Subway Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic has named NINE Isuzu UTE A-League players in his latest squad ahead of the crucial upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Possibly in line to make his Socceroos debut is Melbourne Victory defender Kasey Bos who has been called up for the first time following a solid season with the beaten Grand Finalists.
“The back end of the Isuzu UTE A-League season, he’s been really good,” said Popovic when asked what persuaded him to call-up Bos for the upcoming qualifiers.
“Scoring goals, he looks very confident. I know him from my time at Victory. You know, he’s really developed a lot over the last three or four years and I believe he deserves this opportunity.”
Victory teammates Ryan Teague and Daniel Arzani have also been included in the 26-man squad with the former looking to build off the back of his impressive starting debut for the national side in the recent 2-0 away win against China.
CITY ARE CHAMPIONS! Historic Melbourne Derby Grand Final ends in heartbreak for Victory
BEHICH REACTION: ‘They threw me a lifeline’: City captain’s heartfelt tribute after 15-year road to Championship
EAGLE EYE: 5 things you might have missed from City’s Grand Final win inc. teen talent’s moment of magic
Fresh off lifting the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship having beaten rivals Victory, Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich will be hoping to earn his 80th cap for the Socceroos against Japan whilst title winning teammates Marco Tilio and Kai Trewin have also been included in the squad.
Meanwhile local boy and Perth Glory captain Adam Taggart has once again been named in the squad which is now assembling in Perth ahead of the clash with Japan at Optus Stadium on June 5.
Finally Sydney FC midfielder Anthony Caceres and Western Sydney’s Brandon Borrello have also been included in the extended 26-man squad however there was no room for Wanderers duo Alex Gersbach and Nicolas Milanovic despite both being included in the recent training camp in Abu Dhabi.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,” Popovic said after the squad was revealed.
TACTICAL PLAN: How a surprise role switch took City’s ‘Ferrari out of the garage’ and into Grand Final folklore
“We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification.
“We’ve had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch.
He concluded: “I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.”
Heading into camp from overseas, Benfica youngster Paul Okon-Engstler could also be in line to make his debut after the son of Socceroos great Paul Okon was called up for the first time while Parma defender Alessandro Circati has also been recalled despite only recently having returned from an ACL injury.
Currently sat second in FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group C, the Socceroos face group winners Japan on Thursday knowing a win could see them seal automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United Stats, Mexico and Canada.
Three points ahead of third-placed Saudi Arabia with two games left to play, should the Socceroos beat Japan and Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain then Popovic’s side will have guaranteed themselves a spot at the showpiece event.
However should results go against them on Thursday the Socceroos know that their is a strong possibility they will also seal automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup should they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday, June 11 given their superior goal difference.
‘F****** incredible’: City’s Championship celebration summed up by coach’s epic winning speech
| Name | Current Club, Country | ‘A’ Caps (Goals) | Junior Club (Member Federation/Country) |
Daniel ARZANI | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | 9 (1) | Coogee United FC / Football NSW |
| Aziz BEHICH | Melbourne City, Australia | 79 (2) | Meadow Park SC / Football VIC |
Brandon BORRELLO | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | 15 (2) | Modbury Jets SC / Football SA |
Kasey BOS | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | 0 | Point Cook SC / Football VIC |
Martin BOYLE | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 32 (10) | Lewis United FC / Montrose FC (Scotland) |
Cameron BURGESS | Ipswich Town FC, England | 15 (0) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
Anthony CACERES | Sydney FC, Australia | 3 (0) | Marconi Stallions / Football NSW |
Alessandro CIRCATI | Parma Calcio 1913, Italy | 4 (0) | Perth RedStar FC / Football West |
Miloš DEGENEK | FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia | 47 (1) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
Mitchell DUKE | FC Machida Zelvia, Japan | 46 (12) | Liverpool Rangers SC / Football NSW |
Joe GAUCI | Aston Villa FC, England | 7 (0) | Cumberland United FC / Football SA |
Jason GERIA | Albirex Niigata, Japan | 7 (0) | Weston Molonglo Football Club / Capital Football |
| Paul IZZO (Gk) | Randers, Denmark | 0 | Campbelltown City SC / Football SA |
Riley McGREE | Middlesbrough FC, England | 29 (1) | Gawler Eagles FC / Football South Australia |
| Connor METCALFE | St. Pauli, Germany | 24 (0) | South Cardiff FC / NNSW Football |
| Lewis MILLER | Hibernian, Scotland | 11 (1) | Pittwater RSL FC / Football NSW |
Paul OKON- ENGSTLER | S.L Benfica, Portugal | 0 | Marconi Stallions / Football NSW |
| Aiden O’NEILL | New York City FC | 19 (0) | University of Queensland Football Club / Football QLD |
| Kye ROWLES | Heart of Midlothian, Scotland | 25 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Mat RYAN (c) | RC Lens, France | 98 (0) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
Mohamed TOURE | Randers FC, Denmark | 1 (0) | Croydon FC / Football SA |
| Adam TAGGART | Perth Glory, Australia | 22 (7) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
Ryan TEAGUE | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | 1 (0 | Maroubra United FC / Football NSW |
Marco TILIO | Melbourne City FC, Australia | 9 (0) | APIA Leichhardt FC & Sydney Olympic FC / Football NSW |
Kai TREWIN | Melbourne City FC, Australia | 0 | Gungahlin United FC / Capital Football |
Patrick YAZBEK | Nashville SC, United States | 2 (0) | Austral Soccer Club / Football NSW |
Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+
