Popovic swings axe on Socceroos skipper as Asian Cup auditions begin
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Mat Ryan may have already played his last game for the Socceroos after he failed to make the 26-player squad for the side’s upcoming friendlies against Brazil.
Tony Popovic named seven uncapped players in his line-up for the games later this month, while 16 members of his impressive World Cup squad were recalled.
Mat Ryan (centre) replaced Patrick Beach ahead of the penalty shootout. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
A notable absence from that squad list was Ryan, who had long been Australia’s first choice goalkeeper and captain of the national team until the World Cup.
While he held the top leadership role at the World Cup, Ryan was overlooked to start with the gloves on for Australia in favour of young talent Patrick Beach.
Ryan’s only minutes at the World Cup came during a penalty shootout in the round of 32 against Egypt, but Australia was not successful in securing victory.
The 34-year-old has got off to a strong start at club level since the World Cup, keeping two clean sheets while representing La Liga side Levante.
But he has again been overlooked in favour of the next generation as Popovic looks towards building his team for the Asian Cup. Beach and Paul Izzo were recalled along with uncapped Championship player Jacob Chapman.
Chapman is one of five players who will enter the Australian camp for the first time, with Eli Adams, Kealey Adamson, Yaya Dukuly and Marcus Younis named.
The likes of Jordan Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess are among some of the other high-profile names like Ryan who missed selection – all due to injury.
Volpato’s injury saved the Socceroos from having to make a call of his availability after returning positive test results for cocaine after being stopped by NSW Police in July.
Elsewhere, Jordan Bos’ younger brother Kasey will return to the team camp, while Aziz Behich became the only A-League player in the squad.
Popovic said he was “looking forward to coming together” with the playing group for the first time since their World Cup efforts.
“We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it’s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team,” Popovic, who is only contracted until the end of that tournament, said.
“We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history.
“We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.”
The Socceroos will host Brazil in their first friendly on Friday, September 25 in Townsville. The two nations will then travel to Brisbane for a second match on Tuesday, September 29.
Socceroos squad to face Brazil
- Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach, Jacob Chapman, Paul Izzo
- Defenders: Kealey Adamson, Aziz Behich, Kasey Bos, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Dylan Leonard, Harry Souttar
- Midfielders: Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Alexander Robertson, Patrick Yazbek
- Forwards: Eli Adams, Yaya Dukuly, Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, Tete Yengi, Marcus Younis
