – currently leading the way with 17 for the season – has caught the eye of Kosovo boss Albert Bunjaki, who is set to include Berisha for the home game against Iceland on March 25.
Kosovo is currently bottom of Group I in European qualifying, with one point from their previous four matches, coming in a 1-1 draw with Finland.
FIJI
Roy Krishna will come up against a host of his Wellington Phoenix teammates in the two-game qualifying series against New Zealand on March 25 and 28.
The first match at home in Lautoka looms as the pivotal clash for Fiji. If they can win one of the two matches between the two nations they’ll be in the box seat to progress to the next phase of qualifying from Oceania.
And Krishna’s pace and goals – he has scored 19 times in 27 appearances – will be crucial for the Bula Boys.
