Bruno Fornaroli has accepted a call-up to the Socceroos in their hour of need.

Bruno Fornaroli has accepted a call-up to the Socceroos in their hour of need.Credit:Getty Images

Having grown up playing with Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez in the Uruguayan city of Salto,Fornaroli was said to be “ecstatic” when he received the phone call to represent his adopted home. “He feels Australian because he’s been in Australia for that long and the pride that he had when I told him he was in the squad,” Arnold said.

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Fornaroli is one of five uncapped players selected in the 27-man squad to face Japan and Saudi Arabia,alongside Central Coast Mariners defender Kye Rowles,Melbourne Victory forward Nick D’Agostino,Hearts fullback Nathaniel Atkinson,Viking FC’s Gianni Stensness.

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In another blow for the Socceroos,star midfielder Aaron Mooy will miss the two games having contracted COVID-19 during the week.

“First and foremost,my main concern for Aaron Mooy is his health,” Arnold said. “I spoke to him only two nights ago,he’s still rocked by it. He’s OK,but he’s still rocked by it.”

The Socceroos must beat both Japan and Saudi Arabia next week to qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They face Japan in Sydney on March 24 before playing Saudi Arabia in Jeddah five days later.

Socceroos squad: Nathaniel Atkinson,Aziz Behich,Martin Boyle,Nick D’Agostino,Milos Degenek,Mitch Duke,Bruno Fornaroli,Denis Genreau,Craig Goodwin,Rhyan Grant,Ajdin Hrustic,Jackson Irvine,Jimmy Jeggo,Fran Karacic,Joel King,Matt Leckie,Awer Mabil,Jamie Maclaren,Connor Metcalfe,Andrew Redmayne,Tom Rogic,Kye Rowles,Matt Ryan,Trent Sainsbury,Gianni Stensness,Marco Tilio,Danny Vukovic.

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