Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Australia coach Graham Arnold has been accused of taking “jobs for the boys to a new level” by former Socceroo Tommy Oar over some bombshell omissions from the World Cup squad to be announced on Tuesday.
It’s understood experienced goalkeeper Mitch Langerak has missed selection for the Qatar tournament, a move that has left the Japan-based star dumbfounded.
Instead, it is expected to be Sydney FC’s Andrew Redmayne and Central Coast’s Danny Vukovic who are named as back-ups to skipper Mat Ryan when the squad is confirmed by Arnold at 4pm.
And the decision has rankled many within Australian football, with Oar – a dazzling winger who played 28 times for his country before injuries took their toll – leading the charge.
“It’s an absolute wind up. Takes jobs for the boys to a whole new level,” Oar wrote on Twitter.
“ (Langerak has) been one of our best performing players consistently for the last 5 years and is one of the best blokes you’ll meet, respected by everyone.”
Ryan, Vukavic and Redmayne have all worked under Arnold at club level and have a close relationship with goalkeeping coach John Crawley.
Langerak is unlikely to be the only shock omission from Arnold’s 26-man squad, with veteran striker Adam Taggart also tipped to miss out on the Qatar tournament – while bolters Garang Kuol and Jason Cummings are expected to feature, as well as mercurial midfield star Tom Rogic.
For 18-year-old Kuol, selection would be the culmination of an extraordinary 12 months in which the youngster burst on the scene for Central Coast before securing a monster contract with Premier League giants Newcastle and what would be an incredible World Cup berth.
Even six months ago it would’ve appeared fanciful, but the Central Coast starlet’s incredible rise – including a star role in an electrifying cameo on Socceroos debut against New Zealand – has made him an irresistible selection.
With pace to burn, he could be entrusted by Arnold to be Australia’s X-factor off the bench as the biggest bolter in the Qatar touring party.
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