Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan says the Wanderers should take pride in the part they played in earning Brandon Borrello a recall to the Socceroos set-up.
Borrello started up front for Australia in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, scoring his first senior international goal.
Rudan brought Borrello to the Wanderers as a winger over the off-season after a lengthy stint in Germany.
But the 27-year-old’s switch to attack has paid dividends for the Wanderers, with the forward scoring six goals in his past 10 A-League games.
“He’s taken to it like a duck to water really,” said Rudan, whose side can leapfrog Adelaide United into second spot if they beat the Reds at home on Friday.
“His great form has given him the opportunity to start and score (for Australia).
“It’s a really proud moment for him, but also for us, the coaching staff and everybody involved in the football club.
“To see him get a nod ahead of another very good striker in Jason Cummings tells you just how far he’s come.”
Rudan will be without Calem Nieuwenhof and Amor Layouni against the Reds as the pair travel back from international duty with Australia’s under 23s and Tunisia.
Right back Gabriel Cleur, midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and centre back Tomi Mrcela are all fit and at Rudan’s disposal.
Friday’s meeting with Adelaide will be the Wanderers’ first outing since their emphatic 4-0 win over Sydney FC, and Rudan wants to see them continue that hot form, which has propelled them towards a top-four finish.
“We want to give a good account of ourselves and to make sure that we start where we left off,” Rudan said.
“Watching the sessions this week, they are mentally switched on, irrespective of who starts.
“The minimum requirement is to go out there and be extremely competitive.
“But we want more, the players want more than that as well.
“We’re looking forward to a really good game, and they are a good side with some good individual players.”
