Captain Mat Ryan axed from Socceroos squad for Brazil games / Photo: Saeed KHAN - AFP
Captain Mat Ryan axed from Socceroos squad for Brazil games
Veteran goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan was axed Friday as Australia coach Tony Popovic omitted 10 members of his World Cup squad for two friendlies against Brazil.
Another major absentee was striker Cristian Volpato, who was fined this month after testing positive for cocaine, although he is reportedly carrying a hamstring injury.
Levante goalkeeper Ryan, who has made a strong start to the La Liga season, lost his place to Patrick Beach during the World Cup.
The uncapped Jacob Chapman replaces the 34-year-old, joining Beach and Paul Izzo in the 26-man squad.
Cameron Burgess, Ajdin Hrustic, Cameron Devlin, Nishan Velupillay, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie and Kai Trewin were also left out, while Jordan Bos is unavailable due to a knee injury.
"We have picked a squad with an eye on the Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it's a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team," said Popovic.
"We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in World Cup history.
"We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament."
The Asian Cup is due to kick off in Saudi Arabia on January 7.
Volpato, who plays for Serie A side Sassuolo, was fined this month after failing a roadside test for cocaine in July after he was pulled over for speeding in Sydney.
The 22-year-old has denied knowingly taking the drug.
Among the squad for games in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane four days later are seven potential debutants including Gamba Osaka's Eli Adams and Queens Park Rangers' Kealey Adamson.
Brazil have named a strong squad with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Estevao all included.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach (Troyes/FRA), Jacob Chapman (St Mirren/SCO), Paul Izzo (Randers FC/DEN)
Defenders: Kealey Adamson (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City/AUS), Kasey Bos (Excelsior Rotterdam/NED), Alessandro Circati (Benfica/POR), Milos Degenek (Apoel FC/CYP), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata/JPN), Lucas Herrington (Hull City/ENG), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK/AUT), Dylan Leonard (Alemannia Aachen/GER), Harry Souttar (Leicester City/ENG)
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka/JPN), , Riley McGree (Middlesbrough/ENG), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli/GER), Aiden O'Neill (New York City/USA), Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Koln/GER), Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City/WAL), Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC/USA)
Forwards: Eli Adams (Gamba Osaka/JPN), Yaya Dukuly (NK Celje/SLO), Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP/POR), Mohamed Toure (Norwich City/ENG), Tete Yengi (FC Machida Zelvia/JPN), Marcus Younis (Brondby/DEN)
K.Nohea--HStB
