Subway Socceroos forward Martin Boyle said that he feels fully up to speed for club and country once again as preparations continue for China PR in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Qualifiers on Tuesday evening.
The 31-year-old recovered from injury and a dip in form to force his way back into Head Coach Tony Popovic's starting eleven against Indonesia, where he scored the first goal on Thursday evening.
Boyle reflected on his journey over the last few years, his expectations for Tuesday's upcoming game against China, and the inclusion of club teammate Nectar Triantis in the Socceroos squad for the first time.
Feeling good after long-term injury
I'm contributing goals and assists again, at club level and international, which is perfect. The injury at the start of the season, which prolonged for several months, wasn't ideal for me. To get back up to speed so quickly now at a vital time for club and country is perfect.
No issues at all on my front [after being taken off at half-time against Indonesia], just a slight tight groin. These things happen in football. Precaution at that point was probably needed, and we were 3-0 at half-time... it's not often you can take that precaution. It suited me, it suited everyone else. So it was perfect, and there are no dramas.
Forcing his way back into the squad
It was just taking initiative, working hard. Hard work gets you here. He [Popovic] obviously knows the talent that everyone has in the squad. I think the strength and depth that we have now - it's really challenging. So you have to be at the top of your game and producing. Thankfully, I've managed to do that. I've managed to catch the eye and get back into the team. And obviously, as a player, you want to remain there. So that's the challenge for me, and just maintaining those levels.
[The November window] was definitely an eye-opener. Thankfully, I managed to get back to my best and catch the eye again. Long may it continue. I will say, I know I'm playing well just now, but I want to be achieving more. I want to maintain that level, and produce more results on and off the pitch.
The team's ruthless mindset
We've got a psychologist in at the moment which can help. A lot of clubs and national teams have them at the moment, it's someone to speak to, to open up. I think it's just ideally working hard behind the scenes. Everyone's doing their bit. The togetherness in the squad and the squad and depth that we have, everyone's pulling in the right direction. The ultimate goal is to qualify for a World Cup. That's the only aim that we have to focus on here. That's pretty much the only goal that we're we're setting out to achieve.
His role within the squad
I started my career as a striker and then drifted out wide. I feel like it's certainly a position that I could fill in terms of getting around the pitch, being a bit of a free player, free spirit, as I am at Hibs [Hibernian] at the moment. Obviously it would be different here. At Hibs, I'm playing in a two - kind of a big guy, small guy role. If I was called upon to play there, I would certainly give my all. I would never back down from that. I'm contributing at the moment in the position and trying to learn what he [Head Coach Tony Popovic] wants me to do and adapt, which I feel like is [adding] different aspects and elements to my game - which is good, so I'm always learning. As long as I'm in the squad or on the team sheet, then I'm a happy guy.
The inclusion of club teammate Nectar Triantis
Absolutely delighted for him. I was there when he got the message, he was absolutely buzzing. Normally the guys give him a high-five in the dressing room, but it was him - he was flying around the dressing room giving other people high-fives! You could see the excitement in his face. He phoned his mum straight away and for that delight for them, I'm absolutely ecstatic. It's fully deserved for what he's done at Hibs this season. He's still a young boy. He's got a lot to learn, but I think bringing him into this environment after the way he's been playing, it's perfect. You can get an idea of how we want to play, the style that we play, and it's just a big learning curve for him. So obviously you have to remain patient, but I'm sure if called upon, he will take his opportunity.
Preparing to take on China
Hopefully we're as clinical as we were the other night. When we get the chances, we know we'll have to put them away, and we have to be defensively strong. We're the away team. So they may come out of the traps, and we'll have to be waiting for that. But hopefully we can break them down, play our normal game and be clinical when our chances come.
NEXT GAME
China PR v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 10.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+