Gauci not locked in for start against Japan

After dislodging Mat Ryan from the starting goalkeeper role against China, Joe Gauci insists he doesn’t know whether he will back up against Japan.

And he is adamant Paul Izzo is just as much of a threat to take his spot in Tuesday night’s blockbuster at Saitama Stadium.

Gauci, 24, was preferred over Ryan in his home city of Adelaide for last week’s 3-1 win.

“Just because I played on Thursday doesn’t mean I’m necessarily guaranteed to play on Tuesday,” Gauci said on Sunday.

“I’m fully aware of that. I need to be applying myself and working hard every day in training to best prepare for the game, and at the end of the day, the boss will make a decision on who he thinks is best for the role.”

Pressed on whether he had been told whether he would start, Gauci said: “No, I don’t know. It’s too early.

“The boss works in the way that everyone is prepared to play the game and everyone should have that mentality of they’re going to be starting, and we’ll find out the night before or even the morning of the game the starting XI.

“He keeps everyone in the best mindset that they’re mentally and physically preparing to play the game and that way they’re ready to step on the field.”

Fellow South Australian Izzo couldn’t push his case to face China as he only landed in Australia on Wednesday, the day before the game.

But unlike Gauci (Aston Villa) and Ryan (Roma), Izzo plays week-in, week-out at Danish club Randers.

“I know that I’ve got our captain, and one of the best goalkeepers to play for this country, competing for the spot, as well as Paul, who is someone that maybe doesn’t get mentioned as much in this conversation,” Gauci said.

“But he’s someone that is playing week in, week out in Denmark, and playing very well for that matter.”

Gauci spoke to Ryan last Thursday and was confident their relationship would hold them in good stead as Popovic decided on his first-choice goalkeeper.

“Our goalkeeper union is fully supportive of each other,” Gauci said.

“Come match day, we’re all going to support the one that gets the nod.”