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Tag: Lewis Miller

  • Hero’s recall amid injury carnage, with Socceroos already in China’s head — Talking Pts

    Hero’s recall amid injury carnage, with Socceroos already in China’s head — Talking Pts

    The biggest moment of the Socceroos 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has arrived.

    Weren’t we there five days ago? Yep, all of Australia’s remaining three games in the third round are likely to be played with an all-or-nothing undercurrent.

    Next up, China in Hangzhou tonight (10pm AEDT kick off) and once again it is must win.

    PROJECTING CALM WHILE THE STAKES ARE HIGH

    Milos Degenek made his first appearance for the Socceroos in 528 days last week when he was sent on as a second half substitute against Indonesia in Sydney.

    The versatile defender, now with 46 caps to his name, is tailor made to handle the eve of a match like the one that looms against China.

    Usually, a player guaranteed to feature in the game would accompany coach Tony Popovic to the final press conference. Degenek might just be in line for cap number 47 given his presence in-front of a packed media room or maybe he was sent to handle questions about pressure like Roger Federer used to hit a cross-court backhand or Ricky Ponting a pull shot.

    Those who have followed Degenek’s journey in life and football would’ve known what was coming when he was asked about the magnitude of the game. His perspective is shaped by the testing route his family took to even get to Australia in the first place from Croatia. The 30-year-old has told stories of a childhood spent dodging bombs in underground bunkers.

    “I think there’s no pressure. Pressure is something that when you wake up in the morning and you have to provide food for your family; that’s pressure. This is just joy and love,” said Degenek.

    “The fact that we do this, we’re very grateful and we’re very happy to be able to play in games like this that are of very high importance.”

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    The ‘kick up the backside’ behind Socceroo’s revival as European form sparks key WC qualies acts

    Wake-up call sparks forgotten ace’s return; Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires — Talking Pts

    Two-minute, two-goal blitz sparks key win for Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying hopes

    Mitchell Duke of the Socceroos heads the ball against Saudi Arabia.Source: Getty Images

    FITNESS OF THE SQUAD

    Popovic has 25 fit and healthy players to choose from.

    Strikers Adam Taggart (groin) and Kusini Yengi (hamstring) were left behind in Sydney and they’ve since returned to the Perth Glory and Portsmouth in England respectively.

    Mitch Duke was recalled to the squad at short notice after initially missing selection due to a lack of game time and goals at Japanese side Machida Zelvia, while Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello was sent on when Taggart was substituted at half-time against Indonesia.

    Popovic was giving little away when asked about the make-up of his strike force.

    “Mitch has come in. He’s looking good, he looks sharp and well. He’s very accustomed to the Socceroos shirt and what’s required so he’s fitted in easily,” he said.

    “We have options for [tonight] in that striker position and we have some ideas that the players are aware of.”

    SET PIECE PSYCHOLOGY

    The Socceroos scored two goals from corners against Indonesia and in the psychology stakes, defender Cameron Burgess believes that could help Australia before a ball has even been kicked in Hangzhou.

    Australian players had been used to running around the region and using their size and strength to dominate set pieces. The Socceroos scored four set piece goals from six games in the second round of World Cup qualifying. One came in each of the first four outings.

    It has led to a quirk where injured centre back Harry Souttar has the equal fourth most goals of any Socceroo that is still playing professionally. Only Mathew Leckie (14), Jackson Irvine (13) and Mitch Duke (12) have more. The defender is level on 11-goals with Jamie Maclaren. But Australia had only scored one goal from a set piece from its last eight World Cup qualifiers prior to kick off against Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Lewis Miller and Irvine both nodding home from corners signalled that a key weapon in the side’s arsenal was firing again.

    “If you look across world football, set pieces play a massive part in the game,” said Burgess.

    “They’re a huge weapon and we see it as such, and then you have the psychological factor where, if you’re scoring goals from set-pieces, you’re going up with that extra little thing in the back of your mind that we can score off this and then the opposition feel the same way.”

    The 1.94m Burgess, who plays for Ipswich Town in the Premier League, hopes China was paying attention to the rout of Indonesia and the way Australia cashed in on corners.

    “They’re obviously going to be worried about that I guess and that’s just human nature, that’s the psychological factors in how the game of football works. They’re huge weapons for us and we’ve always seen it that way and that’s something we definitely work on.”

    Craig Goodwin and Cameron Burgess of Australia celebrate a goal by teammate Lewis Miller against Indonesia.Source: Getty Images

    WHAT WILL CHINA BRING TO THE TABLE?

    The last time Australia played China was Popovic’s first match in charge. The new era got off to a shaky start with China scoring first at Adelaide Oval in October. That’s one of just six goals China has scored in seven games as the Socceroos recovered to win 3-1.

    Burgess believes Australia will have to ride out an early onslaught.

    “They came out firing and obviously got the goal as well. They’re a pretty direct team and look to do things quickly,” he said.

    “We’re expecting a fast start. The same as the other night really so we have improvements to make on that and hopefully we can start the game better than we did the other night.”

    The other night Burgess is referring to is the 15-minute period where Indonesia put Australia under immense pressure in Sydney; a period where they could easily have been 2-0 down and on the ropes. The fact the Socceroos recovered to win 5-1 showed maturity and character.

    While this game could follow a similar pattern – China sit in last place in group C and must win to have any hope of securing an automatic qualifying spot to the World Cup next year – Australia’s quality should see them through if they can take their chances like they did against Indonesia. And they will have their chances. China’s opponents have had an average of 13.71 shots per game during the third round and enjoyed 72% of possession.

    “They’re going to be coming out swinging,” said Burgess.

    “They’re playing at home in-front of what looks to be a big crowd as well. Under no illusions it is going to be a difficult task for us. We need to stamp our authority on the game and do what we can do to hurt them as well.”

    TIME FOR BURGESS TO LEAD THE BACKLINE

    Any side would struggle without the giant presence of Harry Souttar, but as the towering Socceroo rehabilitates a ruptured Achilles tendon, the responsibility for organising the central defensive trio is likely to fall on the broad shoulders of Burgess again.

    “I think I put that leadership pressure on myself a little bit anyway,” said Burgess.

    “I’ve been doing that for a number of years. I think it comes with age and experience.”

    Popovic wasn’t happy with Australia’s backline against Indonesia. He felt they “weren’t great,” on edge and “a little bit sloppy.”

    Burgess has struggled for consistent game time at Ipswich this season and while his timing and movement looked a little off initially against Indonesia, he insists he still feels sharp. Burgess’ 11 Premier League appearances have included minutes against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Manchester United to name a few. A similar situation faced good mate Souttar last season, who was limited to four games in all competitions at Leicester but enjoyed the continued confidence of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold. Burgess is hoping the national team can also offer him refuge.

    “It’s not great not playing. I’d love to be playing every minute of every game as would everyone. However, the one upside is how hard we train there,” said Burgess of life at a top flight club.

    “You get a real buzz because you’re here to play games. When you do get the chance to play it’s a great feeling. So, coming into camp to try and play minutes and help the team you get that adrenaline buzz.”

    Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.Source: Getty Images

    THE STATE OF PLAY

    Australia sits second in group C behind Japan. Three points against China will see them stay there and allow the side to prepare for the final window in June against Japan and Saudi Arabia with confidence.

    The Socceroos are on 10 points with Saudi Arabia on nine and the chasing pack of Indonesia, Bahrain and China on six.

    The reward for finishing first or second in the group is a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

    Third and fourth from each of the three groups progress to the fourth round and will be split into two groups of three. The group winners there also automatically qualify for the expanded 48 team tournament.

    The runners-up of each of those groups advance to the fifth round for a home and away showdown. The winner advances to an inter confederation play-off for the final spot at USA, Canada and Mexico.

    The fourth and fifth rounds are appointments the Socceroos are desperate to avoid.

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  • Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires; wake-up call behind forgotten prodigy’s return: Talking Pts

    Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires; wake-up call behind forgotten prodigy’s return: Talking Pts

    The Socceroos might’ve finished 5-1 winners against Indonesia in their crucial World Cup qualifier in Sydney and taken a giant step towards automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in North America, but coach Tony Popovic made it clear there’s still plenty of room for his side to improve describing the performance as “solid but it wasn’t great.”

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    Goals to Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Lewis Miller and a double from Jackson Irvine send Australia to China with three vital points in the bag and full of confidence, but all too aware that its job half done when it comes to jumping the hurdles this international window presented.

    The mental resilience the side showed to escape unscathed – albeit with some fortune – from a tricky 15-minute opening period is also a sign of growth as is a welcome surge in the way chances were finally converted into goals. This result bloats Australia’s goal difference column too and that could be one less thing to worry about come the final matchday of round three in June.

    It wasn’t all good news though with Martin Boyle and Adam Taggart coming off at halftime. Popovic revealing post-game that both have fitness concerns.

    OMINOUS SIGN BEFORE A BALL WAS KICKED

    A crowd of 35,241 packed into the Sydney Football Stadium and the Indonesian fans not only made their presence felt but had the decibel reader reaching its upper limits.

    The Indonesian national anthem was greeted with full voice by those in red and more than one Socceroos player turned to look at the raucous away end. It did not sound,

    look or feel like a Socceroos home game until the goals started flying in.

    Remarkably, the Team Garuda faithful were still chanting at 5-1 down in the second half.

    “It’s part of football and it’s what we love about it, that teams can come away from home and bring that energy and atmosphere,” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.

    “I thought our fans were equally brilliant and pushed us in the key moments of the game and gave us that extra leg up probably when we needed it.”

    A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES

    Perspective is in the eye of what colour jersey you were wearing.

    The decision to award Indonesia a penalty in the seventh minute after the Brisbane Roar’s Rafael Struick was ruled to have been fouled by the recalled Kye Rowles was

    contentious through an Australians lens, but while it was on the softer side it was the right call.

    Kevin Diks dulled the debate by hitting the woodwork. A sprawling Mat Ryan guessed the right way in any case and might’ve saved it.

    Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert, in his first match in charge, believed his side struggled to shrug off that setback.

    “If you shoot the penalty in it would be a totally different match of course,” Kluivert said.

    “From that moment we changed something in our minds.

    “We had a grip of the game. I think that we played better than Australia.

    “If you score 1-0, I’m sure it will be a totally different game.”

    10-minutes later Australia was sent to the spot after Nathan Tjoe-A-On pulled off a tackle on Lewis Miller in the box that looked more like something James Tedesco would execute on this ground in a Roosters jersey. Boyle did the honours from the spot.

    The goal helped calm the nerves after the Socceroos were let off the hook just moments prior. The side looked far more settled from that point and Australia led 3-0 at the break thanks to two more goals from Velupillay and Irvine.

    “It’s the hardest I’ve been pressed in a home game in a long time,” Irvine said.

    “There was absolutely no time on the ball in the middle of the park.

    “Once we broke that pressure it looked like we were going to score every time we went through.”

    3-0! Socceroos dominant first half surge | 01:31

    POPPA PULLS THE RIGHT SELECTION CALLS

    This was not an easy squad to pick.

    Six regular starters were missing through injury and Popovic had key calls to make when it came to his starting wingers and striker.

    As Velupillay wheeled away to celebrate with the fans in the 20th minute he had fellow winger Martin Boyle and striker Adam Taggart to thank for the opportunity.

    Boyle’s pass found Taggart whose lunging effort resulted in Velupillay being able to run onto the ball and calmly slot Australia’s second.

    “It’s a special moment for the boy,” Popovic said.

    “Starting your first game, pressure, a stadium that’s full. It doesn’t come bigger than that.

    “When he looks back, he should be really proud of that.”

    This was the first time Boyle had seen minutes under Popovic after failing to get on the pitch in the November window against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 14-goals and 9

    assists in 36 games for Hibernian in Scotland made a compelling case for selection.

    Velupillay is working his way back into form after a nasty ankle injury suffered against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. To start him in a game of this magnitude was bold. Taggart deserved his spot after five goals in his last 11-games for Perth Glory in the A-League but hadn’t even been picked in a squad by Popovic yet before this window.

    For a goal that released the pressure valve in this campaign to be created by two players who’d never featured under this manager and scored by one still not quite at

    top form domestically must be applauded.

    Unfortunately, Taggart and Boyle were both substituted at half time with potential fitness issues. Taggart appeared to feel for his groin multiple times just before the break. Asked if there was anything amiss with both players Popovic said “there could be.”

    “They both had a bit of a niggle, maybe Adam a little bit more than Martin Boyle.”

    “Adam was definitely coming off and Martin was a bit of a precaution.”

    IRVINE GOAL A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT

    Jackson Irvine is the heartbeat of the Socceroos midfield. His goals in the 34th and 90th minutes were the 12th and 13th of his international career and came on the same

    ground where he scored his first ever for Australia in 2017.

    “From a personal point of view a special night,” he said.

    “I never take it for granted being here and I haven’t played in this stadium since that night.”

    THE RETURN OF DANIEL ARZANI

    Arzani replaced Velupillay in the 72nd minute and was greeted by warm applause. It was his first appearance for Australia since a 26-minute spell in a World Cup qualifier

    against Bangladesh in June last year.

    His last minutes prior to that came against Kuwait in a friendly match in 2018. That was just before the anterior cruciate ligament tear on debut at Celtic that would change the trajectory of his then skyrocketing career.

    It took just two minutes for Popovic to call Arzani to the sideline for a chat after his introduction, but generally he worked hard in defence and looked lively in attack.

    All of this after Popovic told Arzani his effort in camp during the October international window last year “wasn’t good enough” and that his “level was really poor in

    training.”

    It appears to have been the wake-up call the 26-year-old – once dubbed the next big thing in Australian football – needed.

    Five months on from that camp and Arzani has impressed his mentor this time around. Popovic does not give out easy minutes even with Australia 4-0 up at the time.

    It was an impressive response from a player who can only enhance the fortunes of himself and his country with similar application.

    Socceroos calm ahead of crucial clashes | 01:56

    STATE OF THE PITCH

    There’d been concerns about the state of the Sydney Football Stadium pitch in the days prior to kick-off and those fears weren’t alleviated once the game got underway.

    Several players lost their footing or looked unsure on the ball. It was not ideal and hampered the fluidity of the game.

    “Tough pitch for the players,” Popovic said.

    “Very hard underneath and slippery on top. The players were in two minds. Half the players wore studs, and half the players had moulds. It was a difficult one for them tonight. It took a lot out of them.”

    MAT RYAN BACK TO HIS BEST ON AN HISTORIC NIGHT

    Lost in the euphoria of scoring five goals was the three incredible saves Mat Ryan pulled off between the sticks.

    On a night where the goalkeeper became the third most capped player in Socceroos history with 97, moving ahead of another former skipper in Lucas Neill and now only

    behind Mark Schwarzer with 109 and Tim Cahill on 108 appearances, Ryan was immense.

    He stopped Jay Idzes’ header from a freekick in the 5th minute, made a superb diving save to his left in the 53rd minute and another clutch reflex save down low to his right

    in the 84th minute.

    “I have to say I’m not surprised after seeing him when he came into camp,” Popovic said.

    “Just a different demeanour and that comes from playing.

    “You can see he’s full of confidence and he showed that when he came in. He was a real presence around the group and tonight he stood tall.”

    The fact the captain was dropped to the bench for the first three games of Popovic’s tenure now seems a distant memory. His move to Lens in France from Roma in Italy

    has been a masterstroke.

    Davidson hoping to re-ignite Roos career | 02:26

    ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AT THE BACK

    Australia’s backline was hardest hit by the current run of injuries between November and March.

    Popovic picked Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles and Aziz Behich.

    Geria, Burgess and Rowles formed the central trio of that combination, and the coach made it clear there was plenty to work on. Indonesia’s goal was well taken, but the lead-up was scrappy.

    “The goal they scored probably summarised how we defended,” Popovic said.

    “They didn’t create, we gave them chances, we gave them the penalty, we gave them the goal as well.

    “Defensively we weren’t great, we were a little bit on edge, a little bit sloppy in our defending.”

    WHERE ARE THE SOCCEROOS AT WITH PROJECT POPPA AND WHAT’S NEXT?

    Project Poppa is progressing, but it’s far from the finished article. That’s not a bad thing, but just the reality of only being in the job for six-months.

    “I aim quite high,” Popovic said with a smile when asked how far along the side is when it comes to implementing his game style.

    “They’re not where we want to be, but that’s not a negative that’s a positive. They’ve taken strides forward and it’s not easy to do what they did tonight.”

    Popovic pointed to decision making as an area that needs work.

    “How do we identify quicker what is happening on the field?” he said.

    “That will happen with more games together.

    “I felt that this camp or this window of the first game is the first time I’ve felt in training and just around the hotel that this group is now starting to build into something.”

    Now, it’s off to China for their next qualifier on Tuesday night.

    Australia remains second in group C and in control of its own fate when it comes to securing automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.

    That goal could be a maximum of three games away.

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  • World Cup hero gone, two shock returns and six rookies as Popovic names Socceroos squad

    World Cup hero gone, two shock returns and six rookies as Popovic names Socceroos squad

    Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has made 10 changes to his squad for two must win World Cup qualifiers this month against Indonesia and China, headlined by the omission of veteran striker Mitch Duke.

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    The extended 26-player squad features six uncapped players in Scotland based midfielder Nectarios Triantis, Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague, Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Thomas Glover, fellow shot stopper Paul Izzo and Sydney FC defender Alex Grant. It’s the first time Triantis, Teague, Grant and Trewin have earned a senior national team call-up.

    Popovic has also turned to two players, Jason Davidson and Fran Karacic, who haven’t been a part of the Socceroos’ set-up for some time. Davidson, a 33-year-old left back who plays for Panserraikos F.C in the Greek Super League, hasn’t featured for Australia since a friendly against Jordan in 2022. Before that, the 2015 Asian Cup winner’s last appearance was in a World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in November that year. Karacic’s last involvement for the Socceroos was during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The right back, who now calls NK Lokomotiva in Croatia home, was part of the squad for all four games and featured in the group stage win against Tunisia and the 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16.

    A raft of injuries to first choice players made picking this squad a tricky task. Goalkeeper Joe Gauci (hip), defenders Hayden Matthews (ankle), Harry Souttar (achilles), and Jordy Bos (hamstring) are all missing while Riley McGree (knock) continues to struggle with his fitness at Middlesbrough. Alessandro Circati is also a long-term absentee as the 21-year-old Parama defender continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. The only two bits of good news from the frequent medical reports came in the form of striker Kusini Yengi returning to action for Portsmouth in the Championship three weeks ago after the 26-year-old hurt his knee in the Socceroos last match against Bahrain in late November while giant defender Cameron Burgess has seemingly shrugged off a calf complaint suffered in Ipswich Town’s fifth round FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest on March 4.

    Mitchell Duke celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup match between Tunisia and Australia.Source: AFP

    The rest of the squad is a mix of potential, young stars ready for their chance and one veteran who probably thought his time had passed.

    Melbourne Victory’s Daniel Arzani gets another chance to impress after Popovic blasted the talented winger during an interview with reporters in January. The coach said Arzani “wasn’t good enough” when he came into camp in October last year and that his “level was really poor in training.” Arzani, once dubbed “the next big thing” in Australian football, missed selection for the November window and has been left in no doubt as to what Popovic wants to see from him. Marco Tilio’s impressive comeback for Melbourne City from a two-and-a-half-month stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury has also caught Popovic’s eye. Those two will be fighting to fill the inverted winger role with Ajdin Hrustic not selected. Hrustic has played just 16-minutes for Italian second division side US Salernitana in 2025.

    Triantis made himself almost impossible to ignore after a stunning run of form for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League where he has featured as a ball-winning midfielder. Melbourne Victory’s Ryan Teague adds depth to the fight for that deeper lying role in the centre of the park. Speculation had recently linked him to the Chinese national team if his exploits had seen him overlooked for Australia again.

    Triantis and Teague were picked over Max Balard and Patrick Yazbek. Balard has been a regular starter for NAC Breda in the Dutch top flight and was called into the Socceroos squad for the November window, but didn’t get on the field.

    Defender Alex Grant gets his reward for a solid run of games with Sydney FC since signing a short-term deal with the Sky Blues in February. Grant is hugely experienced and has an Asian Champions League final appearance and a Korean Cup winners medal on his resume from his time with Pohang Steelers. At 6 foot 3 inches, the 31-year-old goes some way to filling the giant voids left by the injured Souttar and Matthews.

    “It was a whirlwind start to the beginning of my tenure with the national team, and since November we’ve had the chance to review and assess all facets of our program ahead of these Qualifiers,” Popovic said.

    “We understand the importance of these upcoming games and are excited by the opportunity to further cement our position in the group’s automatic qualifying positions.”

    Australian coach Tony Popovic.Source: News Corp Australia

    The biggest surprise is Duke missing selection. The striker has been a regular in green and gold since late 2019, but despite a huge work rate without the ball, hasn’t found the back of the net with the type of regularity the Socceroos have needed to smooth their path at or on the road to, major tournaments. Duke has found the back of the net just four times in 24-games at international level since the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The 34-year-old has also played 45-minutes for J-League side Machida Zelvia this season. Goals will now need to come from the boots of Yengi, Adam Taggart and Brandon Borrello.

    There also wasn’t room for Nestory Irankunda once again despite the 19-year-old being named the Swiss Super League’s Player of the Month for February after his move from Bayern Munich to Grasshoppers.

    The games against Indonesia on Thursday in Sydney and China in Hangzhou on Tuesday shape as crucial to Australia’s hopes of sealing direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. The Socceroos currently sit in second spot in Group C with four games left in the third round. If they stay there, they’ll earn an automatic berth to the game’s global showpiece. It makes two wins from these next two fixtures vital with Japan at home and Saudi Arabia away to come in June. Just one-point separates second placed Australia from last placed China.

    “I’m looking forward to seeing the players and getting the squad together on the pitch in preparation for what will be a great occasion at the Sydney Football Stadium,” Popovic added.

    Extended 26 player Socceroos squad:

    Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Thomas Glover (GK), Craig Goodwin, Alex Grant, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Nectarios Triantis, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi

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  • Socceroos rescued in 96th-min madness as Popovic avoids disaster in WC thriller

    Socceroos rescued in 96th-min madness as Popovic avoids disaster in WC thriller

    A stoppage-time equaliser from Kusini Yengi has saved the Socceroos from complete disaster in Riffa against Bahrain.

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    Socceroos score in 38 seconds! | 00:29

    Leading 1-0 deep into the second-half, the Australians conceded twice in the space of two minutes through a brace from Bahrain substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar before Yengi’s second goal of the contest ensured the FIFA World Cup qualifier finished in a 2-2 draw.

    The point moved the Socceroos into second spot, nine points behind Group C leaders Japan, in the third-round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

    However, second place, which brings with it automatic qualification to the 2026 World remains well and truly up for grabs, with four teams – Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China – only one point behind Australia.

    While the draw was better than nothing, the Socceroos should have put the game to bed before Bahrain’s second-half fightback.

    The visitors made a dream start, going ahead inside the first minute through Yengi,

    Called into the starting side at the expense of veteran marksman Mitch Duke, Yengi pounced on a weak back pass from Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer before rounding goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla and guiding the ball into the back of the net.

    Australia’s forward #9 Kusini Yengi shoots to score his team’s first goal past Bahrain’s goalkeeper #22 Ebrahim Lutfalla during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between Bahrain and Australia at Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa on November 19, 2024. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP)Source: AFP

    Yengi should have doubled Australia’s lead in the 24th minute after being fed by midfielder Riley McGree but he was foiled by Lutfalla.

    Chances continued to fall Yengi’s way, with the woodwork denying the Portsmouth striker on the hour mark,

    A poor first-touch soon after proved costly for Yengi when he had another good opportunity to increase Australia’s lead.

    Concerns grow for Socceroos after escape | 04:44

    Bahrain then had a chance to equaliser in the 64th-minute but Ebrahim Al-Khatal’s goal-bound shot was well blocked by Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess.

    However, the Bahrainis found an equaliser in the 75th minute through a spectacular 40-metre effort from Abduljabbar.

    The midfielder pounced on defender Burgess’ clumsy attempt to control a long ball with a speculative strike that caught recalled goalkeeper Mat Ryan off his line as it sailed into the back of the net.

    Kusini Yengi slides the ball past Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to give Australia the lead. Picture: Christopher Pike/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    Worse to follow in the 77th minute when Abduljabbar netted from close range after a cross from Mahdi Al-Humaidan was deflected on to the post by debutant Socceroos defender Hayden Matthews.

    Abduljabbar was first to the rebound, with his second of the contest putting Australia on the brink of disaster.

    However, Yengi’s late goal from close range ensured the points were shared.

    Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made six changes to the side that started in last Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Melbourne

    Captain and goalkeeper Ryan started for the first time since September’s departure of former coach Graham Arnold, replacing Joe Gauci, who had been the Socceroos’ gloveman in the first three games of Tony Popovic’s reign as national boss.

    Sydney FC’s 20-year-old defender Matthews was given his Socceroos debut, coming into the side for Melbourne Victory’s Jason Geria.

    Matthews’ Sydney teammate Anthony Caceres, who made his maiden national team appearance off the bench last week, also started, being preferred to Belgium-based midfielder Aiden O’Neill.

    Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich was another of the squad’s A-League brigade given a start, with former City left-back Jordy Bos dropping back to the bench.

    Further forward, Craig Goodwin returned from suspension to displace Ajdin Hrustic from the starting side, while Portsmouth attacker Yengi was given the nod at the expense of Duke.

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  • ‘Respect the shirt’: Status quo squashed as Popovic issues Socceroos selection statement

    ‘Respect the shirt’: Status quo squashed as Popovic issues Socceroos selection statement

    Well, that was surprising. Tony Popovic’s 26-player squad to face Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in two crucial World Cup qualifiers over the next fortnight has dismantled the status quo.

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    The family, as the squad and environment were so often described under former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, has been broken up and, in its place, sits an eclectic mix of new faces and ones that seemed to be surplus to requirements.

    Others, meanwhile, are completely missing through their own choosing; as is the case with Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson, or have been excluded, where they were previously part of the furniture.

    Popovic, after taking on the role just weeks before the last international window in October, said he wanted to ensure that nobody felt they had a right to a Socceroos jersey. With this squad he has done just that and perhaps the biggest story surrounds three players who won’t feature in Melbourne and Bahrain this month.

    Atletico steal victory with last kick | 00:33

    THE MISSING PLAYERS

    Alex Robertson

    When Alex Robertson made his debut for Australia in a friendly against Ecuador in March last year, it seemed like the next 100-cap Socceroo had been discovered.

    The midfielder, who is now on the books of Championship side Cardiff City, is one of those players blessed with both tactical and technical skill in abundance and it appeared as though the battle for his allegiance was won.

    After all, with his father Mark and grandfather, also named Alexander, in the stands in Sydney that night, he became a third-generation Socceroo.

    Mark represented Australia in 2001 and Alexander in the mid 1980s.

    But Robertson is also eligible to represent Scotland, England and Peru through birth, residence and family.

    After playing his junior football in Sydney, Robertson made the move to the UK as a teenager and represented England at youth level.

    The 21-year-old hasn’t featured for Australia since a 2-nil friendly defeat to Argentina in Beijing in June last year and whether he adds to his two caps is now up in the air.

    Last month, Robertson’s absence from the squad for games against China and Japan was explained as a paperwork issue with FIFA that hadn’t been resolved yet.

    Now, it seems, Football Australia has done everything it can to resolve the matter.

    “That sits in his hands now,” Popovic said after unveiling his squad in Melbourne.

    “If he wants to play for the Socceroos, he needs to make himself available.

    “It’s an Alex decision on what he wants to do.

    “If he wants to make himself available for the Socceroos then we can look at whether we select him, but at the moment we don’t have that option.

    “You have to respect the shirt, the badge; you have to respect the honour of playing for the Socceroos and we also have to respect the fact that everyone can make their own choice.

    “Right now, his decision is not to make himself available.”

    It’s a measure of Robertson’s immense talent that Popovic went on to say that the door hasn’t been closed because of this latest development, but fans who have long called for his inclusion in green and gold, at least now have some clarity on the matter.

    Gunners suffer first loss in UCL | 01:21

    Nestory Irankunda

    The other big name missing from the squad list was that of Nestory Irankunda.

    The 18-year-old, who swapped Adelaide United for Bayern Munich in the off-season, has made a positive start to his time at the German powerhouse.

    The winger has been scoring for both Bayern II in the Regionalliga and also in the UEFA Youth League, but his output at international level has been mixed.

    He looked lively and dangerous in the last fixtures of the Graham Arnold era, but struggled in his first match under Popovic, when handed a starting role against China in Adelaide last month and then didn’t feature against Japan.

    Nestory Irankunda of Australia controls the ball during the round three 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Bahrain at Robina Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Popovic’s system, where the wingers play a more inverted role, doesn’t seem to suit the teenager. He’s more comfortable wider on the right, and so far, that is at odds with Popovic’s preferred tactical set-up.

    “It’s just a selection decision,” Popovic said.

    “We know he’s a young man with a lot of potential, who is signed at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

    “We just feel it is an opportunity for him to settle in at Bayern and get the development that he needs there and the growth.

    “We still hope that we really see this potential moving forward from him in the national team in years to come.”

    Stunning brain fade ends Villa’s streak | 01:03

    Keanu Baccus

    It won’t be a major headline, but the decision not to call-up Keanu Baccus is still notable.

    The combative, deeper lying midfielder, was a mainstay under Arnold, who shot to prominence at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 while locked in a fierce battle with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in a heart stopping round of 16 defeat in Doha.

    Under Popovic, Baccus has only seen 10-minutes of action, and that was in a largely unfamiliar right-back role against Japan, in the 1-1 draw in Saitama.

    The new coach has plenty of options in central midfield too in the form of Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Max Balard, Anthony Caceres and Patrick Yazbek.

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    THE NEW PLAYERS

    Anthony Caceres

    Anthony Caceres has often been referred to as the best player never to represent Australia at any level.

    Now 32, it appeared the chance of the Sydney FC midfielder shedding that tag was slim, but the door has finally opened.

    Caceres seems perfectly suited to Popovic’s system where those further forward are required to be comfortable and make good decisions in extremely tight spaces.

    In fact, he’s done just that his whole career.

    There was a school of thought over the years that while Caceres was technically gifted, he lacked a killer edge in the final third.

    But with three goals, 10 assists and 13 goal involvements to his name last season, those concerns have been allayed, if Popovic ever had them at all.

    “He’s been a player that I’ve admired for a very long time,” said Popovic.

    “He deserves his chance.

    “Every coach has their ideas and this is his chance now.

    Max Balard

    It’s perhaps the ultimate compliment, that after moving from the Central Coast Mariners to Dutch Eredivisie side NAC Breda this season, the local media in the Netherlands quickly dubbed the 23-year-old the ‘Australian Kante.’

    It’s a nod to former Leicester City and Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, now playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who is one of the finest ball-winning midfielders of his generation.

    Balard missed selection for last month’s window, but should now get the chance to shine, after proving to Australia’s new coaching staff that he can be just as damaging with his range of passing as well.

    “He’s had some very good performances this year,” Popovic said.

    “We’ve been monitoring him prior to the last camp, but I think in the last month, his game has become more consistent; more balanced in his play, with and without the ball.”

    Hayden Matthews

    The 20-year-old Sydney FC central defender only signed his first professional contract in January this year and has now earned his maiden international call-up.

    At 195 centimetres, he is a towering figure, and although on the surface, it looks like Matthews has been included to get some experience in an extended 26-player squad, it’s interesting that he’s on the radar of the national team boss so early in his career.

    Keanu Baccus did not find himself in Popovic’s squad. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    THE RETURNING PLAYERS

    Rhyan Grant

    The last time Rhyan Grant featured for the Socceroos was in a third round World Cup qualifying defeat to Japan in Sydney in 2022.

    The tireless right-back has seen a long list of players cycle through that position in an Australian shirt since then, but never in his wildest dreams did the Sydney FC captain think he’d be considered again.

    “I honestly didn’t see this coming, but I’m absolutely delighted,” Grant said.

    The 33-year-old, who has 21-caps to his name, thought his time had passed, and stressed that point whenever the topic of a recall to international football surfaced, but could well be the answer to the problematic position again.

    Brandon Borrello

    The search for a striker who can score on a consistent basis is just as puzzling as the absence of an established right back.

    Brandon Borrello will fight for minutes alongside Mitch Duke and Kusini Yengi.

    The Western Sydney Wanderers quarter-final exit at the hands of Adelaide United in the Australia Cup left the forward short of minutes for the October window, but with 266-minutes and two goals from three games under his belt in the A-League this season, he’s moved back up the pecking order.

    Milos Degenek

    Few people are more passionate about the Socceroos jersey than Milos Degenek.

    In an extraordinary interview at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 he offered an insight into the mentality he takes into games.

    “The lion mentality is, you either eat or you get eaten, and that’s the simplest way to put it,” Degenek said at the time.

    “I used this term before the Peru game with the boys, I said ‘there’s bread on the table’.

    “Either we eat tonight; my kids, my wife and my family eats tonight, or they eat and my kids go home to sleep hungry and my wife as well – and I don’t want that to happen.”

    Degenek has missed most of 2024 due to injury but is back on the park and played in FK Crvena zvezda’s first round Serbian Cup game just over a week ago.

    The 30-year-old, who can play as a central defender or right-back, adds versatility to the squad and even if he doesn’t feature on the field, he’ll be a force for good around the squad.

    Few people are more passionate about the Socceroos jersey than Milos Degenek. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Martin Boyle

    Martin Boyle looked out of sorts in the September window as the Socceroos stumbled against Bahrain and Indonesia in, what turned out to be, the final days of the Arnold era.

    He didn’t feature in Popovic’s first squad, but his form for Hibernian, in Scotland, has been hard to ignore.

    The 31-year-old has five goals and five assists to his name this season and could potentially be deployed as an inverted winger or striker.

    His experience will also help the side deal with the scale of the challenge in-front of them.

    A victory over Saudi Arabia next week will go some way towards rectifying the Socceroos dire start to the third round of qualifying.

    Australia is currently second in group C but locked on five points with their next opponents, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

    A top two finish in the group earns automatic qualification for the next World Cup in 2026, so the stakes around every fixture from here are high.

    Squad: Max Balard, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Jordy Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Milos Degenek, Mitch Duke, Joe Gauci (GK), Jason Geria, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Hayden Matthews, Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Harry Souttar, Nishan Velupillay, Patrick Yazbek, Kusini Yengi.

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  • Nestory Irankunda left out of Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers

    Nestory Irankunda left out of Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers

    Teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda has been omitted from the Socceroos squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, but uncapped trio Max Balard, Anthony Caceres and Hayden Matthews have been named by national coach Tony Popovic.

    The 26-man attacking squad also includes returning attackers Martin Boyle, Brandon Borrello and Kusini Yengi, as well as veteran defenders Milos Degenek and Rhyan Grant.

    Apart from Irankunda, also left out from the squad named for last month’s games against China and Japan were attacking weapons Daniel Arzani, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Sam Silvera, midfielders Luke Brattan, Keanu Baccus and Gianni Stensness, and defender Thomas Deng.

    Sydney FC star Anthony Caceres has been named in the Socceroos squad. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    “We’re in the early stages of this journey as a group and we’ll continue to implement the style of play that will be the foundation of our success throughout this cycle,” Popovic said.

    “It’s an important series of fixtures and we’re looking forward to finishing off the year on the right note, and equally, putting on a strong performance for the people of Melbourne who have shown us such great support in recent years.”

    Socceroos squad: Max Balard, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Jordy Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Hayden Matthews, Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill. Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar, Nishan Velupillay, Patrick Yazbek, Kusini Yengi

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  • Coach Tony Popovic warns Socceroos need to be elite in their preparation to back up against Japan

    Coach Tony Popovic warns Socceroos need to be elite in their preparation to back up against Japan

    Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has issued an “elite” warning to his squad before facing Japan away in another crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday having notched a significant win in his first match in charge.

    Popovic said the best football nation in Asia would test Australia after the Socceroos recovered from conceding a goal inside the first 20 minutes before beating a ragged China 3-1 at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

    The victory was capped off by a man-of-the-match performance from South Australia’s Craig Goodwin.

    ‘Extremely proud’ Popovic chats Roos win | 00:36

    “Some of the players don’t quite have the level yet to play the level we require to play twice in four days,’’ Popovic said after a winning debut on the bench at Adelaide Oval.

    “Once we get that right, I think you’ll see the players and how they performed (on Friday night), they can back that up.

    “So, if they find this environment difficult, that’s how it should be.

    “It shouldn’t be as easy as club level, that’s the environment we’re trying to create.

    Socceroos coach Tony Popovic got his first win in Adelaide. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    “Coming here, it will be hard and if you want to come back you need to be at an elite level away from here.”

    The former Socceroo said he had ridden waves of emotions since he was named as former coach Graham Arnold’s replacement, 17 days before facing China when Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes were dimming fast after earning just a point in the open two matches of the final phase of qualifying.

    “So much has happened in two weeks, it’s been a bit of a blur,” Popovic said.

    “Once I came (into the job) there was so much to do in two weeks.

    “In particular when you want to change an entire way of playing with a different system, so we’ve put in a lot of work, the focus has been on that.

    Stunning Goodwin goal gifts Aus lead | 01:05

    “Before the game when the players were warming up, I had a chat with my wife and the kids and you think this is something quite special, so (there was) a lot of pride and the family is extremely proud of me as you’d expect.

    “When the game started everything felt right, and I felt at ease with the group, with the staff.

    “Even at 1-0 down I thought we were in total control of the game, we weren’t doing enough in the front third, they had one shot and scored.”

    Goodwin was credited with an assist for Lewis Miller’s headed equaliser before scoring a world-class goal eight minutes after the break.

    The 2023 Johnny Warren medal winner handed the Socceroos a deserved lead at arguably his favourite Oval where he has been at his absolute best and scored crucial goals for club and country.

    “Special memories at this venue and I’m really happy to add to that,’’ Goodwin said.

    “This is something, I have to enjoy now and tomorrow and then we have to move on to the next as is everything in football.

    It happens so quickly, and we have to focus on Japan.

    “If we go to Japan and don’t put in a good performance this is all for nothing.”

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  • ‘Surprise to me’: Socceroos squad announced as teenage sensation named despite injury scare

    ‘Surprise to me’: Socceroos squad announced as teenage sensation named despite injury scare

    Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed concerns about the fitness of teenage star Nestory Irankunda ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night.

    Irankunda was on Friday named in a 24-strong national squad for next week’s clash on the Gold Coast and the September 10 battle with Indonesia in Jakarta, with overseas players to travel to Australia after completing weekend duties around the world.

    However, the 18-year-old winger seemingly sent a midweek scare through the Socceroos camp when he was left screaming in agony and clutching his ankle after being tackled by Joao Palhinha during a training session with their German club Bayern Munich.

    He was transported from the training field in a golf-style buggy but was later seen leaving Bayern’s training complex on foot.

    “I spoke to him yesterday, it was a surprise to me to see that type of article because Nestory didn’t mention to me any type of injury,” Arnold said in playing down the severity of the issue.

    Arnold said he was “excited” about seeing the former Adelaide United star’s improvement when he arrived in camp.

    “Training with those types of players (at Bayern), he’s just going to improve, so I’m really excited to see (his progress) … not only physically but technically as well.”

    Irankunda is among a host of wingers named by Arnold in a squad that also includes other wide men Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Sammy Silvera and Martin Boyle.

    “I have gone for more wingers this time than I did previous times and less number nines (centre-forwards),” Arnold said.

    “In these two games especially we’re going to need that type of (wide) player.”

    The three centre-forwards selected were Mitch Duke, Kusini Yengi and Adam Taggart, who was one of just two A-League players, along with left-back Aziz Behich, named in the squad.

    “Probably they’re not getting selected on form, they’re getting selected on reputation,” Arnold admitted when explaining the decision to choose Perth Glory’s Taggart and Melbourne City’s Behich despite the new A-League season not having started yet.

    “I know what great professionals they are and I know what they can bring,” he said.

    “Those two players can maybe not be at their best fitness-wise but the adrenaline rush will get them through.”

    Among those not selected was Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson, who remains eligible for senior football for England, Scotland and Peru despite having played two friendlies for the Socceroos.

    “He’s coming back from a very heavy injury. He hadn’t played a game since January, he’s at Cardiff now and he’s started playing, getting some game time and settled into the club and getting match fit,” said Arnold, who added he would be “disappointed” if Robertson chose to represent another nation in the future.

    “We’ve had him in other camps and he’s had a bit of game time … I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t lining himself up to play for Australia.”

    Socceroos: Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.

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  • Socceroos vs Lebanon LIVE: ‘X-Factor’ benched on long-awaited return as 25yo beast gets big chance

    Socceroos vs Lebanon LIVE: ‘X-Factor’ benched on long-awaited return as 25yo beast gets big chance

    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.”

    Arnold slams clubs over selfish act that could end Aussie Olympic dream: Talking Points

    Exiled star earns Socceroos recall after nightmare 18 months as injury crisis strikes

    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

    MATCH CENTRE: Live stats and more!

    LIVE BLOG

    Follow all the action in our live blog below. If you can’t see the blog, click here.

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  • Adam Taggart feels better placed than ever to push World Cup cause

    Adam Taggart feels better placed than ever to push World Cup cause

    It’s been two years since Adam Taggart last played for the Socceroos and it’s two years until the next World Cup, so the recalled striker has a narrow focus on simply performing against Lebanon in Sydney on Thursday, freed up by the comforts of home.

    Taggart earned a call-up from national coach Graham Arnold on the back of 15 goals in 19 appearances for Perth Glory in the A-League this season, including his team’s only two goals against Newcastle with the Socceroos’ boss watching that cemented his place.

    The 30-year-old again found the net in a 2-1 loss to the Wanderers last weekend, and having returned from four seasons playing in Korea and then Japan, Taggart felt like he was perfectly placed mentally to make the most of his opportunity.

    “It’s always been something at the back of my mind,” he said of a return to the international set-up, having last played for the Socceroos in September 2022.

    “Coming back to Australia was just one of those things to get back to enjoying football and scoring goals.

    “I knew that if I could get back into a rhythm, then the national team is always something that all of us want to be involved in.”

    Taggart said the glut of games he played in Asia took its toll and the load impeded his chances of being fit at the right times for Arnold to look his way.

    But a better balance at the Glory has resulted in his best form and at the right time, with Taggart and Bruno Fornaroli, who also has 15 goals in the A-League this season, set for the scoring duties in two clashes against Lebanon in Sydney and then Canberra.

    “I think playing in Asia in the four years leading up to coming back to Perth, your loads are always higher, it’s a lot harder to stay fit I found,” he said.

    “That was always the biggest challenge and you know when I was fit I seem to be doing all right, but that was always the biggest challenge and has been a big challenge for me my whole career.

    “So I think just going back to Perth getting into a good training schedule something that you know fits in with my family and the weekly routine that gets me ready for a game has probably worked really well for me and I think this season I’ve been able to play most games.

    Adam Taggart has been in hot goalscoring form for the Glory. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    “I‘ve always probably been a bit in and out of the this squad a lot, sometimes due to injuries, sometimes due to form and game time when I was younger, so it’s probably been a bit of a story of my international career, so it always means something to be back involved and I obviously cherish being in here and I’m looking forward to trying to contribute as much as I can and show what it means to me.”

    Taggart also knows injuries to others have opened the door for him and a lot can happen between now and the 2026 World Cup when it comes to selection.

    “I think there’s two years of a long time, still a lot can happen and it’s always going to be based on form and how you’re performing for the national team up until then,” he said.

    “So I’ll be trying to take this opportunity with both hands and I’ll just do the best that I can. As a striker it’s always about scoring goals, so I’ll be looking to do that.”

    FULL SOCCEROOS SQUAD TO FACE LEBANON

    Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan, Joe Gauci, Thomas Glover

    Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Gethin Jones, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar

    Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Patrick Yazbek

    Forwards: Brandon Borrello, Mitchell Duke, Bruno Fornaroli, Craig Goodwin, John Iredale, Sam Silvera, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi

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