The manager of a country heading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad has revealed why he left his son-in-law out of his 26-man selection.
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Earlier this week, Australia manager Graham Arnold announced which 26 players he would be taking to Qatar later this month.
Former Premier League footballers Matthew Ryan and Aaron Mooy made the cut, along with South African-born midfielder Keanu Baccus, who currently plies his trade in the Scottish Premiership.
There was no place, however, for the husband of Arnold's daughter Trent Sainsbury, who has represented the Socceroos on 60 occasions since his senior debut in 2014.
The centre-back was in Australia's 2018 World Cup squad, but will not be playing for his country in the Middle East.
According to Fox Sports, Arnold explained that leaving Sainsbury out was "one of the hardest things I've ever had to do", adding that "it was a very, very difficult decision. I spoke to Trent about where he’s at at this moment in time. He hasn’t played for a number of weeks".
One-time Australia international Garang Kuol was selected instead of the 30-year-old, with the inexperienced defender set to join Newcastle United from Central Coast Marriners in January.
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The 18-year-old made his senior debut for the Socceroos in September.
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