Homefront optimism as Marwijk goes local

THE A-League’s collective eyes will be fixed on new Socceroos call-ups Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout as a host of locals make a late Russia 2018 charge.

Foreign Socceroos coaches have rarely been A-League enthusiasts but Bert van Marwijk’s maiden gives locals hope.

Josh Brillante, Nabbout and Petratos impressed him during his first-hand taste of A-League action last month.

James Troisi (Melbourne Victory) and Risdon (Western Sydney) were retained and Socceroos leaders Mark Milligan and Tim Cahill have only recently departed.

Van Marwijk said the Jets’ 2-0 win over Victory in Round 18 piqued his interest, triggering maiden call-ups for Petratos and Nabbout.

“I saw four games in Australia and I saw one interesting game, Newcastle. That’s why I nominated Nabbout and Petratos,’’ van Marwijk said,

If the A-League contingent excels in Norway and Colombia friendlies over the next eight days, it augurs well for others.

Rhys Williams (Victory), Danny De Silva (Central Coast), Daniel Arzani (Melbourne City) and Alex Wilkinson (Sydney FC) are pushing for late World Cup inclusion.

Jets coach Ernie Merrick said the A-League stacked up against top European competitions.

“There’s a lot of pride in getting two boys picked that have never been in the Socceroos squad,’’ Merrick said.

“I travel overseas and I think a number of A-League clubs could compete in Europe [and] could probably survive in the [English] Premiership, up to four that could do well in the Championship and finish at the higher end of the Scottish Premiership.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat said technical naysayers had confused quality with metrics, amid a drop in crowds and TV ratings: “Every time a new manager comes in everyone feels like they’ve got equal opportunity. There have been some changes.’’