Ryan believes his Asian Cup experience can help the squad in Qatar

On 13 January 2024, the Subway Socceroos kick off their Asian Cup campaign in Qatar, an environment that will provide a familiar feeling for the players after the 2022 World Cup.

In fact, they take on India in the first group game at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the very same ground the Socceroos faced off against Argentina.

Whilst the squad will be acquainted with the surroundings, for many of them it will be their first Asian Cup competition.

One player hoping to bring with him a wealth of experience in this tournament is the 86-time capped goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

Not only will this be Ryan’s third Asian Cup, but he also helped Australia to win it back in 2015 and was awarded Best Goalkeeper at the tournament as well.

“It was one of the best and most memorable periods or moments of my life and my career winning silverware,” said Ryan when asked about winning the Asian Cup.

“Once you've achieved that with a group of guys, the ecstasy and the emotions that follow in a positive sense, it was obviously so special. It's something you never forget.”

In 2019, Australia were knocked out of the Asian Cup in the Quarter Finals by the UAE in what was a disappointing defeat.

It was a tournament that the Socceroos learned plenty of lessons from, but one of the key positive moments came in the Round of 16 where Ryan saved two penalties against Uzbekistan to see Australia through.

“As a goalkeeper, that's what you dream off,” Ryan said. “The penalties provide an opportunity for us to be the hero for the team and I guess at a moment like that Asian Cup knockout stages, to be able to produce for the team and help them get through to the next game was something I'll never forget.”

Ryan described the frustration within the camp after being knocked out in 2019, but looking forward to the Asian Cup in January, he hopes his experience, of both the highs and the lows, can spearhead the Socceroos to success.

“With the Asian Cup coming up early next year, it is something that is obviously very exciting and we're all looking forward to,” Ryan said.

He added that his experience at the two previous tournaments will allow him to become a mentor to the rest of the squad.

“Individually what I can do to help my fellow teammates, staff and everyone to give us the best possible chance to go and do that (win) is sharing my experiences, my skillset and my know how of what creates a successful environment,” he said.

“Then it comes to just trusting that we've done the work, we've prepared and ready and letting it all play out on the field and having belief that we've done all that that we can to go out there and get that trophy.”

To finish, Ryan added that he wants to feel glory in a Socceroos shirt again as it is the best experience he’s had throughout his career in football.

“There is no better feeling, or no better moment in my life than that moment (Asian Cup 2015) and I want to try and emulate that as often as I can in my career, and if I am able to do that then I can dare say that I've lived a pretty darn good life.”