Latest news with #PaulOkon
3 days ago
- General
World Cup bolter: Socceroos great's son wins national team call-up
Paul Okon-Engstler is the surprise inclusion in the Socceroos squad for Australia's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The 20-year-old son of Socceroos great Paul Okon, currently an assistant coach of the national team, impressed last week at a national training camp in the UAE, with the uncapped midfielder – who is on the books of Portuguese club Benfica – rewarded with squad selection for Thursday night's game in Perth against Japan and the June 11 (AEST) battle with the Saudis in Jeddah. However, there is no room in the squad for Johnny Warren medallist Nicolas Milanovic. The squad also includes six players from Saturday night's A-League grand final. Champions Melbourne City will be represented by defenders Aziz Behich and Kai Trewin, as well as winger Marco Tilio. Injury prevented a fourth City player – Joe Marston Medal winner Mathew Leckie – being chosen. The contingent from losing grand finalists Melbourne Victory are playmaker Daniel Arzani, midfielder Ryan Teague and uncapped left-back Kasey Bos. Parma defender Alessandro Circati also makes his Socceroos return after recovering from a knee reconstruction. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said his squad was ready to 'embrace this challenge', with the Australians a chance to seal 2026 World Cup qualification in these two games. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. 'I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.' Socceroos: Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Socceroos name 26-man squad for World Cup qualifier against Japan in Perth
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has named fit-again defender Alessandro Circati as part of his extended 26-man squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia, as well as Paul Okon-Engstler – the son of Socceroos great and assistant coach Paul Okon. Australia (13 points) sits third in the qualifying group and will round out its campaign against Japan in Perth on Thursday and third-placed Saudi Arabia (10 points) in Jeddah the following Tuesday. The top two in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and Australia can guarantee a place if it beats Japan. Classy central defender Circati ruptured his ACL last September, but has made a remarkable return for Serie A club Parma. A large portion of Popovic's squad arrived in Perth direct from a training camp in the United Arab Emirates — which featured players free from their respective club duties. Circati is joined by fellow West Australians Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town) and Adam Taggart (Perth Glory). Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) and Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli) have also been selected, making their long-awaited returns from injury. Aziz Behich will arrive in Perth fresh from lifting the A-League Men championship trophy, following Melbourne City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory. Victory defender Kasey Bos, younger brother of injured left-back Jordy, earned his first Socceroos call up. He is one of six players who will arrive into camp direct from the grand final, including teammates Daniel Arzani and Ryan Teague. Injuries have scuppered the hopes of Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay while Jackson Irvine was already ruled out. Okon-Engstler (Benfica) also earned his first call up to the senior national team, after impressing during his time in Abu Dhabi. Okon-Engstler was most recently an integral part of Australia's successful AFC U20 Asian Cup campaign. But Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic was overlooked, along with Kusini Yengi, while Craig Goodwin and defensive midfielders Nectar Triantis and Max Balard are also missing. "We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny," Popovic said. "We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. "We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch." SOCCEROOS SQUAD: Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek. AAP
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Paul Okon-Engstler named in Socceroos squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia
Paul Okon-Engstler is the surprise inclusion in the Socceroos squad for Australia's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The 20-year-old son of Socceroos great Paul Okon, currently an assistant coach of the national team, impressed last week at a national training camp in the UAE, with the uncapped midfielder – who is on the books of Portuguese club Benfica – rewarded with squad selection for Thursday night's game in Perth against Japan and the June 11 (AEST) battle with the Saudis in Jeddah. However, there is no room in the squad for Johnny Warren medallist Nicolas Milanovic. The squad also includes six players from Saturday night's A-League grand final. Champions Melbourne City will be represented by defenders Aziz Behich and Kai Trewin, as well as winger Marco Tilio. Injury prevented a fourth City player – Joe Marston Medal winner Mathew Leckie – being chosen. ðŸ'‹ Tony Popovic's squad for the Subway #Socceroos ' June #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia is here! ðŸ'Š 🗞ï¸� Details: #WAtheDreamState — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 1, 2025 The contingent from losing grand finalists Melbourne Victory are playmaker Daniel Arzani, midfielder Ryan Teague and uncapped left-back Kasey Bos. Parma defender Alessandro Circati also makes his Socceroos return after recovering from a knee reconstruction. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said his squad was ready to 'embrace this challenge', with the Australians a chance to seal 2026 World Cup qualification in these two games. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. 'I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.'
