Reunited Socceroos Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan plot their journey to the 2022 World Cup in Kuwait
Old schoolmates Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan talk life while playing for Brighton Seagulls on England’s south coast and, more importantly, their World Cup ambitions with the Socceroos.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s a club reunion that’s travelled 17,000km to take place.
Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy played together at Sydney’s Westfields Sports High School as teenagers. In the past month they have reunited at English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion
Their bromance at the Seagulls may also pay dividends for the national team.
The pair has been selected in the squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on Wednesday morning (1.30am AEST) in Kuwait City.
Speaking to News Corp at Brighton and Hove Albion’s training ground the American Express Elite Performance Centre at Lancing, 16km west of Brighton, the pair looked fit and focused.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial
Mooy moved to Brighton from Huddersfield Town early last month after the northern England team was relegated to The Championship.
His last-minute transfer kept his dream of playing in the EPL alive after he helped the Terriers earn promotion to the top flight two years ago.
The former Huddersfield Town “talisman”, who made more than 100 appearances including 65 in the Premier League, has added spark to Brighton and Hove Albion’s midfield, while Ryan has been at the club since July 2017.
One of the benefits of Mooy’s dramatic loan move to Brighton is the chance for two stalwarts of the national team to spend their downtime plotting Australia’s march to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It’s not just the prospect of what would be a third World Cup for Ryan, but also the fact the Socceroos have been invited to play at next year’s Copa America in Argentina and Colombia against the powerhouses of South American football.
“We don’t have the luxury of always playing against South American teams,” Ryan said. “They have a lot of players and countries which are at the pinnacle of their game.”
The Socceroos’ draw will include any of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela or Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile next year.
COACHING STYLE: ‘SOCCEROOS ‘MORE RELAXED’ UNDER ARNIE
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: SOCCEROO KEEPS RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
“You only really grow and reach your full potential when you’re thrust into those environments of playing at the highest level and what you’re exposed to in the speed and physicality of it all,” Ryan said.
“I think the Copa America is a vital step for us.”
Ryan and Mooy, both former Westfields Sports High School schoolmates, are clearly enjoying spending time together at the Seagulls. Mooy is particularly enjoying Brighton’s wider variety of cafes and the noticeably warmer weather.
Mooy moved to Brighton from the textile city of Huddersfield after the northerners were relegated to the Championship last season.
His last-minute loan last month kept him in the Premier League after he had been part of the Terriers’ promotion charge and subsequent 2018-19 season in the elite competition.
Mooy, with 65 Premier League appearances under his belt, has added spark to the midfield at Brighton, where Ryan has been based since July 2017. They are the only Australians playing Premier League football this season.
Come Wednesday, Mooy will be keen to add to his 39 caps for Australia after injury ruled him out of the Asian Cup.
The Kuwait round-two qualifier game comes before a match against Nepal in Canberra on October 10, Taiwan in Taiwan on October 15 and a game against Jordan on November 14.
Ryan and Mooy catch up for dinner outside their rigorous training schedule, when the Ashes gets a mention — especially so after England’s miracle in the third Test at Headingley, with their English teammate Solly March relentless in the Brighton dressing room.
“One of the boys, Solly (March) hasn’t stopped talking about it,” Mooy said.
Ryan added: “He doesn’t know Azza very well because Azza is not too invested in the cricket, it’s not too aggressive with the banter.”
Brighton and Hove Albion narrowly avoided relegation at the end of last season, partly due to some late season clean sheets from Ryan.
Ryan was sticking to process, not outcome, when asked if Brighton could become this year’s fairy tale side like Leicester City was in 2016.
“I think the ambitious side of us, I know me personally, I’m sure Azza’s the same, we try to go out each and every week to do the best we can,” Ryan said.
“Realistically, we know how tough the competition is, the quality of some of the other sides, the big teams, it’s only once every blue moon a team outside the top six go on and win it, so I’m not saying it’s impossible but we set out goals high and try to do the best we can do and take it on a week-to-week basis and see where we end up.
“Where that is, it remains to be seen, I’m not too much into predicting where we are going to finish, I just take it match by match.”
Ryan, who enjoys playing golf outside football, has not been able to get Mooy on the course yet.
Mooy, a father of two whose Instagram is filled with family snaps, has been too busy with the move.
“I’m always too tired, and the I have got the kids as well,” he said.
His wife Nicola has been with their children in the north of England as they finalise a permanent home in the Brighton area, which will have a slighter better climate.
“The weather is a bit better,” Mooy said.
“It’s been great since I’ve been here, high 20s and sunny, only a few times its rained.”
Mooy smiled as he spoke of his family’s plans to join him.
“They have, they’ve just recently been down for a week. We’re still sorting out a permanent house but that will be ready soon,” he said.
“They came for the week last week and enjoyed it. I’m still new to the area, still trying to find my way.”
For Australia and for Brighton’s sake, hopefully the extra chance at Premier League opportunities will translate to success on the pitch.
stephen.drill@news.co.uk