November’s FIFA Men’s World Cup is fast approaching, which means Australia head coach Graham Arnold is facing a decision as to what his 26-player squad looks like for Qatar 2022.
Five A-Leagues-based players featured in the pair of friendlies against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, which concluded with a 2-0 win over the All Whites in Auckland on Sunday.
Central Coast Mariners striker Jason Cummings capped his memorable Socceroos debut with a goal at Eden Park.
Mariners team-mate and teenage sensation Garang Kuol, who is the youngest Socceroos debutant since Harry Kewell in 1996, also impressed on debut, while Melbourne City pair Mathew Leckie and Marco Tilio, and Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne were in the thick of the action.
With the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season kicking off on October 7 – a Grand Final rematch between champions Western United and premiers City at AAMI Park – Arnold will be watching the local players closely.
“It’s not the last day for the players to get chosen. Thankfully and finally, the A-Leagues starts,” Arnold, who will name his World Cup squad on November 14 to assemble in Doha soon after, said.
“Those boys, I can actually watch the A-League and pick players on form, not reputation.”
The season opener between Western and City will put Jamie Maclaren, Leckie and Tilio firmly in the spotlight, as well as Ben Garuccio and Josh Risdon, who have been backed to knock on Arnold’s door for the showpiece tournament.
Buy tickets to Western United v Melbourne City
There’s also October 8 and the F3 Derby between the Mariners and rivals Newcastle Jets – another chance for Cummings and Kuol to impress.
Buy tickets to Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets
Across the opening weekend, there is also other opportunities for players to catch the eye of Arnold.
The ‘Big Blue’ on October 8 – Sydney FC welcoming Melbourne Victory to Allianz Stadium – will see reigning Johnny Warren Medallist Jake Brimmer and one-time Socceroo Nick D’Agostino come up against Redmayne, Rhyan Grant and Luke Brattan.
Then there’s also Craig Goodwin, who will be in action for Adelaide United away to Wellington Phoenix on October 9.
Buy tickets to Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
“I need to stay and watch the A-League because I haven’t seen these boys play for four months,” Arnold said, with the Socceroos due to meet defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia in Qatar.
“Therefore, I need to get out and watch A-League games. See the likes of the Leckie’s and the Tilio’s and these type of players. See if they’re ready.”
Buy tickets to Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
After dazzling against LaLiga powerhouse Barcelona in May’s A-Leagues All Star blockbuster, Kuol was at it again in his Socceroos cameo.
Buy tickets to Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory
Kuol was introduced for his international bow, helping create the second goal as he looked dangerous throughout against the hosts in New Zealand.
He is yet to start an ALM match for the Mariners, though he still managed four goals last season.
“He is a kid, mate. He just turned 18,” Arnold said of the talented youngster and younger brother of Alou Kuol.
“I said to him, what colour shirt do you play in every weekend? He said yellow. I said okay, it’s the same shirt, just do what you normally do.
“Let the kid relax and go out and enjoy it. He showed some quality when he come on. But it’s just the start of it.”
Arnold added: “Everyone still, in Australia, talks about the golden generation. I hate comparing generations but we have some good kids.
“Some exciting players. An exciting future for a lot of them.”
