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Borrello named in Socceroos squad for ‘Welcome Home’ series

Wanderer Brandon Borrello has been named in Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach Graham Arnold’s squad for this month’s “Welcome Home” Series against Ecuador.

Through the support of the NSW Government and Victorian Government, these matches will be played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Friday, 24 March (8:10pm AEDT kick-off) and Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday, 28 March (7:35pm AEDT kick-off).

Due to injury Martin Boyle, Ajdin Hrustic, Jamie Maclaren, and Mathew Leckie are unavailable for this two match series, while goalkeeper, Danny Vukovic, recently announced his retirement from international football.

Their absence has presented the opportunity for others to be recalled following strong recent form for their respective club sides, including midfielder Connor Metcalfe of FC St. Pauli in Germany, and attacker Brandon Borrello of Western Sydney Wanderers FC.

Brandon Borrello of the Wanderers celebrates after their win over Sydney FC during the A-League match between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, November 12, 2022. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

“The upcoming series against Ecuador will feature no less than 16 players who took to the field for Australia at the World Cup in Qatar, and a further five members of the 26-player squad, where everyone is excited to get back home and celebrate with Australian football fans,” said Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach Graham Arnold.

“We saw the scenes back home in Australia during the World Cup and it would be wonderful to recreate that buzz and excitement during this upcoming series, where football fans can thank the players for their efforts and together, we can reminisce on a special moment in Australian sporting history.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 25: The Wanderers celebrate a goal by Brandon Borrello of the Wanderers during the round 18 A-League Men’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC at CommBank Stadium, on February 25, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Arnold has also named four uncapped players in this squad. Defender Jordan Bos and midfielder Aiden O’Neill of Melbourne City FC, Adelaide United FC goalkeeper Joe Gauci, and Manchester City FC midfielder Alexander Robertson.

The selection of Robertson means that should the 19-year-old make his Socceroos’ debut, that will be three generations from the same family who have donned the green and gold for the senior men’s national team, following his grandfather, Alex Robertson Sr. (1984) and father, Mark Robertson (2001).

The series will also present a strong test on the park for the Subway Socceroos, whose quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ starts this November and the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ to be contested in Qatar during early 2024 (dates to be officially confirmed by AFC).

“While these two matches against Ecuador are an occasion for the players and fans to celebrate the achievements of the team in Qatar, we have also commenced preparations for the next FIFA World Cup cycle, which includes having a blank piece of paper mentality when it comes to player selection, where the twenty-six named for this window will get the first chance to press their claim for future honours,” concluded Arnold.

Adelaide United FC’s and Subway Joeys’ attacker, Nestory Irankunda will also join the Subway Socceroos in camp as a train-on player, giving the 17-year-old exposure to the senior national team environment.

Tickets for the Subway Socceroos’ “Welcome Home” Series are available from socceroos.com.au and start at $10 for Juniors and $20 for Adults with Concessions starting at $15.

Football Australia can confirm that $1 from every ticket sold for both matches will be donated to the CommBank Pararoos. The CommBank Pararoos are Australia’s national men’s football team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or symptoms acquired from stroke.

The two match “Welcome Home” series will be broadcast live on Network 10 and Paramount+.

SUBWAY SOCCEROOS SQUAD – WELCOME SERIES VS EQUADOR – MARCH 2023

NameCurrent Club, Country‘A’ Caps (Goals)Junior Club 
(Member Federation/Country)
Nathaniel ATKINSONHeart of Midlothian FC, Scotland6 (0)Riverside Olympic FC / Football Tasmania
Keanu BACCUSSt Mirren FC, Scotland5 (0)Parklea FC / Football New South Wales
Aziz BEHICHDundee United FC, Scotland57 (2)Meadow Park SC / Football Victoria
Brandon BORRELLOWestern Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia4 (0)Modbury Jets SC / Football South Australia
Jordan BOSMelbourne City FC, Australia0Hoppers Crossing SC / Football Victoria
Jason CUMMINGSCentral Coast Mariners FC, Australia2 (1)Lothian Thistle Hutchinson Vale FC (Scotland)
Milos DEGENEKColumbus Crew, USA42 (1)Blacktown City FC / Football New South Wales
Thomas DENGAlbirex Niigata, Japan2 (0)Adelaide Blue Eagles / Football South Australia
Cameron DEVLINHeart of Midlothian FC, Scotland1 (0)Sutherland Sharks FC / Football New South Wales
Mitchell DUKEFagiano Okayama, Japan25 (9)Liverpool Rangers SC / Football New South Wales
Joe GAUCI (Gk)Adelaide United FC, Australia0Cumberland United FC / Football South Australia
Craig GOODWINAdelaide United FC, Australia14 (3)Munro Para City FC / Football South Australia
Jackson IRVINEFC St. Pauli, Germany53 (7)Ringwood City SC / Football Victoria
Garang KUOLHeart of Midlothian FC, Scotland3 (0)Goulburn Valley Suns / Football Victoria
Awer MABILAC Sparta Prague, Czechia31 (8)Saint Augustines FC / Football South Australia
Riley MCGREEMiddlesbrough FC, England15 (1)Gawler Eagles FC / Football South Australia
Connor METCALFEFC St. Pauli, Germany5 (0)South Cardiff FC / Northern NSW Football
Aaron MOOYCeltic FC, Scotland57 (7)Carlingford Redbacks FC / Football New South Wales
Aiden O’NEILLMelbourne City FC, Australia0University of Queensland Football Club (Formerly Kenmore FC) / Football Queensland
Andrew REDMAYNE (Gk)Sydney FC, Australia4 (0)Gosford City Dragons FC / Football New South Wales
Alexander ROBERTSONManchester City FC, England0Pagewood Botany FC / Football New South Wales
Kye ROWLESHeart of Midlothian FC, Scotland7 (0)Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland
Mathew RYAN (Gk) (Cpt)FC Copenhagen, Denmark79 (0)Blacktown City FC / Football New South Wales
Harry SOUTTARLeicester City FC, England14 (6)Brechin City Boys Club (Scotland)
Marco TILIOMelbourne City FC, Australia5 (0)APIA Leichhardt FC & Sydney Olympic FC / Football New South Wales
Bailey WRIGHTRotherham United FC, England28 (2)Langwarrin SC / Football Victoria
Train-On PlayerNestory IRANKUNDAAdelaide United FC, Australia0Adelaide Croatia Raiders SC / Football South Australia