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World Cup bolter Tete Yengi celebrated his Socceroos debut with an equalising goal as Tony Popovic\u2019s side drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their final pre-tournament warm-up in San Diego.<\/p>\n
Last-minute addition Cristian Volpato also made his debut as Popovic made seven changes to the starting XI that lost 1-0 to Mexico in Pasadena a week ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ufeffGet all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Much has been made of Volpato\u2019s decision to change his allegiance from Italy to the country of birth, and the Serie A winger showed his talents at times before being subbed off at half time, but Yengi stole the show.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old towering striker opened his international goalscoring account with a simple tap-in in the 56th minute after Cameron Burgess\u2019 long ball from the back caught the Swiss napping.<\/p>\n Aziz Behich and substitute Connor Metcalfe charged forward down the left hand side with St Pauli midfielder Metcalfe delivering a straightforward pass across the goal to allow Yengi to put the ball into an open net.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing feeling,\u201d Yengi told Paramount+. \u201cYou work hard for moments like this and I\u2019m happy to help the team today in my first game and first goal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said, it\u2019s an amazing feeling to be out here on the pitch a week away from a World Cup,\u201d he continued. \u201cYou can only dream of moments like this. I\u2019m so grateful for the opportunity and hopefully we can go to the World Cup on a positive.\u201d<\/p>\n Yengi was a surprise call-up, but the younger brother of 11-capped Socceroo Kusini, caught Popovic\u2019s eye with an impressive year so far, bagging goals in the J-League and AFC Champions League for Japanese club Machida Zelvia.<\/p>\n He justified Popovic\u2019s big call, however, showing he could adjust to international football as the 197cm debutant also won several key aerial battles.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first half they made it very hard for us, we had to do a lot of defending, but I felt like we grew into the game,\u201d he told Paramount+.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an intense game against top quality players, this is what it\u2019s going to be like at the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re ready, it\u2019s a positive result, so let\u2019s see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry Souttar donned the captain\u2019s armband for the first time – becoming the 66th Socceroo to lead the nation – as Popovic opted to keep his preferred centre back trio that also includes Alessandro Circati and Lucas Herrington.<\/p>\n Aiden O\u2019Neill remained in midfield too, but otherwise it was a vastly different looking Socceroos outfit against the world No.19.<\/p>\n Patrick Beach made just his second international appearance, standing in for usual captain Mat Ryan in goal, while Kai Trewin and Aziz Behich started in place of Jacob Italiano and Jordan Bos in the wide defensive positions.<\/p>\n O\u2019Neill was joined in the middle of the park by Paul Okon-Englstler as new comers Yengi and Volpato combined with Nestory Irankunda in attack.<\/p>\n The Swiss, who have made it out of the group at the last three World Cups, started at nearly full strength and they flexed their muscles early in the contest.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018I know what it\u2019s like\u2019: Truth about Volpato backflip as Socceroos legend sets record straight<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffWhy freak talent gets benched; breakout star who can rock WC<\/a> \u2014 Socceroos\u2019 likely starting XI<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n