It was a ‘surreal’ Australia debut against Ecuador for Joe Gauci – but he’s intent on keeping his feet firmly planted as post-match discussion centred on his credentials as the heir apparent to Socceroos No.1 Maty Ryan.
In March of 2021, a 20-year-old Joe Gauci made his professional debut for Adelaide United.
The occasion? The Reds’ road trip to Marvel Stadium to face rivals Melbourne Victory in the Isuzu UTE A-League’s Original Rivalry.
Fast-forward two years, the now-22-year-old is pinching himself after standing in between the sticks at the very same venue on his Subway Socceroos debut.
“It was a surreal moment,” Gauci told Network 10 after Australia’s 2-1 loss to Ecuador. “To be at the same stadium where I made my professional debut nearly two years ago to the day, it’s been a special journey to get to here.
“I didn’t think it would come this quickly, when (Graham Arnold) told me yesterday I was lost for words for about 30 minutes, just staring into nothing”
It’s safe to say the young debutant quickly came to his senses. He was one of the surprise inclusions in Arnold’s starting XI on Tuesday night – but that surprise quickly turned to excitement for Socceroos fans ahead of yet another national debut for a highly-rated prospect.
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Gauci became Socceroo #631 as the first whistle blew at Marvel Stadium – and he was quickly put to work to earn his keep. Within half an hour the Reds shot-stopper had been called into a handful of crucial saves – the most impressive coming in just the fourth minute, when he tipped a close-range shot from Kevin Rodriguez off a tight angle around the post.
In the end he was beaten twice – but only by a Pervis Estupinan penalty, and a William Pacho header from a set piece.
It was a well-earned first cap for Gauci, who refused to look at his debut as anything other than a chance to get accustomed to the intensity of international football.
“We spoke pre-game about this being a dress rehearsal for that number two spot (behind Maty Ryan),” said former Socceroo and Network 10 analyst Bruce Djite, whilst speaking to Gauci post-game. “You’re playing, (Andrew) Redmayne’s on the bench. Is this a changing of the guard? Did you interpret that as a dress rehearsal?
“No, not at all,” Gauci replied. “I just addressed it as an opportunity to show what I could do out there at the international level.”
“I think first and foremost, I need to be playing well for Adelaide to get an opportunity to come here and show what I can do. I’ve been rewarded with that, and rewarded with the opportunity to come and show what I can do tonight.
“The result didn’t go our way, but I gave it my all, put my best foot forward and hopefully with some continued form at Adelaide, that’s enough to get me in future camps.
“It is good for the confidence. It was a really intense game, and Friday night (returning to the A-League to take on Western Sydney) will probably be a really intense one as well.
“I’m looking forward to going back to Adelaide, continuing the season and hopefully I can maybe spark some form in the back-end (heading) into finals.”
Head coach Arnold was glowing in assessment of his debutant goalkeeper in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat.
“I thought Gauci was outstanding,” Arnold told Network 10.
“It was a sloppy penalty, and sloppiness from a corner again that we conceded (from). Other than that, I thought he had a great game.”
Irvine’s ‘huge honour’ which once felt ‘like a pipe dream’
The number 63 will forever resonate with Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine after Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Ecuador.
When the dust settles on a hard-fought and narrow loss, the FC St Pauli midfielder will look back on the occasion as the night he led out his nation as Socceroos captain for the very first time.
Irvine donned the armband in the absence of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. In the process, Irvine became the 63rd player to captain the Socceroos throughout the national side’s 100-year history.
“I haven’t really had time to process it all yet,” Irvine told Network 10 post-match. “It’s a huge honour, a huge moment in my career. I’m immensely proud to have been given this honour tonight. I’m obviously disappointed it didn’t quite swing our way tonight, but so many positives to take from the game.
“The boys are disappointed, we love winning, especially when we’re playing at home. But these friendlies are about building and growing, and I think you saw a lot of that in these last two games.
“(Captaining the Socceroos) feels like a pipe dream when you’re a kid.
“But I’ve been fortunate enough to captain the national teams at younger age groups, but never given the honour so far. My family and friends are here tonight. I’m just grateful to everybody that helped me get here.”
