Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made a ‘statement’ by picking Joe Gauci ahead of Mat Ryan

There has been a changing of the guard in Australia’s goalkeeping ranks under new Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.

Joe Gauci has taken over from Mat Ryan as the Socceroos’ first-choice goalkeeper. Picture: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic says Australia’s custodian role is now Joe Gauci’s to lose after being preferred to long-time first-choice national gloveman and skipper Mat Ryan in successive matches.

Gauci, the deputy gloveman at English Premier League club Aston Villa, held his spot between the posts for the Socceroos in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Japan in Saitama after also playing in last Thursday’s 3-1 win over China in Adelaide.

Ryan, the 32-year-old second-choice keeper at Italian club Roma who has made 95 appearances for the Socceroos and captained the team 38 times, was forced to watch from the bench in both games in what Galekovic described as a “statement” from new national coach Tony Popovic.

“You had Maty Ryan there for so long, and he was the captain of the team,” said Galekovic, who made eight appearances for the Socceroos and was part of Australia’s 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads.

“For Joe to come in and play such a big game in Adelaide and then again in Japan, it’s pretty much putting everyone on notice to say that if you perform, you do well at training, or whatever it is, the coach will pick you.

“Joe’s come in and done really well. It’s now his spot, until otherwise.”

Mat Ryan has been dropped to the Socceroos’ bench. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Ryan has lost out to Joe Gauci. Picture: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

Galekovic, who in his role as Adelaide United’s goalkeeper coach mentored and trained former Reds keeper Gauci, said the 24-year-old gloveman’s rise to the top of Australia’s custodian ranks was “well deserved”.

“He’s a good kid and he’s got the mental side of things where he can go really far in football,” Galekovic said.

“He’s a good learner, he’s got a good drive and it’s not surprise to see where he is right now.”

Galekovic has also had a hand in the development of the Socceroos’ third-choice keeper, another former Reds star in Paul Izzo.

Of the three keepers in Australia’s current squad, only Izzo – who plays for Danish outfit Randers – is a first-choice keeper at his club.

“There are a lot of things to look at, not just game time,” Galekovic said when asked if Izzo should have been the keeper to unseat Ryan considering he was the only one of the trio playing regular football.

“Game time’s a big thing, but obviously `Popa’ (Popovic) has looked at where these boys are playing and who’s ahead of them.

“Joey’s got Emiliano Martinez ahead of him at Villa. He’s the best keeper in the world, and Joey’s is training with Martinez every day.

“Joey also played an English League Cup game last month and that might have got him over the line to play for the Socceroos.”