The Socceroos have turned to one of the A-League’s all-time greats to try and create some magic in next week’s massive World Cup qualifying matches, naming Uruguay-born striker Bruno Fornaroli in their squad.
The 34-year-old is one of five uncapped players in Graham Arnold’s 27-man squad, the others being Nathaniel Atkinson, Nick D’Agostino, Kye Rowles and Gianni Stensness.
Aussie fans often fantasised about the likes of Thomas Broich, Besart Berisha and Fornaroli playing in the green and gold, as a lack of creative attacking threat has plagued the team in recent years.
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The rules for international eligibility changed recently – before 2020, Fornaroli was ineligible to represent Australia due playing for Uruguay at youth level in 2003.
The drums had begun beating for Fornaroli’s selection a few years ago, but were quickly shut down.
“At that point, I was talking with the lawyers and they said it wasn’t possible because of FIFA rules,” Fornaroli said, referencing a 2017 April Fools joke where his then club Melbourne City made a mock-up photo of him in a Socceroos kit.
“Now it’s a massive opportunity, and I’m ready to take it.”
It’s do-or-die for Australia on Thursday night. Anything less than a win against Japan means that the only hopes of a World Cup appearance will be through the play-off route, with a potential showdown against Fornaroli’s homeland looming down the line.
“There’s some fresh faces and some great opportunities for some younger players,” Arnold told reporters today.
While Fornaroli’s inclusion has not yet officially been signed off by FIFA, the coach said it would happen in the next couple of days – and that they were happy to have him.
“In the last number of years, Bruno’s been a star of the A-League and has been a great goal-scorer in the A-League. He’s got a great reputation of having a winning mentality and a fighting mentality, and he’s still doing the same at this moment with Perth Glory,” Arnold said.
When asked point-blank if Fornaroli was in the squad as cover or was likely to be involved in the two matches, he was blunt.
“Bruno’s in the squad because of two reasons; one is, great player, and the other is to play.”
Full squad: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Nick D’Agostino, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Bruno Fornaroli, Denis Genreau, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, James Jeggo, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Connor Metcalfe, Andrew Redmayne, Tom Rogic, Kye Rowles , Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Gianni Stemsness, Marco Tilio, Danny Vukovic.
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