Prepare yourselves for an A-League Men season like no other - chiefly because, for the first time, there’s a World Cup smack bang in the middle of it.
The timing of Qatar 2022 - which, instead of the usual mid-year scheduling, has been pushed back to November to avoid the worst of the searing Middle Eastern heat - sets up a six-week domestic audition for a host of players seeking to retain their Socceroos jerseys, or to impress Graham Arnold enough to force themselves into his plans.Arnold recently joked he wanted Panadol as a personal sponsor because of how many selection headaches he was facing.
That still leaves plenty of time for the pecking order to change, be it through good form, bad, or - touch wood - injury. So as the A-League campaign kicks off with a grand final rematch on Friday night between Melbourne City and Western United, here are 10 players Arnold will be keeping a close eye on ... and you should too.
Often flies under the radar, at least on the eastern seaboard, but ask any Adelaide United fan if Goodwin should be in Australia’s World Cup squad, and they’d probably be offended by the premise of the question. The 30-year-old is in his prime, and as a naturally left-footed winger adept with set pieces, he offers something different to other wide options in the Socceroos’ ranks. He could also pinch-hit at left-back if required.
Another reason to be excited about the future of the Socceroos. Tilio, 21, needs to start seeing more regular football - at any other A-League team he’d be a nailed-on starter but at Melbourne City, he’s fighting the likes of Mathew Leckie, Andrew Nabbout, new import Richard van de Venne and some of the country’s best up-and-coming youngsters for a spot.
I hear Qatar is an oppressive regime that does not tolerate inclusivity and diversity. Perhaps the Socceroos should be sitting this one out.
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