Impressive at 16: Calm and Collected Rising Star Poised for Socceroos Debut and A-League Brilliance

October 1, 2018: Indonesian players lie dejected on the field at National Stadium Bukit Jalil, while Australians celebrate their victory.

The Joeys had just triumphed over Indonesia with a 3-2 scoreline in the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-16 Championship held in Malaysia. This young Australian team, united by their aspirations of donning the Socceroos jersey in the future, had advanced to the semi-finals, setting the stage for an exciting showdown against Japan.

In joyous celebration, the victorious Joeys huddled together, contrasting starkly with the Indonesian players sprawled on the turf, experiencing their first taste of the heartache that accompanies an international tournament exit.

However, one Australian player chose to hold off on joining in the celebrations, opting instead to personally console his defeated counterparts. He assisted some players to their feet and offered words of comfort to others.

This compassionate player was a 16-year-old Ryan Teague.

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At that time, Teague was still a teenager, fresh out of Sydney FC’s academy and considered a promising talent for the future.

This moment of exemplary sportsmanship revealed Teague’s true character. It is little wonder that nearly seven years later, at 23, he was referred to as a “level-headed young man” by Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic shortly after making his senior Socceroos debut.

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Teague earned his cap as the Subway Socceroos’ #649 during Australia’s 2-0 victory over China PR in Hangzhou on Tuesday night. Starting in midfield, he delivered an impressive 77-minute performance that never saw him out of place in this crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier, played in front of over 60,000 spectators.

Having joined Melbourne Victory last season, Teague’s form and development under Popovic have played a significant role in his first call-up to the national squad, coinciding with his debut in the current international window.

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Acknowledged for his composure both on and off the pitch, Teague’s performance against China PR will surely enhance his prospects for a recall in the upcoming June international window, with two vital World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia on the horizon.

“What a fantastic way to begin, right?” Popovic remarked after Teague’s notable debut.

“Making your debut and having a few great touches early can really ease the nerves.

“He’s a very level-headed young man. I know him well, and he certainly provided good balance for us in midfield. The team’s solid start also eased him into the game, and I thought he played a significant role.”

“We weren’t under much pressure… the team’s performance helped him settle in, and he made a major contribution.”

Following the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying victories over Indonesia and China PR, Teague will now return to Victory, gearing up for a highly anticipated Original Rivalry clash against Adelaide United on Saturday night.