Maty Ryan's potential move to RC Lens offers a renewed chance for the Socceroos goalkeeper. Coach Tony Popovic praises Ryan's professionalism while navigating a defensive crisis following Harry Souttar's injury.
Soccer oo's coach Tony Popovic has commended skipper Maty Ryan for his professional conduct following his demotion from the national team. Ryan, 32, is on the verge of a move to French club RC Lens, where he is expected to reclaim his starting position as goalkeeper. His lack of regular game time at previous clubs had led to his exclusion from the Soccer oos squad under Popovic, who initially opted for Aston Villa's backup goalkeeper Joe Gauci .
While Popovic maintains that there is no hard and fast rule requiring players to play regularly at club level to be considered for the Socceroos, he has praised Ryan's attitude and resilience. Popovic affirmed that Ryan will have another opportunity to prove himself and emphasized the importance of hard work, leadership, and maintaining a professional demeanor. Ryan's impending move to Lens, who currently sit in seventh place in Ligue 1, is seen as a positive step for the goalkeeper's career and his chances of regaining his Socceroos spot.Meanwhile, Popovic is facing a defensive dilemma with the absence of Harry Souttar, a key player in the center of the back three. Souttar's season-ending injury leaves the Socceroos searching for a replacement with similar attributes. Popovic acknowledged the difficulty of finding a like-for-like replacement for Souttar, stating that his performances in the center of the back three are unique. While the search for a suitable candidate continues, Popovic mentioned the potential of players like Cameron Burgess, Hayden Matthews, and Jason Geria as possible options.The upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March present both challenges and opportunities for Popovic and the Socceroos. The four-month gap between qualifiers has provided some breathing room for the team to reflect on their performance and address areas for improvement. Popovic's focus is on conducting thorough reviews, managing injuries, and ensuring the team is fully prepared for the crucial matches against Indonesia and China. However, several players are facing fitness concerns. In addition to Souttar and Circati, players like Metcalfe and Stamatelopoulos are battling injuries that could impact their availability. Popovic expressed optimism about Metcalfe's recovery but conceded that it will be a tight race against time for him to be fit for the March qualifiers
Socceroos Maty Ryan RC Lens Tony Popovic Harry Souttar World Cup Qualifiers Joe Gauci Apostolos Stamatelopoulos Connor Metcalfe
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