One World Cup cycle ends, another starts.
The Socceroos’ FIFA Men’s World Cup voyage came to a heart-breaking conclusion on Sunday morning (AEDT) in their 2-1 last-16 loss to Argentina, signalling the end of a heavily disrupted, marathon four-year cycle.
Graham Arnold’s side went through the wringer in order to qualify for Qatar and like most teams in Asia, were heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which forced teams – at times – into hubs and ruled players ineligible due to differing border closures.
But with borders open again and life returning to a sense of pre-Covid normality, international football is set to resume as it once was.
Like during any World Cup cycle, national team coaches look to expand the talent pool throughout a time dominated by a slew of qualifiers, friendlies and of course, continental tournaments.
After eight Isuzu UTE A-League players were on the plane to Qatar this year and a total of 20 players have plied their trade in the competition at some stage in their career – the reward for some $45m of investment in youth academies by the clubs, as the inaugural APL report makes clear. It opens up the door for a number of hopefuls who are looking to bang down the selection door in the coming months.
KEEPUP takes a position-by-position look at which players may shoot themselves into contention throughout the next cycle.
NOTE: KEEPUP have used the 4-3-3 that the Socceroos adopted at the World Cup as the base of this analysis
Goalkeeper
If there’s one position Australia doesn’t have a short supply in, it’s goalkeepers.
But with Danny Vukovic (37) and Andrew Redmayne (33) both reaching the latter stages of their career, the door may open up for some of the country’s next wave of shot-stoppers to start making their mark in the senior side.
Adelaide United’s Joe Gauci looms as the most likely to take the next step throughout this World Cup cycle. Gauci has already been capped at an under-23 level, playing in five of the Olyroos’ contests at the U23 Asian Cup and kept clean sheets in three of those.
But his form at club-level has been just as eye-catching, putting in a number of impressive performances since claiming the mantle as Adelaide’s number one in early 2021 ahead of James Delianov.
The 22-year-old also ranks second in the league for goals prevented with 1.8 and given his age, he can only get better from here with plenty of football still in-front of him.
Others in contention include Melbourne City championship-winning keeper Tom Glover, who has bounced back from a difficult campaign last season with an electric start in the first six games of the year. The 24-year-old has also been a lynch-pin in the U23 set-up having been Australia’s first-choice goalkeeper at the Tokyo Olympics.
Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers) is another on the cusp of Socceroos selection and has already been capped by the national team in 2021. His form since returning to the Isuzu UTE A-League has also been tremendous, forging a solid defensive union in the opening six games and holding the number one rank for clean sheets (four) along with save percentage (78.9%).
Melbourne Victory’s Paul Izzo is another who could push for selection, having been in the Socceroos squad as recently as 2021 during his stint at Greek side Xanthi.
Right-back
As shown during the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign, where Graham Arnold used three different options, there is serious competition at right-back.
But the talent pool doesn’t end there, with a number of players in the Isuzu UTE A-League still knocking on the door of selection – with some more than others, being no stranger to the national team set-up.
Western United’s Josh Risdon and Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant have both been national-team regulars at different stages of their career.
Risdon was a regular at the Socceroos’ previous FIFA Men’s World Cup appearance in 2018, where he played all of their three group stage games before essentially being replaced by Grant from the 2019 Asian Cup onwards.
However, the duo are now on the outside looking in. Risdon hasn’t been called up since 2019 as a spate of long-term injuries riddled his last few seasons, while Grant lost his spot more recently, dropping out after Australia’s March World Cup qualifiers.
But it would be difficult to draw the curtains just yet for either of them.
Despite Western’s tough start to the season, Risdon has been the one constant, backing up a tremendous end to last campaign – where he played a starring role in their championship winning side – with another solid patch of form.
Grant, on the other hand, has the veteran experience to slot in seamlessly at international level should his number be called.
But age it’ll be an uphill battle for all of them to climb given the options currently ahead in the pecking order.
Another is one-time Socceroo Jason Geria, who won plaudits for his performances at Melbourne Victory last season, but is slowly building his fitness back up, after a hip injury derailed his start to the campaign.
While across town, new Melbourne City signing Callum Talbot looks like one to keep an eye on in the future after a promising start to life at the reigning premiers, as is Central Coast Mariners’ Thomas Aquilina.
Centre-backs
Another Popovic, who is a centre-back playing for the Socceroos? It seems like it’s meant to be.
In only 16 senior games, Adelaide’s Alexandar Popovic has made an immediate splash on the domestic stage, quickly becoming not only one of the competition’s most promising centre-backs, but young talents.
Popovic, 20, has shown a maturity beyond his years in the heart of Adelaide’s defence, playing every minute in their run to the semi-final last season, while this season he has taken more leaps and strides in his overall game, forging a solid partnership with both Lachlan Barr and Ben Warland.
It seems like only a matter of time before we see him in a Socceroos squad throughout the next cycle.
Other options include two-time Socceroo and Melbourne City defender Curtis Good, who provides valuable cover as a left-footed central defender and has been on the national-team radar over the last 12 months.
And what about Central Coast Mariners defensive duo Nectar Triantis and Dan Hall?
In only three starts Triantis, 19, has been superb, showcasing not only a hard-nosed edge to his defending but an immense array of passing – ranking second in accurate long balls per 90 (6.9 a game).
While Hall, 23 – who hasn’t featured as much this season – was immense alongside current Socceroo Kye Rowles last campaign, even at times outshining him in their run to the finals.
Versatile Brisbane Roar stopper Kai Trewin is another who’s slowly emerging.
Left-back
Left-back has felt like a problem area, depth wise, for quite some time for the Socceroos – but perhaps not for long.
The battle for the starting left back position in years to come, between young duo Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners) and Jordan Bos (Melbourne City) is going to be one to watch.
Farrell burst onto the scene last year with an incredible first campaign with the Mariners, while Bos has backed up a solid end to last season, by winning a position as City’s starting left-back with an eye-catching opening six games – which even saw him curtail the impact of Nani in the Melbourne Derby.
The fact they’re only 20-years-old means the duo – who are just as damaging going forward as they are defensively – can only get better from here.
While Western United’s Ben Garuccio provides another option, with some over the last year singling that he has been stiff to miss selection given his incredible form last season – which saw him win the club’s best and fairest.
Garuccio was one of, if not, the league’s best attacking full-back, dishing off six assists and scoring two goals, including a goal of the season ‘scorpion kick’.
At 27, time is still on his side, but if his form last season wasn’t enough for a call-up, then you have to wonder what it will take for Garuccio to break the glass ceiling.
Deep lying midfielder (six)
Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof has been the talk of the town since making the move across the Sydney CBD this season.
Nieuwenhof has put together an incredible opening six games which saw his performances rewarded with nomination for Young Footballer of the Year.
The 21-year-old has been superb week in and week out, impressing with calmness in possession but steel and hard work in the heart of midfield – forging an imposing duo with Frenchman Romain Amalfitano.
Nieuwenhof currently leads the league in tackles (28) and sits third in ball recoveries (58) and incredibly he’s doing all of this on a scholarship contract. The sky is well and truly the limit for the former Sydney FC youngster.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City’s Aiden O’Neill has showcased in recent times his importance in keeping things ticking over in the middle of the park, while Louis D’Arrigo (Adelaide United), 21, continues to develop and has started most games this season for the Reds.
Box-to-box midfielder
There are a few options emerging in local circles who could be an option in the all-important ‘eight’ role.
Sydney’s Anthony Caceres has been a name floated in Socceroos circles recently, particularly as of late, with his team-mate Luke Brattan suggesting on the Players Pod with Robbie Cornthwaite that he’d like to see him in the mix going forward.
Another that has been clamoured for in recent years is Steven Ugarkovic (Wellington Phoenix), who for long periods has been regarded as one of the league’s most underrated players and has showcased his quality throughout his short period of time across the ditch.
Newcastle’s Angus Thurgate has continued to develop in the past few seasons and has shown an ability to play in a myriad of roles across the midfield – whether it be deeper or higher up as a 10.
As has Central Coast’s Josh Nisbet, who has become an integral part of the Mariners midfield set-up and is still only 23, along with Patrick Yazbek (Sydney), who has recently stamped himself as a first-team regular under Steve Corica.
Attacking midfielder
Could the reigning Johnny Warren Medallist be next in line for a call-up down the track?
After a breakout campaign, Jake Brimmer has been a name on many football fans’ lips over the last 12 months as he’s slowly become an integral part of Melbourne Victory’s midfield in the no.10 role.
Last season he impacted the scoreboard in more ways than one, scoring seven goals and tallying another seven assists – with majority coming from his incredible ability at set-pieces. This campaign, he ranks second for chances created with 14 – sitting only behind Craig Goodwin (21).
His technical ability is right up there among the best in the league but has found himself lost in the logjam of other options who occupy the same role as him – such as Ajdin Hrustic, Riley McGree and Tom Rogic.
Another option who was thrown up in recent times is Macarthur FC’s Daniel De Silva. The 25-year-old earned a ringing endorsement from coach Dwight Yorke earlier this season, as someone who should be in the mix.
While young trio Adrian Segecic (Sydney), Nicolas Milanovic (Western United) and Giordano Colli (Perth Glory) have shown enormous potential in a small sample size of games.
Maybe three players for the longer term?
Right wing
Another position Australia have options in spades in are on the flanks, but let’s start with the right-hand side.
Western Sydney’s Brandon Borrello was one of the players making a super late push for selection after a solid start to the campaign, but admitted that his chances of making the squad were always going to be a long-shot.
However, given he has been in the mix throughout the last few years and was in the squad as recently as February, a re-call can’t be entirely off the table.
Melbourne City’s Andrew Nabbout has also been in the mix under Arnold, having been in the squad in late 2021 and already tallying 10 caps – including appearances at the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup – where he led the line against France and Denmark.
Or how about a return to the Socceroos fold for Adelaide United’s Ben Halloran?
The winger was in Ange Postecoglou’s plans in the 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup, but has not been called-up since late 2015.
Now, at at age 30, Halloran is an integral, yet, underrated member of the Reds front-line – scoring two goals and tallying an assist so far this season – but his work has been somewhat overshadowed by his winger counterpart, Goodwin.
While young duo Lachlan Wales (Western United) and Reno Piscopo (Newcastle Jets) are another couple wingers – who have been in the mix as of late – that could shoot themselves into contention.
And if you’re going even younger, there’s also Bernardo Oliveira (Adelaide United) and Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory) who have both impressed enormously – to varying extents – when given the opportunity.
Another couple for the future, perhaps?
Left wing
Now, for the left and the depth is also quite tantalising.
The name on everyone’s lips as a potential bolter in the lead-in to the tournament was Daniel Arzani, whose impressive start to life at Macarthur almost won him a spot in the 26-man squad.
His talent is undeniable and it seems as if it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ we will see him down the green and gold at some stage in the future. Plus, he can only get better from here as he continues to string together multiple games for the first time in over four years – after years riddled by injuries and ill-fated loan deals.
Melbourne Victory duo Chris Ikonomidis and Ben Folami are also a couple of players who could be on the brink of returning to the Socceroos fold at some point.
Ikonomidis, who has been capped 17 times, started the season with a flurry, but fell just shy of the marker, while Folami has shown in glimpses the enormous potential that came to the fore towards the end of last season – which ultimately earned him his maiden cap in March.
What about Nestory Irankunda?
Adelaide’s teen sensation caught everyone’s attention with his brilliant cameos off the bench towards the end of last season – which won him selection in the A-League All-Stars team against Barcelona – and it’s easy to forget he’s only 16 (!).
The sky is the limit for the United youngster.
Striker
Ah, the old number nine role.
Australia have a few options to choose from a domestic league standpoint, but none more so than Melbourne Victory’s Nick D’Agostino – who fell out of the Socceroos squad for the World Cup despite being part of the squad that got them to Qatar in June.
After a breakout campaign last season, ‘Daggers’ earned a place in Arnold’s squad in the early part of 2022, but off-season shoulder surgery saw him start pre-season behind the eight-ball and ultimately, miss the lead-in friendlies against New Zealand – where Jason Cummings got and took his opportunity in the squad.
The 24-year-old is still firmly on the Socceroos radar and performances like he had last campaign will only strengthen his case as he looks to build upon his two goals to begin the campaign.
His Victory team-mate, Bruno Fornaroli is still thereabouts as well, after earning his debut in March but at age 35, it’s now or never for El Tuna – who still needs to solidify his place in the line-up at club level.
One who has caught the imagination as of late has been Kusini Yengi, who wrote himself into Sydney Derby folklore with his game-winning goal for the Wanderers before the World Cup hiatus.
The ultra-talented forward is still only 23 and has shown in both his stints at Adelaide and Western Sydney an enormous skill-set and versatility to play anywhere across the front three – as he’s been utilised more as a winger under Marko Rudan.
Sydney FC’s Patrick Wood is another one for the future, having started the season with an impressive run of form – scoring two goals to begin the campaign.
