Possible Socceroos call-up isn’t enough for Melbourne City coach to guarantee Marco Tilio game time

Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo has confirmed Marco Tilio’s status as a fringe Socceroo chasing a World Cup berth won’t guarantee him playing time in the A-League over the next few weeks.

Tilio, 21, is jostling for a spot on the plane to Qatar, competing with the likes of Macarthur’s Daniel Arzani and Central Coast Mariners striker Garang Kuol as an x-factor attacking option.

In a shock for many football fans, Tilio was named as a substitute for Melbourne City’s season opener against Western United on Friday night at AAMI Park, with coach Patrick Kisnorbo opting for Andrew Nabbout and Mathew Leckie as his starting wingers.

It was the first of six games Tilio has to impress before the Socceroos squad is selected.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold was watching on from the stands as Tilio came on in the 73rd minute for Nabbout.

Young gun Marco Tilio is chasing a spot in Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad – but was on the bench for Melbourne City’s A-League opener on Friday

Coach Patrick Kisnorbo stated post game ‘just because you represent Australia doesn’t mean you’re an automatic starter in this (Melbourne City) team’

Tilio spurned a late chance in the 2-1 victory.

‘I go on my feel and players that have done well in the pre-season and I thought Andy (Nabbout) deserved to play,’ Kisnorbo said post-game.

‘Just because Marco got picked for the Socceroos doesn’t mean he’s an automatic starter.

‘You need to work hard to get into the team and he (Tilio) got his chance. I was happy for him when he came on.

‘I picked the best XI that I think going into a game. Just because you represent Australia doesn’t mean you’re a walk up starter in this team.’

Leckie was everywhere in the 2-1 win while Jamie Maclaren scored and led City’s brilliant press in the grand final replay.

Tilio (pictured right) also fluffed a late chance in the 2-1 victory over Western United at AAMI Park

It would have done the City pair no harm as they also chase a spot in Arnold’s Socceroos squad. 

Barring injury, Leckie is expected to get the nod from Arnold. 

Tilio made his professional debut aged 17 for Sydney FC in the 2019 AFC Champions League group stage versus Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale.

He was promoted to the Sky Blues’ first-team squad for the 2019-20 A-League season.

In 2020, Tilio moved to Melbourne City and represented Australia at the Tokyo Olympics last year, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over Argentina.

Tilio was also handed his maiden Socceroos cap in January against Vietnam.