Sky Blue Wiggle gets Socceroos call up

Sydney FC championship winning duo Redmayne and Brandon O’Neill are rewarded for their successful A-League seasons, as is Melbourne Victory’s Lawrence Thomas, whilst 20-year-old defender Harry Souttar, who plays with Championship side Stoke City, English-based winger Ryan Williams and German-based striker Brandon Borrello all have a chance to earn their first Caltex Socceroos caps.

Arnold said: “Our World Cup qualification campaign preparations start now. The upcoming camp and friendly international in Korea Republic provides us the opportunity to expose more players to international football, which is vital as we prepare for a long qualification campaign.”

“We have seen how arduous the previous World Cup path was for our squad and it is imperative that we spend this valuable time together to have a close look and some of our next generation.”

“We have 11 players in this squad who have all had excellent seasons in the domestic competition and my message to those playing in the Hyundai A-League is that if you are playing regularly and consistently for your club, you will come into consideration for the next phase of World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

“This international window also gives me the chance to spend an extended time with some of our more experienced players who have recently been missing from international football, but have been playing well for their respective clubs like Matthew Spiranovic, Rhys Williams, Adam Taggart, Bailey Wright, Josh Brillante and Brad Smith.”

Arnold said it was also important that the players involved in the Asian Cup, World Cup and the Confederations Cup had an opportunity to refresh ahead of the new season.

“The last couple of years has been tough on many of our senior players with little rest in between seasons. I know what those guys are capable of and I believe it is important they start their new campaigns with fresh bodies and minds. They will all be considered again for our first round of qualifiers in September,” he said.

The inclusion of Rhys and Ryan Williams is the first time two brothers have been named in a Socceroos squad since Adam and Joel Griffiths in May 2008. Other brothers to represent the Socceroos in recent times include, Adam and Ryan Griffiths in March 2008, Tony and Aurelio Vidmar in 2001 and John and Ross Aloisi in 1998.

The international friendly against Korea Republic will be played on Friday, 7 June in Busan and will be Australia’s first senior men’s international since the Asian Cup.

Socceroos Squad