To commemorate the anniversary of our 2015 AFC Asian Cup success, we caught up with goalkeeper of the tournament, Maty Ryan, to reflect on the month that forged a legendary Socceroos career.
Ryan, who produced three clean-sheets en-route to the nation's first piece of major silverware, was an ever-present member of Ange Postecoglou's champion side, having usurped the country's record appearance holder Mark Schwarzer just 12 months before.
Now closing in on 100 international appearances, the Lens-based shot-stopper reflects on the tournament which proved pivotal for the development of his career in green and gold.
Read on to see what he had to say when we sat down for an exclusive chat.
Relationship with Ange Postecoglou
Fondness towards the keeper
I think he thought pretty fondly of me. I'd played three seasons in the A-League, and no doubt being under his nose, him coaching against me perhaps did me a favour. There had been a few murmurs that he held me in quite decent regard.
With Ange [Postecoglou], you knew what type of football he wanted in the national team, and I felt that I was quite equipped to how he liked to play. But I was just trying to make the most of every opportunity that I was getting and to use all that exposure and experience to continue to develop as a goalkeeper.
Coaching Mentality
With Ange, the messages are quite clear and abrupt in terms of how he wants to play. It's so detailed, and he gives you so much backing and confidence to do what he wants you to do. Either you did it, or he often made an example of guys that didn't do what he wanted. A lot of managers do that, but the difference was always in his detail.
He designed all the training sessions around how he wanted to play, heading in the direction of the ‘modern’ type of football. If you went forward quickly and lost the ball, Ange would reassure you with 'I will take responsibility, because I want that.'
It was clear he wanted to play very, very offensive, on the front foot, penetrating, putting the other team under pressure defensively. Encouraging his goalkeepers to play that way turned out to be much more successful than if a keeper played deeper without being able to set up plays and clean up loose balls.
But he's a true winner. That's how I've come to know him. He'll leave no stone unturned. That was the aura that [Ange Postecoglou] gave off.
Tournament progression
The World Cup in Brazil was my biggest learning curve. The exposure I had there as a young goalkeeper in a tournament of that stature. I realised I fell short of my expectations and how I wanted to perform there. It was a big eye-opener.
That Asian Cup, by far, in terms of re-establishing myself within the national team, was 'the' moment for me.
The first game, we played Kuwait, went behind early in the game, but managed to win. I made a couple of good saves, tipped one onto the crossbar and I remember feeling quite pleased. The second game in Sydney, there was a volley from the edge of the box where I got my top hand to it. That was another moment where I felt like I was building confidence.
In our third group game, we lost 1-0 but again I made a couple saves in that game where I felt good and confident. We won the quarter-final, another clean sheet, then UAE, another clean sheet there. I just felt like I was in the zone, and everything was coming together, I was in a real good place. Compared to the 2014 [World Cup], I felt like I belonged.
Asian Cup Final
For the final, playing at home, against South Korea in Sydney, in front of my family and friends, a packed house, the goosebumps started from the national anthem. I remember singing that, with the whole stadium behind us all singing it as well. I felt like my form had been strong during the tournament and I got that self-belief to produce on that football pitch.
[Asian Cup crown] is number one for me. People ask me of my fondest memory in football, and I've been fortunate enough to have quite a few, but it’s winning that cup. When you sit down with a group of guys, set out a plan of being successful and then go through all the grind to get there and to achieve it.
The moment that whistle goes, and the realisation that you've done it with that group of guys, the feeling that comes over you, that ecstasy. There's nothing sweeter, and it's that sensation that keeps you hungry.
The whole nation that night, the people in the stadium, people who tuned in at home, we all achieved that as a national team. No one can take that away from us now.
Teammate Influences
Tim Cahill
[Tim Cahill] had a massive influence on me. I've always been pretty attentive to my environment and knowing the tools I have around me to learn and grow so it's a no-brainer that you tap into someone that has been at the highest level.
He was always one of the guys that dedicated themselves that little bit more, the diet, sleeping, training extras. It was no coincidence those players went on to have better careers.
Trent Sainsbury
Ange needed centre-backs that were very composed on the ball, able to play those defence-splitting passes. Trent [Sainsbury] was very good at doing that, very agile and mobile, reads the game well. There must be something in the water over there in Perth, that AFL gene, where you can hang in the air for headers as well.
He's someone on a similar journey to myself. Both arrived at the Mariners, got into the national team around the same time, and had that special bond, many great memories, but that Asian Cup, is up there as one of them.
Mile Jedinak
He was one that was perhaps not a man of many words, but his words were very impactful and influential, and also his actions. Leading by example and his presence, were the things that stand out when I think of Mile Jedinak as a player. You know, having him there, sat in front of the back four, the intimidating figure that he is.
It was paramount for us, just being that mediator. You'd get a little tap on the shoulder if something wasn't right, but in a very calm, composed manner. Seeing him as your leader, going out there and standing up in the big moments, it was a great privilege to have him leading us out.
