Arabic version: بوبوفيتش يؤكد بقاء رايان ضمن خيارات منتخب أستراليا

According to ABC News, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says Mat Ryan remains available for Australia despite being omitted from the squad for friendlies against Brazil. Australia will play Brazil in Brisbane on September 25 and Townsville on September 28.

Ryan, 34, is the most notable exclusion from Popovic’s first squad since the World Cup. The Levante goalkeeper has made 105 appearances for the Socceroos and began the La Liga season strongly. He lost his starting position to Patrick Beach during the World Cup and was substituted on for the round-of-32 penalty shootout against Egypt.

“We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football,” Popovic said. “A player that has a distinguished career, continues to have one, over 100 caps.” Popovic said the coaching staff wanted to assess another goalkeeper, adding that Ryan was “still available for us” and “certainly not out of the picture moving forward.” Uncapped St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman joins Beach and Paul Izzo.

The squad includes seven uncapped players. Kasey Bos, Dylan Leonard, Marcus Younis, Eli Adams, Kealey Adamson, Chapman and Yaya Dukuly have received call-ups. Sixteen players from the 26-man World Cup squad return, while Jordan Bos, Cam Burgess and Cristian Volpato are unavailable through injury. Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek return after missing the World Cup through injury, and Alex Robertson has been recalled.

Popovic said Australia had settled on two matches during the window so players could return to their clubs. He said the team expected to be ready for the Asian Cup after games in November.