Socceroos captain Maty Ryan faces an uncertain international future after being overlooked for new coach Tony Popovic’s first game in charge.
Popovic plumped for Joe Gauci in goal for Australia’s 3-1 victory against China on Thursday night in Adelaide.
Ryan, who has been the national team captain since 2019, is not guaranteed to win his starting spot back against Japan on Tuesday night.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“It’s just the choice that I made,” Popovic said after installing midfielder Jackson Irvine as skipper against China.
“Neither of them are playing (at club level), so it wasn’t based around games played … they’re very similar at the moment being second ‘keeper at their club.
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“I felt Joey was ready for an opportunity.”
The 24-year-old Gauci is understudy to one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Argentina ace Emiliano Martinez, at English Premier League club Aston Villa.
And Ryan is yet to feature in Italy’s Serie A at AC Roma, behind Serbian shotstopper Mile Svilar in the pecking order.
Gauci praised Ryan, a 32-year-old with 95 Socceroos caps, for offering calming advice after being benched for the China fixture.
“Maty is great, Maty is someone I have looked up to my whole career, and to have his support meant the world to me,” Gauci said.
“He just told me to go and play the game. He has a lot of experience in Asian football and he guided me on that as well and what to expect – Maty was superb.”
Gauci moved from his home-town A-League club Adelaide United to Villa in February and has made just one League Cup appearance in England.
“Every day that I am in training, I’m preparing to play,” he said.
“The level of training that I’m facing, the quality of the players that I’m facing every single day, means that I have to be ready.
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“I was fortunate to make my official debut for Villa in the League Cup and that was a great opportunity and a great experience and I really enjoyed it. It has made me hungry for more appearances.
“And it’s the same with the national team – every time that I come in, I’m preparing to play … you have to be ready at every moment.”
Popovic has given no indication on his longer-term plans for the national goalkeeping spot.
“Goalkeeping, only one person can play,” Gauci said.
“Obviously everyone wants to be playing consistent football, but I am at one of the biggest clubs in the world and you have to bide your time and be patient.
“And when you get an opportunity, whether it be a club or with your country, you have to be ready to take it.”