Bayern Munich-bound prodigy Nestory Irankunda is poised to make his Socceroos debut following confirmation of his selection in Australia’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.
National coach Graham Arnold on Wednesday named a 25-man squad, and it included teenage sensation Irankunda, as well as former whiz-kid Daniel Arzani, who hasn’t played for the Socceroos since the 2018 World Cup.
Arzani, 25, has earnt his recall after helping Melbourne Victory reach the A-League grand final, while Irankunda – who will leave Adelaide United to join German giants Bayern Munich – was part of the A-League All-Stars squad that beat a severely weakened Newcastle United 8-0 last week.
As revealed by News Corp Australia last week, Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan wasn’t chosen, with Arnold “resting” him.
Overall, there are 11 changes from the squad that beat Lebanon twice in March.
Out are Ryan, injured quartet Brandon Borrello, Craig Goodwin, Riley McGree and Tom Glover, as well as defenders Nathaniel Atkinson and Thomas Deng, midfielder Patrick Yazbek, and attackers Bruno Fornaroli, John Iredale and Sammy Silvera.
Apart from Irankunda and Arzani, coming into the squad are defenders Aziz Behich, Alessandro Circati and Ryan Strain, midfielder Cameron Devlin, uncapped striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, wingers Martin Boyle and Mathew Leckie, and goalkeepers Paul Izzo and Lawrence Thomas.
Uncapped pair Nestory Irankunda (left) and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos have been named in Australia’s 25-man squad for two World Cup qualifying matches next month. Picture: Martin Keep / AFPSource: AFP
“We’ve got several players who’ve had significant workloads in recent times, and it’s important we give them a proper break,” Arnold said.
“I want to ensure they’re physically and mentally prepared for another big 12 months of
qualification.
“This has also allowed us to provide opportunities to players who have been performing well at their clubs as we continue to build depth right across the pitch.
“Our leadership group of Jackson (Irvine), Aziz (Behich) Mat (Leckie), Harry (Souttar) and Adam (Taggart) will have an important role to play throughout this camp in welcoming those players, as they demonstrate the core values that are central to the Socceroos’ culture.”
Despite having already qualified for the third round of the Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos are desperate to beat Bangladesh in Dhaka next Thursday, and Palestine in Perth on June 11 to give them the best possible chance of being among the three nations in pot one for the round-three draw.
“I’ve spoken about how important these two games are when it comes to official FIFA rankings, and while we’ve qualified for round three it’s important that we take all six points,” Arnold said.
“It’s an expectation we set ourselves as a group and as always, getting our mentality right will be crucial to securing two wins and giving ourselves the highest possible ranking ahead of the draw for round three.”
Socceroos squad: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory), Keanu Baccus (Mansfield Town), Aziz Behich (Al-Nassr), Jordy Bos (KVC Westerlo), Martin Boyle (Hibs), Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Mitchell Duke (Machida Zelvia), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United/Bayern Munich), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Paul Izzo (Melbourne Victory), Gethin Jones (Bolton Wanderers), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners), Kye Rowles (Hearts), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Ryan Strain (St Mirren), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth).
The magical sporting story that is the Central Coast Mariners has delivered the ultimate final chapter with back-to-back A-League championship wins and a history making treble of trophies in season 2023/24 following an epic 3-1 extra time win over the Melbourne Victory in Gosford.
Just when you thought the Central Coast fairytale had finally come to an end, English striker Ryan Edmonson delivered a superb normal time equaliser in the 91st minute to break Victory hearts, just minutes away from what would have been a record equalling fifth Australian football title for them.
Ryan Edmondson celebrates scoring a goal. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
His heroics were matched by that of Mariners youngster Miguel Di Pizio who struck early in the first half of extra-time, finishing off a move that he started himself.
The 18-year-old drove forward from midfield and got on the end of a Ronald Barcellos cross to become the youngest scorer in A-League Grand Final history.
As the Victory pushed forward in hope of an extra-time equaliser, Edmondson added his second to secure the Joe Marston Medal for best on ground and ultimately seal a treble winning feat that is simply hard to fathom for a club that was once the laughing stock of the competition.
The match-winning moments sent a record breaking, sell-out crowd of 21,379 in Gosford into utter delirium as they celebrate a club that is now the jewel of the region as it continued to defy every obstacle possible over the last two years to become arguably the best single season team in A-League history.
That emotion spilled over on the final whistle as the Mariners fans ran onto the field to celebrate with their heroes and manager Mark Jackson in spectacular scenes not seen before in an A-League Grand Final but one fitting of an Australian football feat that is simply unmatched.
Instrumental in both Mariners goals was Socceroo midfielder Josh Nisbet, who may be diminutive in stature but is simply massive in heart and talent.
Once the Mariners went behind, he drove his side on like no other to help set-up both goals and add a Championship Medal to his Johnny Warren Medal for best player of the season.
The defeat for the Victory continues one of the more stunning droughts in Australian sport, that of manager Tony Popovic and his now five Grand Final losses across spells with Western Sydney, Perth and now Melbourne.
His credentials as a manager are undoubted but it’s a heartbreaking hurdle that he simply cannot get past.
It is one he and the Victory faithful thought he had finally evaded though after Jason Geria’s second half strike to put the Victory 1-nil up.
The Mariners celebrate with Ryan Edmondson. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesDanny Vukovic and Ryan Edmondson of the Central Coast Mariners celebrate Edmondson scoring a goal. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The 31-year-old Socceroo was set-up nicely by some tricky interplay from Daniel Arzani and Jordi Valadon who teed Geria up on the edge of the area to side-foot a stunning strike home into the top left-hand corner to send the several thousand travelling Victory fans into ecstasy.
That only served to spark the Mariners out of their malaise and into history making action.
With Nisbet and his midfield compadrade Max Balard at the heart of every foray forward they finally broke a resolute Victory defence late in normal time and seemingly driven on by an entire city, went on with it to deliver a second successive championship for the Central Coast Mariners, third trophy for the season and third title in their now glittering history.
NISBET’S SEASON CRYSTALLISED
There are few better on-field stories in Australian football than Josh Nisbet. The Mariners dynamo’s spectacular campaign was rewarded with a first Socceroos cap this year and now he has a Championship and Johnny Warren Medal – the highest individual honour in the domestic game – to go with it for the player of the season. The award was presented at full-time with Nisbet finishing on 36 votes, seven clear of Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli with Wellington star Kosta Barbarouses in third.
VISCIOUS OPENING
Bar a couple of Daniel Arzani long range strikes, and a Ryan Teague header, there weren’t a plethora of chances in the first half but the game, that the Victory had the better of early, was played at a cracking place with plenty of physicality. So much so, that a head clash between Victory defender Damien Da Silva and Mariners striker Alou Kuol left both players bloodied and needing head strapping. With his bleached blonde hair, Kuol cut a true retro figure but the knock took enough out of him for him to be substituted at half-time.
GLORIOUS GOSFORD
The A-League may have its myriad of issues at present but the finals series yet again has shown the support is certainly there. There were sold out finals the whole way through and the Grand Final arena, adjacent to the Gosford water, presented a stunning scene. Three thousand travelling Victory fans added plenty to a sold out stadium while every surrounding pub and restaurant was adorned with Mariners colours and will now be in celebration mode for weeks and possibly months to come.
Newly crowned premiers and AFC Cup Champions, the Central Coast Mariners have one foot inside the A-League Men grand final.
Sydney FC were the only team to beat the Mariners since round four and were considered their bogey team, touted as the favourites to take down the reigning champions ahead of the decider.
Two red cards for Sydney FC to Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman, the latter being a second yellow, put the home team down to nine for the remaining few minutes.
Although it was only the first of two legs and the margin wasn’t a big one, the Mariners looked to be clearly the stronger team.
Mariners star Joshua Nisbet gets the ball past Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne to score a goal during the A-League Men Semi Final. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Mariners coach Mark Jackson said despite the win, he’s not looking too far ahead.
“We’re not there, we’re far from it,” Jackson said post match.
“You know, people say it’s one game but Sydney are a formidable team and they’re a dangerous team.
“And you know what people say, beware of the wounded animal, and we’ve got to be prepared for what they’re going to bring.”
Joel King’s strike deflected off multiple Mariners defenders, sneaking past Vukovic and handing the Sky Blues the lead.
Sydney FC’s Anthony Caceres is challenged by Central Coast’s Bradley Tapp. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
The half was set to end with Sydney in front but Josh Nisbet did what he does best, putting himself in the middle of the action to capitalise on a deflected shot and levelling the scores at the break.
Christian Theoharis gifted the Mariners a penalty after a bad tackle from Anthony Caceres in the box, which was expertly converted by Mariners Medallist Mikael Doka.
Down by a goal and struggling to break through the Mariners’ defence, Sydney were clearly frustrated and it showed in how they played.
Rodwell was the clear example, with his studs-up tackle on Theoharis worthy of a red card after VAR intervention.
Sydney FC’s Jack Rodwell receives a red card. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Young Jake Hollman let his frustrations get the better of him late on with his foul on Ronald Barcellos earning him his second yellow card and his marching orders.
Sydney coach Ufuk Talay said he doesn’t believe frustration was behind the second half send-offs.
Sydney FC will now be without Rodwell, Hollman and Joe Lolley for the second leg in Gosford, with Lolley picking up a season-ending injury in last week’s win over Macarthur.
Central Coast Mariners have become just the second A-League men’s outfit to win an Asian club competition after beating Lebanese team Al-Ahed 1-0 in the AFC Cup final.
An 84th-minute goal from substitute Alou Kuol at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex in Muscat, Oman on Monday morning (AEST) secured the Mariners the victory, as well as $2.3 million in prizemoney.
The Mariners also remain on track to win the treble after clinching the A-League premiership last Wednesday.
They will now return home to contest the A-League finals series in the hope of securing a third trophy this season by winning a second successive championship.
Central Coast Mariners coach Mark Jackson has guided his team to AFC Cup glory. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I always knew that we could come here and get the win,” Mariners coach Mark Jackson said after his team ended a 10-year wait for a second A-League club to win an Asian crown after Western Sydney Wanderers’ AFC Champions League success in 2014.
“It was a really difficult game against a great opponent but we’ve got full belief in the boys.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for the lads, the staff, everybody at the club and the supporters as well.
“On to the next one now.”
Jackson praised his skipper and goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, who made a brilliant first-half save to deny Al-Ahed striker Lee Erwin.
“It was a fantastic save from ‘Vuka’ – outstanding,” Jackson said.
“What a leader (he is) for this football club, and long may that continue.
“He’s superb to have in the team. He leads by example.”
The Mariners will also go down in history as the final club to win the AFC Cup, which will be scrapped next season to make way for the three-tier Asian Football Confederation men’s club competitions – the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League 2 and AFC Challenge League.
Central Coast will contest the 2024-25 Champions League Elite competition courtesy of their A-League premiership win.
Central Coast Mariners claimed its third Premier’s Plate and remains on track to earn a historic treble since becoming a foundation club of the A-League in 2005.
The Mariners secured the premiership after a convincing 2-0 win over Adelaide United in driving rain at Industree Group Stadium last night.
The title remained in Australia after the Mariners leapfrogged New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix to claim the silverware by two points in the final game of the A-League’s home and away season.
Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today
It was the Mariners’ first premiership since 2012 when current Socceroos coach Graham Arnold led the club.
Jacob Farrell steadied the home side’s nerves in the 36th minute after Adelaide dominated the attacking exchanges from the third minute after the clash which was originally scheduled for last Sunday was delayed after Mariners were caught in a flood at Dubai Airport after AFC Cup duty last week.
Max Ballard scored the insurance goal in the 76th minute when debutant Reds’ keeper Ethan Cox’s pass to Ethan Alagich was easily intercepted by the midfielder.
Balard coolly slotted the ball home into an empty net from 15m.
Balard’s goal came after Farrell opened the scoring when he also took advantage of poor defending.
Farrell nodded the ball home from a neat set piece from Brazilian attacker Mikael Doka.
Mariners’ Socceroos midfielder Josh Nisbet was ecstatic after securing the premiership.
“It was one of our goals at the start of the year and we have achieved that,” Nisbet told Paramount +.
“We’ve got a good defensive structure so when things don’t work out, we don’t concede goals.
“We didn’t start that well but we ended up getting the goals and winning it.”
The brilliance of Mariners’ veteran keeper Danny Vukovic and classy defender Brian Kaltak kept Adelaide scoreless despite the Reds peppering the goal mouth until Farrell’s timely goal.
Adelaide had three shots on target from 10 shots on goal in the first half, but it was the Mariners who were much more dangerous in transition after soaking up the eager pressure from the away side.
Asian bonus
With the reigning A-League champions Mariners chasing a maiden AFC Cup title when it plays the final against Lebanon’s Al-Ahed in Oman on Monday, the competition’s smallest club will also represent Australia in the more prestigious AFC Champions League for the 2024/25 season.
Australia has been allocated just one spot in the Champions League after slipping to 11th best league in the Asian Football Confederation.
King prank
Just three minutes in, it appeared that the Mariners had scored the opener when Kaltak’s header thundered against the crossbar and bounced near the goal line.
VAR intervened and rightly clarified that it was no goal and offside before referee Alex King ordered a drop ball.
Nestory’s curtain call
Irankunda signed off his stint with Adelaide before joining Bayern Munich this year with a super first half performance.
The18-year-old watched in disbelief in the 61st minute when Vukovic pulled off a world-class save from a 12m rocket from the teenager when he diverted the ball around the post.
Irankunda was later cautioned for clattering into Farrell, just seconds after Mariners’ Storm Roux was booked for a foul on the teenager.
Records broken
Adelaide missed the finals for the first time since 2020 when Dutchman Gertjan Verbeek was in charge before he quit when Covid-19 shut down Australia’s borders.
The club conceded a record 53 goals before the match and scored a record 52 goals – the most in a season.
It’s clear Adelaide’s problematic defence has cost it dearly this season.
Five goals, two debuts, and two players scoring their maiden goals for the Socceroos. The 5-0 win over Lebanon on Tuesday that booked Australia’s place in the next round of qualifying was enjoyable for many reasons – and not just because veteran Craig Goodwin delivered an individual performance for the ages.
Coach Graham Arnold was particularly pleased with the performance of a number of rookies, who saw out the game in style.
As the coach told Network 10: “I was very happy & proud of the young ones. They took ownership when they went on the park, and the future is bright.”
The captain and gloveman wasn’t often troubled in goals, so much so that he delivered a bizarre first-half moment when he took a throw-in! He snaffled a dangerous cross and never looked like dropping the ball in the couple of saves he made. He was, however, beaten by one thunderous long-range shot that rattled the crossbar. Nevertheless, it’s now four clean sheets from four World Cup qualifiers.
Kye Rowles: 7
Playing for the second game in succession at left-back instead of his usual centre-back position, Rowles didn’t manage to back up his maiden international goal from Thursday – but it was still a very, very solid performance. Capped things off by setting up a goal with a beautiful raking ball down the left sideline.
Cameron Burgess: 7
It was another calm and composed performance at the back from Burgess, who was excellent in defence and equally confident passing the ball forward to the midfielders and strikers even in narrow channels.
Harry Souttar: 7.5
Back in Canberra for the first time since his Socceroos debut five years ago, a 5-0 win over Nepal where he scored twice, Souttar came inches away from adding another goal to his tally when he headed the ball into the post late in the first half. For a man of such great heading ability, it was a disappointing miss – but that’s the only sour note on another fine performance. Untroubled at the back, dominant in the air, it was a typical no-fuss effort from the centre-back stalwart.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Harry Souttar of Australia attempts a header during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Lebanon at GIO Stadium on March 26, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Gethin Jones: 7
Making just his fifth cap, the former Wales junior international and Bolton Wanderers star certainly made a case that he – not Nathaniel Atkinson – should be the regular right-back.
Could have had an assist in the second half with a nice run down the right line and cross for Mitch Duke, but the striker sent it high.
MIDFIELD
Craig Goodwin: 10
He scored two and set up two more. But more than that: he could have had four assists on another day, such was the quality of his delivery with that magical left boot. Ajdin Hrustic missed one when Goodwin put the ball on a platter in the first half, as did Harry Souttar.
But it didn’t matter in the end, since Goodwin just kept creating chances – and taking them.
It’s hard to recall such a dominant individual performance from a Socceroo in recent times – Harry Souttar’s efforts against Tunisia in the 2022 World Cup come to mind.
The Socceroos sent everything down his left flank in the first half, and he was the only player to deliver a successful cross or pass into the box in the entire first period.
Having missed the first match against Lebanon with a virus picked up on the flight back home, this was a statement performance from the 32-year-old.
He joked to Network 10: “Maybe I’ll have to be sick more often!”
Ajdin Hrustic: 6.5
Hrustic copped plenty of attention from opposition players all night, regularly being harshly tackled – though not all of them were adjudged as fouls by a referee who missed far too many calls on the night. Hrustic showed flashes of brilliance, like his chipped ball to Goodwin for the third goal. But he was scythed down in a horror tackle in the 51st minute and could be set for another long stint on the sidelines, which is a massive blow given he only just returned to the Socceroos’ fold this camp.
Hrustic couldn’t put any weight on his left foot as he was carried from the field.Source: AFP
Jackson Irvine: 6
The midfield general had to play a deeper role in this game with his usual defensive-midfield pivot Keanu Baccus out with suspension, but Irvine was more than capable of running the show from further back. Playing right alongside his club teammate Metcalfe in the heart of midfield, the two formed a potent combination all night – distributing the ball quickly to the left for Goodwin to run riot. It wasn’t a game which Irvine grabbed by the scruff of the neck and took control in the midfield, but it was a typically solid effort.
Connor Metcalfe: 6
There’s a reason that Metcalfe has become one of the first names on the team sheet for Graham Arnold – in fact, he’s played every game since the 2022 World Cup, and started the vast majority. Metcalfe is coming along in leaps and bounds since moving to Germany to join Irvine at FC St Pauli, and he delivered another strong performance in Canberra. He tackled hard, battled tirelessly for the ball in the first half, and linked up well with his teammates. There were a few mistakes, but he’s becoming an increasingly important – and reliable – part of the Socceroos’ engine room.
STRIKERS
Kusini Yengi: 7
No Socceroos striker had scored in six-straight matches. Then Craig Goodwin set up his former Adelaide United teammate Yengi for the young gun’s maiden Socceroos goal.
The pair did Goodwin’s trademark celebration together in an emotional moment.
Kusini Yengi said to Network 10: “To score my first goal is amazing.
“Me and Goody have a great connection. We played together at Adelaide. He assisted my first professional goal at Adelaide and now assisted my first goal at the Socceroos. It’s an amazing moment for me and to have that moment with Goody as well is even more special.”
His penetration and running behind the lines was excellent all night, while his confidence was on full display.
In a stacked list of strikers in the squad, vying for contention, it was a statement that he is the man to take the number nine jersey in the long term.
“That position is up for grabs and I’m hoping to fill that position,” he said.
Mitchell Duke: 6.5
It was a relatively quiet night by his high standards, but Duke’s hard work in pressing was a key unseen factor in the Socceroos’ success. Also crucial to the Socceroos’ improvement compared to Thursday was the way Duke dropped back to receive possession, dragging defenders out of position and setting up his teammates.
SUBSTITUTES
Patrick Yazbek: 8
The 21-year-old midfielder looked completely at home on his debut – and against the other nation he was eligible to represent. Lebanon’s head coach had taken a dig at Yazbek in his pre-match press conference, saying the youngster would have been better being a ‘leader’ for Lebanon’s team rather than sitting on the bench for Australia. Well, when Yazbek came off the bench, he showed exactly why Lebanon tried so hard to convince him to represent them.
Yazbek told Network 10: “Honestly, I just can’t wish for a better debut … I’ve always wanted to be a Socceroo, I’ve got all these photos in my room, ever since I’ve been young. It’s a dream come true.”
Just minutes after entering the pitch, he set up Australia’s fourth goal with a neat cross from the left flank, and the rest of his work was near-flawless.
Yazbek said of the assist: “It’s something that I’ll definitely remember forever. I’ll probably watch it back a couple of times!”
Yazbek had a stellar debut.Source: Getty Images
John Iredale: 8
Iredale impressed on his debut on Thursday, and was even better this time around, scoring his maiden goal in the green and gold (or, as was the case on Tuesday, the blue and blue). The goal was set up by Yazbek just seconds after Iredale entered the pitch, and the young striker burst into tears as he embraced his teammates. Iredale then set up Goodwin for the final goal.
Josh Nisbet: 7
Socceroo number 642 has had to wait a while for his opportunity, and the diminutive midfielder never looked overawed by the occasion when it finally came. The Central Coast Mariners star, just 24, passed crisply and was often first to the loose ball in the closing stages. There’s plenty more to come.
Thomas Deng: N/A
He’s fallen down the centre-back pecking order a bit with Souttar, Burgess and Rowles locking up those spots. But Deng got a small run-out in the dying minutes and showed he’s still ready to fight for his place in the team.
Samuel Silvera: N/A
Didn’t have enough time to make an impact on the flank, but looked lively.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has hit back a barbed swipe from Lebanon coach Miodrag Radulović on Monday night aimed at youngster Patrick Yazbeck, who is set to make his debut for Australia on Tuesday night.
Yazbek was born in Sydney but has Lebanese heritage, and was eligible to represent either nation.
But he rebuffed approaches from Radulovic’s Cedars and is now a “more than 90 per cent” chance to make his debut in Canberra’s FIFA World Cup qualifier, according to Arnold.
“He’s Australian first and foremost,” Arnold said of the 21-year-old, who plays in Norway with Viking FK. “It’s the blood and the heart and the passion.
“His mum and dad are from Lebanon, and he’s got that in him as well. But he’s a fantastic kid. He will more than 90 per cent get match minutes tomorrow night and make his debut against Lebanon, I think it’s a great thing for him and his family that they’ll never forget.”
Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today>
It came just minutes after Radulovic claimed Yazbek should have chosen to represent Lebanon instead.
“I think it would be better to be one of the leaders in our team than sitting on the bench (for Australia), but this is his decision,” Radulovic said.
“I’m not interested anymore.”
Graham Arnold anticipated sweeping changes to the Socceroos XI.Source: Getty Images
Arnold signalled Yazbek’s likely debut while stating there would be “four or five” changes to the starting XI that beat Lebanon 2-0 on Thursday night in Sydney.
Some of the decisions have been made for him, with left wingers Riley McGree and Jordy Bos both injured in Thursday’s win, while defensive midfielder Keanu Baccus is suspended. All three have left camp early to return to their clubs.
But in a boost to the team, veteran winger Craig Goodwin is fit and ready to start after missing the first match with a virus picked up during the long trip down under from England.
“It was quite frustrating as I started the travel to come over, I started feeling a bit sick and had some symptoms on the plane,” Goodwin said.
“I landed, spoke to the doctor and went and got seen and had a bit of a virus so I had to sit tight to not bring it into the camp and affect more players and affect the games that we’ve got.
“I’m here now and I’m ready to go and looking forward to the game.”
He’s likely to jump straight into the starting side after the injuries to McGree and Bos.
“Hopefully, they’re okay. But hopefully, I can come in and fill that void that’s been left on the left-hand side now,” Goodwin said.
Craig Goodwin is set to return.Source: Getty Images
Ajdin Hrustic’s impressive performance off the bench on his return has the playmaker poised to make a first Socceroos start since September 2022, having subsequently gone through a torrid 18 months marred by injuries and a dramatic exile from former club Hellas Verona in Italy.
Now at Heracles Almeda in the Netherlands – and crucially, back on the field regularly – his return to form is a significant boon for Graham Arnold and the Australian set-up.
Arnold indicated he is likely to persist with a 4-4-2, with in-form Kusini Yengi expected to retain his place as one of the two strikers. Adam Taggart was the other starting centre-forward on Thursday, but competition for places at the head of the attack is fierce, with Arnold naming a full six strikers for this squad.
“It’s about playing the players to their strengths,” Arnold said. “At the moment we’re short for wingers and we’re playing lopsided.”
Besides Yazbek, Central Coast Mariners midfielder Josh Nisbet, 24, could also make his debut off the bench after a standout run in the A-League Mens.
Winger Samuel Silvera will be hoping for a chance to prove himself in the absence of a number of familiar faces in that role, including the injured pair of Martin Boyle and Marco Tilio as well as the fresh injuries to Bos and Goodwin.
Elsewhere, defenders Thomas Deng and Gethin Jones could get a look-in if Arnold looks to rotate his stocks.
The Socceroos struggled to create much in the way of chances, outside of a lucky fifth-minute goal from Keanu Baccus that he joked was deliberate – but really was intended as a cross.
Defender Kye Rowles made it 2-0 in the second half off a corner, but the Socceroos’ worrying inability to carve out opportunities from open play was on full display once again despite a win that moves Australia closer to the 2026 World Cup.
Even a change to a 4-4-2 formation didn’t spark much life into a Socceroos attack that has long struggled to break down opposing defences.
There was, certainly, flashes of brilliance and reasons for optimism. Ajdin Hrustic showed flashes of his instinctive, creative best – something the Socceroos have missed with the playmaker having been stuck in club purgatory for just about all of 2023, where he managed all of 45 minutes for the national team.
“He gives you that little bit of X factor,” coach Graham Arnold said. “Some of the flicks around the corner, the little chips over the top – those type of things are what we’re wanting, and what we need in the final third against some of these opponents.”
And there was the caveat that many of the players had just one training session together after assembling in Sydney, while Arnold also pointed to a Commbank Stadium turf that “wasn’t an easy pitch to play on”.
Here are the biggest talking points from the two-goal win in Sydney.
Keanu Baccus’ early goal failed to spark the Socceroos into life in a nervy win.Source: Getty Images
NO CLEAR ANSWER TO BIG NO.9 ISSUE
When Graham Arnold named his 25-player squad for this pair of fixtures, one thing stood out: the inclusion of a full SIX strikers.
Since the retirement of Tim Cahill, no number nine has well and truly made the shirt their own. There has been no shortage of good players given a shot in that position, but with focus turning to the World Cup in 2026, it remains one of the biggest headaches for coach Graham Arnold.
The biggest problem is that many of his striker options are in their 30s – and may not still be fit and firing by the time 2026 comes along.
In the current squad, there is 36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli, 33-year-old Mitchell Duke, and 30-year-old Adam Taggart, while Brandon Borrello is 28.
By the next World Cup, Arnold will be lucky to have all of them available for selection – or perhaps even a couple of them.
Kusini Yengi (25) started against Lebanon alongside Taggart – the two most in-form attackers at club level – while John Iredale (24) debuted off the bench alongside Duke.
The four each had promising moments but none made a real statement that they should be the starting No.9 moving forward.
No centre forward has scored for the Socceroos since before the Asian Cup in January – now a six-game drought.
All six of the players offer unique skill-sets, as Arnold said when announcing his squad.
“All of them bring something different,” Arnold said.
That was on full display tonight.
Taggart frequently ran in behind the defence, Yengi is strong and loves to dribble at opponents, Duke is an excellent hold-up player and tireless in pressing, and Iredale is fast and physical.
“Six centre forwards in the squad is an exciting prospect for us,” Jackson Irvine said this week, “and it will be interesting to see how that unfolds over the next couple of games.”
Tonight none of them put their name up in lights.
Arnold will have his fingers and toes crossed that one of the six grabs the reins on Tuesday and makes the number nine their own.
Kye Rowles was beaming after scoring a maiden international goal.Source: Getty Images
DEFENCE DOES THE JOB AGAIN
Thursday’s victory made it eight clean sheets from the Socceroos’ last ten matches – an impressive record in defence.
Sure, all-but-one of those matches have come against lower-ranked opponents, but you can’t deny that the Socceroos success is being built on a foundation of a strong defence – even if that clean sheet was somewhat fortunate, given Lebanon finished the better side and struck the post late on.
Harry Souttar continues to defy his lack of club minutes at Leicester City in England’s second tier, while Cameron Burgess has converted his strong form for Leicester’s high-flying Championship rivals Ipswich Town into solid performances for the Socceroos. The third centre-back, Kye Rowles, has become one of the most dependable performers for the team, even despite being pushed out to left back to replace the injured Aziz Behich.
The depth at centre-back is extremely pleasing – as is their knack of scoring goals.
“That’s what we need, we need everyone to score!” Arnold told Channel 10 with a wry smile.
Souttar already has 11 to his name for the Socceroos, while man of the match Rowles scored his first against Lebanon.
Rowles and Souttar are both 25, while Burgess is 28. The trio could have locked down the centre-back spots for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile Maty Ryan, the captain and first-choice number one, was typically solid between the sticks and made two fine saves.
While depth on at both fullback spots remains something of a concern, the defence – and particularly that core group of four players – is in rude health.
The defence was excellent once again.Source: Getty Images
INJURIES WILL FORCE MORE SHUFFLING … AND MORE CHANCES
Arnold’s selections for the Asian Cup and this pair of World Cup qualifying fixtures made it clear that he’s looking towards the future.
Asked pre-game if it felt like a ‘new phase’ for the team, Arnold told Channel 10: “Yeah look, the things I said before the Asian Cup about regenerating the squad came – hopefully – through thick and clear.
“With some of the older boys out injured in this game – Craig Goodwin, Mat Leckie’s still injured, Martin Boyle, Aziz Behich – the young ones that we gave a chance at the Asian Cup, this is a great opportunity for them.”
Keanu Baccus (25) and Connor Metcalfe (24) were both impressive after being named in the starting XI on Thursday night, while the returning Ajdin Hrustic also reminded Arnold what he can offer the team.
But a pair of first-half injuries – to Riley McGree and 21-year-old Jordy Bos – means that Graham Arnold will be forced into more changes for the Lebanon rematch in Canberra on Tuesday.
Arnold immediately ruled both out of that match, while Baccus earned a yellow card that will see him suspended on Tuesday night.
The Socceroos will have Craig Goodwin available, with the winger recovering from an illness and ready to play the second match.
“(Goodwin) is so good he’s already down in Canberra waiting for us,” Arnold said. “He’ll be available on Tuesday.”
21-year-old Patrick Yazbek and diminutive 24-year-old Josh Nisbet will be hoping to debut in the midfield in that game, while 23-year-old winger Samuel Silvera has been in strong form for Middlesbrough in England’s second tier and will also hope to get on the pitch.
While the raft of injuries to veteran players has left the squad short on experience, it’s a huge opportunity for the next generation to make their mark.
And should the Socceroos win on Tuesday, Australia will be guaranteed a place in the next stage of World Cup qualifying with two matches to spare.
In that case, matches against Lebanon and Palestine in June will become dead rubbers – and Arnold might be tempted to roll the dice on blooding a whole raft of young guns.
An illness to veteran forward Craig Goodwin and a host of injuries has forced a Socceroos shake-up as the Australians face Lebanon in World Cup qualifying (8.10pm AEDT).
Australia are back in action for the first time since their disappointing quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup, with focus turning now to world No. 115 Cedars.
The Socceroos are targeting a pair of victories when they face Lebanon tonight in Sydney and in Canberra on Tuesday – the latter officially a Lebanon home game that was moved down under due to instability in the Middle East.
Two wins would guarantee the Socceroos a place in the third stage of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with two games in hand.
Socceroos cautious of favourites status | 01:46
The Socceroos beat Bangladesh 7-0 and Palestine 1-0 in their first two World Cup qualifiers – and still have to play those two teams again – while Lebanon drew 0-0 against both nations.
Lebanon are expected to set up defensively and try to hit the Socceroos with rapid counter-attacks, with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold hoping his side can show their offensive weaponry in the final third.
“What I want to see and expect to see is some positive things in the final third … and the boys going for it,” Arnold said yesterday.
“That’s important for me. I feel in that middle third, we’re very good, then we get in the final third, and a lot of it’s down to the individual, and that’s what I expect.”
The two teams have faced off twice in friendly matches, with Australia winning both 3-0.
Craig Goodwin has been ruled out due to illness.Source: Getty Images
But it’s not going to be an easy test.
Jackson Irvine said: “These games just continually get harder as the competition in Asia gets more difficult. I think the standard is getting higher across the Confederation. All the way through, we’ve been tested more and more in these games as time has gone on.”
Should the Socceroos win both matches and book their place in the next stage of qualifying, they will be one of 18 teams split into three groups of six. Each team plays the others in their group at home and away, with the top two teams from each group directly qualifying for the World Cup jointly held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The third and fourth-placed teams continue to a fourth stage of AFC qualifying – but the Socceroos will hope to avoid the kind of last-ditch qualification journey that saw them book their place in Qatar 2022 only in an intercontinental playoff against Peru.
Nisbett not content to make up numbers | 00:54
TEAM NEWS
The Socceroos have been struck down by a wave of injuries, with three forced changes to the starting team followed by a fourth for form reasons.
Winger Martin Boyle is absent after recently suffering a sickening head knock for his club Hibernian, while Marco Tilio, Aziz Behich, and Awer Mabil are all injured.
Aiden O’Neill is suspended after being sent off in the Asian Cup quarter-final, a 2-1 extra time loss to South Korea – but an ankle injury would have ruled him out regardless.
And right-back Lewis Miller was called up to the squad only to suffer a hamstring injury while playing in Scotland that has now ruled him out.
Meanwhile, veteran winger Craig Goodwin (of English second-tier team Middlesbrough) came down sick while flying home and did not link up with the squad as he recovers. He will not play tonight but the Socceroos are hopeful their regular set-piece taker will return for Tuesday’s match.
Fans will have to wait for the substitions to see a long-awaited return for ‘X-Factor’ playmaker Ajdin Hrustic, who was stuck in club limbo for nearly all of 2023 before securing a move to the Netherlands where much-needed match minutes earned him a recall to the national team.
He played just one of the Socceroos’ 14 matches since the start of 2023.
Arnold said: “I think it’s great to see [Hrustic] back playing. I have been watching him play in Holland, but yesterday was probably the first time I’ve seen him live since, doing the training session, to see the 11 v 11. But it’s great to have him back, he brings that X factor for us that can change games and that’s important.”
Ajdin Hrustic had a nightmare stint at Hellas Verona in Italy, but is back playing … and back in the Socceroos.Source: Getty Images
Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart’s rich vein of scoring form earned him a first start since September 2022, alongside in-form Portsmouth forward Kusini Yengi.
He replaces Duke in one of four changes from the Socceroos’ last match – with the ruled-out trio of Behich, Boyle, and Goodwin forcing Arnold’s hand.
Kye Rowles will deputise at left-back for the injured Aziz Behich, with young gun Jordan Bos having mostly been used as a winger under Arnold instead of his natural left-back role. But Bos was left out of the starting line-up completely, with Riley McGree set to start at winger.
Meanwhile 21-year-old midfielder Patrick Yazbek – a Lebanese-Australian – will be hoping to make an emotional debut, while fellow midfielder Josh Nisbet, striker John Iredale, and goalkeeper Thomas Glover are also potential debutants this series.
CONFIRMED STARTING XI (Possible line-up 4-3-3, L-R)
Mathew Ryan (GK, C)
Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Nathaniel Atkinson,
Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus, Connor Metcalfe,
Riley McGree, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.
FULL SOCCEROOS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan (captain), Thomas Glover, Joe Gauci
Defenders: Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Cameron Burgess, Nathaniel Atkinson, Jordan Bos, Thomas Deng, Gethin Jones,
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus, Ajdin Hrustic, Craig Goodwin, Connor Metcalfe, Riley McGree, Patrick Yazbek, Josh Nisbet
Forwards: Mitchell Duke, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi, John Iredale, Bruno Fornaroli, Brandon Borrello, Sam Silvera
There’s no denying the A-League produced some magnificent highlights this weekend, but this moment from Josh Nisbet was not one of them.
Clearly running on tired legs, the star winger is going viral after missing an unmissable goal during the Mariners’ win over Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
The Central Coast midfielder had the easiest of chances to put an exclamation point on his team’s 1-0 win at AAMI Park when he found himself with nobody between himself and the goal.
Three red cards were flashed during the spiteful clash, which came right down to the 100th minute of action when the Victory had a final set piece from 30m out to steal a point.
Having called keeper Paul Izzo up to contest the final play, Victory had nobody at home when the Mariners cleared the free-kick out of the area.
The downfield ball landed perfectly for Nisbet to take possession 30m from goal with nobody in front of him.
He was able to dribble uncontested to the six yard box, but got too greedy when trying to tap the ball into the net and gave just enough time for Victory’s Jake Brimmer to block the shot.
Josh Nisbet missed from here. Photo: 10Play.Source: Supplied
“The Mariners are away here. Paul Izzo is out of his goal,” Channel 10’s Simon Hill said.
“Josh Nisbet just has to keep his head here.”
Cue the narrator: “Josh Nisbet did not keep his head”.
Nisbet’s right foot shot was blocked and his second attempt from the rebound went into the top bar.
The Mariners had a third effort that went wide of the goals.
Nisbet was left with his hands on his head at the end of the play.
“And still they can’t score,” Hill said.
“I do not believe it. Absolutely incredible.”
Full time was called moments later and Nisbet’s flop was largely forgotten in the aftermath of the Mariners’ first ever win over Victory at AAMI Park.
Unfortunately, social media doesn’t forget and one clip of Nisbet’s miss has more than 200,000 views.
The Mariners shored up second spot on the A-League Men ladder with the win.
Victory captain Roderick Miranda was sent off in the 80th minute when he was shown a second yellow card for pulling Alou Kuol down to the ground with a really poor tackle.
Only 21 minutes earlier, Miranda copped his first yellow for chopping down Kuol with a sloppy challenge while the Mariners forward was sprinting down the middle.
And in the 90th minute, Kuol was involved in the thick of the action again when he was brought down by Jordi Valadon running towards goal on the edge of the box.
Referee Tim Danaskos initially didn’t show a card, but the VAR called him over to have a closer look at the incident, and just 14 minutes after entering the match as a sub, Valadon was sent off too.
Ronald Barcellos of the Mariners is shown a red card. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
Central Coast’s Ronald Barcellos spent even less time on the pitch than Valadon. After raking the calf of Connor Chapman with his studs, he was initially shown yellow, but Danaskos sent him off just two minutes after being subbed in when he reviewed the vision on the sidelines.
And the Mariners would’ve considered themselves very fortunate not to be reduced to nine men as well. In the 65th minute, star striker Angel Torres forcefully leaned into Chapman’s face with his head.
Chapman hammed up the contact with a comical delayed reaction to the clash when he fell to the ground a few seconds later, but there’s no doubt that unnecessary contact was made. Ultimately, Torres received a yellow card, and the VAR saw no need to intervene for a potential upgrade to a red.
The decisive moment of the match came in the 48th minute when Torres’ menacing free kick from the left sliced through the bamboozled Victory defence before Ryan Teague scored an own goal attempting to clear it off the line.
The chance arose in dubious circumstances after Daniel Arzani was yellow-carded for tugging the shirt of Mikael Doka and bringing him to ground, although there didn’t appear to be much in the incident, and the decision looked to be quite soft.
In the 85th minute, Victory had a huge penalty shout when the ball hit Mariners defender Nathan Paull’s hand in the box, but VAR opted not to intervene as the touch wasn’t deemed to be intentional or away from his body in an unnatural position.
