Competition from rival Aussie goalkeepers motivates Mathew Ryan in Asian Cup preparations

In career-best form and taking the Premier League by storm, Mat Ryan is not a man in need of additional motivation. He’s getting it anyway, in the form of Danny Vukovic and Mitch Langerak.

Socceroos Mat Ryan speaks to media at Sydney airport, 18th November 2018. Picture by Damian Shaw

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In career-best form and taking the Premier League by storm, Mat Ryan is not a man in need of additional motivation.

He’s getting it anyway, in the form of back-up Socceroos goalkeepers Danny Vukovic and Mitch Langerak.

And it’s more than welcome a few days out from an Asian Cup where competition for spots will lift the overall bar of Australia’s last line of defence.

Socceroos Mat Ryan speaks to media at Sydney airport, 18th November 2018. Picture by Damian Shaw

Ryan is enjoying a run with Brighton and Hove Albion so superb he was named October’s PFA Fans’ player of the month and was even linked with Manchester United.

By his own account, he’s feeling more at home with the demands and pressures of England’s top flight.

It’s form he’ll take into Asia’s flagship international tournament, but that doesn’t mean he’s getting comfortable in Socceroos camp.

While Ryan is without doubt the first choice between the posts, the presence of reigning Genk player of the season Vukovic and regular Nagoya Grampus starter Langerak is keeping him on his toes.

Danny Vukovic is providing healthy compeition for Ryan on the eve of Asian Cup defence. Picture: Yorick Jansens AFP

"Mitch is playing regularly in Japan now and has come off a great season,” Ryan said.

"And Vuka also now having that full year of European experience under his belt, doing great things there in Belgium in the league and also European leagues as well.

“Any environment I've been in when there's competition, common sense tells you it pushes everyone. It ultimately pushes the team to perform better.

“You get more out of individuals, guys vying for that position, and the person in that position knowing that one drop in performance or one injury can be the turning point in losing the spot.”

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The man with the most to lose is Ryan, though he doesn’t look like ceding the top spot anytime soon.

At 26, he became the youngest Socceroo to reach 50 caps in Sunday’s 5-0 impalement of Oman, a milestone that sets him on the path to challenge Mark Schwarzer’s 109 appearances.

And despite the ambitions of Vukovic and Langerak, the healthy rivalry never reaches the point of outright ruthlessness.

Mitch Langerak is another Australian vying for the spot in the Socceroos side. Picture: AAP/Image Steve Pohlner

“No one has ever had a bad moment between anyone trying to stab someone in the back or have bad words to say about somebody,” Ryan said.

“We always have a good attitude and good professional character at training and games, trying to help whoever is playing to play at their best in that given moment.

“It makes it really pleasant and a nice feeling coming into camp knowing you have that type of relationship.

“It's the nature of the position unfortunately, only one person can play. We know there's one person who makes that decision and we all just try to do our best and win that spot. Come game time, whoever it is we all try to help one another.”

Originally published as Competition from rival Aussie goalkeepers motivates Mathew Ryan in Asian Cup preparations