Perth Glory head coach Richard Garcia predicts Bruno Fornaroli will become an asset for the Socceroos after revealing the Uruguayan is to earn a dream call-up for Australia’s crucial AFC World Cup qualifiers.
Fornaroli played for Uruguay’s under-17 youth team in 2003, but a change in the FIFA eligibility rules in 2020 means the 34-year-old is now eligible to represent the Socceroos.
The star striker is set to be named in Graham Arnold’s extended squad for the crunch matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia this month.
Australia must win both games to guarantee their spot in this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Anything less and the Socceroos are likely to finish third in their group – thrusting them into a treacherous play-off route.
Fornaroli has built a reputation as one of the A-League Men’s best strikers since arriving in Australia in 2015.
In 138 matches across stints with Melbourne City and Perth Glory, Fornaroli has scored 81 goals.
Garcia is confident Fornaroli will thrive in the Socceroos’ set-up.
“He brings experience, quality, finishing ability. I don’t think Bruno feels pressure,” Garcia said after the Glory played out a 0-0 draw with Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday.
“It will be a different proposition when he’s got the quality that’s in the national team (around him).
“He’ll be able to find the ball in different places. I think he’ll be a real threat.
“He’s got a great ability to hold up the ball and bring other players in the game, and that’s going to be a real asset to the national team.”
Garcia said Fornaroli was over the moon when he was delivered the good news about his Socceroos call-up.
“I found out, so I mentioned it to him. The first thing he did was smile and say, ‘I’m an Aussie now’,” Garcia said.
“It was a nice moment seeing him so proud to be an Australian.”
Fornaroli has scored seven goals in 14 games this season for Glory.
But he missed a perfect chance to add to that tally when his penalty was saved against the Mariners.
Garcia expects Fornaroli to play in Saturday’s home clash with Brisbane before he links up with the Socceroos.
