Adelaide United’s UK-born right back Ryan Strain targets Tokyo Olympics berth with Australia
Adelaide United’s Ryan Strain is cheering on Australia’s bid for Olympic soccer qualification, as he dreams of pulling on the green and gold in Tokyo despite being born more than 16,000km from his adopted homeland.
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An Englishman in Adelaide will be tracking the Olyroos’ final steps on the road to Tokyo more closely than most.
UK-born Ryan Strain will be eligible to represent Australia in May, following a promising career which has taken him from Aston Villa to Adelaide United via Modbury Jets.
The Reds right back, who racked up his 50th A-League game last Friday night, said pulling on the green and gold at the Olympics was his next target.
“I’ve still got dreams of playing for Australia, so hopefully they (the Olyroos) make it,” Strain, 22, said.
“I love Australia and I’ve pretty much grown up here.
“If the opportunity came around, then I’d definitely be keen.
“Hopefully I can impress and somehow try to slot into that team.”
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The defender, who first moved to SA in 2009, is already an Australian citizen.
But he had not lived in the country for the five consecutive years required to be selected for the Asian under-23 championships, which double as Games qualifiers.
He hoped continuing the eye-catching form from his milestone match, a 1-0 home win over Melbourne Victory, will put him in the frame should the Olyroos advance to the July event.
“It (50th game) is definitely an achievement that I’m proud of, and my family are proud of as well,” said Strain, who was called up for a Young Socceroos training camp in 2015.
“But I’ve just got to keep working hard and I know I can be better than I’ve shown.
“I love to attack as a right back and I haven’t scored a goal yet, which is doing my head in to be honest.
“But I’ve got to focus more on my defensive work as well, to help the team more.”
Strain’s powerful display, during which he whipped in four crosses and fired off three shots, complemented the Reds’ welcome return to their quick-transition game.
It also showcased his offensive instincts, mirroring his admiration for Liverpool’s star attacking full back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But Strain was just as proud of maintaining his team’s second clean sheet of the campaign, as it snapped a four-match losing streak ahead of Sunday’s trip to face new boys Western United.
“It was a bit of a tough five weeks before that,” said Strain, a junior at NPL SA outfit Modbury.
“We just ground it out (against Victory) and that’s what you’ve got to do sometimes, even when you’re not playing well.
“We’ve got a lot of quick people up front and that’s definitely a massive weapon.
“They (Western) have got a lot of experience at the back, but I don’t think they’re that quick.
“Getting in behind them is something we’ll try to do and hopefully get a few goals.”
Meanwhile, Vince Lia was on Tuesday confirmed as a Perth Glory player, three days after being released by Adelaide.
The 34-year-old midfielder played 43 matches in all competitions during two-and-a-half seasons with the Reds.