A new era for the Socceroos dawns on Friday night (8pm AEDT) as the latest iteration of the side faces Ecuador in the first match since their historic success of last year’s World Cup.
It is the first of two meetings against the world number 41 South American side, who also featured in Qatar, in what is being labelled the ‘Welcome Home’ series – a chance for Graham Arnold’s side to celebrate the gruelling and world record-breaking campaign that culminated in Australia’s best-ever showing at a men’s World Cup.
Crucially, it is also a massive opportunity for the recently re-signed Arnold to blood the next generation which will play a crucial role on the road to the 2026 World Cup and at January’s Asian Cup.
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As Arnold said this week: “Publicly this is about an opportunity to celebrate what the boys did, but internally it’s been more about the new campaign starting.
“We did a great presentation reflecting on the World Cup; that’s our base and it’s about going higher than we did (in Qatar).”
With a number of senior stars like Aaron Mooy, Mat Leckie and Ajdin Hrustic missing through injury, and Riley McGree suffering the flu on his arrival to Australia early this week, the door is wide open for the five possible debutants in the squad.
That includes Manchester City’s Alexander Robertson, who decided to represent the Socceroos instead of a number of other interested nations, and could make history in this pair of friendlies by following the footsteps of his father Mark and grandfather Alex to become the maiden third-generation Socceroos player.
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At 17 years and 43 days old, Adelaide United prodigy Nestory Irankunda could become the youngest-ever Socceroo should he make his debut.
“It’s a great opportunity to blend (the squad),” Arnold said.
“If you put just the kids in all alone without the older players as the leaders to help them on the pitch it could be a little bit daunting for them.”
There has been one confirmed member of the starting XI however, with versatile defender Milos Degenek set to feature at right-back – arguably the position where the Socceroos are most limited in terms of depth. Degenek is typically a centre-back but has covered the wider positions across the years, including in Qatar.
For La Tri, legendary forward Enner Valencia will be missing through injury. But Brighton’s Moises Caicedo (who Arsenal failed to sign in January despite bidding £70m/$A129m) and Pervis Estupinan are in the visiting squad, as is the immensely talented defender Piero Hincapié.
We’ll have all the confirmed teams right here closer to kick-off.
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