Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach has been rewarded for his superb start to the season with selection in the Socceroos squad for this month’s friendly internationals against Venezuela and Colombia.
Beach, 22, is of five A-League players in the 26-man squad for the games – both of which will be played in the USA – with his City teammate Kai Trewin, Adelaide United skipper Craig Goodwin and Sydney FC pair Al Hassan Toure and Paul Okon-Engstler also named.
“I’m buzzing,” the uncapped Beach said.
“It’s a big surprise. I didn’t expect to be named. It’s an honour to be named for this camp.”
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has made a host of changes to the squad that was assembled for last month’s games against the USA and Canada.
Apart from inclusion of A-League talent for the first time since June, Popovic’s latest squad also includes fit-again midfielders Jackson Irvine and Riley McGree, Poland-based striker Deni Juric, teenager James Overy, who plays for Manchester United’s youth team, and defenders Callum Elder (Derby County, England) and Jack Iredale (Hibernian, Scotland).
From those selected in the October squad, missing are injured defenders Alessandro Circati, Jordy Bos and Jacob Italiano, and omitted players Daniel Arzani, Mitch Duke, Joe Gauci, Ajdin Hrustic, Hayden Matthews, Alex Robertson and Patrick Yazbek.
“It’s another opportunity to expand the depth and introduce players who have not yet been exposed to the Socceroos environment or senior international football,” Popovic said.
“We also welcome back some familiar faces, from Australia and abroad.
“I’ve had the chance to closely observe the opening rounds of the A-League season, and we believe this is the ideal time to integrate domestic players into the squad.
“We are delighted to be back in the United States to face strong South American opposition as we continue our preparations for the World Cup (next year).”
Socceroos: Max Balard, Patrick Beach, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Nick D’Agostino, Milos Degenek, Cameron Devlin, Callum Elder, Jason Geria, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jack Iredale, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Deni Juric, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O’Neill, James Overy, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Al Hassan Toure, Mohamed Toure, Kai Trewin.
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