Glory’s Chris Ikonomidis will be heading to the UAE next month after being named in the Socceroos squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The 23-year-old has been in stellar form for Glory since arriving in the off-season, scoring five times and also contributing two assists in the opening eight games of the Hyundai A-League season.
And he is understandably thrilled at the prospect of helping the Socceroos defend the title that they won on home soil in 2015.
“I’m really happy to be back in the Socceroos fold,” he said. “Obviously it’s a great honour and the pinnacle for Australian players.
“I’m delighted that my hard work has paid off, but none of this would have been possible without my Perth Glory teammates and the boss [Tony Popovic] believing in me and giving me the platform and the tools to perform week in, week out.
“I’m really excited about going into camp now with the Socceroos and about being involved with the very attacking brand of football that Graham Arnold has implemented, which I think will suit me very much.”
You can watch Ikonomidis discussing his selection at today’s media conference here:
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5981966712001
Glory CEO Tony Pignata, meanwhile, was quick to pay tribute to Ikonomidis who will link up with the rest of the Socceroos squad early next week.
“On behalf of everyone at Perth Glory, I would like to congratulate Chris on his selection,” he said.
“It is a huge honour for both Chris and Perth Glory and a reward for all the hard work that he has put in since joining us during the off-season.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish him and the rest of the Socceroos all the very best at the forthcoming Asian Cup.”
The tournament will run from from 5th January to 1st February and Australia have been drawn in Group B alongside Palestine, Syria and Jordan.
Arnold’s side will face Jordan in their opening game at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on 6th January.
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