What is next for Melbourne Victory star Ryan Teague after his memorable Subway Socceroos bow? An overseas move could be on the cards, according to A-Leagues legend Alex Brosque.
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The 23-year-old midfielder did not look out of place under the guidance of former Victory boss Tony Popovic in front of a huge crowd in China as Australia took another step towards next year’s showpiece tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“There were question marks on his addition to the squad, then the fact that he was starting, and he was brilliant, I think for me, man of the match, unfazed by the game,” former Sydney FC striker Brosque said on this week’s Total A-Leagues ahead of Saturday’s Original Rivalry between Victory and Adelaide United.
“I think having someone like (Jackson) Irvine around him, he spoke post-match about, you know, the quality of players, and they were always talking to him. And I think that he just felt at home.”
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Brosque added: “I thought his confidence and bravery in picking up the ball and wanting to get on the ball looking forward, I think in that first game, we lacked a little bit of penetration through the middle, someone to find our wingers when they were coming inside, to allow the full-backs to overlap.
“Whether it was (Martin) Boyle coming inside the loop around the other side, he did well at turning and finding them and getting our attack going. So again, just his bravery and calmness on the ball.
“There were a few moments where he looked like he was in a bit of trouble, didn’t panic, found a way out, and that’s what we needed again, in that first game against Indonesia, we couldn’t really control the game.
“We were on the back foot for a lot of the game, and needed someone like a Teague, just to get on the ball and start getting us moving forward and I thought that’s, what impressed me most.”
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A Sydney FC youth product, Teague has barely put a foot wrong since returning to Australia to play for Melbourne Victory in 2023-24 following a spell abroad.
The young Australian has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the competition during his time at AAMI Park.
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“Knowing his quality and what he always showed, even coming through as a youngster [at Sydney], you could see he was going to be a special player,” Brosque recalled. “To see him doing it in Melbourne Victory colours, it hurts, but look great for the country.
“Again, having worked with Popovic, it’s a good stepping stone for him, you know, hopefully this leads him on now to hopefully a career abroad.”
Teague was not the only Victory player who starred for the Socceroos during the international break.
Nishan Velupillay scored against Indonesia and China to make it three goals in his five caps since debuting for Australia since the 23-year-old debuted in October last year.
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Sydney Morning Herald reporter and Total A-Leagues host Vince Rugari said: “Lots of people raise their eyebrows at his selection. Me included.
“I feel good being proven wrong with things like that, to be honest, because Popa got it right, and including against Indonesia.
“I love the way he handled this piece of play here Brosky, there’s too many times in the past we’ve seen Australian players get into situations like that and and stuffed it up, but he held his nerve brilliantly.”
“We’ve seen him at club level sometimes second guess himself when he’s not in any real form,” said Brosque. “But this was clinical. He had in his mind exactly what he wanted to do. He was confident about it.
“It’s very easy to miss that chance, and if you get it wrong, if you’re not confident, I loved it as well. I thought his overall play was good. And you’re right, it is good when people are doubting whether someone should ping the squad when they respond and put in a performance like that.
“It justifies why he’s there. It justifies to the manager why he selected him, and he was great across both games as well.”
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Rugari added: “You mentioned Teague maybe looking to get to Europe at some stage. I’d say Nishan Velupillay will probably be looking at something like that soon.
“Popa wants them to branch out. He wants them to go and experience football at the higher level, not only because it’s a higher level, so that their bodies become more hard and to the rigors of international football.”
