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
The English champions did snap a five-game losing streak but did little to boost confidence ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool by conceding three times in the final 15 minutes.
Pep Guardiola admitted his star-studded squad were “fragile” and lacking in confidence after the worst run of his managerial career, while a shock stat was exposed.
We lost a lot of games lately, we are fragile and of course, we need a victory,” he said to Prime Video.
“The game was good for the confidence, we were playing at a good level and then for the first time something happened, we have problems.”
Manchester City became the first team in the history of the Champions League to be leading by three goals as late as the 75th minute, before failing to win.
Two goals from Erling Haaland, either side of Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected effort, looked set to restore some order for City.
But the defensive frailties that have been the root cause for a staggering collapse in recent weeks was exposed in the closing stages.
Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko hit back to salvage a vital point for the Dutch giants.
A draw leaves City with plenty of work to do to reach the knockout stages with trips to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain to come in their next two Champions League games.
Only the top eight progress directly to the last 16 with a place in the top 24 of the 36-team table enough to reach the playoff round.
City drop to 15th on eight points from five matches, just one point ahead of Feyenoord in 20th.
Guardiola reacted to a first home defeat for two years in a 4-0 humbling by Tottenham on Saturday by making three changes.
Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Ake came into the starting line-up but it still took City time to find their rhythm.
Nerves around a far from full Etihad Stadium were frayed when Igor Paixao wasted a big chance to give the Dutch giants the lead.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Feyenoord at City of Manchester Stadium on November 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Instead, City got the break they needed when Haaland was fouled inside the box from a corner.
The Norwegian missed from the penalty spot in City’s 4-1 thrashing by Sporting Lisbon last time out in the Champions League.
This time Haaland was clinical and smashed the ball into the net in relieving his frustrations of recent weeks.
Gundogan’s volley from the edge of the box that deflected in off Hancko gave City breathing space early in the second half.
Haaland then slid in to meet Nunes’ cross for his 46th Champions League goal in 44 appearances in the competition to seemingly put City on easy street.
But there was a sting in the tail for the home side after Josko Gvardiol’s slack backpass allowed Moussa in to round Ederson and fire in from a narrow angle.
Guardiola held his head in his hands in response and worse was to come when Ederson failed to deal with Jordan Lotomba’s near-post effort and the ball fell kindly for Gimenez to make it 3-2.
More kamikaze defending gifted Feyenoord an equaliser as Rico Lewis played Paixao onside. He eased around the onrushing Ederson and crossed for Hancko to head into an unguarded net.
City have now conceded two or more goals in six consecutive games for the first time since 1963.
There was still time for more drama as Grealish’s shot came back off the crossbar in City’s search for a late winner.
Instead they had to settle for a point that will feel just as damaging as the previous five defeats for a side so used to winning.
ARSENAL’S RUTHLESS ROUT
Arsenal extended their revival with a ruthless 5-1 rout of Sporting Lisbon to bolster their bid to reach the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side ended a three-match winless run in all competitions by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
And the Gunners built on that success with an even more dynamic display at the Jose Alvalade stadium.
Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal an early lead and Kai Havertz increased their advantage before Gabriel Magalhaes struck just before halftime.
Goncalo Inacio got one back for Sporting, but Bukayo Saka’s penalty underlined the gulf in class between the teams.
Leandro Trossard netted late on to give Arsenal five away goals in a Champions League game for the first time since 2008.
Arsenal’s third win in five Champions League matches this season lifted them into seventh place, with the top eight teams in the revamped tournament earning automatic qualification for the last 16.
Sporting’s first defeat in Europe’s elite club competition this season leaves them below Arsenal on goal difference.
Arsenal are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after their dip, but this swaggering effort suggested they are finally back in the groove.
Arteta had challenged Arsenal to make a statement against Sporting and they responded in emphatic fashion.
The north Londoners’ first away win in the Champions League in six attempts was a welcome tonic after a 1-0 loss at Inter Milan in their last European fixture.
Arsenal’s impressive performance was all the more notable as Sporting had crushed Manchester City 4-1 in their final Champions League game under Ruben Amorim, who has since taken charge of Manchester United.
Joao Pereira has replaced Amorim as Sporting boss but he was unable to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as the Portuguese champions were defeated for the first time in 19 games in all competitions.
Thomas Partey of Arsenal celebrates victory with teammate Bukayo Saka after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 26, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
It took just seven minutes for Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead. Jurrien Timber’s low cross was perfectly weighted and the Brazilian slid in to apply the finish inside the six-yard box.
In stark contrast to City’s capitulation at Sporting earlier in November, Arteta’s men were in complete command.
They picked the Sporting defence apart again in the 22nd minute as Thomas Partey’s incisive pass picked out Saka’s run beyond the hosts’ creaky off-side trap.
Saka guided a pinpoint pass into the Sporting area and Havertz timed his run immaculately to slot home from close range.
Sporting finally forced a save from David Raya when 17-year-old Geovany Quenda unleashed a fierce strike that the Arsenal keeper tipped over.
But Gabriel bagged his first Champions League goal on the stroke of halftime. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess was on show as the Brazilian defender rose highest to power his header past Franco Israel from Declan Rice’s inswinging corner.
Gabriel marked the goal with a cheeky celebration as he mimicked the eye-covering gesture used by Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres when he scores.
That inflammatory gesture briefly woke Sporting from their slumber and Inacio reduced the deficit two minutes after halftime.
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori went to sleep at a corner and Inacio took advantage to volley past Raya from close range.
Sporting needed another goal quickly to put Arsenal under genuine pressure, but instead it was the visitors who struck again in the 65th minute.
Ousmane Diomande’s lunge tripped Martin Odegaard in the area and Saka drilled his penalty into the corner of the net.
Trossard put the seal on Arsenal’s demolition job in the 82nd minute, nodding home after Israel spilt Mikel Merino’s shot.
BAYERN BEST 10-MAN PSG
A first-half header from Kim Min-jae guided Bayern Munich to a 1-0 home win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, damaging the French side’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League.
The centre-back scored after an error from PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, starting ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who spilt the ball into Kim’s path.
The South Korean’s effort was enough to decide the rematch of the 2020 Champions League final — won by Bayern by the same scoreline — and all but extinguishes PSG’s hopes of a top-eight finish and avoiding the playoff round.
Ousmane Dembele picked up a second yellow for an unnecessary challenge with half an hour remaining, with Bayern successfully shutting up shop as a result.
“It was an extremely intense game,” Leon Goretzka said to Amazon Prime. “You could see in the starting XI they were going to try and hold onto the ball and to test us with their pressing — and we pushed to the end and it’s nice we could be rewarded.” With just three games remaining, even making the knockouts is not a given for the French champions, who are in 26th spot — two outside the playoff placings.
PSG host Manchester City in January along with facing tricky away trips to Red Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart.
Bayern’s top-eight hopes look rosier after the win, which extended their run of clean sheets to seven straight games in all competitions.
Bayern now sit 11th and take on relative European minnows Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava in their remaining games.
Both sides came into the game unbeaten and six points clear in their domestic leagues but in dire need of points in Europe.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender #05 Marquinhos (L) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese midfielder #87 Joao Neves react after losing the UEFA Champions League, League phase – Matchday 5, football match between FC Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Munich, southern Germany, on November 26, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany opted for the speed of Leroy Sane over the creativity of France winger Michael Olise up front.
PSG boss Luis Enrique made five changes to his side but most notable was his decision to stick with goalkeeper Safonov, rather than Donnarumma, who had played all but one Champions League game this season.
Luis Enrique defended his call before the game, telling reporters: “I make my choices based on what I see on the pitch and what’s best for the team.” The decision appeared to pay off early, with Safonov responsible for good saves from Jamal Musiala and Sane inside the opening 12 minutes.
Kingsley Coman, the PSG academy product who scored the only goal in the 2020 final, almost broke the deadlock shortly afterwards, dribbling through five defenders and blasting just wide.
After PSG had a few opportunities of their own, including Joao Neves’ long-range effort whistling past the goalpost on 33 minutes, the Russian goalkeeper made a mistake which led directly to the opener.
Joshua Kimmich swung in a corner on the 38-minute mark which Safonov spilt. And Kim took advantage to power a header into the net for the first Champions League goal of his career.
Bayern were happy to let the game come to them in the second half but Dembele’s second yellow — his first had come for dissent — took the steam out of PSG’s hopes of a comeback.
Tillies already eyeing Asian Cup | 00:54
BARCELONA HIT BREST FOR THREE
Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th Champions League goal as Barcelona beat Brest 3-0 to climb provisionally second in the Champions League group standings on Tuesday.
The veteran striker slotted home from the spot in the 10th minute to fire the Catalans ahead and reach his milestone, adding a second late on after Dani Olmo’s goal to inflict the French side’s first defeat.
After dropping points in their last two outings in La Liga, coach Hansi Flick had urged his players to “eliminate” mistakes in their game and Barca produced a solid display.
They got off the mark quickly when Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot clumsily clattered into the back of Lewandowski after the forward controlled Pedri’s cross on his chest.
The striker dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty clinically to open the scoring after 10 minutes and bring up his century.
It made Lewandowski only the third player to reach that milestone in the competition, behind former Barcelona great Lionel Messi, on 129, and former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140.
Under Flick, the forward’s form has improved significantly this season, reaching 22 goals in 19 appearances between La Liga and the Champions League.
The 36-year-old has made 125 Champions League appearances with Barcelona and before that German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
“I am very happy, many years ago I did not think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League,” Lewandowski told Movistar.
“For me the most important thing is that we try to win every game, if I can score, then that’s the perfect solution.
“I don’t know how many games we have left before the end of the year but we have to win them all and rest over Christmas.” Barcelona were still without teenage star Lamine Yamal, recovering from an ankle problem, but Raphinha was busy on the right and the Catalans dominated proceedings.
They did not create many clear chances though until Fermin Lopez forced a fine save from Bizot with a diving header.
The Dutch goalkeeper made amends for his earlier mistake by denying the Spaniard with his leg.
Pedri and Gavi of FC Barcelona smile following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Lopez again came close early in the second half when Lewandowski put him in with a neat flick but Bizot was alert to save his low effort.
Playmaker Olmo had an effort scrambled off the line by Brendan Chardonnet as Barcelona sought to put the game to bed.
The former RB Leipzig midfielder eventually grabbed the second in the 66th minute when he received Gerard Martin’s pass in the box, showing some nifty footwork to dodge Chardonnet and beat Bizot at the near post.
Brest thumped RB Salzburg 4-0 and had dropped just two points from their first four matches despite sitting in mid-table in Ligue 1, but were brought down to earth at the Olympic Stadium.
Mathias Pereira Lage drilled home to momentarily delight nearly 3,000 travelling supporters but their joy was curtailed when the linesman raised his flag for off-side.
Barca substitute Pablo Torre should have netted Barcelona’s third when he intercepted a pass with just the goalkeeper to beat, but fired wide.
Instead the job fell to Lewandowski and he rolled home his 101st Champions League goal with aplomb, beyond Bizot’s outstretched arm.
Brest fall a few places down the table but their strong start to the campaign means they are well placed to secure at least a playoff spot, while Barcelona are aiming to reach the last 16 directly.
Flick’s side travel to last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund next, before visiting Benfica and hosting Atalanta.
Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold tried to warn anyone who would listen.
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup wouldn’t be easy.
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FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament from 32 teams in Qatar to 48 in Canada, USA and Mexico made it a harder message to sell.
After all, the Socceroos have qualified for the last five editions of football’s showpiece event. How on earth could Australia miss out with double the spots on offer through Asia?
Arnold had raised the alarm time and again about the record amounts of investment being ploughed into national team programs across Asia – teams Australia had rolled through with relative ease in the past.
His warning, in some respect, has come to fruition during this qualifying campaign.
The Socceroos are enduring another rocky road to a World Cup. The latest speed bump in the route will come in Bahrain on Wednesday morning (AEDT) where Australia can either keep their fate in their own hands or face two agonisingly tense international windows next year.
BAHRAIN PRESENTS A BIG CHANCE
The Socceroos currently sit second in Group C during the third round of qualifying but have just one win to their name. No second placed side, in any of the other qualifying groups, has fewer victories.
Second place presents the golden prize of automatic World Cup qualification come the final international window in June next year.
The only reason they are still in charge of their own destiny is because other sides have continually let opportunities to take control of their own fate slip.
Saudi Arabia, perceived from the outset as a fellow group heavyweight, like the Socceroos, have one win, three draws and one defeat.
China, in fourth place, have one more victory to their name than Australia, but have lost three of their five qualifiers.
The only pattern is that there isn’t one.
Consistency, apart from Japan who sit seven points clear at the top, has been elusive across the board.
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Under Tony Popovic there are signs the Socceroos are starting to find their rhythm. Since taking over in October he has secured five points from three games. It has been a solid, but not spectacular start.
The game against Bahrain is must win; especially with Saudi Arabia taking on last placed Indonesia in Jakarta.
The reality of their situation has breached the walls of the camp. Harry Souttar was short, but sharp when asked about it in his final appearance before the cameras prior to the match in Riffa.
“Very important,” the giant centre back said.
“Obviously you can see the table, apart from the leaders Japan, you see how tight it is. It’s a huge game for us and it’s one we’re going to try and do our best at to get the three points.”
Australia, Saudi Arabia and China all enter this matchday on six points with Bahrain on five.
The margins are slim.
KEEP THE EMOTIONS IN CHECK
Bahrain set the first dose of third phase drama in motion back in September.
The world number 76 left the Gold Coast with a 1-0 win in what turned out to be Arnold’s second last game in charge after a six-year tenure.
Bahrain not only frustrated the Socceroos via an 89th minute Souttar own goal, but also by staying on the turf for lengthy periods after any contact.
Stand-in captain Jackson Irvine believes the side let it become “the story of the game” and the teams leadership group has vowed to not let their opponents get under their skin again.
“Of course, you want to maintain that discipline and not let it rattle us away from our game, but at the same time, you don’t want to let teams get away with certain kinds of behaviour and you need to have each other’s backs,” Irvine said.
“Probably in the first game against them, we didn’t find that balance well enough.
That’s the biggest thing you want to avoid. You want that drama to not be the centre of the game. You want our performance to be the main focus.”
England thrash Ireland to earn promotion | 00:53
SOCCEROOS MUST BE RUTHLESS IN FRONT OF GOAL
The Socceroos have taken 58-shots during the third round with 14 of those classified as on target. Yet, after five games, they’ve scored only four goals.
Now, like most statistics, they can be misleading or largely irrelevant when placed in context.
The Socceroos haven’t scored enough goals, but it’s clearly not through the number of shots being taken.
58 in five games is a large number.
What that statistic, and even shots on target fail to measure, is both the quality of the chances and ones that should’ve ended up in one column or the other but didn’t due to decision making.
The Socceroos should’ve beaten Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on Thursday night and to avoid a repeat performance against Bahrain they need to find a ruthlessness in-front of goal.
In Melbourne, Mitch Duke had a chance to shoot after a superb bit of pressing from Aiden O’Neill forced a turnover on the edge of the Saudi 18-yard box. Instead, the veteran striker decided to lay it off to Ajdin Hrustic who under hit his shot into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar.
Similarly, Brandon Borrello found himself through on goal and one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 84th minute. The Western Sydney Wanderers forward opted to square it to Riley McGree instead of finishing the chance himself. McGree was thwarted by a scrambling defender.
Those two moments were pivotal.
“It’s probably when you look at them all together, it probably looks like we need to have that more clinical edge,” Irvine said.
“Whether it’s someone taking more responsibility earlier without the hesitation or whether it’s squaring the ball in the right time for someone else to have an easier moment.
“There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s just about making sure we find that clinical edge individually and collectively to be able to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Craig Goodwin’s return from suspension should help their pursuit of goals.
The 32-year-old has seven goals to his name for his country and five of those have come in the space of 10-appearances in 2024.
Socceroos survive late scare v Saudi | 03:00
FIX THE EARLY WOBBLES
The team, by their own admission, have been poor in the first 20-minutes of games so far in the third round.
A lack of possession and a low percentage of passes completed have been consistent themes.
On occasion, it has come through their own doing while in other matches, an aggressive press from the opposition has induced multiple mistakes with the ball.
It has left the side chasing games once they’ve composed themselves, in what has proved to be crucial time lost.
Having a squad of 26 in Bahrain allows training to become match simulation.
A particular area of focus, according to Irvine, has been playing out from the back under pressure. Whether Bahrain will be bold enough to pressure Australia so high up the pitch remains to be seen, but the Socceroos are bracing for that possibility given how effective it has been against them so far.
“It is a question of sometimes the players on the pitch being able to identify solutions in those moments, about trying to find answers quicker,” he said.
“That was the main focus of training yesterday. Especially in and around our box and being calm and trying to find solutions in those areas. It was a topic of conversation post-game after Saudi and we’ve looked at it this week.”
RYAN BENCHING HAS PUT PLAYERS ON NOTICE
One of Tony Popovic’s first tactical decisions was to drop long time goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan to the bench and promote Aston Villa’s Joe Gauci in his place.
Gauci, who has seen some gametime for Villa this season in the League Cup, has played the last three games for Australia. Ryan, who is yet to take the pitch for his new club Roma in Serie A, is enduring his longest ever run out of the starting side since becoming a mainstay in 2013.
According to Irvine, Ryan’s demotion has proved anyone, no matter how entrenched they may seem in the side, is capable of being dropped.
“It shows everybody how key your performances have to be and you have to be on it all the time to make sure you maintain your place in the team,” he said.
Ryan is now 32 which is still relatively young for a goalkeeper and will no doubt continue to fight for his place.
At the very least he’ll be an experienced sounding board for 24-year-old Gauci who is just taking his first steps at a large European club.
A stoppage-time header from Niclas Fuellkrug has rescued a 1-1 draw for Germany against Switzerland on Sunday in Frankfurt, ensuring the Euro hosts finish top of Group A.
The Swiss hit the lead early, Dan Ndoye booting in from close range after 28 minutes to stun the home side.
Germany took a series of risks late in the hope of an equaliser and veteran striker Fuellkrug delivered, heading home in the second minute of stoppage time.
The result means Switzerland, rather than Germany, face a tougher last 16 assignment, setting up a potential meeting with holders Italy or 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.
The Germans look set to face second place in England’s Group C, which is currently Denmark.
Heading into the match the hosts were optimistic they had turned the corner after almost a decade of disappointment at major tournaments, with two World Cup group stage exits bookending a Euros last 16 elimination.
Germany were however caught off guard by Switzerland’s energy and failed to carve out many clear-cut chances against a dogged Swiss defence.
Despite having already qualified for the last 16, Nagelsmann decided to play the same starting XI for the third straight game.
It was a decision he may regret when defender Jonathan Tah saw yellow, his second in the group stage, meaning he will miss Germany’s first knockout game.
Niclas Fullkrug’s late equaliser saved Germany from a more daunting Round of 16 clash. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Robert Andrich looked to have given Germany the lead after 16 minutes when Yann Sommer made a meal of his long-range strike, which bounced past the goalkeeper and into the net.
The goal was however overturned with VAR finding Jamal Musiala had committed a foul in the lead-up.
The Swiss had been on the back foot early but took the lead on the 28-minute mark, taking advantage of some sloppy play from Musiala and Joshua Kimmich.
Musiala lost the ball in his own half, sending Switzerland on the break. Kimmich won but then let go of possession, allowing Remo Freuler to find Ndoye who stuck out a leg and booted the ball into the net.
It was the first time the hosts have trailed this tournament and the goal seemed to rattle Germany, who were increasingly hesitant in closing out the first half.
Germany went on the attack in the second half as Nagelsmann made several offensive changes but the hosts had few clear chances against a Swiss side doggedly protecting their lead.
Man City defender Manuel Akanji stretched out to block Kimmich at point-black range with 20 minutes remaining.
Nagelsmann brought Fuellkrug from the bench with 14 minutes remaining and the Borussia Dortmund striker stepped up to the plate, heading in a cross from David Raum to send Germany back to the top of the group.
Switzerland came agonisingly close to finishing top of Group A. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
STAR’S LATE STRIKE SAVES HUNGARY IN BID FOR KNOCKOUTS
Kevin Csoboth scored in the 10th minute of added time as Hungary snatched a 1-0 win over Scotland to stay in the hunt for a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
A sickening collision led to Hungary striker Barnabas Varga being stretchered off in front of his visibly shocked teammates in the second half, but Csoboth’s late winner kept them alive in the tournament.
It was a bitter end to Scotland’s bid to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time as they were caught out pressing for a goal of their own right at the death.
Germany finished top of Group A after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, who will go through as runners-up. Hungary must rely on other results if they are to advance as one of the best third-placed sides.
Scotland came last with just a point as their wait for a first European Championship win since 1996 goes on.
Coach Steve Clarke made one enforced change for Scotland as Scott McKenna replaced Kieran Tierney, who was stretchered off with a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
English-born Callum Styles got the nod in Hungary’s midfield, coming in after shaking off an injury, with Endre Botka also making his first appearance of the tournament on the right side of a back three.
John McGinn revealed the team skipped their pre-match nap as thousands of Scotland supporters gathered outside the hotel, belting out songs in anticipation of what they hoped was a historic night.
Hungary arrived at the Euros with increased expectations after a 14-match unbeaten run between November 2022 and March of this year. They also beat England twice in the last UEFA Nations League, as well as Germany away.
Kevin Csoboth scored in the 100th minute to save Hungary. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But back-to-back defeats had punctured confidence and left Marco Rossi’s side needing to beat Scotland to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn shovelled away a dipping drive from Bendeguz Bolla that bounced awkwardly in front of him, with Styles and then Willi Orban booked for cleaning out McGinn in a first half full of endeavour but limited in genuine chances.
That was until Che Adams’ dangerous clearance led to a Hungary free-kick 25 yards out, which Dominik Szoboszlai clipped towards the far post with Orban’s header skimming the top of the crossbar.
Szoboszlai, who shrugged off injury concerns after missing Hungary’s final team training session, hammered over a strike from distance, and it wasn’t until the 53rd minute that Scotland registered a shot.
Scotland defended doggedly as Jack Hendry blocked Roland Sallai’s attempt shifting in from the left before Marton Dardai headed over from a cross.
A horrifying incident left Varga prone on his back in the Scotland area as he tried to head a free-kick goalwards while Gunn came flying out, with Anthony Ralston also crashing to the ground.
It resulted in a long stoppage as medics set Varga in the recovery position before a sheet was draped around him as he was carried off on a stretcher.
The fourth official indicated 10 minutes of stoppage time, which sparked a desperate quest from both teams to find the winning goal.
Gunn saved well from Andras Schafer and Szoboszlai, before Csoboth hit the post. Scotland defender Grant Hanley had a chance parried away by Peter Gulacsi, with Hungary racing up the other end and Csoboth steering home a cutback to break Scottish hearts.
The Matildas are confident the depth in the squad will be enough to earn them qualification to the Olympics as they prepare to face Uzbekistan in a two-leg playoff for a place in Paris.
The Matildas, currently ranked 12th in the world, finished fourth in the 2023 Women’s World Cup on home soil and fourth in the Tokyo Olympics – their best-ever finish in both competitions.
The team is intent on not just qualifying for a fifth Games, but are eyeing a first-ever medal in Paris when the competition kicks off in late July.
But first they have to get past world number 47 Uzbekistan, with the two teams meeting on Saturday night in Tashkent before the second leg in Melbourne next Wednesday.
While the Matildas are overwhelming favourites against the surprise package of Asian qualifying, there are big questions over the team’s attacking make-up given the absences of captain Sam Kerr and talented winger Cortnee Vine.
Kerr tore her ACL last month at a Chelsea training camp in Morocco, and will be ruled out for the remainder of the club season – and almost certainly the Olympics given the typical nine-month minimum recovery time for a major anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation.
Vine scored the winning penalty against France in the quarter-final shootout at last year’s World Cup, shooting her to instant stardom.
And though she hasn’t been in top form this A-League Women season, the 25-year-old has still amassed five goals and three assists in 13 matches so far and remains one of the Matildas’ best wingers.
Replacing Vine in the squad is 24-year-old Western Sydney Wanderers striker Sophie Harding, who has surged into career-best form this season with nine goals and two assists in 16 matches.
Harding was born in England moved to Sydney when she was six, and played for the Newcastle Jets for two seasons before making the move to Western Sydney in 2022.
She found out about her maiden Matildas call-up while working a 10-hour shift.
“It’s obviously extremely exciting, something I’ve dreamed about for a very long time,” Harding said in a video on the Wanderers’ website. “Sometimes it didn’t really seem achievable … I was very overwhelmed, I actually burst out laughing [when I got the call] because I was so shocked.”
Eligible to play for England – her birth nation – as well as for the Republic of Ireland through her grandparents, selecting the up-and-coming forward to secure her international allegiance appears a smart call from Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson.
Sophie Harding of the Wanderers has been in red-hot form this season.Source: Getty Images
In the absence of Kerr, Gustavsson also turned to Michelle Heyman of Canberra United – the 35-year-old forward leading the A-League Women scoring charts this season with 12 goals and five assists in just 16 matches.
Heyman last played for the Matildas in 2018 before retiring from international football after missing out on a place in the Women’s World Cup the following year, but is now in line for a 62nd appearance in the green and gold.
“With Sam unavailable, Kyah [Simon] coming back from injury … we were looking at who’s the best next No 9,” Gustavsson said. “The way Michelle has played, she deserves to be selected – it’s purely performance.
“I’ve said a lot of times, it’s not about your age, it’s about the quality you have as a footballer – whether you’re 17 or 35. Heyman has played herself into this team the way she is playing, she’s in tremendous form and she’s scoring for fun.
“And we also feel playing this type of qualifiers, when we think we’re going to play against a very, very well organised Uzbekistan is going to be difficult to get in behind. We need an in-and-out pure No. 9 in the box that needs half a chance to score. And that’s Michelle, the form she’s playing with right now.”
“I feel like I’m 21 again, it’s a great feeling,” Heyman said. “It’s been six years since I’ve put on the green and gold and to get this call-up … it’s changed my life.
“When I retired I really needed a break and back in 2019 you couldn’t use the words ‘mental health’. Since 2020 coming back into the A-League Women, I’ve loved every minute and it sparked that fire in my belly to get back into the squad.”
She added: “It’s really sad news for Sam. That’s how my career started back in 2010 – Sam did a knee and I got her spot – so it’s a surreal, weird feeling that this has happened again.”
Emily van Egmond (second right) and Michelle Heyman of the Matildas (right) in November 2018, Heyman’s last appearance for Australia.Source: AAP
The absence of talismanic striker Kerr and Vine is a significant blow to the Matildas ahead of their meetings with Uzbekistan, but also presents a strong opportunity for both fresh faces and old – Harding and Heyman respectively – to stake their claim in the squad.
And the Matildas have demonstrated they can perform without Kerr, as they were forced to do at last year’s World Cup.
Kerr’s calf strain on the eve of the tournament opener saw her ruled out of the Matildas’ first three games before two substitute appearances and two starts later in the tournament.
But in the absence of Australia’s all-time top scorer, the Matildas’ other attackers proved they could shine.
Manchester City’s 21-year-old Mary Fowler took a major step up, while veterans like Hayley Raso (Real Madrid), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), and 139-cap Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave) all played a key role.
It was that quartet that ran riot against Canada in a decisive World Cup group stage win.
But when the two teams met again twice in December, the Matildas lost twice while attempting to implement a new style of possession football. Whether that approach is adopted against Uzbekistan – and the Olympics, should we qualify – will be a key talking point.
“We are all heartbroken for Sam and shocked and devastated when she did her ACL,” Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy said.
“It’s a blow for us but we take confidence in the World Cup we had,” the 29-year-old Manchester City star added.
“I have confidence in the squad that we have. For other players it’s an opportunity to step up and show what they can do as well.”
Should the Matildas beat Uzbekistan on aggregate across the two matches, Gustavsson faces an incredibly difficult challenge of trimming his 23-player down to 18 for the Olympics.
And so the players are not just out to book the Matildas’ place in Paris across this two-match home and away series – they are also fighting for their own Olympics ticket.
Record crowd sees Arsenal WSL triumph | 00:43
“Everyone’s striving towards the same achievements, and especially for us as a team, for us it’s to qualify for Paris. It’s a smaller roster than it was at the World Cup,” van Egmond said.
“I think everyone’s in a position now where it’s a challenge and it’s competitive, and at the end of the day that’s what you want as a national team; you want the most competitive squad that’s available.”
For Gustavsson and the Matildas, the focus is on getting the job done and qualifying for the Olympics.
But how they do so will go a long way to addressing the looming problem of fighting for an Olympic medal without the team’s greatest-ever scorer.
Thiago Silva’s wife has apologised for her “outburst” after appearing to call for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino to be sacked following another defeat for the struggling Premier League club.
Chelsea dropped to 11th in the table after Sunday’s chastening 4-2 home defeat by Wolves, which followed a heavy 4-1 loss at Liverpool.
After the loss to Wolves, Chelsea’s stars were booed off by furious fans as some even chanted for the return of former boss Jose Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Serie A outfit Roma.
The club have spent more than £1 billion ($1.25 billion) on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover in May 2022 but have little to show for their vast outlay.
On Sunday Belle Silva posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.”
Pochettino said he had spoken to veteran Blues defender Thiago Silva since his wife’s comment.
Thiago Silva’s wife called for “change” after Chelsea lost to Wolves. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I’m sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact,” Belle wrote in a new post on X on Wednesday.
“I’m passionate about the team, I thrive on victories and I’m saddened by defeats.
“We all want the same thing, a winning team, come on Chelsea.”
Pochettino said on Tuesday that Thiago Silva had met with him privately.
“He came today to talk with me. I’m not going to talk about (what we said),” the former Tottenham boss said.
“He came and wanted to talk with me … that was private. That’s it.”
After Chelsea’s FA Cup replay against Aston Villa, they will make the trip to take on Manchester City and also face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 25.
Indonesia was better value than their lowly ranking of 146th in the world, and the scoreline flattered the Australians, who again struggled for fluency in possession and creativity or incisiveness in attack.
The two-goal half-time advantage came from just one shot in the first 45 minutes – the other via an own-goal – before the Socceroos ran over the top of a flagging Indonesia side in the dying stages of the match, the underdog’s plucky resistance fading.
Now they will face either Saudi Arabia or South Korea in Saturday morning’s quarter-final (2.30am AEDT). The two Asian heavyweights face off on Wednesday morning at 3am AEDT, giving the Socceroos a couple of additional days of rest which could prove “crucial”, according to coach Graham Arnold.
“I can’t answer that question on which one I would prefer to play against, but we will go and watch Saudi against South Korea,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“We get a couple of days off now to rest and recover which is crucial but overall, we’re just focused on ourselves, the most important thing is that we get our games right and our brains clear, our brains ready.
“The boys know their jobs and they can go out there and get it done.”
Son Heung-min of South Korea. Picture: Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
WHY BRUTAL QUARTER-FINAL TEST LOOMS
But it will not be an easy task. Both teams have aspirations for the title and are well in contention, boasting superstar players like Tottenham attacker Heung-min Son and Bayern Munich centre-back Min-jae Kim for South Korea, or Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal duo of veteran winger Salem Al-Dawsari and impressive wing-back Saud Abdulhamid. They both also boast renowned coaches: Jurgen Klinsmann manages South Korea, Roberto Mancini oversees Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia have been excellent in defence, not conceding in their last 256 minutes of regulation time after an early goal to Oman in their opening game. And Korea boasts a very impressive attack, though they have not yet hit their stride this tournament after arriving as co-favourites alongside Japan.
Regardless of who wins, the Socceroos know they’ll face a brutal test in the quarter-finals, with Arnold acknowledging his team has “got the job done” so far but has plenty of room for improvement across the park.
Roos top group after Uzbekistan draw | 02:14
“We can do better in every aspect,” he said. “We’ll review what we can do better… but again I give great credit to Indonesia for the way that they are coached but also the way that they played. Their style was very good.”
But Arnold did see improvements in his side’s attacking output, having had just one shot on target in both of their previous matches. This time around, they scored twice from open play – an area in which they have particularly struggled so far in the tournament.
“The improvements today were I think the individual belief, and some of the actions the boys were doing, in a lot of ways it was more freedom and more relaxed from them, and that’s what I want,” he said.
“I want them to show their individual qualities. It’s good to have a great system of play and it’s good to have great attacking patterns but I’d rather see these boys relax and show their skills and imagination, I saw that growing today.”
STARTING LINE-UP SQUEEZE
All four of Australia’s goals came from crosses from the right wing, including one from full-back Gethin Jones who suffered a groin injury and was taken immediately to hospital for scans. His participation in the remainder of the tournament is under a cloud, but the Socceroos were boosted by the return of veteran striker Mitch Duke and particularly Craig Goodwin.
The winger delivered a masterful eight-minute cameo, scoring a volley from close range before a set piece cross was headed home by Harry Souttar two minutes later.
No player created more scoring chances or had more passes into the penalty area than Goodwin in the group stage (per Opta), despite missing the final game with a knee injury. His creativity and influence is among the very best in the tournament, and he is particularly dangerous with set-piece deliveries aimed at Harry Souttar (11 goals in 26 games) and the other tall targets.
Jordan Bos of Australia. Picture: Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
But rising star Jordy Bos, who normally plays as a left-back at for his Belgian club Westerlo, has been deployed by Arnold as a left-winger in the green and gold.
It means that there’s no space for Goodwin in the starting line-up, with Martin Boyle having locked up the right-wing spot.
Bos, 21, is technically gifted and physically strong, and has plenty of attacking potential. But against Indonesia he lacked end product in the final third – which is exactly what Goodwin regularly provides from both open play and set pieces.
Yet Arnold appears set to stick firm with the youngster, undoubtedly a top long-term prospect for the side, even if it means keeping 32-year-old Goodwin on the bench.
“I know there are people back in Australia asking for or wanting to see where an impact player is off the bench and maybe that’s a good role for Craig Goodwin as well,” Arnold said.
“I thought Jordy Bos did a very, very good job. Jordy’s got that physical power but also with what we’re doing here and where we’re playing him, it’s a different role. He’s just got to get that end product right and we’ve found another really, really good left winger.”
‘THAT ROLE MIGHT SUIT HIM EVEN MORE’
Speaking to Channel 10 immediately after the game, Arnold similarly said: “`Goody’ is getting to the age now where that role might suit him even more.
“I thought Jordy Bos was excellent (against Indonesia). If one of them gives me a good 60 or 70 minutes and then (the other) has that type of impact off the bench, it’s fantastic.”
Goodwin, who has been in strong for Saudi club Al-Wehda, said he was happy to contribute off the bench but does want to regain his starting berth.
Craig Goodwin of Australia celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal against Indonesia. Picture: Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“Of course, I want to start, I want to always want to start games, that’s what every player is striving for, you never sit there and say, I want to be on the bench,” he said.
“If that’s the role that I have to do for now, because Jordy Bos has come in and he’s done really well, whatever Arnie does and whatever role he puts on me that’s what I’ll do to the best of my abilities.
“But of course, I want to start every game and that competition is what’s going to get the best out of us players as well because we’ll go away to the training track and be pushing ourselves and we’ll get better performances from that.”
There is still an opportunity for Arnold to field both players on the left flank by dropping Bos back to a left-back position in place of Aziz Behich.
It would mean – for this tournament anyway – pausing the long-term plan to convert Bos into a full-time winger, but could provide additional firepower if the Socceroos are struggling for creativity.
Arnold rejects Socceroos lack of flair | 01:08
Given the Socceroos will have a couple of additional days of rest compared to their next opponents, they will be hoping to use that physical boost to finish the game strongly – just as they did against Indonesia.
Substitutes could prove decisive in the latter stages, and Goodwin proved he can deliver an immediate impact of the pine.
So far, Arnold has been willing to gamble on a 21-year-old’s potential instead of a tried and tested veteran. What happens next could make or break the Socceroos’ dreams of just a second-ever Asian Cup crown.
The Socceroos on Saturday will kick off an Asian Cup campaign they believe can deliver the team’s second-ever title – but their warm-up win over Bahrain proves they still have to address a worrying issue.
The Socceroos laboured past a physical and defensive-minded Bahrain, ranked 12th among Asian confederation teams, struggling to break down a low block in defence that stifled Australia’s creativity and attacking output.
But Australia emerged 2-0 victors thanks to an own goal from a Craig Goodwin cross before veteran striker Mitchell Duke nodded home from close range after a cross was directed back across goal by Goodwin.
After 2023’s schedule was dominated by tough friendlies against attacking opposition, such as world champions Argentina, England, and Mexico, playing against a team dedicated to sitting deep in defence and hitting on the counter was a crucial learning experience.
“For us, I think, for us, it’s the perfect fixture to have before the Asian Cup,” coach Graham Arnold said. “You know, when we play against these types of nations, they sit back. Most nations we played against in the last twelve months haven’t really done that.
“I think, you know, they’re a strong nation that’s getting stronger, and like a lot of the Middle Eastern nations, physically, they were quite bigger than what we expected.”
For years, the Socceroos have laboured against teams that sit deep in defence, lacking creativity or incisive passing in the final third to break down packed defences.
Scoring goals is arguably the biggest weakness in this Socceroos squad entering the tournament.
Consider this: just seven of the Socceroos 26-man squad have scored for the national team, contributing a combined total of 36 goals.
Group rivals Uzbekistan have 12 different international scorers with 55 combined goals in their squad, while first opponents India have an all-time great in captain Sunil Chhetri, who boasts 93 goals by himself. That’s fourth-highest on the all-time international scoring charts behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei of Iran, and Lionel Messi.
Australia managed just three shots on target against Bahrain, but Arnold is confident that his team took the right lessons out of the match.
“You know, it’s very, very hard to train players against that type of opposition in that until you do it real.
“You saw that we were getting better and better as the game went on, breaking them down, but also making sure that we weren’t hit on the counter-attack, which they liked to do … So, as I said, it was probably the perfect fixture to have before we go into this Asian Cup. No doubt, we’ll get quite a number of teams playing like [Bahrain] as well.”
There have been some positive signs in the Socceroos’ recent matches – two World Cup qualifying wins over Bangladesh (7-0) and Palestine (1-0) in November, before the Bahrain game on Sunday.
Chief among those has been the form of Mitch Duke, who has scored three in as many games, while winger Goodwin has assisted in each of the trio of matches.
Duke echoed Arnold’s thoughts after the Bahrain game, but promised Australia ‘can be better’ at breaking teams down in the Asian Cup.
“I think we had a bit of a test of everything in that game and we got to learn how to deal with each experience. During the game when they sit in back in the block, not to get frustrated, and open them up and shift the ball side to side and know how to break teams down,” he said.
“We’re going to expect that in the Asian Cup with some Asian teams that we’ll be playing against. And they’re probably just going to try and get us on the counter.
“We can be better at that for sure. Finding pockets and maybe being a bit more ruthless as well, like when we’re in crossing areas, maybe to hit the ball in more and put it into dangerous areas.”
It’s clear that effectiveness in the final third against the low block has been a focus for Arnold in improving this team, which is at its best against teams that press high and allow the Socceroos to play in transition.
But it’s still a work in progress, as the Bahrain game attested. The Socceroos were often ponderous in possession in dangerous areas, with Arnold urging them to play faster and stretch defences.
Goodwin said: “There’s going to be a lot of times, I think, especially in the group stage where we might dominate possession, and we need to be patient, and at times, you know, have to move the ball around a lot more and just be patient for those opportunities.”
“I think it’s something that we’ve started to work on,” he said.
“That combination football in the final third, and obviously coming into this Asian Cup, we’re going to have a lot more of the ball. So we need to be very good in those areas. Be patient and be decisive.”
Mitchell Duke is the top scorer among current Socceroos, and he’s got three in his last three games.Source: News Corp Australia
Luckily for the Socceroos, as the tournament progresses they are more likely to come up against teams willing to play a more possession-based approach.
That could create more opportunities for the Socceroos in attack.
In the early stages of the tournament, however, they will need to sharpen up offensively.
But in a promising sign, right-back Gethin Jones showed plenty of promise on debut, bombing up the right flank as he habitually does for Bolton Wanderers.
For Australia’s second goal against Bahrain, Jones cantered into space and drew three defenders, which opened up the defence and created Duke’s scoring chance.
Jones said: “What we do here is exactly the same as Bolton – attacking football.
“Arnold told me that when the ball is on the left side and the space on the right in front of me, I need to just make those runs, and I’ll get the space.”
“When I get in the wide areas, I try and get as many crosses into the box while obviously doing my defensive duties as well.”
But if the Socceroos are struggling to score from open play, at least they have a not-so-secret weapon: height.
Centre-back Harry Souttar, listed by the AFC at 200cm and 101kg (other sources claim 198cm), is a man mountain – and he uses that heft from corners and wide free kicks to head home plenty of goals.
He now boasts 10 goals from 22 appearances in the green and gold, which is remarkably second-most in the team behind Duke’s 12 in 33.
Harry Souttar’s height advantage has turned him into a set piece beast.Source: AFP
But the crosses from the likes of Goodwin and Riley McGree – and Australia’s clear height advantage – could be the primary path to goal this tournament.
Besides Souttar, the Socceroos squad includes defenders Cameron Burgess at 1.94m, Lewis Miller at 1.87m, and Kye Rowles at 1.85m. In midfield, Jackson Irvine is 1.89m tall.
In attack, recent debutant Kusini Yengi is 1.89m, potential debutant John Iredale is 1.88m, and veteran forward Mitchell Duke 1.87m.
All eight of those players are taller than any of India’s outfielders, while Australia’s eight players at 1.85m or taller is more than Syria (four) and Uzbekistan (five). The latter two opponents both have 1.90m strikers – but that’s still comfortably shorter than Souttar and Burgess.
So dangerous is the combination of Souttar and Burgess at set pieces, that the pair were marked by two defenders each by Bangladesh at times – and even that didn’t stop Souttar from scoring from a Goodwin corner, just as he did against Palestine.
Cameron Burgess and Harry Souttar were double-marked by Bangladesh.Source: Channel 10
Bangladesh coach Javier Fernandez Cabrera demonstrated just how much rival teams respect Australia’s skill at set pieces, when he declared before that match: “For us, Australia as a whole is definitely one of the best teams in Asia and one of the best teams in the world.
“When we talk about set plays, probably if not the best, it’s top five in the world, no doubt.”
Australia coach Graham Arnold told Channel 10 after the Palestine game: “Set pieces are crucial, especially when you’ve got someone of Harry Souttar’s size, height.
“Then the delivery’s important and Craig Goodwin’s delivery on that corner was fantastic.”
Or there was Mitch Duke, who summed up Souttar even better: “To be fair, on set pieces he seems to be a bit of a cheat code.”
Chasing just a second Asian title after the Socceroos sealed success on home soil in 2015, it could be the key to fixing Australia’s struggles in front of goal.
The Australian squad features a 36-year-old in Bruno Fornaroli as well as three uncapped players, one of whom was eligible to play for another nation but was poached by the Aussies.
There are a number of key absences, including injured veterans and some surprising omissions, while the team represents a bold mix of youth and experience as Arnold looks to the future and the road to the 2026 World Cup.
And there’s one young gun who is the big winner from a late rule change.
Here are all the major talking points ahead of the tournament opener on January 13.
Fresh off two wins in World Cup qualifying last month, the Socceroos are preparing to chase just a second-ever Asian Cup crown.Source: Getty Images
Drastic squad overhaul as Arnold eyes 2026 World Cup
Graham Arnold has repeatedly made clear that his major focus is the 2026 World Cup – and rightly so.
Arnold said Friday: “I’ve got one eye on the Asian Cup but I’ve got two eyes on the World Cup (2026) and qualifying directly.”
Though the World Cup is the top priority, the Asian Cup stands behind that tournament as the biggest trophy available for the Socceroos.
It’s also the last tournament that Arnold has not experienced success in, having enjoyed a record-breaking 2022 World Cup with the Socceroos and guiding the Olyroos (under 23s) to an impressive showing at the Tokyo Olympics. Only the Asian Cup, where the defending champion Socceroos were dumped out in the quarterfinals in 2019, remains as a mark on his record.
The need to forge a team capable both of immediate success and long-term development on the road to 2026 presents a difficult balancing act for Graham Arnold.
The result is a squad where veterans, like recalled 36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli, have been mixed with young players – almost on a one-to-one basis.
12 of the 26-man squad were part of the World Cup last year – 13 if you count Martin Boyle, who was ruled out of Qatar through injury but remained in the camp for the tournament as ‘Chief Vibes Officer’.
That’s a significant turnover in a 12-month period, which reflects just how aggressively Arnold is approaching the redevelopment of his squad for the long term. 14 of the 26 players in this squad have fewer than ten caps, including three potential debutants – midfielder Patrick Yazbek, right-back Gethin Jones, and striker John Iredale.
It’s not the first time that Arnold has overseen a dramatic rebuild, having done the same thing when he took over the role following the 2018 World Cup. Arnold inherited a very thin squad in terms of depth after losing players like Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak to retirement.
“It was about really starting again” he says of those early days.
Five years later, and he’s got depth in spades – with the coach revealing he considered “70-75” players for selection.
While Arnold will be desperate to erase the failure of 2019 and win just a second-ever Asian Cup for the Socceroos, the squad shows a refusal to sacrifice long-term development.
It’s not an easy task – but the rewards should come on the long road 2026.
How Arnold pulled off yet another poaching raid
Of the three potential debutants in the 26-man squad, Gethin Jones is perhaps the most intriguing. Jones was born in Perth before moving to England, where he was part of Everton’s Academy before churning through a series of clubs on loan and in permanent transfers. Now 28, the right-back has established himself as a consistent performer at third-tier English League One side Bolton. Having played for Wales up to the under-21 level, Jones is just the latest in a long line of players that were eligible to represent multiple nations but were convinced by Arnold to pledge allegiance to Australia.
The list of recent recruits includes Martin Boyle and Harry Souttar, who have become two key members of the Socceroos unit, as well as Alex Robertson, Alessandro Circati and Jason Cummings (all omitted from this squad). Arnold is also confident that he will eventually win the back-and-forth over the international future of 20-year-old Cristian Volpato, who currently plays for Italy’s under-age teams.
Harry Souttar headlines the list of Socceroos stars that were eligible for multiple nations – but chose Australia.Source: Getty Images
Arnold said of Gethin Jones: “He’s one we’ve had our eye on for the last couple of years. He wasn’t hard to convince but it takes time to get through the FIFA regulations to change his registration.”
“I went and watched him when I was in the UK. Very impressive. Obviously with the Ryan Strain injury it gave us our opportunity.”
He added: “He’s always wanted to play for Australia, he has played for Wales at a junior level.”
Bringing in players at the peak of their careers – like 28-year-old Jones – means they can adapt quicker to the unique pressures of international football compared to a promising teen talent.
Arnold’s ability to convince so many players to don the green and gold is quickly becoming a trademark of the Socceroos coach, and if Jones has half the impact of Souttar or Boyle in the years to come, his recruitment could prove another Arnold masterstroke.
The striker conundrum amid ‘concern’ over veterans
No position sums up the squad overhaul with an eye on 2026 quite as much as the striker role, which Arnold labelled “a concern.”
36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli earned a recall on the back of undeniable form in the A-League Mens competition – 12 goals and an assist in just eight games. Even though the two-cap forward is ageing like a fine wine, the 2026 World Cup looks a step too far. Mitch Duke, the other veteran striker selected, is 32 years old and is a risk for 2026. Jamie Maclaren, who missed out this time, is also 30 years old. Other forwards Mat Leckie, Martin Boyle, and Craig Goodwin are also all 30 or older.
Arnold said: “That’s why I’m searching, that’s why I’m looking. It’s no secret when you look at that squad that we’ve got some older players up front that might not make 2026.”
There are the two youngsters selected this time around – 24-year-old Kusini Yengi who debuted last month and uncapped 24-year-old John Iredale. Iredale plays for Wehen Wiesbaden in Germany’s second tier, and is a strong physical presence coming into his own at the newly-promoted Bundesliga 2 club.
Arnold said that Iredale had been on his radar for many years, and offers versatility since he can play across the frontline and also in a playmaking No. 10 role.
“He’s one I’ve admired for a long time because he’s got that strength and skill and he’s starting to do well in the Bundesliga 2,” Arnold explained.
Kusini Yengi has been excellent for Portsmouth this season.Source: Getty Images
But when it comes to the veterans – including those who missed out this time around – Arnold says that he’s not running a line through their World Cup hopes.
“That’s not my choice, that’s theirs. At the end of the day, the older boys – the (Craig) Goodwins, the Dukes, the Boyles and all these – they’ve got to be performing at their club and fit.
“This is the whole reason, in a way, for Leckie that I’ve left him out. I just want him to get fit and get his body right. He does that, he’ll have a chance – I do believe he’s got a chance of getting to the next World Cup.
“You don’t rule any of those senior players out. It gets down to the club form, it gets down to injuries, match minutes, how much passion they’ve got to get there and how hard they want to work to get there. That’s the biggest thing.”
But he said: “I do plan for the bad scenario or the bad side and make sure we’ve got players ready just in case.”
Leckie has hardly played in the last six months, but Arnold says he’s still a chance of playing in the 2026 World Cup.Source: Getty Images
Olympics balancing act over young guns
When Arnold announced his squad, two players in red-hot form were surprise omissions: Alex Robertson and Alessandro Circati. 20-year-old Robertson is a technically gifted midfielder who plays for third-tier Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City, and made his Socceroos debut in March against Ecuador.
Circati is a 20-year-old centre-back who plays for Italian second-division team Parma, and debuted for the Socceroos in October against New Zealand.
While both were deserving of a call-up based on form, other factors are at play. Both are in teams top of their respective leagues and chasing promotion. Robertson, for example, could miss as many as eight games for Portsmouth if he was selected for the Asian Cup. And the Under-23 Asian Cup is also a key factor in Arnold’s thinking. That tournament takes place in April-May and doubles as qualification for the Olympics in Paris later in the year. Clubs are not required by FIFA to release players for the U23 Asian Cup, so Arnold not selecting those youngsters now increases the chances that their clubs will release them for the Olyroos team in the coming months.
Circati was outstanding on debut in October.Source: Getty Images
Arnold acknowledged there were no guarantees from the clubs around the two players being released for U23 tournaments, but said: “It gives us a better chance. I’ve had great conversations with them and I’ve got to be honest, we’ve got depth in those positions.
“What’s better for the kids at the age of 20? Coming away in a tournament situation and maybe getting a couple of minutes here and there, or staying at their clubs at this age and playing eight competition games and enhancing their future?
“We’ll get rewarded in six months’ time (in Paris).”
But on the other hand, Arnold called up uncapped midfielder Patrick Yazbek, a 21-year-old who has been in incredible form for Viking FK in Norway.
Yazbek racked up two goals and five assists from 28 appearances (all competitions) – but crucially, the Norwegian season just concluded, so Arnold is actually helping the club by giving the youngster high-level training and match minutes.
And when it came to Jordy Bos, Australia’s long-term left back, Arnold simply couldn’t leave the 21-year-old out of the squad.
Bos has been excellent for the Socceroos since debuting in March.Source: News Corp Australia
New Asian Cup rules could revive exiled gun’s career
This week, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided to expand squad sizes from the traditional 23 players to 26 for the first time ever. It wasn’t even announced in an official press release (unlike, for example, revealing the official match ball). But it’s an important change – and one Socceroo is the biggest winner.
Versatile 21-year-old forward Marco Tilio moved to Scottish giants Celtic in June for a reported A-Leagues record £1.5 million (A$2.8m), but struggled to adjust to the intensity of the Scottish League and also battled injuries. He has played just twice since the move for a total of 28 minutes. The extra three places available in the Socceroos side means Tilio can train in an environment he is familiar with, having made seven international appearances already, and also hopefully get much-needed match minutes.
“I can be honest here and say that if it stayed at 23 there was probably a good chance that Marco wouldn’t come,” Arnold said.
“But the fact that it got extended to 26, it enables us to have someone completely different that can play at left wing, right wing, number 10.
“He’s got that experience of being at major tournaments with me at the Olympics in 2021 and also the World Cup (last year). Also, I do believe this can help his Celtic career.”
Tilio in action for the Socceroos in March.Source: Getty Images
That could mean Tilio gets his chance to show club coach Brendan Rodgers what he is capable of – or potentially earn him a loan move for the second half of the season. But as Arnold says, it’s also about getting him back in form with the Olympics looming.
Arnold said: “Tilio, I’ve looked at how we can also help that Olympic campaign. Conversations with Brendan Rodgers, at the end of the day Tilio hasn’t played much at Celtic but we know what he can do.
“He can bring that bit of difference as an impact player as well and be with us to get that smile back on his face and get him ready for Celtic, but also available and fresh and fit for the Olympic campaign as well.”
Who will make the next Socceroos squad for the match against Mexico on September 10.Source: Getty Images
BELGIUM
The Jupiler Pro League in Belgium recently gained two Aussies, with former Melbourne City duo Jordan Bos and Aiden O’Neill joining KVC Westerlo and Standard Liege respectively.
The pair were some of Melbourne City’s finest performers last season en route to a premiership and grand final appearance and resulted in Socceroos call-ups for both.
Bos’ switch to Westerlo broke the record for the most expensive outgoing from Australia, with the deal reportedly worth $AUD2 million.
Westerlo have wasted no time in throwing the left-back into the deep end as Bos has started three from four games for his new club.
As for O’Neill, he has started all four games for Standard Liege as a defensive midfielder but is yet to taste victory.
With Bos and O’Neill enjoying regular game time so far, it bodes well for the rest of the season as they look to maintain their spots in Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad.
The other Aussie in Belgium is Jason Davidson, who joined KAS Eupen last season.
Davidson has been a left-back for most of his career but has impressed for Eupen as a centre-back this season and has played every minute of his side’s four games with two wins and a
Jordan Bos battling Angel di Maria of Argentina.Source: Getty Images
ENGLAND
Tom Glover, Riley McGree and Sammy Silvera (Middlesbrough)
There’s three Aussies at Boro this season, with Olyroos gun Samuel Silvera also joining the books just last month. But it hasn’t been a great start to the season, with the team failing to win any of their first three Championship matches. Left-winger Silvera has been having the best run so far, with an assist to pick up a draw last time out, and another assist in a cup win. After starting on the bench in the opening league game, he’s now started three straight games (all comps) and the 22-year-old looks set to have a big impact as he takes a major step up this season after joining from the Central Coast Mariners.
25-year-old Glover, who also moved from down under in July, played the cup game but is currently the number two gloveman at the club behind Senegal international Seny Dieng, who joined one day later. But with Boro struggling defensively, Glover will be hoping to crack into the first team – or else enjoy a good cup run to get minutes under his belt.
McGree meanwhile started the first league game but has since come off the bench in the three other matches – and bagged a goal in the cup. The 24-year-old even had a stint at an unfamiliar left-back position in pre-season. As the team looks to climb up the ladder after their miserable start, he could find a way back into the starting side more regularly.
McGree in action against Argentina in June.Source: Getty Images
Harry Souttar (Leicester City)
There’s been plenty of talk over a possible exit from the club after they were relegated from the Premier League, but it hasn’t happened … yet. Leicester sold Harvey Barnes and James Maddison for big money to balance their books, but they still need to trim a bloated squad (and wage bill!). Harry Souttar hasn’t been given much of a look-in by new manager Enzo Maresca, and an exit appears reasonably likely. He was left on the bench for their first league game and out of the squad completely for the two following games. Maresca said: “Harry’s a guy who since day one has been working very well. But because the window is open, for Harry and for the rest of the 25 players that we have, something can happen.”
Scottish giants Rangers have been linked with a move that would reunite Harry Souttar with his brother John. Without a move, Souttar seems likely to only get limited game-time.
Alexander Robertson (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City)
The 20-year-old central midfielder has settled in very well to life in League One at Portsmouth, playing all five of their matches (all comps) since his loan move this month. He scored in a penalty shootout win after coming on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy (formerly the Papa John’s Trophy, a cup competition), and has started their last two league matches. The young playmaker looks extremely classy and comfortable on the ball and the early signs are promising a breakout campaign in his first full season of senior football. Making it into Manchester City’s senior team still feels a while away, but with Kevin de Bruyne’s serious injury and subsequent surgery ruling him out until the end of the calendar year, another injury or two could see Pep Guardiola recall the Aussie young gun from loan for added depth. It’s not likely, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility – and every week that Robertson continues to impress at Portsmouth helps to build his case.
There’s another Aussie at Portsmouth in 24-year-old Kusini Yengi, a former Olyroos player, with the left-winger starting the season brilliantly by scoring four goals in three appearances before an ankle injury ruled him out until mid-October. When he’s back, keep a close eye on the former A-Leagues star.
There’s also several other Australians in England who are either in or awfully close to the Socceroos squad.
Ipswich Town duo Massimo Luongo and Cam Burgess are no doubt loving life at the minute.
It’s early days in a long and gruelling Championship season, but the Tractor Boys are in first place having won three games from three and conceding just one goal in that time.
Luongo and Burgess have played every minute of Ipswich’s campaign so far and have caught the eye of Arnold who reportedly watched the duo last weekend.
Burgess was set to be included in the Socceroos squad for the Argentina friendlies but was ruled out with injury, yet his form so far has no doubt boosted his chances.
Massimo Luongo is in the Championship for the first time since 2020-21.Source: Getty Images
Elsewhere in League One is Aussie duo Callum Elder and Kenny Dougall who are at Derby County and Blackpool respectively.
Elder came off the bench for slim minutes in the first four of Derby’s league matches and the 28-year-old left back is struggling as he pushes for a first-team spot.
30-year-old central midfielder Dougall has two starts, one in the cup and one in the league, with two more league appearances off the bench.
However, with Arnold taking a view towards the future in his squad selections the chances of Elder and Dougall returning to the Socceroos fold appear limited.
There’s also Tyrese Francois with Premier League side Fulham. Francois, a 23-year-old midfielder, spent part of last season on loan at HNK Gorica in Croatia after making one Premier League appearance off the bench. He suffered an injury late last season and it’s unclear if he’s currently fully fit, having trained with the first-team squad but not travelling with them to the USA in pre-season. He has not been named in a Fulham squad so far this season. A transfer is also a possibility, as is a loan deal, as he needs more match minutes to grow in his career.
FRANCE
Denis Genreau (Toulouse)
Denis Genreau will look to pick up right where he left off after the midfielder enjoyed a strong end to the 2022/23 Ligue One campaign.
The midfielder, who dealt with a series of niggling injuries last season, started Toulouse’s first league game of the season in a 2-1 win over Nantes before coming on as a substitution in a 1-1 draw with PSG.
At 24 years of age, Genreau is only going to get better and if he can nail down a regular spot in Toulouse’s midfield, there’s no reason to assume otherwise.
He made the Socceroos squad for the recent Argentina friendly and will hope to maintain it in the lead-up to the Asian Cup.
In France’s second tier is Mohamed Toure, who linked up with Paris FC on loan from Reims.
The teenager came on as a sub in Paris’ second game of the Ligue Two season against Grenoble but wasn’t in the squad for their other two fixtures due to an unknown injury.
Even if Toure doesn’t get the minutes he hopes for, a loan experience at 19 is invaluable as he looks to prove himself in France.
Toulouse’s Australian midfielder Denis Genreau (L) in a pre-season friendly with Roma this month.Source: AFP
GERMANY
Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (FC St Pauli)
Many have said it before, but it’s hard to think of a footballer who fits a club’s ethos quite like Jackson Irvine does at FC St Pauli.
The all-action midfielder, who dons the captain’s armband for the club in the German second tier, has started every game for St Pauli this season and will no doubt be a key figure in their push for promotion.
Irvine is joined at the club by fellow Australian Connor Metcalfe, who moved to St Pauli last season.
Although the 23-year-old showed glimpses of his quality, he never quite found a consistent run of form.
But Metcalfe has also started in St Pauli’s three league games so far as a right winger which bodes well for getting opportunities to shine.
St Pauli came awfully close to promotion to the Bundesliga last season and finished fifth, so expectations will be high for Irvine and Metcalfe to deliver if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.
Irvine captaining St Pauli this month.Source: Getty Images
INDIA
Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan)
Not many score a hat-trick to win an A-League grand final in their last game, but then again, not many footballers are Jason Cummings.
The cult hero left a lasting impression both on and off the field in a two-year stint with the Central Coast Mariners where he scored 31 goals from 50 games and earned a spot in Australia’s World Cup squad.
Cummings has since moved to India for a life-changing salary and has already scored twice for his new club Mohun Bagan in three games.
However, his status with the national team could come into question given the level of football on show in India.
Time will tell whether it proves to be a detrimental factor but if Cummings scores goals in India like he did in Australia, it will be hard to argue he doesn’t deserve a spot in the Socceroos squad.
There’s also Rostyn Griffiths in India, with Mumbai City. The 35-year-old has never been capped for Australia and has missed his chance, but keep an eye out for the Asian Champions League, where he’ll face Saudi mega-team Al-Hilal featuring Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Cummings moved to India after winning the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners.Source: Getty Images
ITALY
Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo)
Cristian Volpato finds himself in new surroundings after moving to Sassuolo from Roma in the summer window for an estimated £6.4 million.
It is hoped a switch to Sassuolo will lead to increased game time for the talented 19-year-old, although both of his first two games for his new club have come from the bench.
Volpato did chalk up an assist in Sassuolo’s 5-2 win over Cosenza in the first round of the Italy Cup.
Prior to the 2023/24 season, Arnold confirmed he would visit Volpato in an attempt to convince him to represent the Socceroos ahead of Italy, but as of now there are no indications who he will play for on the international stage.
Time will tell on Volpato’s international future, but the teen must focus on performing for his new club first before thinking about whether to don the green and gold or the famous blue of Italy.
Alessandro Circati (Parma)
After a lengthy courting process, Arnold finally convinced promising defender Alessandro Circati to pledge his international allegiance to Australia ahead of the Argentina friendly.
The teenager had the benefit of playing in a defensive unit for Serie B side Parma with legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon barking orders behind him.
Although Buffon has since retired, Circati has no doubt taken on plenty of wisdom from the Italian superstar and will look to apply it this year for club and country.
The 19-year-old was part of a defensive unit that kept a clean sheet in Parma’s Serie B opener against Feralpisalo and in their Italy Cup first round clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Bari.
Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona)
Having long been heralded as Australia’s key attacking force from midfield, Ajdin Hrustic has struggled in recent times.
Hrustic moved to Verona from Eintracht Frankfurt in last year’s summer window in search of game time but that never quite materialised.
The 27-year-old also underwent ankle surgery in early January and is yet to return to the field for Verona in Serie B after they were relegated at the end of last season.
There’s still plenty of time for Hrustic to turn things around at club level but if he cannot get on the park in the Italian second division, it will spark serious fears for his hopes of making Australia’s Asian Cup squad.
Hrustic has a lot of work to do.Source: Getty Images
JAPAN
Mitch Duke (Machida Zelvia)
The veteran striker joined Machida Zelvia in January and has had a strong season, with five goals and six assists in 24 appearances in the second division plus a cup goal. He was a regular starter earlier for most of the year but has come off the bench in the last four games for the team currently six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. His team still has 12 matches to play as they chase promotion.
Socceroos star Duke and Lionel Messi shake hands at the World Cup.Source: Getty Images
Mitch Langerak (Nagoya Grampus)
Langerak is having yet another fantastic season for top-flight side Nagoya Grampus. The entrenched starting goalkeeper has played 28 games in all competitions with just 23 goals conceded and 11 clean sheets. He was a shock omission from last year’s World Cup and at 35 years old appears to be on the outer of the national team, but is consistently performing at the top level and could fill in for the Socceroos at any point. Nagoya are third on the ladder, five points off the lead.
Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata)
Deng is also in the top flight with Albirex Niigata, the 14th-placed team. It’s been an up and down season (which began in February) for the 26-year-old central defender. From late May to early June he dropped out of the squad completely, but regained his place for seven-straight starting appearances before a stint off the bench last time out. Overall he’s made 21 appearances in all competitions this year. If he can lock down that place in the starting XI, he’ll continue to press his case for a spot in the Socceroos’ defensive line.
KOREA
Harrison Delbridge (Incheon United)
Delbridge continues to be a mainstay in the backline for Korean side Incheon United, starting 19 of 27 league games this season.
His impressive form last year earned a call-up to the Socceroos for the double-header against New Zealand where he made his international debut.
However, Delbridge likely faces an uphill battle to break back into the team with the likes of Souttar, Kye Rowles and Circati ahead of him in the pecking order.
Delbridge for the Socceroos in September last year.Source: Getty Images
NETHERLANDS
Garang Kuol (Volendam, on loan from Newcastle)
18-year-old Kuol had a difficult first season in Europe, making just nine appearances for Hearts in Scotland on loan from Premier League side Newcastle – and almost all of them coming off the bench. Now he’s been sent to Volendam, a renowned nursery for young players, to get more minutes and continue his development. He got 24 minutes in their first league match of the season but was left out of the squad for the second match. Coach Matthias Kohler said: “We have to be patient with him. That is simply the case with a young player who comes from a foreign competition.”
Despite his limited minutes at club-land, he picked up his first Socceroos goal against Ecuador in March.
This will be a big season for Kuol’s growth, and getting as many minutes as possible is crucial.
Kuol celebrates his first goal for the Socceroos in March.Source: Getty Images
Mat Ryan (AZ Alkmaar)
The 31-year-old gloveman is the settled number one at AZ Alkmaar, having joined the Dutch club in January. The Socceroos skipper has had a great start to the season, with two clean sheets in his first five matches – four wins and a draw. Their two league wins and a +6 goal difference has them top of the Eredivisie league ladder, having finished a strong fourth last season.
On Friday morning, his side continued their bid to reach the third-tier European continental competition – the Europa Conference League – with a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Brann of Norway. Ryan made five saves in another strong showing.
NORWAY
Gianni Stensness (Viking FC)
The 24-year-old centre-back/defensive midfielder had been in fine form in recent months, earning himself a first Socceroos call-up in 12 months against Argentina in June. But things came crashing down when he tore his ACL in training later that month. He’ll be out until the end of the year.
But young Aussie teammate Patrick Yazbek, 21, is having a sensational season, bagging one goal and five assists in 18 appearances (all comps). The centre-midfielder looks to be a key figure in the Olyroos team aiming to reach the Paris Olympics.
Rounding out the Australian trio at Viking is Nick D’Agostino, although the striker has largely been consigned to an impact role off the bench.
The Heart of Midlothian contingent again features FOUR Aussies this season, although Garang Kuol has been replaced this year by another young gun Calem Nieuwenhof.
The team is third in the league after two rounds, with a win and a draw, and are also competing in the Europa Conference League play-offs, where they suffered a 2-1 first-leg loss to Greek league leaders PAOK on Friday morning.
Right-back Nathaniel Atkinson has started five games so far including that defeat, after a very strong finish to last season after a rollercoaster year saw him bounce in an out of the side but mostly feature off the bench. Early signs are very promising for the 24-year-old as he looks to take a step up in his career.
25-year-old Kye Rowles has played every minute of their six games in centre-back and is a lock to start. He’ll be hoping to avoid another injury like the metatarsal fracture he suffered in September last year that threatened his World Cup hopes. Luckily he returned in time to star in Qatar and quickly nail down his place in the Hearts’ starting side after that – and this season promises another strong campaign.
Cameron Devlin has enjoyed a bright start to the season.Source: Getty Images
Cammy Devlin bagged a brace in the Europa Conference League play-offs a week ago and has started five matches already, coming off the back of a breakout 41-game season last time around. With Aaron Mooy’s retirement, he’ll back himself to step up and fill the gap in the midfield – and his early form certainly boosts his case.
Calem Nieuwenhof, 22, made the move to Scotland on the back of a truly outstanding individual campaign for the Western Sydney Wanderers. The versatile midfielder is on a four-year contract and has plenty of time to grow, but appears to have settled well after a transfer he called an ‘easy decision’. He started their first league game in an attacking midfield role and a cup game in a defensive midfield position, and his ability to play in different roles is a key reason he should feature plenty off the bench, if not force his way into the starting team.
Devlin celebrating his brace.Source: Getty Images
Marco Tilio (Celtic)
Tilio broke the record for an outbound transfer from Australian shores at the start of July when he left Melbourne City for the Scottish giants for a fee over $2 million Australian. The youngster who turned 22 this month is however still recovering from an unknown injury that he suffered on Olyroos duty in June, with Celtic coach Brendan Rogers revealing last month that Tilio would miss the first few weeks of the season.
It will take him some time to get up to speed with the intensity of Scottish football and life at the champions. With the likes of Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda on the wings at the club, he’ll find it hard to break into the first team as a regular starter, but he’s got plenty of promise and will look to show what he can do off the bench at first.
Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain (St Mirren)
Last season was Keanu Baccus’ first in Scotland after joining St Mirren from Western Sydney Wanderers, and he racked up 36 appearances. That led to St Mirren agreeing a reported £275,000 sale to Bolton in England’s League One (third tier). But the deal fell through – reportedly due to difficulties obtaining a work permit – and reported interest from Scottish rivals Hibernian never eventuated.
The 25-year-old has played every minute of the club’s two league games already – both wins – and has also picked up one assist in three League Cup matches.
His physicality and hard work continues to impress in the rough-and-tumble Scottish Premiership, and he’ll hope to guide St Mirren to better than last year’s sixth placed this time around, especially after they struggled at the dying stages of last season.
With just one year left on his contract, St Mirren will definitely be looking to lock him down on a fresh deal so they can cash in when bigger clubs (almost inevitably) come calling.
And Baccus continues to go from strength to strength for the Socceroos, playing the full game against Argentina in June. With Aaron Mooy’s retirement, coach Graham Arnold could turn to another Scotland-based player in Baccus to step up at the base of the midfield.
Baccus battling Argentina in June’s friendly.Source: Getty Images
Like his club teammate Baccus, Ryan Strain had a standout season in his maiden campaign in Scotland. The right back is receiving interest this transfer window, and a deal could easily still happen before the window closes.
But manager Stephen Robinson said last month that the club had ‘no bids or offers’ for the player, claiming that meant other clubs were “not realising how good a player” he is.
“Long may it continue,” the St Mirren boss told BBC Scotland.
“We don’t want to let him go. We don’t need to sell, we’re not in the [financial] position we were in last year.
“Ryan’s done terrifically well. He’s a very, very good footballer if he doesn’t complicate the game.”
He’s started five cup games and bagged four assists already, and also started both league games in a sensational start to the season.
Scottish journalists are raving about the 26-year-old, with many declaring him the best right wing-back in the league outside of the ‘big two’ of Celtic and Rangers.
He only debuted for Australia last September and missed the World Cup, but the 26-year-old is arguably the most in-form Socceroo in the world right now.
Like Baccus, he also is in the final year of his contract, and St Mirren will make handing him a new deal a priority so as not to lose him for free at season’s end.
It looks like an all-Scottish league battle for Australia’s right back spot between Strain and Atkinson.Source: Getty Images
Martin Boyle, Jimmy Jeggo, Lewis Miller (Hibernian)
Martin Boyle is back! Earlier this month, the 30-year-old winger scored a brace in his first competitive fixture since October 2022, when he underwent surgery on an historical ACL injury. He had said days before that the team’s physios must “hate him,” given how hard he was pushing to return ahead of schedule. All up, he’s now had seven starts for three goals. He’s still not fully fit, but signs are promising that he’ll return to his best.
Jimmy Jeggo has been battling for a spot in the first team at Hibs, making two starts and five bench appearances so far this season. He joined the club in late January and played 17 times in all competitions last season, starting every single one of those games. But Hibernian signed 22-year-old Wales international Dylan Levitt in July, a former Manchester United academy player, and the pair look set to battle for starting duties in the coming weeks.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Lewis Miller, the 22-year-old right back who hasn’t yet played for the Socceroos but has featured for the Under-23 Olyroos. Miller is in his second season with Hibernian, but looks set for far more game time this campaign.
However, he’ll have to improve his game after a torrid showing in Hibs’ 5-0 loss to Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff clash at Easter Road, where three of the goals came from Miller’s flank.
SERBIA
Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade)
Degenek is back for a third stint at his boyhood club, having spent 18 months in the US. With three starts, three wins, and three clean sheets – and the team not conceding after he came off the bench in the other league match – it’s been a perfect opening to the new campaign. The 29-year-old has fit right back in, and looks like he’s cemented himself as one of the first-choice options at the heart of defence. He’ll also get the chance to play in the Champions League once again.
Interestingly, six-time reigning champions Red Star are playing a three-man backline this campaign, which could give Arnold room to change up his Socceroos defensive structure.
Degenek is in good form at the start of the new season.Source: Getty Images
SINGAPORE
Bailey Wright (Lion City Sailors)
In a move that caught many by surprise, Bailey Wright left Sunderland a year early to join Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors.
The switch to Singapore brings and end to Wright’s time in England where he had played since 2010.
Wright confirmed he had received offers from clubs in England and even from the A-League, but turned it down in pursuit of a new challenge in Singapore.
Having made the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, the decision to move to Singapore is a curious one.
But the 30-year-old has earned the opportunity to pursue a switch for financial reasons and could still venture down to the A-League at some stage in the future.
SWITZERLAND
Awer Mabil (Grasshopper Club Zurich)
The pacy winger will play in a seventh European country this season after signing a deal at Swiss side Grasshoppers.
The team is the most successful in Swiss history, but haven’t won the league in two decades and have struggled in recent years – finishing eighth and seventh in the last two seasons after returning to the top flight after a couple of years in the second division.
They’ve started the new campaign poorly with just one win and one draw from their first four games, meaning Mabil has a great opportunity to cement a spot in the line-up.
It is a much-needed move for the Aussie with 32 international caps and nine goals to his name. Having struggled for game time at Cadiz in Spain’s La Liga (six appearances), he moved to Czechia for the latter half of last season with Sparta Prague, but 15 of his 16 appearances came off the bench. He scored twice (both penalties) and added three assists.
Ahead of his 28th birthday next month, he’ll hope for regular minutes to return to top form. The deal is for two years with an option for a third.
QATAR
Trent Sainsbury (Al Wakrah)
Having been left out of the Socceroos squad for the World Cup, many felt it was the end of the road in the national team for 31-year-old Trent Sainsbury.
Whether he can force his way back into contention remains to be seen, but starting for Qatari side Al Wakrah will give him the best chance possible for that.
Sainsbury started and kept a clean sheet in his side’s Qatar Stars League opener against Muaither SC as Al Wakrah ran out 3-0 winners.
But no matter how often he plays in Qatar, Sainsbury has plenty of bodies in front of him if he is to return to the heart of the Socceroos backline.
Sainsbury’s last Socceroos match in September 2022.Source: Getty Images
WHO ELSE?
Left-back Brad Smith is in the USA for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, where he’s scored two goals in 15 appearances (all comps). But he’s struggling to lock in a spot in the first team and a recall to the Socceroos looks unlikely.
Meanwhile, Tom Rogic is without a club after leaving West Brom in May after a difficult season. He turned down an optional one-season extension on his contract and has not yet found a new club. It mirrors what happened 12 months ago, when he left Celtic but didn’t find a new club – West Brom – until September. This time around, the 30-year-old might look for an easier challenge, including a possible return down under.
