Mat Ryan to miss Caltex Socceroos’ clash with Kuwait

Football Federation Australia (FFA) have confirmed that established Caltex Socceroos goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will not take part in the team’s training camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, or next Tuesday’s (AEST) international friendly fixture against Kuwait at the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium. 

Ryan, who kept a clean sheet in Brighton & Hove Albion’s 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham on Friday, will be given the October FIFA window off to manage a minor injury.

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Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said it was in Ryan’s best interests to remain with his club rather than travel to the Middle East.

“Mathew’s managing a minor injury which hasn’t prevented him from playing or performing for Brighton so far this Premier League season,” Arnold explained. 

“He could have travelled to the Middle East, trained with us, and played against Kuwait, but for this window we believe it is best that he remains in Brighton and returns to full fitness with his club.

“We will have three very good goalkeepers with us this camp in Danny Vukovic, Brad Jones, and Mitchell Langerak.

“The time in the UAE and Kuwait will provide a great opportunity for each of these goalkeepers to show their best as next year’s AFC Asian Cup draws nearer,” he said.

The Caltex Socceroos’ international friendly against Kuwait will take place at the 18,500-capacity Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City at 7.30pm (3.30am AEDT – Tuesday, 16 October 2018) on Monday, 15 October 2018. 

Australia and Kuwait have played 11 matches at senior men’s international level in the past, with the first meeting between the two nations coming in Sydney in 1977, and the most recent being played in Melbourne during the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, where Australia won 4-1.

Following the October FIFA window, the Caltex Socceroos will return to Australia in November. On Saturday, 17 November 2018 the Socceroos will play Korea Republic at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, before meeting Lebanon on Tuesday, 20 November 2018 at ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park.

All three of the Caltex Socceroos’ upcoming international friendlies will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network TEN.

Mat Ryan

Caltex Socceroos 24-player squad – United Arab Emirates/Kuwait – October 2018

Name

Club, Country

A-International Caps (Goals)

Mustafa AMINI

AGF Aarhus, Denmark

2 (0)

Daniel ARZANI

Celtic FC, Scotland

5 (1)

Aziz BEHICH

PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands

26 (2)

*Martin BOYLE

Hibernian FC, Scotland

0 (0)

Milos DEGENEK

Red Star Belgrade, Serbia

18 (0)

Thomas DENG

Melbourne Victory, Australia

0 (0)

Denis GENREAU

PEC Zwolle, Netherlands

0 (0)

Alex GERSBACH

Rosenborg BK, Norway

4 (0)

Apostolos GIANNOU

AEK Larnaca, Cyprus

5 (0)

Jackson IRVINE

Hull City AFC, England

22 (2)

Brad JONES (Gk)

Al-Nasr Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

6 (0)

Tomi JURIC

FC Luzern, Switzerland

38 (8)

Matthew JURMAN

Al-Ittihad Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

4 (0)

Robbie KRUSE

VfL Bochum, Germany

67 (5)

Mitchell LANGERAK (Gk)

Nagoya Grampus, Japan

8 (0)

Mathew LECKIE

Hertha BSC, Germany

56 (8)

Massimo LUONGO

Queens Park Rangers FC, England

36 (5)

Awer MABIL

FC Midtjylland, Denmark

0 (0)

Mark MILLIGAN

Hibernian FC, Scotland

71 (6)

Aaron MOOY

Huddersfield Town AFC, England

37 (5)

Josh RISDON

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

11 (0)

Tom ROGIC

Celtic FC, Scotland

40 (7)

Trent SAINSBURY

PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands

38 (3)

Daniel VUKOVIC (Gk)

KRC Genk, Belgium

1 (0)

*Denotes departing camp at completion of United Arab Emirates leg

Upcoming Caltex Socceroos Matches:

Kuwait v Caltex Socceroos (International Friendly)

Date: Monday, 15 October 2018 (local time)
Venue: Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Kick-off: 7.30pm local (3.30am AEDT – Tuesday, 16 October 2018)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network TEN

Caltex Socceroos v Korea Republic (International Friendly)
Date: Saturday, 17 November 2018
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
Kick-off: 6.50pm (local); 7.50pm (AEDT)
Tickets: www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network TEN

Caltex Socceroos v Lebanon (International Friendly)
Date: Tuesday, 20 November 2018
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales
Kick-off: 7.30pm (AEDT)
Tickets: www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network TEN