Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed the excitement he has for Apo Giannou, who was called up for the upcoming qualifiers against Tajikistan and Jordan.
There was confusion and apparent mistakes about Giannou’s eligibility, the 26-year-old actually played one game for Greece, coming on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes in a friendly against Turkey.
However, he was cleared late last year and received clearance by FIFA to play for Australia.
“He’s got a pedigree, he’s been playing in the Greek first division for a number of years now, selected in the last Greece squad,” Postecoglou said.
“It shows he’s got consistency and form, he’s scored goals in the past couple of years in a tough league. We know the Greek league very well as a defensive league.”
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Postecoglou announced the squad in the Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh, which has a strong Greek demographic.
Giannou’s parents are known to still live in the area, Postecoglou spoke of his knowledge and relationship with the 26-year-old.
“I guess starting with with Apo, he’s a guy I’ve known for a very long time, I coached him in the Joeys, even when I got the job two years ago he was one of the first people I asked about,” he said.
“I flew to Greece to have a chat to him, I’m really pleased to include him, I think he adds something to us.”
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