There was one name in the Socceroos' Asian Cup squad that most Australians, let alone football fans, would have never heard of.
Gethin Jones.
The Sporting News explains everything you need to know about Graham Arnold's surprise selection.
MORE: Socceroos Asian Cup 2024 squad: Leckie, Maclaren shock omissions with new faces aplenty
Who is Gethin Jones? Australia's shock Asian Cup selection
Jones is a 28-year-old centre back/right back, who plays for Bolton Wanderers in England's League One.
The Perth-born defender is the Bolton's vice captain and is an indispensable member of the club, starting most of their matches.
Despite being born in Australia, Jones lived most of his life in Wales, starting at Wrexham's academy as a 12-year-old, before continuing his development at Everton until he was 23.
He only played one match for the Toffees, a 2014 Europa League match against FC Krasnodar, with most of his time spent loaned out with Plymouth Argyle and Barnsley.
Jones joined Fleetwood Town in 2018 but struggled to make an impression and was eventually loaned out to Mansfield Town
Carlisle United took a punt on the hard-working right-back in 2019 and after a successful season, he was picked up by Bolton.
Jones has been at Bolton since 2020 and is now established as a leader at the club.
What has Gethin Jones said previously about Socceroos selection
After growing up in Wales and playing U16, U17, U19 and U21 for the Welsh national team, Jones made it clear in 2017 that he would prefer to play for Wales but would have a dilemma if Australia selected him.
“Australia contacted Everton two or three months back asking for me to play for their U23s but I didn't want to make any decisions then,” Jones told The League Paper.
“I feel more Welsh than Australian. I've been Wales captain from the U16s to the U21s so if the first team called I'd definitely go for that.
“But it depends now. If Australia came in before Wales you never know, it's something I'd have to seriously think about.”
When did Gethin Jones appear on the Socceroos radar?
It wasn't until a KEEP UP article written earlier this month that it became apparent Jones was a chance to be selected for the Socceroos' Asian Cup squad.
A report on the Australian football website revealed Socceroos assistant coach Rene Meulensteen attended one of Bolton's matches against Harrogate Town in early December.
With two Bolton players eligible for Australian selection - Jones and fellow defender Jack Iredale - there was a suggestion that either could be an option for Australian coach Arnold.
Socceroos AFC Asian Cup 2024 26-man squad
- Mat Ryan [GK] (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)
- Joe Gauci [GK] (Adelaide United, Australia)
- Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
- Harry Souttar (Leicester City, England)
- Kye Rowles (Hearts, Scotland)
- Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town, England
- Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts, Scotland
- Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata, Japan)
- Jordy Bos (Westerlo, Belgium)
- Aziz Behich (Melbourne City, Australia)
- Lewis Miller (Hibernian, Scotland
- Gethin Jones (Bolton, England)
- Keanu Baccus (St Mirren, Scotland)
- Aiden O'Neill (Standard Liege, Belgium)
- Jackson Irvine (St Pauli, Germany)
- Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli, Germany)
- Riley McGree (Middlesbrough, England)
- Patrick Yazbek, (Viking FK, Norway)
- Craig Goodwin (Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia
- Martin Boyle (Hibernian, Scotland)
- Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough, England)
- Marco Tilio (Celtic, Scotland)
- John Iredale (SV Wehen Wiesbaden, Germany)
- Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth, England)
- Bruno Fornaroli Melbourne Victory, Australia)
- Mitchell Duke (FC Machida Zelvia, Japan)
Socceroos AFC Asian Cup 2024 schedule
The Socceroos will be keen to better their disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Asian Cup in 2019, but the team has come on in leaps and bounds since then and will be targeting a return to the final, and a second Asian Cup title after their maiden win in 2015.
On paper, they have a straightforward group, taking on India in their opening clash, before facing off against Syria and then Uzbekistan to close out the group stages.
| Match | Date | Time | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs India | January 13 | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium |
| Australia vs Syria | January 18 | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | Jassim bin Hammad Stadium |
| Australia vs Uzbekistan | January 22 | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium |
