Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Mat Ryan, goalkeeper of the tournament as Australia won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, has been ruled out of the forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan, the FFA (Football Federation Australia) announced.
Valencia keeper Ryan (pictured during the 2014 FIFA World Cup) sustained a minor knee injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Deportivo La Coruna in Spain’s La Liga and has withdrawn from the Socceroos squad, with the 23-year-old’s place taken by Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.
“It’s a blow for Matt to miss these games but he picked up a knock in Spain overnight and with the travel distance and the lateness of his club game we have decided to bring in Eugene Galekovic,” Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“Eugene is more than capable replacement and he will join us in Perth and we will move ahead without Mat.”
Photo: AFP