To cap him or not. That has been the question regarding Joe Gauci, who is eligible to represent the Socceroos, New Zealand and Malta.
After his heroics in Adelaide United’s 1-0 win over Macarthur FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Friday night, it will only spark calls for Socceroos selection.
The Adelaide goalkeeper was the star of the show with a shot-stopping masterclass – a brilliant diving effort to thwart Matt Millar in the opening half and an unbelievable double-save to keep out the Bulls in the second period among the highlights.
His man-of-the-match display, after Adelaide and Macarthur both had a player sent off, was showered in praise by the Paramount+ crew post-game.
“The Great Wall of Gauci that held the Bulls at bay, time and time again in Adelaide,” said host Ben Homer.
It was then put to Paramount+ analyst Daniel McBreen whether the 22-year-old should be part of Australia’s new cycle after the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
“He’s definitely going to be on the radar,” McBreen said. “In the last World Cup, a lot of people were speaking about in the next cycle he would be part of that if he continued on the trend he is now. And he is continuing on that trend. He is performing well.
All of the elements of his game – you’re not looking and thinking he is weak here. He is good with the ball at his feet, he comes for crosses, he is strong using his height, his reflex saves are phenomenal – that first save down to his right was fantastic and he added to that in the second half.
100% if it’s Graham Arnold or whoever it is coming in, they’ll have him on the radar. I think he’ll be in serious contention.
McBreen added: “He just kept moving up our player ratings during the game. He was at the bottom then he was moving up and then he was up.
“He was everywhere. Saved everything that came near him. He came out for crosses, he was strong when he needed to be, even under pressure.
“His stock keeps rising. He is a quality young player.”
Is Europe calling?
It is not just talk of international selection that comes with Gauci’s performances, but interest from abroad.
An Under-23 international with Australia, Gauci has been a star performance with Adelaide and he has made the number one position his own.
While a possible Socceroos call-up dominated the post-match dissection, Paramount+ co-commentator Grace Gill flagged something else.
“As much as the Socceroos radar is interest from European clubs,” she said.
“Because when you have performances like that, that’s got to be a bigger concern for Adelaide is the clubs that come knocking.
When you have performances like that, you’re going to demand attention from big clubs and I think that would be well deserved.
But how did Gauci make that save?!
That was the question everyone wanted to know after Gauci, somehow, kept out Ulises Davila and Macarthur with an incredible double-save with 13 minutes remaining in the second half.
“I was just throwing myself at the ball. If the pitch was a bit wetter, it was definitely a goal but it was a bit try in there, so it got stuck between my glove and the ground,” Gauci told Paramount+.
It was just one of those moments where you’re just throwing yourself at the ball, hoping to make a save.
“We get taught in training not to give up on balls, to go for everything. I guess that paid off today.”
