The ‘tough defender’ and the midfielder who relishes a ‘big game’: Socceroos new boys analysed

Fornaroli v Vergos | Who Will Start Up Front For Victory In Crucial Clash? | The Tactician Ep. 19
The Tactician is back for another instalment and this time it's the striker battle at Melbourne Victory and who will start up front for them in their crucial clash against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
  • Chapters
  • descriptions off, selected
  • subtitles off, selected
      Check out this week's episode of the Tactician with James Dodd and Daniel McBreen.

      Subway Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic has put his faith in TEN Isuzu UTE A-League stars for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China, with three players in line to make their debuts.

      No strangers to Socceroos selection, Melbourne City’s Aziz Behich and Western Sydney Wanderers’ Brandon Borrello have been included as have Victory pair Nishan Velupillay and Daniel Arzani.

      CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE TICKETS

      Meanwhile there were surprise recalls for Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart in place of veteran forward Mitchell Duke while Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio’s impressive recent form has seen him brought back into the fold following injury.

      SOCCEROOS SQUAD: TEN A-Leagues stars selected for Socceroos duty ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers

      However it was the inclusion of three A-Leagues newbies that caught the eye when Popovic’s 26-man squad was revealed on Friday morning.

      ‘I'm sure he didn't expect it’ | Shock Socceroos reprieve for maligned A-Leagues talent
      Socceroos boss Tony Popovic reveals why he picked Victory star Daniel Arzani among 10 A-Leagues faces for World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.
      Video Player is loading.
      Current Time 0:00
      Duration 3:21
      Loaded: 0%
      Stream Type LIVE
      Remaining Time 3:21
       
      1x
      • Chapters
      • descriptions off, selected
      • subtitles off, selected
        • en (Main), selected

        Chief among them was the inclusion of 31-year-old central defender Alex Grant who recently joined the Sky Blues having been without a club since leaving Chinese side Tianjin Jinmen.

        Recruited by Sydney FC in the mid-season transfer window following the departure of Hayden Matthews to English side Portsmouth and the subsequent injury to centre back Alexandar Popovic, Grant has slotted in seamlessly at the heart of Sydney’s defence despite playing limited minutes.

        ‘Unjust at times not to be involved’ | Grant revels in maiden Socceroos call-up
        Uncapped Sydney FC defender Alex Grant ‘can’t wipe the smile’ off his face after being included in the Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China
        Video Player is loading.
        Current Time 0:00
        Duration 6:42
        Loaded: 0%
        Stream Type LIVE
        Remaining Time 6:42
         
        1x
        • Chapters
        • descriptions off, selected
        • subtitles off, selected
          • en (Main), selected

          “I know Alex very well. Obviously, I was with him in Perth and I we both left at the same time. he went for a move to Korea and then to China,” said Popovic when asked at his press conference regarding his decision to hand Grant a shock call-up.

          “He’s just a tough defender and I feel there might be a moment in these two games that we need (him).

          “Yes, I’d argue that maybe he hasn’t got enough game time, but I believe in the one-off game or a moment that we need to start him or put him on, that he can do the job.”

          Video Player is loading.
          Current Time 0:00
          Duration 0:00
          Loaded: 0%
          Stream Type LIVE
          Remaining Time 0:00
           
          1x
          • Chapters
          • descriptions off, selected
          • subtitles off, selected

              Already aware of his maiden call-up for the national team, Grant put in a commanding performance for Sydney FC on Thursday night, scoring the crucial goal which re-established their aggregate lead over K League side Jeonbuk Motors as they booked their spot in their ACL Two semi-finals.

              SUPER SYDNEY: ACL semis beckon for Sydney FC as Korean giants downed in Costa-inspired clinic

              And while he may not have had much game time over the course of the last four months, Grant has certainly been put through his paces since arriving in the Harbour City.

              A gruelling 120-minutes away in hot and humid conditions in Thailand was then followed up by an Isuzu UTE A-League debut against Macarthur before back-to-back games against Jeonbuk have really helped get Grant up to speed.

              WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 23 of the Isuzu UTE A-League

              Competing with Grant to potentially make his Socceroos debut will be Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin.

              Kai Trewin (Centre) in action against Auckland FC

              Handed a maiden call-up following a impressive season thus far with City, Trewin has showcased his versatility this campaign having been deployed as both a defensive midfielder and centre back by head coach Aurelio Vidmar.

              Missing two games through injury, Trewin has otherwise been an ever-present for City having started 18 times across the campaign and helping help his side boast the competition’s joint-best defensive record, conceding just 18 goals.

              Potentially playing in-front of Grant and or Trewin could be Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague.

              An Australian international at youth level, Teague’s impressive performances for Victory this season haven’t gone unnoticed, with several reports suggesting both Malaysia and China were interested in tying him down at international level.

              FULL BLOOM: Premier League owner acquires 19.1% stake in Melbourne Victory

              However Popovic has moved quickest, handing the 23-year-old his first senior call-up for the crucial qualifiers against Indonesia and China, but dismissed suggestions his decision was accelerated due to the threat of rival nations.

              Ryan Teague

              “That will never factor into my consideration. If someone chooses to play for another country, that’s their choice, and we will respect that but no one will ever be chosen because they may play for someone else.

              “Ryan is chosen based on his ability and based on how he’s played this year. He’s someone that I thought about in October and November, but, you know, I think in the last month or so, he’s really stepped up his game.

              “With Ryan, I believe whenever there’s a big game, he really steps up. I think that’s he’s showing a character and personality that we want to see in the Socceroos.”

              Currently in his second season at Victory, Teague was signed for the club whilst Popovic was at the helm and played a pivotal role in helping the side reach the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final.

              This season his performances have gone from strength-to-strength with the left-footed central midfielder starting all 20 of Victory’s league games to help them sit fourth on the ladder as we head towards the business end of the campaign.

              Happy Days, The A-League & The End Of Daniel Georgievski's Career? | The Warm Up Ep.18
              Welcome To The Warm Up! The lads are back for another instalment of your weekly football funnies with some analysis thrown in for good measure.
              Video Player is loading.
              Current Time 0:00
              Duration 0:00
              Loaded: 0%
              Stream Type LIVE
              Remaining Time 0:00
               
              1x
              • Chapters
              • descriptions off, selected
              • subtitles off, selected