Massimo Luongo back in Popovic's first squad as Socceroos boss

Tony Popovic has revealed his first squad as Socceroos coach with midfielder Massimo Luongo coming out of international retirement.

The 32-year-old Luongo is in Popovic’s 26-strong squad for World Cup qualifiers against China in Adelaide next Thursday and away against Japan on October 15.

Luongo quit international football late last year but Socceroos hierarchy sounded out the Ipswich Town playmaker about reversing that decision.

Popovic didn’t have direct discussions with Luongo but is adamant there was no sales pitch.

“If we have to sell the Socceroos jersey then we have a problem,” Popovic told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.

“There is no sales pitch.

“If the player makes himself available for selection and if he’s chosen, that should be enough for every player.

“For this camp we have got 26 players which is a little more than we usually select.

“But with my first camp I thought it would be good to bring in a few extra players to see how they are, a couple of boys are coming back from injury.

“But I’ll be worried if I have to sell to a player a reason to play for the Socceroos. I will never do it - if you’re selected you should be honoured.”

Luongo won the 2015 Asian Cup’s MVP award in Australia’s triumphant tournament and last appeared for the Socceroos in November last year.

He is among eight new faces from a squad which had two disappointing results under Graham Arnold last month, a scoreless away draw in Indonesia and a shock 0-1 loss to Bahrain on the Gold Coast.

Those results to open the third phase of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US have jeopardised Australia’s prospects of direct qualification.

Arnold quit on September 20 with Popovic appointed three days later.

Popovic’s squad features creative midfielders Riley McGree and Ajdin Hrustic and left-back Jordy Bos - the trio all return from injury and, notably, are attack-minded.

“It’s an area we know we have to improve,” Popovic said.

“But I’m confident with this squad and the abilities that they have, that we’ll see a real positive change.”

Popovic also summoned a trio of Melbourne Victory stars who played under him in the A-League.

Nishan Velupillay won his first call-up to the Socceroos alongside Victory teammates Daniel Arzani and Jason Geria, who earned his first Australian cap eight years ago.

“Obviously I have got a history with them, I know them very well,” Popovic said.

“But they have had a very good long (Australia) Cup run so they have played regularly, they’re playing well.”

The entire squad won’t be in Adelaide until Wednesday, leaving Popovic a brief timeframe to prepare to play China the following night.

“That will be something unique to me,” he said.

“We just have to focus on what we can control, it may be more conversations with players, more video sessions.

“We have to make sure that they’ve recovered well from their weekend games and know that they’re playing for their country.

“And I’m sure that you can put jetlag aside when you’re representing Australia.”

AUSTRALIA’S SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo.

Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Jason Geria, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Gianni Stensness.

Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill.

Forwards: Daniel Arzani, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Sam Silvera, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Nishan Velupillay.