Adam Taggart’s stunning form for Perth Glory has thrust the striker back into Socceroos contention as Graham Arnold recalled the striker and creative midfielder Ajdin Hrustic for crunch World Cup qualifiers against Lebanon.
Taggart has scored 14 goals in 18 A-League Men games this campaign and is in line to win his first cap since September 2022. Australia face Lebanon in Parramatta on 21 March and Canberra on 26 March where two wins would secure their passage to the final round of qualification.
After struggling to break down defences at the Asian Cup, Hrustic’s return will also be a welcome boost for Arnold. The Melbourne-born midfielder has not featured for the national team since June last year but a loan move from Verona in Italy’s Serie A to Dutch side Heracles has led to him securing regular game time.
As well as Taggart and Hrustic, Western Sydney Wanderers striker Brandon Borrello is back in the mix after missing the Asian Cup with a foot injury. Borrello and Taggart give Arnold options in an already stacked forward line that includes Mitchell Duke, Kusini Yengi, Bruno Fornaroli and uncapped striker John Iredale.
“As a group we took a lot away from our time in Qatar and I’ve got no doubt that we’ll be better for the experience as we work towards World Cup qualification,” Arnold said. “We selected a number of younger, inexperienced players for the Asian Cup with the view of giving them more opportunities at international level as well as exposing them to tournament conditions.
“It’s part of our continued regeneration of the senior national team squad, ensuring that in two years’ time we have the depth and experience required to succeed on international football’s biggest stage.”
Injuries have prevented Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Aiden O’Neill and Marco Tilio from receiving call-ups while Jamie Maclaren’s lack of form has meant he has not secured a spot in Arnold’s 25-man squad. Dual-eligible defender Alessandro Circati, who was not included in the latest Olyroos squad and is yet to be cap-tied by Australia, is not selected.
Australia squad
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (captain), Joe Gauci, Tom Glover
after newsletter promotion
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Gethin Jones, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Patrick Yazbek
Forwards: Brandon Borrello, Mitchell Duke, Bruno Fornaroli, Craig Goodwin, John Iredale, Sam Silvera, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.
