‘Why not?’: Victory coach backs young duo for Socceroos

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‘Why not?’: Victory coach backs young duo for Socceroos

If either Ryan Teague or Jordi Valadon’s impressive form delivers a maiden Socceroos call-up, Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles will feel they deserve it.

The Socceroos return to action with World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia in Sydney on March 20 and China away five days later.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic was on hand at AAMI Park on Saturday night as Teague and Valadon controlled the midfield in a 3-0 A-League Men win over Central Coast, which featured goals from Nishan Velupillay, Bruno Fornaroli and Zinedine Machach.

Few people would have better awareness of Valadon and Teague’s potential than Popovic, who was head coach when both players joined Victory.

Teague, 23, was a regular last season but hard-running Valadon, 21, has gone from a bench option to a consistent starter under Patrick Kisnorbo, then Diles.

When asked if Popovic should be consider selecting them, Diles said: “Yeah, why not?

“I think they’re an outstanding midfield partnership, and probably one of the youngest midfield combinations in the league, and they’re consistently doing really well, and they’re pushing for recognition.

“And again, when they’re strong and they have good games, this team’s a lot better as well.

“You saw tonight, they really controlled the middle of the park there, which set the platform for us and gave us that go forward and gave us momentum.

“They were excellent tonight.”

One player who won’t be in the mix is Daniel Arzani, who has battled for form all season, with Popovic in January saying the winger “needs to raise his level.”

Diles described Arzani, 26, as a “work in progress”.

“Like every player we have, we want to see them all at their best, Daniel included,” Diles said.

“And it maybe hasn’t been the most fluent season for him.

“He’s had some really good moments during the year, and he’s had some that he’d probably want to forget.

“And it’s one of those years for him at the moment, and it’s important that he finishes the season really strongly, because if he’s firing and doing well, the team’s doing well as well.”

Diles was also pleased with how Alex Badolato, the tournament MVP in the Young Socceroos’ U20 Asian Cup triumph, settled into his debut.

Skipper Roderick Miranda will have scans after he had his foot trodden on and had to be substituted, while Diles praised Kasey Bos for playing through a first-half knock.

Fourth-placed Victory will hope Miranda is fit for next Saturday’s clash with fellow finals contender Western Sydney.

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