Next month, the Socceroos face Bangladesh in their next World Cup qualifier.
It will provide a good opportunity for the Socceroos to feature some fringe players as well as seasoned campaigners. Of course for that to happen, those players need to prove that they are worthy of receiving that chance.
Mat Ryan – Valencia [CLEAN SHEET]
One way to impress your new fans is to keep two clean sheets in your two appearances, even if they are in friendlies. Ryan kept the FC Porto attack at bay to take the game to penalties which saw the legendary Iker Casillas play the hero. He did not feature in Valencia’s friendly the next day against FC Koln, which saw his main competition for the position let up three goals. The keeper, however, cannot be faulted for all three goals with the ten players in front of him struggling. They have one last preseason friendly against AS Roma next weekend which could prove telling as to which custodian the manager is leaning towards. But the former Mariner seems to be the number one choice at Los Che, and should he cement his place, The number one role will be his for the foreseeable future with senior gloveman Diego Alves sidelined with an ACL injury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ2Wppdd7mY
Robbie Kruse – Bayer Leverkusen [INJURY RETURN]
Robbie Kruse has begun working his way back into the Leverkusen XI after suffering a serious ankle injury in the Asian Cup final. The former Melbourne Victory man still faces competition for his spot in the team in the form of Son Heung-min, so staying healthy now seems crucial in his pursuit for future assurances at club level.
Tim Cahill – Shanghai Shenua [GOAL]
“Tim Cahill – goal” has almost become a weekly reusable phrase. He was on target for Shanghai Shenua again, scoring the winning goal against Henan Jianye in a 1-0 win, making it six goals in the last eight for the 35-year-old.
Mustafa Amini – Randers FC [RED CARD]
Almost one month to the day after Amini helped his side to victory with nine men on the pitch, the tables turned as he was one of two players sent off in a dramatic Danish League game. His side had a comfortable 2-0 lead over recently promoted Aarhus before giving up three goals and the result as Amini and goalkeeper Kasper Jensen received their marching orders. Amini will miss at least one game for his dismissal, but reports suggest he will return to the starting XI when his suspension ends.
Nathan Burns – FC Tokyo [GOAL]
The former Phoenix striker was in form as his Japanese club provided a solid preseason test for German club Eintracht Frankfurt. Burns scored his side’s second goal inside the opening 20 minutes to help it build a lead before the German side found its stride and hit back. The domestic league is currently on hiatus while the Japanese national team is in action.
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