Ryan set to join Kewell, Cahill in making FA Cup history

Mat Ryan is one game away from becoming only the sixth Australian to ever play in a FA Cup final.

Mat Ryan celebrates Brighton & Hove Albion's penalty-shootout victory over Milwall in the FA Cup Quarter Final Source: Getty Images

On April 6 Ryan’s Brighton & Hove Albion will take on the might of Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup semi-finals. The Socceroo goalkeeper’s heroics helped Brighton beat Millwall on penalties to get through to the final four.

Now Ryan and his teammates have the huge challenge of trying to topple the defending Premier League champions who are aiming to win an unprecedented quadruple.

Should Brighton reach the decider on May 18, Ryan will join Joe Martson, Craig Johnston, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Mile Jedinak as the only Australians who have ever played in a FA Cup final, in the 147-year history of the competition. Johnston and Kewell are the only Australians to have ever won it, both with Liverpool. 

“I wasn’t aware of that,” Ryan admitted to The World Game.

“Prestigious competitions like this… the Millwall game was actually my first in the competition. I was very much looking forward to that and seeing what the hype was about.

“The special tradition that it has. The first game, what a game to have. It will probably be something I will never forget. Ultimately that’s the reason I play the game – to try and create as many of those memories of being successful.

“We’ll be doing everything absolutely we can to try and make this next match against Manchester City the same way. The bigger the challenge, the better the reward.

“It would be nice to knock City off and get to the final.”

Brighton fought back from 2-0 down to score twice and take their FA Cup quarter-final against Millwall into extra-time and then penalties earlier this month.

In the shootout Ryan saved Mahlon Romeo’s spot kick before Jake Cooper’s miss handed the Seagulls the win.

The Australian is turning into something of a penalty master after pulling off some sensational saves in the Asian Cup in the Socceroos shootout victory over Uzbekistan.

“There was a bit of drama about it [against Millwall], coming back so late and everything,” Ryan said.

“We were able to keep riding that wave and found a way to win, which was nice. It can always quickly change, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last two [penalty shootouts] I’ve been involved in, down to us winning, and making a save or two, which is good.

“It’s close to the pinnacle as a goalkeeper. It’s been quite enjoyable. As long as the team’s winning at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.”

Manchester City are battling Liverpool in a tight Premier League title race, they have already won the League Cup and are into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. With the FA Cup trophy also just two games away, winning a historic quadruple remains in reach for City.

Ryan said the Seagulls must respect Pep Guardiola’s star-studded outfit, but believes they can match them.

“If we play to the best of our ability we can open opportunities,” he maintains.

“Sport is a funny thing sometimes and the underdog can prevail. They’re a great team and we have to respect them obviously, but I think if we can play to our level and sustain that throughout the length of the match I think we can at least make it a competitive game.”

The 26-year-old admits it is these sorts of massive games he dreamt of playing in as a child growing up in western Sydney.

“Definitely. That’s the reason since I was ever able to kick a ball and then turn professional, I just wanted to get into an environment where you’re playing in the pinnacle of the game versus the best teams and best players in the world,” he said.

“Getting a taste of that week-in-week-out you definitely get that being here at Brighton and in the Premier League. This game is going to be probably… even more so being a semi-final at Wembley.

“I had one experience at Wembley last year against Tottenham in a league game, but I’m expecting this one to be a little bit extra special. I’m very much looking forward to it, as we all are.”