Martin Boyle has revealed the disappointment of not getting on the pitch in his first Socceroos camp under Tony Popovic in November propelled him back to career-best form ahead of their must-win World Cup qualifier against China on Tuesday night.
Boyle was left out of the matchday 23 against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne and was an unused substitute days later against Bahrain. He left Riffa with a burning desire to be better, returning to Scottish side Hibernian and banging in seven goals in his last 13 games.
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“I think I definitely walked away with a point to prove,” said Boyle.
“Maybe it was a kick up the backside, maybe I wasn’t performing to the best of my capabilities and I certainly got told that.
“It was definitely an eye opener.”
Boyle’s good form was rewarded not only with another national team call-up for this window, but a starting spot against Indonesia. He repaid that faith by scoring one from the penalty spot and playing a role in the build-up to Nishan Velupillay’s goal.
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“I’m contributing goals and assists again at club level and international which is just perfect,” Boyle said.
“Hard works gets you here.
“The strength and depth we have here now it’s really challenging so you have to be at the top of your game.
“Thankfully I’ve managed to catch the eye and get back into the team.”
The 31-year-old was substituted at half-time at Allianz Stadium with a groin complaint, but unlike strikers Kusini Yengi (hamstring) and Adam Taggart (groin), who picked up injuries in Sydney, Boyle travelled with the squad to Hangzhou.
“No issues at all on my front, just a slight tight groin. These things happen in football, but I think as management and physio department, precautionary at that point was needed.
“We were three-nil up at half time. It’s not often you can do that.
“It suited me, and it suited everyone else, so it was perfect and there’s no dramas.”
Mitch Duke has been called into the squad as cover for the absence of Yengi and Taggart. Duke was originally overlooked for the extended 26-player squad due to a lack of game time and goals at J-League club Machida Zelvia.
Boyle, deployed as a winger for most of his international career, could also be an option up-front for the Socceroos after filling that role for Hibernian this season.
“I started my career as a striker and then drifted out wide. I feel like it’s certainly a position I could fill.
“It would be different here. At Hibs I’m playing in a two – kind of a big guy, small guy role – but I think if I was called on to play there, I would certainly give my all.”
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The wingers in Popovic’s system play slightly more central than wider. It has taken time to get to grips with the demands of the role.
“I’m trying to learn what he (Popovic) wants me to do and adapt which I feel like is different aspects and elements to my game which is good, so I’m always learning.”
It shapes as a big 15-month period for Boyle, assuming the Socceroos make the World Cup next year in North America. He’s out of contract at the end of this season at Hibs and the next move – if indeed he does move at all – will lay the platform on which his bid to feature in that World Cup squad is built. A stint in the A-League remains a possibility.
“There may be a lot of discussions to be had with Hibs. That’s to remain. I’m a bit uncertain with that.
“It’s probably something that we’ll focus on at the end of the season.”
Major tournaments haven’t been kind to the Aberdeen born Australian. A knee injury saw him miss the 2019 Asian Cup before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruled him out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the eve of the tournament in Qatar. Boyle was in camp in Doha when scans picked up the damage to his ACL.
“My goal is to get over that upset of the last World Cup. Obviously being selected and experiencing it but not experiencing it on the pitch that’s some I really want to do.”
Hibernian has become a home away from home for several Australian players. Boyle has been joined at the club by defenders Lewis Miller and Jack Iredale while midfielder Nectar Triantis is on loan from Sunderland.
“It has helped a lot to be fair,” Triantis said.
“I think players around you that understand your life and experiences really helps you to settle a lot quicker.”
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Triantis has been dubbed the “Aussie Rodri” by Hibs supporters for his performances this season. Considering the Spain and Manchester City midfielder is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, even a fleeting comparison is flattering.
His exploits weren’t enough to earn a spot in Popovic’s matchday squad against Indonesia though.
“He (Popovic) said to continue believing in myself. I’m a young player and my time will come. I just have to keep my head down and keep working hard until I get that opportunity. You can’t let yourself down by having a weak mentality.”
Still just 21, time is well and truly on Triantis’ side, and he didn’t even try and hide his elation once his maiden Socceroos call-up was confirmed.
“I was there when he got the message. He was absolutely buzzing,” said Boyle.
“Normally the guys give him a high five around the dressing room, but it was him; he was flying around the dressing room giving other people high fives.”
It’s not a version of events that Triantis disputes.
“It was sort of a little party for the next five minutes, celebrating it,” he said.
“It was just good to see all the boys get around me and really show that emotion for me.”
“I called my Mum straight away. You’re not allowed to call people in the change room, so they (the players) were calling for a fine. I didn’t care. I had to let my Mum know straight away.”
Sunderland is currently fourth in the Championship meaning a tilt at promotion to the Premier League is on the cards. Triantis is contracted to the Black Cats for another two years, having joined from the Central Coast Mariners in 2023, but has spent the last 13 months on loan at Easter Road.
“It’s another goal of mine to be in the Premier League; the best league in the world. That’s where all players aspire to be in. It would be a great thing for me personally to get promoted into the Premier League and from there I have to work as hard as I can to earn my spot in that team.”
Whether he’s included in Popovic’s match day squad against China remains to be seen. It’s an area of huge depth for Australia with Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill and Ryan Teague also in camp.
Victory on Tuesday night will be vital to Australia’s hopes of joining group leaders Japan in sealing automatic qualification for the World Cup in North America next year.
The Socceroos currently sit second in group C, one point ahead of Saudi Arabia and four clear of Indonesia, Bahrain and China.
With Japan and Saudi Arabia to come in June another three points in Hangzhou is crucial with the top two ranked teams in the group at the end of that window earning a spot at the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico.
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