Queensland Roar winger Michael Zullo has been rewarded for his dashing A-League form with a call-up to the Socceroos squad for next week's assignment in Indonesia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The uncapped 20-year-old was one of three Roar players included in national coach Pim Verbeek's 21-man squad for Australia's opening Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium next Wednesday.
The Roar's veteran captain, Craig Moore, who has made 43 appearances for the Socceroos, and midfielder Matt McKay, who earned his one and only cap in 2006, were also named in a touring party made up entirely of domestic-based players.
The left-footed Zullo said he was "shocked" with the phone call last night that broke the news, despite looking more poised for the Roar as this season has progressed.
"It came straight out of left field. It's definitly a big honour and hopefully I can do well," Zullo said.
"Obviously it was a long-time goal of mine. I've been on the fringe of the Olyroos but to make the 21-man squad, I wasn't expecting it."
Zullo said he was at home with his parents when the good news arrived.
"Mum and Dad are very proud. They are just as chuffed as I was," he said.
Verbeek was at Hindmarsh Stadium last Wednesday to watch the trio as the Roar drew 0-0 against Adelaide United and was sufficiently impressed to reward them with tickets to Jakarta.
McKay said the Roar's form this season was a major factor in his second international call-up.
"We're all playing well and if we can continue to do that there'll be more players in the squad in the future," the 25-year-old said.
The midfielder was hoping to add to the three minutes he gained against Kuwait in August 2006.
"That's up there with one of the highlights," McKay said. "Even though it was three minutes it's a Socceroos cap and very prestigious.
"I didn't know if I was going to get another chance so I'll make the most of it now and really enjoy it."
For Zullo the call-up is also a second chance. He was called up by Verbeek in March last year, but was unable to travel after suffering a late injury.
Unlike McKay and Zullo, Moore was virtually guaranteed a call-up and is the most experienced member of the squad with 40 caps.
At 33, the centre back said he had no concerns about the extra workload of international duty.
"Even last week, I know we played the three games but I've come through everything feeling extremely good," Moore said.
Australia and Indonesia have been drawn alongside Kuwait and Oman in the Asian Cup qualification group, with the top two earning a place in the Qatar-hosted tournament.
Socceroos squad Danny Allsopp (Melbourne Victory), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Shannon Cole (Sydney FC), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United), Dylan Macallister (Central Coast Mariners), Matthew McKay (Queensland Roar), Craig Moore (Queensland Roar), Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory), Paul Reid (Adelaide United), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Theoklitos (Melbourne Victory), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Matthew Thompson (Newcastle Jets), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar).
