Belgian-based keeper Mat Ryan and striker James Troisi spilt the beans on their banter following the forward’s amazing goal earlier this month against his Socceroo teammate.
A few weeks ago playing for Belgian strugglers Zulte Waregem, Troisi pinged a sensational long-range goal from the centre circle that caught Ryan, the star Club Brugge keeper, off his line.
The ball went in over a retreating Ryan to drag the contest back to 2-1 though Troisi's side eventually lost.
The footage went viral so, naturally, the pair was quizzed on it at today’s press conference, prompting some gentle banter from the pair.
“First question!” said Troisi with a laugh.
“I knew it was coming,” chimed in Ryan with a wry smile. “He brings it up every now and then.
"What can you do, you can’t change it.
“I made the cardinal sin of just switching off. I was off my line. I’ve watched the replay a number of times and I probably should’ve done better by taking one more step.
"He hit it perfectly. I can’t change it but it’s good it happened for him. A fellow countryman," said Ryan.
“Yes there’s been a bit of banter but from my side of things it was a great goal,” added Troisi.
“Doesn’t matter who it was against but to be fair he [Ryan] had a great game.
“I had a bit of space in the centre circle and though ‘I’m gonna hit this’. Lucky enough it came off perfectly.
“We lost 2-1 but at the end of the day he kind of won.”
Meanwhile, the players will enjoy New Year’s Eve from the comfort of their team hotel in Melbourne.
Though don’t expect them to be among the revellers across the CBD tonight as Melbourne sees in 2015.
“We can only see the fireworks from within the hotel… I think they have alarms and sensors at every door and exit,” joked Ryan.
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