Asian Cup: Jordan wanted it more than us, says Mat Ryan

Even days after the opening Asian Cup loss, Mat Ryan couldn’t shake the feeling the Socceroos simply didn’t want it enough.

Keeper Mat Ryan, right, believes the Socceroos have learnt from the Jordan game

Mat Ryan was shouting at the top of his lungs, imploring his outfield teammates to speed up their passing play, correct their awry attacking shape and start winning the duels Jordan were claiming.

Days after the 1-0 opening Asian Cup loss, the goalkeeper still can’t shake the feeling the Socceroos simply didn’t want it enough. And on the eve of a match with Palestine set to have big ramifications for their chances of progressing, he’s pledged Australia will rectify the disaster and make their country proud.

“Maybe we thought it was just going to happen for us instead of having to go out there and actually do the things we had set out to do,” Ryan said.

“It was going to require us going out and getting on the front foot and doing all those things. Perhaps we had a little bit of a mindset where it was just going to unfold. We were just going through the motions a little bit. We got that big wake-up call and now we know.

“You saw with the opposition when they scored their goal and celebrated the victory after, and the desperation with which they were defending, just how much it meant to them.

“When we don’t come out and want it more than the opposition a day like that can happen. That’s the biggest learning curve we had from that. We’re going to show we have learned from that from the start of this next game.”

Ryan was vital to stopping Australia going down a second goal minutes after the first, stretching magnificently to tip a free-kick on to the crossbar. Jordan’s counterattacking success forced the Brighton and Hove Albion keeper into action several times, despite the Socceroos’ astonishing 77 per cent possession.

Injury has hit the team hard and coach Graham Arnold may only have 16 players outfield from which to pick his XI against Palestine, with Mat Leckie out until the knockout phase, Andrew Nabbout and Josh Risdon under a heavy injury cloud and Tom Rogic also in doubt.

Despite the setbacks, the mood remains relaxed inside camp, with players laughing and joking at training.

Regardless, Ryan declared the squad was under no illusions about the seriousness of the task ahead and what it means to fans back home.

“They have a right to be critical, to be disappointed,” he said.

“We’re all just focused on this next job, wanting to go out there and right the wrongs and make Australia proud.

“Suspensions and injuries are a part of the game. It’s all about dealing with the circumstances you’ve been dealt and going out there and doing your best.

“Just as much as if we’d had the likes of guys who are injured — Aaron Mooy, Andrew Nabbout — if they were fit it wouldn’t necessarily mean we’d win the game, just as much as it means if they’re not fit that we can’t win the game either.

“Whingeing or crying about not having the right team, doing any of that isn’t going to change anything. Regardless of the personnel, we believe we have the principles and the philosophy as a team, everything that’s required as a team to be a successful team.”