Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan says he’s focused on bravery when up against world’s great strikers

MAT Ryan is acutely aware of the heightened challenge that will come in facing Chile, Holland and Spain at the World Cup.

IN one season he made an effortless step up from the A-League to European football, but Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan is acutely aware of the heightened challenge that will come in facing Chile, Holland and Spain at the World Cup.

Back in the national team environment after winning Goalkeeper of the Year in Belgium for his first season since leaving the Mariners, Ryan revealed that Ange Postecoglou is exhorting his squad to see the World Cup as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”, instead of panicking at the prospect of the opponents to come.

Don’t panic! That’s the message from Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Likely to be first choice ahead of Mitch Langerak thanks to his full season at Club Brugges, Arsenal-supporting Ryan chose a predictable example of the coming threat.

“You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t think about the names you’ll be up against,” Ryan said. “In saying that, there’s no time to be in awe of them — if Robin van Persie is coming down on goal, I can’t really stop and go, Who’s that?

“I have to stay focused, and not allow him or any other players to get the ball past me. The message the boss has been putting to us is he wants us to be courageous and brave. Our backs are against the wall a bit but he wants us to treat it like a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I’m sure every player’s willing and eager to do his best. Just before I left [the A-League] I was just in contention, just another goalkeeper, but since going to Belgium I’ve enjoyed my football. Now it’s a big possibility of playing at the World Cup and I’m really looking forward to it.

“There’s a lot work and a bit of football in front of us, so it’s a case of working hard, staying fit and performing.”

Mathew Ryan has impressed during his time at Club Brugge.

Ryan’s success at Brugges was a surprise even for those impressed by his ascent at the Central Coast, simply for the speed with which he assimilated to the Jupiler League.

“It’s hard to imagine how it could have gone much better personally,” he said. “The club were a bit disappointed not to get any silverware, especially after the position we got ourselves in, but we had a lot of fresh faces and hopefully we learn from this year.

“It’s been a little bit different this season — at the Mariners I always had a lot of experienced guys in front of me, the likes of Patrick [Zwaanswijk] and Wilko [Alex Wilkinson]. This year there was a lot of young guys — the Belgian competition is well known for giving youngsters a go, in the hope of selling them to bigger clubs, it’s how clubs stay alive.

“So I came in and had to take a bit of a senior role from the beginning. We had a young backline, and I felt my performances made me a senior figure. It’s always tough in the beginning, especially going over there alone, but as long as the football’s going well the sacrifices are worth it.

“I’m still very young so hopefully I can better and better — stereotypically a goalkeeper isn’t at his best til a bit older, in his 30s or something like that. I felt my development was fast-tracked at the Central Coast thanks to the mentors I had there, making me a really mature young goalkeeper at the moment.

“Brugges were telling me from the beginning how well it was going, and for the coach to keep playing me was a compliment in itself. The year’s that’s unfolded, and picking up the award, means I’m pretty happy with how consistent I’ve been.”

That consistency led to a link with Real Madrid, at least according to his former Mariners coach Graham Arnold — “I was cursing him a little bit when I first saw it,” Ryan noted dryly. “But I’m not getting caught up in it — it’s business as usual, working hard, and if I’m doing well on the pitch then those sort of things will take care of themselves.

“It’s surreal, but I’m not at that stage yet. That’s a fair way down the track, I’m just concentrating on the South Africa game first — and hopefully I can get there one day.”

Originally published as Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan says he’s focused on bravery when up against world’s great strikers