Dundee United star Aziz Behich has been named in Australia’s World Cup squad alongside former Dundee goal-getter Jason Cummings.
Behich, 31, already boasts 53 caps for the Socceroos and is expected to be Graham Arnold’s first-choice left-back at the tournament.
The Aussies face France in the Group D opener on November 22 before clashes against Tunisia (November 26) and Denmark (November 30).
Behich, who has made 14 appearances for United since joining United club in the summer, is taking part in his second successive World Cup after playing all three of the Australia’s matches at Russia 2018.
Meanwhile, Cummings, who is eligible to represent the Socceroos through his mother, saw his late dash for a place at Qatar 2022 pay dramatic dividends.
The ex-Rangers and Dens Park front-man only made his Australia debut in a friendly against New Zealand in September, climbing from the bench to fire home a penalty.
But that immediate impact, allied with his fine form since joining A-League side Central Coast Mariners at the start of the year, has secured his seat on the plane to the Middle-East.
SPFL contingent
Behich’s Tannadice teammate Mark Birighitti missed out on the group, as did in-form St Johnstone defender Ryan McGowan,
The 2️⃣6️⃣ players heading to our sixth @FIFAWorldCup 🫡✈️
#GiveIt100 #Socceroos pic.twitter.com/7G6A6KbEpk— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 8, 2022
Nevertheless, there is no shortage of additional SPFL interest in the Socceroos squad heading for this winter World Cup.
Hearts trio Nathaniel Atkinson, Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowles all made the cut, along with their Hibs rival Martin Boyle.
Celtic’s Aaron Mooy, Keanu Baccus of St Mirren and Tannadice youth product Harry Souttar, now at Stoke City, are also part of the 26-man roster.
“It’s been a unique and difficult qualification campaign and we now arrive in Qatar with an exciting squad which will do everything to make Australia proud on the world stage,” Arnold told the Socceroos’ official website.
Conversation