Match Preview: Mexico v Australia | International Friendly

Tim Gibson // Jack George 1694224830,1694235123

The Subway Socceroos take on the challenge of top-12-ranked opposition Mexico this Sunday with plenty of fresh faces in line for some action. 

This will be the first meeting between the teams in over 20 years when they face off at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. 

Australia will be eager to end a run of two losses on the bounce this weekend, following defeats to Ecuador in March and world champions Argentina in June. 

How to Watch Mexico v Socceroos

 


They’ll look to build on their good record against Mexico, losing only once in their five encounters. 

Australia’s opponents boast many experienced and high-quality talents, beginning with goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

The 38-year-old is known for his performances at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, where he produced sensational saving form. 

The side also have new West Ham United signing Edson Alvarez in the squad for Dallas. 

Socceroos

 

The defender has been a crucial element of the Irons’ unbeaten start to the English Premier League season. 

Finally, Fulham’s Raul Jimenez is a part of the squad, with the established Premier League poacher a big threat up front for Mexico. 

El Tri are coming into this game off the back of tournament success, lifting the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July. 

The side conceded only two goals in that run, representing a tough challenge for the Socceroos frontmen to break down. 

Australia’s World Cup Qatar 2022 stars Mitchell Duke and Matthew Leckie will be tasked with that, while the returning Martin Boyle will also be intent on making an impact up top. 

Among those seeking their maiden taste of Socceroos football are Middlesbrough duo and former A-Leagues favourites Sammy Silvera and Thomas Glover. 

Additionally, defenders Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, and goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer will want to make good first impressions if they get on the field.

 

Insights

  • Jamie Lozano has an average of 2.50 points per match from his term in charge of the senior Mexico national team, having led them to victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 
  • Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa made the second most saves per 90 (3.55) in the Serie A of any goalkeeper to play over 10 matches in the league 
  • Last season in the Eredivisie, Mexico international Edson Álvarez ranked top for his side AFC Ajax for tackles attempted (71), tackles won (40), blocks (36) and clearances (76) 
  • Mexico international Ochoa made 25 saves at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the joint most of any goalkeeper 
  • Graham Arnold currently has an average of 2.00 points per match in charge of the Socceroos - the last coach to match that was Guus Hiddink 
  • Socceroo Kye Rowles blocked the fifth most shots per 90 (1.75) at the 2022 FIFA World Cup of players to play above 90 minutes at the tournament 
  • Jackson Irvine scored the fifth most goals (8) of midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga for St. Pauli (players considered midfielders and forwards by FBRef not included) 

Head to head 

Australia 2 (3-1 in 1997, 2-0 in 2001)     
Draw 2 (2-2 in 1980, 1-1 in 1980)     
Mexico 1 (3-0 in 1970)

World Ranking

Mexico: 12    
Australia: 27 
 

What they said   

Graham Arnold

Mathew Leckie's injury

He copped a knock, I'm not a physio or a doctor, but probably be around six weeks. You know, so it was an unintentional knock, but it was just an accident. And you know, these things happen in football, but Lecks is in good spirits himself. ... I would say today he won't be ready for October camp and the most important thing is Leck's health and that Leck's fine and you know I'm very apologetic to Melbourne City. It was a complete accident that you know probably could have occurred and couldn't occurred. It's it was never intentional at all in any way. It was just one of those things that happened at training. So as I said the most important thing is that he gets back to Melbourne and he gets looked after well and again I'm apologetic to Melbourne City because they've been very supportive all the way through with all their players that they come into camp but you know that's unfortunately football... But overall, the boys are all in very good shape. And they're ready for the game tomorrow.


Facing Mexico and expectations

I don't like to use word friendly, but rather use the word fixture, it's a fixture that gives me an opportunity to test players. We're playing against the number 12 (ranked) nation in the world and it really gives me a chance to, as I said, test players, you'll see some different some players in different roles tomorrow. You know, it's all about the players. A lot of it is about the players getting match minutes and and they're fit and they're ready to go and you know, it's going to be a wonderful occasion at AT&T Stadium. It's an incredible stadium. 

We trained there today and you can see the excitement on all the boys as soon as we walked in there that it's obviously a unique opportunity an occasion. But for me, it's about moving forward and and seeing where we're at it's gonna be a great test mentally for the boys because obviously the crowd and you know, the noise because it's got a roof over and won't go out so it will be quite loud as well. And so it's, as I said, it's a great opportunity for me to test some players and but at the end of the day my expectations don't change. Again, it's about improvement, and going out there and doing the nation proud.

They won the Gold Cup. Champions of Central America. They are a good side, no doubt, but we've got our way of playing and we will go out there in their face and what they what their strengths are is their technique and they like time on the ball. Well, as I said to the boys today, we don't give them any time on the ball and we take those strengths away. And we play to our strengths. And as I said, it's a great test for us. It's a great opportunity.   
 

Kye Rowles shifting to left-back and Cameron Burgess starting

You'll see Kye Rowles in a different role at left back and in Cam Burgess will start. He's been very impressive since he's come into camp. At the moment I've only got one (left) full-back here in Aziz Behich and I only had one to select from because of obviously match minutes of the A-League not being started, but also around Jordy Bos', appendicitis, so it's an opportunity to give try different things. The system won't change too much but roles will and the fact that we've got more youngsters coming through and coming in again, it's a great opportunity to test them and give them this wonderful experience of playing this type of crowd and type of game. That'll hold us in good stead for the Asian Cup and moving forward.   

 

Sam Silvera's role

Sam Silvera has been impressive since he's been in camp. He will get on the field at some stage tomorrow. And as you said, we've got some good youngsters coming through but at the same time, those youngsters still have a lot to prove. And they have a lot of work to do to get to play not only for the nation, but also at this level. So you know, we we left some boys with the Olyroos. You know how I think about the importance of the Olympic team (U23s) qualifying for the Olympics.
 

Message to Harry Souttar 

My message to him is simple and that is, this is your stage. This is your opportunity to show your coach at Leicester and ask the question, why you're not playing and show the fans. How good you really are. And he's got to use that as motivation to go out there tomorrow and show everyone that's watching this game, who Harry Souttar is and everyone will remember him from the World Cup. He's been working hard at the club at Leicester, there is absolutely zero doubt in Harry's mind where he's at. And he's got that great mentality that he wants to show the world what he can do.   
 

Alessandro Circati 

He's fit in perfectly and, you know, he's 19 years of age, and for him and for me, it's for him to get to learn what national team football is. He hasn't played really any junior national team football. He's come straight in with us, but also the environment that we create and what the expectations are for us, but he's a very, very mature 19 year old. I've been super impressed with him and there's a good chance he will get some minutes tomorrow.   
 

Planning to make six substitutions for the match 

I'd love to change the FIFA rules and be able to change that the whole team at halftime but FIFA rules that I can only can only make six subs so those six subs will definitely be made. I won't be sticking with two subs or three subs. It's an opportunity to make six subs and to give those players an opportunity and maybe you'll see some of the older players go off and the younger players come on and get that experience.

 

Socceroos

 

Milos Degenek

“There will be 60-70 thousand Mexican supporters in the stadium, and it’s going to be very important we shut ourselves out from the stadium and focus on the football.

“It’s very important we go through these games as a learning curve. But also as a challenge to see how far we’ve come and what we can do to play our role in the world of football, where we come up against teams whose stadium will be against us. 

“So that we get used to these moments, get used to playing these games because we don’t want to be just participating in these games and then coming out saying ‘oh it was difficult’. 

“You’ve got to go and implement your game. Don’t worry about the crowd. Learn from our mistakes from the past and to be better in this game.”

 

 

Sammy Silvera

“It will be a great challenge to play against them - a top nation and especially in a stadium where hopefully it’ll be backed with lots of Mexican fans. 

“I think they’re a great team. They’ve shown that over many years. 

 

“They play positive football, but I think the focus is with us, and we are going to take the game to them, and we are going to show them what we can do as a footballing nation and as a football team.” 

 

Martin Boyle

“They'll be in our faces, and they won't give us a yard,” he said.  

“When we get on the pitch and tactically set up and find out their weaknesses, hopefully we can exploit them. 

“We’re really looking forward to it. They’re a good side, and they’ve got a good ranking at the moment, but we want to go there and ultimately win the game.”     
 

Aiden O’Neill

“The experience that you get playing against the good teams and good opposition on the international stage is what you dream of doing. 

“It’s a massive privilege to be here, and playing this calibre of team is perfect for the experience, and you learn so much in the games. It’s brilliant.” 

 

International Friendly

Date: Sunday, 10 September 2023    
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas    
Time: 12:00 pm AEST    
Broadcast Live on Network 10 and on 10 Play and Paramount+

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