Arzani in as van Marwijk names preliminary Australia squad
AFC – SYDNEY, Daniel Arzani was included on Monday in Bert van Marwijk’s preliminary Australia squad for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, keeping him in line for his first appearance at the football showpiece.
The Dutchman named a 32-man squad, which will need to be cut to 23 by June 3, with highly-rated teenage striker Daniel Arzani included for the first time.
Arzani is also eligible to play for Iran, but appears to be locking in his international future with Australia.
“I am not a person who changes all the time and we thought for a long time about the first squad that we selected,” said van Marwijk.
“I had a good experience with the 26 players in the 10 days that I worked with them, so I had no reason not to nominate them again.
“But we have since seen other players so there will be a few new names in the squad.”
As well as Arzani and Karacic, Alex Gersbach, Apostolos Giannou, Mitchell Langerak, and Jamie Maclaren were included.
Australia assemble in Turkey for the start of their pre-tournament training camp from May 19.