Xanthi FC goalkeeper Paul Izzo was invited to help represent Australia for the World Cup qualifiers.
The Club released a statement in support of the goalie.
“Football player of Xanthi FC Paul Izzo was invited to join the Australian National Team. The goalkeeper of our team will be integrated in the mission of the representative team of his country until September 8 for the matches of the qualifying phase for the 2022 World Cup with the team facing China on 2 September and Vietnam on 7 September.”
Izzo first signed on with the Greek club in 2020, leaving behind A-League team Adelaide United.
“I’m obviously very happy, excited, nervous but happy to finally come and join along,” Izzo told Socceroos media.
“I’ve been close a few times to coming into camp for reasons that never panned out but finally, I read the message and found out I was in the squad.
“It didn’t really hit me until the day before I left but it’s a massive honour.”
James Jeggo, also a former Adelaide United player, and current midfielder with Aris Thessaloniki has joined Izzo on the Socceroos World Cup campaign.
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Australia’s first match against China will take place in Qatar. The game was initially planned to take place in Australia, but due to restrictive measures due to the coronavirus it will be played in Doha starting at 4:00am on Friday (AEST).
You can catch the match on Channel Ten.
This year’s national team compiled by Graham Arnold with include the following Socceroos:
Daniel ARZANI
Aziz BEHICH
Martin BOYLE
Milos DEGENEK
Kenneth DOUGALL
Mitchell DUKE
Callum ELDER
Denis GENREAU
Rhyan GRANT
Ajdin HRUSTIC
Jackson IRVINE
Paul IZZO (GK)
James JEGGO
Awer MABIL
Ryan MCGOWAN
Riley MCGREE
Aaron MOOY
Tom ROGIC
Mathew RYAN (GK)
Trent SAINSBURY
Brad SMITH
Harry SOUTTAR
Ryan STRAIN
Adam TAGGART
Lawrence THOMAS (GK)
Danny VUKOVIC (GK)
Bailey WRIGHT