Maty Ryan will not travel with Australia for the two friendlies against Brazil, a move that hands immediate opportunities to uncapped players and hands the goalkeeping picture a fresh look. Coach Tony Popovic left the long‑serving captain out of the 26‑man group as part of what he described as a review of options at the position, and named St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman as a replacement alongside Patrick Beach and Paul Izzo.
Ryan, 34, began the season strongly with Levante but lost the World Cup starting role to Beach and was brought on unexpectedly for the penalty shootout against Egypt. Popovic lauded Ryan’s career, saying, “We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football,” and, “A player that has a distinguished career, continues to have one, over 100 caps. But we’d like to have a look at another keeper.” He also called Ryan “the ultimate professional” and added, “He’s still available for us and he’s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.”
The squad contains seven players who have not yet been capped. Popovic handed first senior call‑ups to defenders Kasey Bos and Dylan Leonard, and to Kealey Adamson, Yaya Dukuly and Chapman, while recalling Marcus Younis and Eli Adams following their moves overseas. Popovic said the selections reward players who have pursued opportunities outside Australia and handled the associated challenges.
Sixteen members of the World Cup roster returned for the Brazil fixtures, but the squad arrives short of a few defensive options. Left‑back Jordan Bos is sidelined with a knee injury, central defender Cam Burgess has an Achilles issue, and Cristian Volpato is absent with a hamstring problem; Volpato was fined $722 after testing positive for cocaine in July and will contest the charges in court.
The friendlies are set for Brisbane on 25 September and Townsville on 28 September. Popovic said the tight window of two matches was chosen to help players return quickly to their clubs and to keep preparations concentrated, adding, “We feel that with the games in November, we’ll be ready for the Asian Cup.”
