National team coach names five uncapped players in squad for qualifiers

National team head coach Tomas Varga has named five uncapped players in a 25-man squad for next month’s two qualifiers, including a pair of teenagers from Port Alden FC. The biggest talking point, though, is the return of veteran defender Luka Bergman, who last played for the national team almost two years ago.

The squad will gather at the national training center outside Riverton on Monday, with an away qualifier on the Thursday and a home game at Riverton’s national stadium three days later.

New faces

Port Alden FC midfielder Jonas Ekström, 18, and winger Rafael Moreno, 19, have both earned call-ups after breakthrough starts to the league season. Moreno has scored five goals in his first nine league matches. Northvale City goalkeeper Viktor Halberg, Riverton United full-back Samir Haddad and striker Emil Strand complete the list of newcomers.

I don’t pick players for their age or their passport stamps. I pick them because they are playing well now and they fit what we want to do. These five have earned it.

Tomas Varga, national team head coach

Bergman’s return

Bergman, 33, retired from international football after the last tournament but told Varga in the summer that he was available again. The Riverton United captain has been one of the league’s most consistent defenders this season, and with two first-choice center-backs injured, the coach did not hesitate.

“He organizes everyone around him,” Varga said. “Young players learn more from a week next to Luka than from a month of video sessions.”

Who is missing

Midfielder Daniel Weller is left out after a hamstring injury, and Varga confirmed that forward Ivo Marić was not selected for sporting reasons, not because of any disciplinary issue.

The national team sits second in its qualifying group, one point behind the leaders, with four matches remaining. Two wins next month would take it to the top for the first time in the campaign.

Training camp

The squad will train behind closed doors on Monday and Tuesday before an open session for fans on Wednesday morning. Tickets for the home qualifier are almost sold out, the football federation said.