Global duties await: Mak eyes Slovakia tests, Aus trio gears up for WAFF Championship

The international break is back which brings a pause to the Isuzu UTE A-League for most, but four of our hard-working men’s players have been called up to represent their countries on the world stage.

Robert Mak joins up with the Slovakia squad again after he last started in a dominant win over Bosnia and Herzegovina during EUROs Qualification back in November.

Slovakia has two tough friendly games lined up for the international break against Austria and Norway.

Robert Mak celebrates scoring a goal against Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium

Robbie first returns to his hometown of Bratislava to verse Austria on the 24^th of March, before a quick turnover to verse Norway in the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on the 27^th of March.

With the Slovakia captain Milan Skriniar currently out injured and unsure if he will be fit for the friendlies, hopefully, Robbie can step up and prove the difference for the team over the break before returning to take on the Mariners at Allianz Stadium on the 30^th of March.

Three of our Sky Blues have also been selected to represent Australia in the Olyroos 26-man squad for the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia.

The Championship format will see Jordan Courntney-Perkins, Jake Girdwood-Reich, and Corey Hollman play three games with the Olyroos, the first against Iraq.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium

Depending on the result of that opening match they could then face either Egypt or the UAE and then the competition opens up for the possibility of the squad to compete with any of the other countries traveling to Al Hofuf, which include: Jordan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

Olyroos Head Coach, Tony Vidmar has said that participation in the WAFF Championship will be perfect to prepare for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar which begins in mid-April.

“This window is an extremely important part of our preparation for the Asian Cup and with the extra game than we’d usually have, we’re able to provide ample opportunity across the squad ahead of selecting our final 23,” Vidmar said.

Three of our Sky Blues are off to Saudi Arabia with the Olyroos for the West Asian Football Federation U23 Tournament 🇦🇺

Congratulations to Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Jake Girdwood-Reich and Corey Hollman who will jet off during the international break 👏#SydneyIsSkyBlue pic.twitter.com/e1jOVQ1sGu
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) March 8, 2024

If Jordan, Jake, and Corey put in good performances in the WAFF Championships they could then be selected for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup squad which may result in missing more games in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

Our Young Socceroos will also be back in time for the clash against the Mariners on the 30^th of March.