Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named Brisbane Roar striker Jamie MacLaren in a 23-player squad for The Dodoni Series international matches against Greece, which will be played on Saturday, 4 June at ANZ Stadium in Sydney and Tuesday, 7 June at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
Postecoglou made 10 changes to the Caltex Socceroos squad that he announced last week to face England at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Saturday, 28 May (4:45am kick-off Qld time) with the Roar’s prolific attacker selected once again.
Following his excellent Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season for the Roar, in which he scored 20 goals and was the highest scoring Australian player, Maclaren’s selection is certainly a reward of hard work and dedication.
“I am honoured to be in the squad. It has been a year of hard work and it feels great to be rewarded,” MacLaren said.
The 23-year old picked up four club awards (Player’s Player of the Year, Golden Boot, Members’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year) at the Brisbane Roar Presentation Night, and is now hoping to impress Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou and cement his spot in the national squad.
“My goal is to now work even harder to impress Ange and enjoy the experience of international football. It is the pinnacle of a footballer’s career,” said MacLaren.
With The Dodoni Series falling inside the FIFA window, Postecoglou was able to consider all available players when selecting this Caltex Socceroos squad.
“The matches against Greece are about continuing to expose our players to a high level of international football,” said Postecoglou.
“The competition and intensity of these matches will definitely give us that and gives us the right preparation for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.”
