Mark Schwarzer, a former goalkeeper for the Australian national football team, has called on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic to reinstate veteran Mat Ryan in goal for the team's critical World Cup group stage match against Paraguay. Schwarzer believes Ryan's extensive experience and leadership are vital for the high-stakes encounter.
"I would put Matty Ryan back in goal; leader, captain, incredible amount of experience and I think he'll be completely up for the game," Schwarzer told the ABC. "And I think the level you need right now is about the cool head, the experience in like a final. It's a final within the World Cup finals for us."
Ryan, who has been Australia's first-choice goalkeeper for the past three World Cups, has not featured in the team's first two group stage matches. Schwarzer acknowledged the performance of Patrick Beach, who started in Australia's initial games and kept a clean sheet against Turkey, but stressed the need for Ryan's presence in what he described as a "final within the World Cup finals."
Ryan brings a wealth of experience, having played 104 matches for Australia. His inclusion could provide a stabilizing presence for a squad with many players making their World Cup debut. The Socceroos face additional challenges with the confirmed absences of Matthew Leckie and Jacob Italiano due to injury, further complicating team selection for the must-win match.
The Socceroos secured a victory in their opening game against Turkey, with Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe being notable performers. However, they subsequently lost to co-hosts the USA. A win against Paraguay would ensure Australia's progression to the knockout stage for the second consecutive World Cup, having reached the Round of 16 in 2022 before being eliminated by the eventual champions, Argentina.