Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Luongo Out of International Retirement and in Australia Squad Alongside Burgess
Friday, 4th Oct 2024 09:02

Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo has come out of international retirement and is named alongside Cameron Burgess in the Australia squad for their October internationals.

Luongo, 32, announced in December 2023 that he was hanging up his international boots after 45 caps and six goals.

But new Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, who took charge just over a week ago following Graham Arnold’s resignation, says Sydney-born Luongo made the national association aware he was up for selection once again.

“He’s made himself available and he became an option for us, and I wanted to bring him into this camp,” Popovic said.

“If we have to sell the Socceroos jersey, we have a problem. There is no sales pitch. If a player makes himself available for selection,and if he’s chosen, that should be enough.

“I’ll be worried if I have to sell to a player a reason to play for Socceroos. I’ll never do it. If you’re selected, you should be honoured. If that’s an issue for any player, I’d advise them not to make themselves available.”

Australia have made a disastrous start to the third round of AFC World Cup qualifying, losing 1-0 at home to Bahrain and drawing 0-0 in Indonesia last month, and are currently fifth in their group. The top two go through to the finals and the teams third and fourth to another stage of qualification.

The Socceroos face winless China in Adelaide on Thursday 10th October, then group leaders Japan in Saitama on Tuesday 15th October.

Blues centre-half Burgess has previously 10 full caps and was a regular member of the squad under previous boss Arnold.

Australia: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory), Keanu Baccus (Mansfield Town), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Jordan Bos (Westerlo), Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town), Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata), Mitchell Duke (Machida Zelvia), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory), Craig Goodwin (Al Wehda), Ajdin Hrustic (Salernitana 1919), Nestory Irankunda (Bayern Munich), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Paul Izzo (Randers), Massimo Luongo (Ipswich Town), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli), Lewis Miller (Hibernian), Aiden O'Neill (Standard Liege), Kye Rowles (Hearts), Mathew Ryan (AS Roma), Samuel Silvera (Portsmouth), Harry Souttar (Sheffield United), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Motherwell), Gianni Stensness (Viking FK), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory).


Photo: Imago Images Sports



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



NthQldITFC added 09:06 - Oct 4
Totally understandable and quite right decision. G'donya Mass.
1

poet added 09:58 - Oct 4
An excellent footballer even at 32, but boy just think what a 25 year old Mass would offer.
0

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 10:37 - Oct 4
Much respect to Mass for focusing on ITFC during the promotion push. Must have been hard not to make himself available for national selection, and glad to see he's now going to be back in the green and gold when they need him.
1

bobble added 10:56 - Oct 4
Sould see australia improve
0

flykickingbybgunn added 11:52 - Oct 4
Thanks to Mass for helping us out when we desperately needed him earlier this year.
Good luck next week to him and Cameron.
1

Bazza8564 added 15:43 - Oct 4
Really good to read how appreciative the comments above are for the balance of Massimo's decision last year and it's quite right that with the demands on him at first team level dropping, he should look to represent his country once again
Good lad!
1


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls





About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024