First opponent of the Blues, Australia unveiled its list of 26 players selected for the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday.
The group of 26 players from Australia who will face the French team in the first match on November 22 is finally known. Graham Arnold, the Australian coach, unveiled his list for the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday.
18-year-old striker Garang Kuol, a future Newcastle rookie, is one of 26 Australian players selected for the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday, a list from which West Bromwich midfielder Tom Rogic was dismissed. Kuol, who plays for Central Coast Mariners but will join the Premier League in January, made his international debut against New Zealand in September. He is the youngest Socceroo since Harry Kewell in 1996. Australia coach Graham Arnold is expected to use him as an attacking joker during the match.
«An 18 year old who comes out of nowhere and is on a new path in lifeArnold said of the prodigy, who was born in Egypt to South Sudanese refugee parents. “We’ve seen this sort of thing happen many times at World Cups and big games, when unknown players come forward and inspire the whole country.“, he explained. “And Garang showed the Mariners he could really change a game. I brought him into play against New Zealand and he has integrated very well into the Socceroos family“, further underlined the coach.
On the other hand, Tom Rogic, former pillar of Celtic Glasgow, pays for his difficulties since his transfer to West Bromwich Albion this summer as well as his absence during the qualifying matches against the United Arab Emirates and Peru last June. “We need players who are fit and ready and in the current situation I just felt it was a sporting decision.said Arnold, who preferred Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona) and Riley McGree (Middlesbrough).
Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (FC Copenhagen) and striker Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City) will take part in their third World Cup. “It has been a unique and challenging qualifying campaign and now we come to Qatar with an exciting squad that will do everything to make Australia proud on the world stage.said Arnold.
Australia will start the competition in Group D with a match against holders France on November 22 before meeting Tunisia on November 26 and Denmark on November 30.
Australia’s roster:
Guardian : Matt Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic
Defense : Nathaniel Atkinson, Joel King, Aziz Behich, Kye Rowles, Milos Degenek, Harry Souttar, Thomas Deng, Bailey Wright, Fran Karacic
Milieu : Keanu Baccus, Jackson Irvine, Cam Devlin, Riley McGree, Ajdin Hrustic, Aaron Mooy
Offensive : Martin Boyle, Garang Kuol, Jason Cummings, Matthew Leckie, Mitch Duke, Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Jamie MacLaren