2 weeks ago
22
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Canada coach Jesse Marsch labelled the Socceroos as “stingy” during the build up to this friendly. Australia are yet to lose since Popovic took over from Graham Arnold in September, with the Socceroos sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup as part of their 10-match unbeaten run. The Socceroos have scored 20 goals and conceded just seven across those matches, and the team have won their past six. Head coach Tony Popovic was wearing that label as a badge of honour on the day before the game.
I take that as a compliment. I could say the same about them, when you look at their recent results and how they defend as a unit.
We’re playing a team in very good form. When you look at their list and see where they all play throughout the world, you see they’re formidable individuals, and they’re forming a team that’s picking up very good results. The last two against Wales and Romania in Europe were clean sheets, two very good performances.
Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic explains the reasons for Jacob Italiano’s debut, as well as his thinking behind selecting Paul Izzo between the posts while Mat Ryan takes a seat among the substitutes.
Italiano comes in, so a special night obviously for him and his family. I’m sure they’ll be very excited watching. He’s come in and done very well in training, settled in very quickly, so I thought he deserved an opportunity.
The rest pretty much remains the same. Ale’s [Circati] captain again, which is I think wonderful for him. It’s his birthday today. A nice one for the young man. I just want to see whether he can keep growing in that leadership role.
I think the last camp with Maty not there, it was either Paul or Joe Gauci playing. I just wanted Paul to have a sense of, ‘you’re playing this time with Maty Ryan here’, and I think that’s a little bit different psychologically.
Let’s see how he handles that, but I just feel he deserves another opportunity to show us what he can do – away from home, tough opponent, tough conditions, and I really want to see how he handles that.
Australia XI
Socceroos: Paul Izzo (gk), Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati (capt), Milos Degenek, Cam Burgess, Kye Rowles, Aiden O’Neill, Max Balard, Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankunda, Mo Toure.
Alessandro Circati take the captain’s armband for a second time in just his eighth international while Paul Izzo is preferred between the posts even with Socceroos stalwart Mat Ryan in the squad. Jacob Italiano is handed a surprise debut at right back after impressing in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Canada XI
Les Rouges: Maxime Crepeau (gk), Richie Laryea, Derek Cornelius, Joel Waterman, Niko Sigur, Nathan Saliba, Ismael Kone, Ali Ahmed, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David (capt), Cyle Larin.
Jonathan David leads Canada and will be a key to their hopes while Maxime Crepeau is preferred in goal and Joel Waterman steps into the defence. There is plenty of firepower in the lineup, especially with the Juventus striker leading the line, despite the ongoing absence of full-back Alphonso Davies due to a serious knee injury.
Preamble
Martin Pegan
Bonjour! Hello and welcome to live coverage of the international football friendly between Canada and Australia at Stade Saputo in Montreal. The Socceroos and Les Rouges are ramping up their preparations for the 2026 World Cup which Canada will of course co-host alongside the United States and Mexico, with a clash against a most evenly-matched opponent.
Australia are ranked No 25 in the world as they have gone on a 10-match unbeaten run since head coach Tony Popovic took charge, and have continued to impress even after qualifying for the showpiece event next year. The Socceroos most recently defeated New Zealand in the Soccer Ashes with a 3-1 and 1-0 victory as young guns Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure caught fire, and Max Balard scored a match-winner on debut.
Canada sit only one spot behind today’s opponents in the rankings in 26th place, while only conceding twice in their past seven matches – though they have lost a couple of penalty shootouts in that stretch against Ivory Coast in a friendly and to Guatemala in the Gold Cup. Les Rouges enter this match following a 3-0 win over Romania and a 1-0 victory over Wales.
This is the first meeting between the teams since the Socceroos beat Canada 3-0 at Craven Cottage in London in October 2013.
Kick off in Montreal is 7.40pm local / 10.40am AEDT. I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news. But now is the time to hit me up with questions, thoughts and predictions – shoot me an email, or find me on X @martinpegan and Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!
