Luke Brattan made his long-awaited Subway Socceroos debut as Australia produced a gutsy performance to earn a 1-1 draw with high-flying Japan in 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifying.
There was a standout name on the teamsheet when the Socceroos’ starting XI was announced for Tuesday night’s blockbuster showdown in Saitama – Macarthur FC star Brattan was thrust into the line-up for his first Australia cap at the age of 34.
Aged 34 years and 221 days, Brattan became the oldest player to debut for the Socceroos in an ‘A’ international since the beginning of 1963, surpassing Melbourne Victory’s Bruno Fornaroli (34y 199d v Japan – 24 March 2022).
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A four-time Isuzu UTE A-League champion, Brattan played the entire first half in front of a sell-out crowd in Japan, where the Socceroos took the lead courtesy of a 58th-minute own goal – the first goal Samurai Blue have conceded in qualifying – before Cam Burgess turned the ball into his own net 14 minutes from the end.
“That was my chance and I’m super happy,” Brattan said via AAP as Macarthur prepare to kick-off their 2024-25 A-Leagues season at home to Perth Glory on Sunday.
“It was a tough game. Obviously the first game, first start to be away in Japan, it’s pretty special. They’re a fantastic team and so organised, so quick, so the quality is so good.
“I thought that I handled it fairly well and obviously can improve and definitely get better and I’m just super stoked at the moment.”
“It’s great. Obviously we didn’t have an awful lot of the ball so I wasn’t able to get on the ball and pass it around,” he continued following Australia’s first point away to Japan since 2013.
“But it’s great for me to have his backing and for him to have the trust in me, to put me in in a game this big is pretty special. I can’t wait for more.
“Just excited for what’s next. The boss has brought in a different style of play and with the coaching staff it’s very exciting – I think we can do something special.”
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This international window marked Brattan’s return to the national team fold for the first time since 2018.
“Football’s pretty funny but I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Brattan.
“This is the best achievement of my career by far. It’s such an honour to play for your country and just standing there, singing the national anthem, it’s so special. Having my girls back home watching, it’s very special.”
Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic also singled out Brattan during his post-match press conference after Australia claimed four points from their two October fixtures.
Melbourne Victory defender Jason Geria was also in the starting XI against Japan, while teammate Nishan Velupillay and Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich came off the bench.
The Socceroos are second in Group C in the third round of World Cup qualifying, four points behind Japan and level on five points with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
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“The players that came in did a great job,” Popovic said after the Socceroos arrived at the stadium just an hour prior to kick-off due to traffic. “Look, Luke Brattan had a debut at 34 years old.
“Yes it was difficult in the first half for everyone on the ball.
“But that’s the type of player we’re looking for in the midfield. We want to have one technical player so we will be searching for that definitely.
“I’m sure a special day for Luke Brattan today.”
“Our aspirations are to challenge Japan at a better level than we played today. That’s the goal for us,” Popovic added.
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