Tony Popovic has named three uncapped players – including a Croatian forward with an Australian father – in his squad for the Socceroos’ final friendlies before the World Cup, but there is no call-up for Cristian Volpato.
Popovic’s 26-player squad features a sprinkling of new faces, led by Hibernian’s Ante Suto, former Brisbane Roar teenager Lucas Herrington and Poland-based striker Deni Juric, while Awer Mabil is in the mix for the first time in more than two years.
Suto, 25, was born and raised in Croatia but holds an Australian passport through his father, who hails from Melbourne. Herrington, meanwhile, has starred at centre-back for Colorado Rapids since his January transfer to the Major League Soccero club, and Juric – the younger brother of former Socceroos frontman Tomi – has also been named after dropping out of a previous squad due to injury.
Despite recently expressing an interest in representing the Socceroos over Italy, Volpato was not named, and is yet to officially file for a change of international allegiance on FIFA’s official platforms.
The other surprise in the squad is the absence of midfielder Jackson Irvine, who is managing a foot injury this season at German club FC St. Pauli.
The Socceroos take on Cameroon in Sydney next Friday night then face Curucao, who have also qualified for the World Cup, in Melbourne the following Tuesday.
MORE TO COME
SOCCEROOS SQUAD FOR MARCH WINDOW
Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach, Paul Izzo, Mathew Ryan
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Fran Karacic, Lucas Herrington, Kai Trewin
Midfielders: Ajdin Hrustic, Connor Metcalfe, Riley McGree, Aiden O’Neill, Alexander Robertson, Paul Okon-Engstler, Patrick Yazbek, Jacob Italiano
Forwards: Martin Boyle, Nestory Irankunda, Awer Mabil, Nishan Velupillay, Deni Juric, Ante Suto
