Socceroos goalkeepers Mat Ryan and Joe Gauci make good impression at new clubs

In a good sign for the Socceroos ahead of March’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Mat Ryan and Joe Gauci are both now getting match minutes since moving to new clubs.

Socceroos captain Mat Ryan has kept a second successive clean sheet for his new French club, while fellow Australian gloveman Joe Gauci has also impressed in his debut for English outfit Barnsley.

Ryan and Gauci are again set to battle for the Socceroos’ first-choice goalkeeper spot in March when Australia meets Indonesia and China in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Ryan’s recent move to Lens from Italian club Roma, where he warming the bench, continues to pay dividends.

Having been immediately installed into Lens’ first-team for last month’s 1-0 win over Angers, Ryan was again between the posts for his team’s 2-0 weekend victory over Montpellier.

Gauci was also in action on the weekend, debuting for Barnsley after moving to the English League One (third-tier) team last week on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa, where he wasn’t being used.

Our latest January recruit starts this afternoon and will wear no.1️⃣8️⃣ this season 👏 pic.twitter.com/PnJ48YL302

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) February 1, 2025

Gauci started his Barnsley career by keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Burton Albion.

Elsewhere, Socceroos Jordan Bos and Sam Silvera both scored for their clubs.

Left-sided utility Bos found the back of the net in his Belgian top-flight team Westerlo’s 2-1 win over Kortrijk.

It was former Melbourne City prodigy Bos’ fourth goal of the season.

Attacking weapon Silvera, who last month joined English League One club Blackpool on loan from Middlesbrough, scored after coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic.

“The goals and the minutes will come when I’m working hard in training,” former Central Coast Mariners star Silvera said.

“I didn’t play the minutes I wanted at my previous club but I’m grateful to be getting the opportunity here.

“My main focus is getting more minutes, and if I can help the team with goals or assists, that’s another bonus.”

Another ex-Mariner, Nectarios Triantis, continued his push for a Socceroos call-up with a goal in a man-of-the-match performance for Scottish Premiership club Hibernian in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen.

Meanwhile. Socceroos defender Milos Degenek made his debut for Serbian club FK TSC Bačka Topola in a 2-1 loss to his former team Red Star Belgrade.

Originally published as Socceroos goalkeepers Mat Ryan and Joe Gauci make good impression at new clubs