Subway Socceroos manager Tony Popovic has once again urged Melbourne Victory winger Daniel Arzani to prove his worth following his selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.
Many might find Arzani’s call-up unexpected, particularly since Popovic had earlier placed him under scrutiny after a series of lacklustre performances during the October international break.
Nevertheless, the Socceroos coach continues to back his former player from Melbourne Victory, even though Arzani has failed to contribute a goal in his last seven outings.
“I wouldn’t say much has changed,” Popovic commented when questioned about Arzani’s inclusion in the latest squad after his earlier remarks.
“I think he has had some positive performances lately. I’m well aware of his talent.”
“He’s the kind of player we lack in the midfield—someone creative who naturally shines in those crucial moments.”
“He’s been given another shot. I doubt he anticipated this, but it serves as a reminder to all players that if they perform well, opportunities are always available.
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“I’m hoping Daniel steps up, trains better than he did in October, and this time, we can think about giving him a run and showcasing the great talent I know he possesses.”
When asked whether Arzani’s selection was based more on potential than current performance, the Socceroos head coach defended the 26-year-old once again.
“It’s possibly a mix of both. I’d argue that if he hadn’t performed well last week when starting, or if he hadn’t showcased any positive signs off the bench—though he appears to be in good physical shape—I wouldn’t have selected him.”
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“So it’s certainly a bit of both. But had he not delivered strong performances in recent weeks, he wouldn’t have been included.”
Arzani now has the opportunity to validate Popovic’s decision by aiding his Melbourne Victory side in clinching a significant victory against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
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Currently sitting in fourth place on the Isuzu UTE A-League table, Victory realises that a win over the Wanderers at CommBank Stadium could see them rise to second place, depending on how other results unfold.
Meanwhile, the Socceroos find themselves in second place in World Cup qualifying Group B, preparing to face Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on March 20, followed by a match against China in Hangzhou on March 25.
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Popovic’s squad will then take on Japan in June at Perth’s Optus Stadium, rounding off what they hope will be a successful FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in Saudi Arabia on June 10.
Socceroos squad
| Name | Current Club, Country | ‘A’ Caps (Goals) | Junior Club (Member Federation/Country) |
| Daniel ARZANI | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 7 (1) | Coogee United FC / Football NSW |
| Aziz BEHICH | Melbourne City, Australia | 77 (2) | Meadow Park SC / Football VIC |
| Brandon BORRELLO | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | 13 (2) | Modbury Jets SC / Football SA |
| Martin BOYLE | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 30 (9) | Lewis United FC / Montrose FC (Scotland) |
| Cameron BURGESS | Ipswich Town, England | 13 (0) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Anthony CACERES | Sydney FC, Australia | 2 (0) | Marconi Stallions / Football NSW |
| Jason DAVIDSON | Panserraikos F.C., Greece | 23 (1) | Hume City FC / Football VIC |
| Miloš DEGENEK | FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia | 45 (1) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
| Jason GERIA | Albirex Niigata, Japan | 3 (0) | Weston Molonglo Football Club / Capital Football |
| Thomas GLOVER (GK) | Middlesborough FC, England | 0 | Menai Hawks / Football NSW |
| Craig GOODWIN | Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia | 30 (7) | Munno Para City FC / Football SA |
| Alex GRANT | Sydney FC, Australia | 0 | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Jackson IRVINE | St Pauli, Germany | 76 (11) | Ringwood City SC / Football VIC |
| Paul IZZO (GK) | Randers, Denmark | 0 | Campbelltown City SC / Football SA |
| Fran KARAČIĆ | NK Lokomotiva, Croatia | 13 (1) | NK Lokomotiva / Croatia |
| Lewis MILLER | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 9 (1) | Pittwater RSL FC / Football NSW |
| Aiden O’NEILL | Standard de Liège, Belgium | 17 (0) | University of Queensland Football Club / Football QLD |
| Kye ROWLES | D.C. United, United States | 24 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Mat RYAN (GK) | RC Lens, France | 96 (0) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
| Adam TAGGART | Perth Glory FC, Australia | 21 (7) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Ryan TEAGUE | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | 0 | Maroubra United FC / Football NSW |
| Marco TILIO | Melbourne City FC, Australia | 9 (0) | APIA Leichhardt FC & Sydney Olympic FC / Football NSW |
| Nectarios TRIANTIS | Hibernian FC, Scotland | 0 | Canterbury Junior FC / Football NSW |
| Kai TREWIN | Melbourne City FC, Australia | 0 | Gungahlin United FC / Capital Football |
| Nishan VELUPILLAY | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 2 (1) | Endeavour United SC / Football Victoria |
| Kusini YENGI | Portsmouth FC, England | 12 (6) | Fulham United FC / Football SA |
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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