Mat Ryan has been omitted from Australia’s squad for its two September matches against Brazil, but coach Tony Popovic says the veteran goalkeeper remains part of his plans.
Ryan, 34, is the most prominent omission from Popovic’s squad for matches in Brisbane on September 25 and Townsville on September 28. The Levante goalkeeper has 105 international caps and made a strong start to the La Liga season, according to the supplied report.
Popovic said the decision was intended to give another goalkeeper an opportunity rather than close the door on Ryan. “We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football,” he said, describing him as a player with a distinguished career and more than 100 caps. “But we'd like to have a look at another keeper.”
The coach also said Ryan had handled the decision professionally and remained available for future selections. Ryan lost his starting place to Patrick Beach at the World Cup and was later brought on for the round-of-32 penalty shootout against Egypt. The report says Ryan and Popovic gave differing accounts of when the goalkeeper learned he might be introduced.
Uncapped St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman joins Beach and Paul Izzo in the squad. Seven players without international caps have been selected, including defenders Kasey Bos and Dylan Leonard, as well as Marcus Younis, Eli Adams, Kealey Adamson and Yaya Dukuly. Popovic said the overseas-based players had earned their opportunities through the challenges of establishing themselves abroad.
Sixteen members of Australia’s 26-man World Cup squad return. Jordan Bos is unavailable with a knee injury and Cam Burgess with an Achilles problem, while Cristian Volpato is sidelined by a hamstring injury and faces a court challenge over charges relating to driving with cocaine in his system. Riley McGree, Patrick Yazbek and Alex Robertson return or are recalled, while several others, including Mathew Leckie and Ajdin Hrustic, are omitted.
Popovic said Australia had settled on two games in the international window so players could return to their clubs. He added that the team would be ready for the Asian Cup with matches in November also planned.