Mariners June International Wrap up: Matildas, Messi and More…

A busy month of international football has seen your Central Coast Mariners represented all over the globe, here is how they got on.

🇦🇺 Socceroos: EIGHT Mariners Alumni involved as World Cup Qualification secured

Starting off with the most notable achievement of the month, whilst we might not have had a current representative in the squad this time around, the Mariners influence could certainly be felt as the Socceroos secured qualification for their sixth consecutive World Cup with back-to-back wins over Japan (1-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-1).

Tony Popovic’s history-making squad included eight Mariners Alumni, as we see it…

Maty Ryan (Mariner #62, 2010-13)
Mitch Duke (Mariner #67, 2010-15)
Anthony Caceres (Mariner #80, 2012-16)
Paul Izzo (Mariner #103, 2015-17)
Kye Rowles (Mariner #136, 2017-22)
Aiden O’Neill (Mariner #148, 2018-19 loan)
Joe Gauci (Academy 2018-19)
Lewis Miller (Mariner #157, 2018-22)

Ryan celebrated his 100th cap in style as he captained the side in Jeddah, whilst at the other end of the field it was Duke who made the difference, setting up Connor Metcalfe with some brilliant centre-forward play before expertly glancing in a header to seal the win.

🇦🇺 CommBank Matildas: Isabel Gomez

Izzy Gomez wrote the latest chapter of her incredible 2025 story as she made her long-awaited international debut in the Matildas’ 4-1 winners over Argentina in Canberra.

Robbed of the opportunity late in 2024 by an injury, an incredible return to fitness and form in 2025 saw her take the Ninja A-League by storm and power the Mariners to a historic Championship.

We are sure that 13 minutes off the bench is just the beginning for her in a Matildas jersey.

🇦🇺 Australia U23: Nathan Paull

It was a productive trip to Yongin for the Olyroos and Nathan Paull, who played 90 minutes in both matches, as Trevor Morgan’s side kept two clean sheets with a goalless draw and a 2-0 win over Korea Republic.

It was Paully’s former Mariners teammate Garang Kuol who stole the headlines with this outrageous goal…

🇦🇺 Australia U20: Dylan Peraic-Cullen

There was one special spectator in particular as Australia U20s took on Argentina U20s in a two-part friendly series in Buenos Aires.

Eight-time Balon D’or winner Lionel Messi watched the first match in his nation’s Capital City, at the Argentina training base which was renamed after him in 2023, whilst our 18-year-old shot stopper was in action in the second match.

🇦🇺 Australia U18: Arthur De Lima, Haine Eames and Jai Ajanovic

There was plenty of action and experience for the trio of young Mariners in Nyon, Switzerland as the Australia U18s took part in the 2025 UEFA Friendship Cup, alongside some of the top footballing nations in the world.

The team faced Argentina, France and USA in the Group Stage, losing on penalties to Argentina in their opening match, then 3-0 against France before a narrow 3-2 loss against eventual runners-up USA.

All three young Mariners then featured in their final match, a 4-1 win over Uruguay!

NYON, SWITZERLAND – JUNE 10: The UEFA Friendship Cup 2025 Finals match between Australia and Uruguay at Colovray Sports Centre on June 10, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland. (Photo by Lisa Lemee – UEFA)
🇭🇷 Croatia Women’s National Team: Bianca Galic

Bianca Galic started both matches as Croatia wrapped up their UEFA Women’s Nations League Group Stage with fixtures against Czech Republic and Ukraine.

Her side recorded a 2-0 win over group winners Ukraine in the final match, but it wasn’t enough to avoid finishing bottom of their group.

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