Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach says his selection in the Socceroos squad for this month’s internationals against Venezuela and Colombia came as a “big surprise” despite his superb start to the season.
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Beach, 22, is one of five A-League players in the 26-man squad for the friendly 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,” said the uncapped Beach, who sealed his selection with a string of saves in City’s 2-1 AFC Champions League Elite win over Machida Zelvia in Japan on Tuesday night.
“It’s a big surprise. I didn’t expect to be named. It’s an honour to be named for this camp.”
Beach was invited to join a Socceroos camp in March in a “developmental” capacity but is this time one of the three keepers in the squad proper alongside captain Mat Ryan and Paul Izzo.
“I can’t wait to get back in there with the lads again. My time there in March was a dream come true,” he said.
“I’m just keeping it simple. You’re always trying to be better than you were the day before. You’re only as good as your last game. To be the best I can be is the drive that I have.
“I can go a lot further in terms of where I can be at in terms of my game.”
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 as he continues to explore his options ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Apart from the 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.