Graham Arnold has revealed his 26-man squad for this month’s World Cup, confirming a dream call-up for 18-year-old sensation Garang Kuol and some explosive omissions.
Arnold announced the Qatar squad on Tuesday afternoon, with star midfielder Tom Rogic, considered by many to be Australia’s best player, despite being heavily tipped to return to the squad after his mysterious absence from the qualifying playoffs of June
Key defenders Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar were also selected despite having just returned from major injuries, but veteran centre-back Trent Sainsbury, Arnold’s son-in-law and former team captain, was another surprise name missing.
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The phone call to Sainsbury was just one of many angsts Arnold gave to overlooked players in recent days, along with the joys of those who made the cut, including 17 who will be going to their first World Cup.
Scotland midfielders Keanu Baccus and Cameron Devlin were among the bowlers included in the squad along with Scotland striker Jason Cummings, who joined Central Coast team-mate Kuol in booking a fairytale ticket to Qatar. Cult hero Cummings was the beneficiary as Japan veteran Adam Taggart was among the notable omissions.
The announcement confirmed earlier reports of the stunning upset of veteran goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who was widely expected to feature – and perhaps even push Mat Ryan for the starting gig – after being forced out of international retirement in beginning of the year
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Nagoya Grampus Player of the Year Langerak missed out as ‘Grey Wiggle’ Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic were the other two goalkeepers to make the squad.
Langerak returned to the international squad for the friendlies against New Zealand in September after talks with Arnold, but did not feature in the matches.
News of Langerak’s likely omission was sparked on Twitter earlier on Tuesday by ex-footballers Robert Cornthwaite and Tommy Oar, the latter of whom apparently accused Arnold and goalkeeping coach John Crawley of giving “jobs to the lads”.
“It’s an absolute dead end,” wrote Oar, who played 28 times for the Socceroos.
“He takes the guys’ work to a whole new level. He (Langerak) has been one of our top performers for the last five years and he’s one of the best guys you’ll meet, respected by everybody.”
Arnold said the call to omit Langerak was made by Socceroos goalkeeping coach John Crawley.
“Getting Mitch back (for the New Zealand friendlies), it was a plan in case something happened to one of the other goalkeepers and at the end of the day, and John Crawley’s beliefs.
“We believe we have chosen the three best goalkeepers for this World Cup and that’s what we stick to.”
Arnold insisted the call to omit Rogic had nothing to do with him missing the latter stages of the qualifying campaign for personal reasons.
The 29-year-old has slowly been building form and fitness since moving to West Brom, but Arnold favored players who were “fit and ready”.
“At the end of the day I can only choose two players for each position. Obviously we went for Ajdin Hrustic and Riley McGree and again we need some flexibility and players that are extremely fit and ready,” Arnold said.
“Tommy has been absolutely brilliant for Australian football and will continue to be, but I have to make these decisions.”
With an eye on Sainsbury, Arnold revealed the 30-year-old’s 58-game veteran’s lack of game time for Qatar’s Al-Wakrah was decisive.
“It was a very, very difficult decision. I spoke with Trent about where he’s at right now. He hasn’t played in several weeks,” Arnold said.
“I’ve generally gone for players like Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles who have done exceptionally well and continue to do exceptionally well. Trent was very understanding of the situation, but it was a very difficult decision to make.”
Trent Sainsbury. Source: Getty Images
Kuol, 18, made a big statement with two assists off the bench in his last outing for the Mariners and is notably making the Cup squad despite never having started a professional club game, convincing Arnold with some brilliant performances off the bench for the Mariners in recent years. weeks.
“Garang has really shown how it can change a game. I watched him with the Under-20s … and I’ve seen what he can do individually,” Arnold said of Kuol, who has been signed by Premier League club Newcastle United.
“He fits the Socceroos family really well (for the New Zealand games) and really is a player who has absolutely zero fear when he goes out and wants to entertain.
“… When we talk about an impact player, a player who can do something different for us, someone who can have one-on-one action and have a moment that can change the course of the game, I think Garang may be this. player.”
There will still be an opportunity for Arnold to make changes to his squad until the FIFA deadline on Tuesday, November 15, in case of injuries.
The Socceroos face France in their opener in Qatar on Wednesday 23 November (6am AEDT).
SCHOOL OF 26 MEN FROM AUSTRALIA AT THE WORLD CUP
DOORS
Matt Ryan (captain)
Danny Vukovic
Andrew Redmayne
DEFENDERS
Nathaniel Atkinson
Aziz Behich
Fran Karacic
Joel King
Kye Rowles
Harry Souttar
Milos Degenek
Thomas Deng
Bailey Wright
MEDIA
Keanu Bacchus
Cameron Devlin
Ajdin Hrústic
Jackson Irvine
Aaron Mooy
Riley McGree
AHEAD
Craig Goodwin
Martin Boyle
Jamie Maclaren
Awer Mabil
Matt Leckie
Garang Kuol
Mitchell Duke
Jason Cummings
SOCCER SITES
Wednesday 23 November
Australia – France, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, 6am
Saturday November 26
Australia vs Tunisia, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, 9pm
Thursday, December 1
Australia v Denmark, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, 2am