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Qualifying romp offers Socceroos coach insight
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou offers illumination on the next generation of international players in the wake of his side 7-nil qualifying romp against Tajikistan in Adelaide.
PT1M6S 620 349Footballers often speak affectionately of the way their first mentors remain a presence throughout their careers. And even in Spain, as Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan scales the dizzy heights of La Liga, he carries the influence of the man who laid the foundations of his career.
John Crawley started working with Ryan nearly a decade ago at Sydney's Westfield Sports High, and developed the teenager during stints at Blacktown City and Central Coast.
Crawley now proudly watches the 23-year-old continue his journey in Europe after spending two successful seasons with Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge, then signing a six-year deal with Valencia in 2015.
Man between the posts: Mat Ryan.
"JC was my first-ever goalkeeper coach and I worked with him for many years. I learnt my trade through him," Ryan said in Sydney, where he's in the Socceroos' camp preparing for Tuesday's crucial World Cup qualifier with Jordan.
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"It's quite easy to say I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."
Ryan's athleticism, agility and excellent distribution are Crawley to a tee, and learnt by the man himself during his days playing with top-tier Chilean club Colo Colo in the 1990s.
Fighting hard: Mat Ryan has had to battle for the No.1 jersey at Valencia. Photo: Getty Images
But as much as Crawley would like to take credit for the former Mariner's rise, he points to the talent and remarkable resilience that have cemented Ryan as Ange Postecoglou's first choice between the posts.
Where Mark Bosnich and Mark Schwarzer set the benchmark for Australia's previous era, the Sydney FC goalkeeping coach believes Ryan is the ideal advertisement for the modern gloveman.
And his former student a perfect fit for the Spanish mould, which is suited to shorter shot-stoppers with big personalities.
Well-earned rest: Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan played 68 matches for club and country last year. Photo: Brendan Esposito
"They're not all big monsters in goal in Spain, and they appreciate good defensive and offensive goalkeeping," Crawley said. "So there's no doubt they saw potential and that's why he's there. Maty is not that tall, but he's a specimen.
"He's an athlete with a terrific vertical jump, he's very quick on his feet, has a great push and is very quick laterally. He can do it all."
Ryan now works under Valencia and Spain goalkeeping coach Jose Manuel Ochotorena, who also mentors Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Pepe Reina, among others.
Ochotorena is challenging the competitive youngster to be patient with his development and let it come naturally, while Crawley provides the odd bit of advice by text or phone.
The pair will catch up in person before Tuesday's clash with Jordan, which will be Ryan's second international in more than nine months after recovering from knee surgery. It's been one of the sources of stress in what Ryan describes as an "adaptive" first year at Valencia, where he's been learning Spanish and spending a lot of time warming the bench under new coach Gary Neville.
"At least I know I'm a bit human because in my career to date I've been fortunate to have never missed a game through injury," Ryan said.
"Being on the bench was quite hard to swallow, and every game I don't play it's still a little bit of the same feeling. But I try to learn from the experienced players around me."
There was also February's "nightmare" Copa del Rey first semi-final leg against Barcelona, when Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi put seven goals past Ryan.
For him, the disappointment was as heavy as after Australia's unsuccessful 2014 World Cup campaign.
There was a text from Crawley after the match. "I said, 'Tough day at the office, bud'," Crawley said. "He was disappointed so I tried to keep it fairly light. He hasn't changed in that regard. He's fairly critical of himself because he knows and believes he can make a difference.
"It doesn't matter if it's Messi, Suarez, whoever. In his mind he wants to compete with them and be better."
Things finally appear to be looking up for Ryan. A couple of strong performances in Valencia's Europa League campaign impressed Neville enough to throw him back into the starting side for the club's most recent La Liga match ��� a 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo.
He was a virtual spectator in his first game back in the green and gold in Adelaide on Thursday, barely touching the ball in Australia's 7-0 shellacking of Tajikistan.
But Ryan expects to be tested more thoroughly against Harry Redknapp's Jordan, and is focused on ensuring Australia finish top of their group and reach the next qualifying phase.
"They did a [2-0] job on us in the first game in Jordan," he said. "It doesn't sit well with us. They will be a very difficult opponent, and with respect to the other teams, the most difficult team in the group."
AAP