Veteran Socceroo up for World Cup fight
But with injured players returning and ambitious youngsters waiting in the wings, he will have to fight for his dream of taking the field on football's grandest stage.
Boyle was famously ruled out two days before the Qatar World Cup, requiring a full reconstruction of his right knee.
The popular winger was the Socceroos' vibes manager on crutches as they went on a barnstorming run to the round of 16.
But after helping Australia seal automatic qualification to next year's World Cup finals, Boyle, 32, wants more.
"I'm glad I got to experience it, I still had them special memories of being selected and being part of the qualifying campaign," Boyle told AAP.
"But to physically play and do your best and help the team is something that I'm really hungry to do.
"Obviously, I'm not getting any younger. This could be my last chance, so I really need to keep working hard at club level, keep scoring goals and assists and try to get better.
"Obviously, it'll be in the back of my mind that I want to play at the World Cup. But it's not a given.
"You have to earn the right to be there, and the competition for places is really difficult at the moment. So as long as I keep performing, then hopefully I can make it."
Jackson Irvine, Harry Souttar, Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay and Nestory Irankunda are among those who didn't feature against Japan and Saudi Arabia and will be pushing their cases.
"The boss has made that clear that he wants people performing and being at their best every camp," Boyle said.
"So it will be difficult. We've had a lot of boys missing. It's great competition."
Boyle, who has triggered another year at Scottish club Hibernian, had to fight his way into Tony Popovic's plans, after falling out of favour early.
"I came back swinging - not physically swinging, because he would knock me out," Boyle said of towering boss Popovic with a laugh.
"But it was quite difficult. I just came back from my wrist surgery, and I didn't feel like I was fully up to speed, and maybe that was a kick up the backside of 'I'm really in for a fight for my position'.
"I went back to my club level, and I was hungry, I was motivated. The results we were getting there at club level really spurred me on and pushed me on.
"I've started the last four (games), which has been brilliant."
While Boyle fondly remembers Australia's dramatic win over Peru on penalties four years ago, he is delighted to have the Socceroos' World Cup berth locked in a year out.
Popovic can use international windows in September, October, November, March and June to prepare.
"It's a great feeling, we don't have that stress. We don't have that in the back of our minds," Boyle said.
"We can fully prepare for a full year.
"I am not entirely sure what the games will be like, but I presume we'll have some good ties, and hopefully we can have a few ties over in the US and stuff like that.
"But it's definitely a relief. We're all on cloud nine at the moment."
Martin Boyle is done with experiencing the World Cup from the sidelines.
But with injured players returning and ambitious youngsters waiting in the wings, he will have to fight for his dream of taking the field on football's grandest stage.
Boyle was famously ruled out two days before the Qatar World Cup, requiring a full reconstruction of his right knee.
The popular winger was the Socceroos' vibes manager on crutches as they went on a barnstorming run to the round of 16.
But after helping Australia seal automatic qualification to next year's World Cup finals, Boyle, 32, wants more.
"I'm glad I got to experience it, I still had them special memories of being selected and being part of the qualifying campaign," Boyle told AAP.
"But to physically play and do your best and help the team is something that I'm really hungry to do.
"Obviously, I'm not getting any younger. This could be my last chance, so I really need to keep working hard at club level, keep scoring goals and assists and try to get better.
"Obviously, it'll be in the back of my mind that I want to play at the World Cup. But it's not a given.
"You have to earn the right to be there, and the competition for places is really difficult at the moment. So as long as I keep performing, then hopefully I can make it."
Jackson Irvine, Harry Souttar, Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay and Nestory Irankunda are among those who didn't feature against Japan and Saudi Arabia and will be pushing their cases.
"The boss has made that clear that he wants people performing and being at their best every camp," Boyle said.
"So it will be difficult. We've had a lot of boys missing. It's great competition."
Boyle, who has triggered another year at Scottish club Hibernian, had to fight his way into Tony Popovic's plans, after falling out of favour early.
"I came back swinging - not physically swinging, because he would knock me out," Boyle said of towering boss Popovic with a laugh.
"But it was quite difficult. I just came back from my wrist surgery, and I didn't feel like I was fully up to speed, and maybe that was a kick up the backside of 'I'm really in for a fight for my position'.
"I went back to my club level, and I was hungry, I was motivated. The results we were getting there at club level really spurred me on and pushed me on.
"I've started the last four (games), which has been brilliant."
While Boyle fondly remembers Australia's dramatic win over Peru on penalties four years ago, he is delighted to have the Socceroos' World Cup berth locked in a year out.
Popovic can use international windows in September, October, November, March and June to prepare.
"It's a great feeling, we don't have that stress. We don't have that in the back of our minds," Boyle said.
"We can fully prepare for a full year.
"I am not entirely sure what the games will be like, but I presume we'll have some good ties, and hopefully we can have a few ties over in the US and stuff like that.
"But it's definitely a relief. We're all on cloud nine at the moment."
Martin Boyle is done with experiencing the World Cup from the sidelines.
But with injured players returning and ambitious youngsters waiting in the wings, he will have to fight for his dream of taking the field on football's grandest stage.
Boyle was famously ruled out two days before the Qatar World Cup, requiring a full reconstruction of his right knee.
The popular winger was the Socceroos' vibes manager on crutches as they went on a barnstorming run to the round of 16.
But after helping Australia seal automatic qualification to next year's World Cup finals, Boyle, 32, wants more.
"I'm glad I got to experience it, I still had them special memories of being selected and being part of the qualifying campaign," Boyle told AAP.
"But to physically play and do your best and help the team is something that I'm really hungry to do.
"Obviously, I'm not getting any younger. This could be my last chance, so I really need to keep working hard at club level, keep scoring goals and assists and try to get better.
"Obviously, it'll be in the back of my mind that I want to play at the World Cup. But it's not a given.
"You have to earn the right to be there, and the competition for places is really difficult at the moment. So as long as I keep performing, then hopefully I can make it."
Jackson Irvine, Harry Souttar, Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay and Nestory Irankunda are among those who didn't feature against Japan and Saudi Arabia and will be pushing their cases.
"The boss has made that clear that he wants people performing and being at their best every camp," Boyle said.
"So it will be difficult. We've had a lot of boys missing. It's great competition."
Boyle, who has triggered another year at Scottish club Hibernian, had to fight his way into Tony Popovic's plans, after falling out of favour early.
"I came back swinging - not physically swinging, because he would knock me out," Boyle said of towering boss Popovic with a laugh.
"But it was quite difficult. I just came back from my wrist surgery, and I didn't feel like I was fully up to speed, and maybe that was a kick up the backside of 'I'm really in for a fight for my position'.
"I went back to my club level, and I was hungry, I was motivated. The results we were getting there at club level really spurred me on and pushed me on.
"I've started the last four (games), which has been brilliant."
While Boyle fondly remembers Australia's dramatic win over Peru on penalties four years ago, he is delighted to have the Socceroos' World Cup berth locked in a year out.
Popovic can use international windows in September, October, November, March and June to prepare.
"It's a great feeling, we don't have that stress. We don't have that in the back of our minds," Boyle said.
"We can fully prepare for a full year.
"I am not entirely sure what the games will be like, but I presume we'll have some good ties, and hopefully we can have a few ties over in the US and stuff like that.
"But it's definitely a relief. We're all on cloud nine at the moment."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Davidson makes magic moments but Woad stays in control
Australia's Karis Davidson shot a stunning 66, including eight birdies in 10 mid-round holes, to briefly surge into contention at the Women's Scottish Open before falling back in the closing stages. The Gold Coast 27-year-old carded a third round that was one shot better than leader Lottie Woad but still found herself 10 shots adrift, in a tie for ninth place. She is joined by compatriot Cassie Porter, who shot a 69 that also left her seven under on the leaderboard at Troon on Saturday. Woad had four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn and posted a 5-under 67 to maintain her two-shot lead as she closes in on victory in her professional debut. Woad has such control of her game at Dundonald Links that she went 33 consecutive holes without a bogey until dropping a shot on the 15th. Her lead was down to one shot, but the 21-year-old from England responded with a short wedge she played perfectly on the 17th, leaving her an 8-foot birdie putt she converted. A closing par put her at 17-under 199. Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who caught Woad early with an eagle on the par-5 third hole, fell behind after Woad's birdie streak. But the Dane rallied with three straight birdies and a couple of par saves for a 67. She was two shots behind, along with Sei Young Kim (66), who made a long eagle putt on the 14th and got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 closing hole to get within two shots. Nelly Korda played bogey-free, but the American managed only two birdies on another relatively calm day by Scottish standards. Her 70 left her five shots behind Woad, who already has had a golden summer in Europe. Woad, who won the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2024 and rose to No.1 in the women's amateur ranking that year, won the Irish Women's Open three weeks ago on the Ladies European Tour. Then she missed the play-off by one shot in the Evian Championship. But her tie for third in the LPGA major earned her a tour card, and she decided to skip her senior year at Florida State and turn pro. And now she has a chance to win in her debut. "That's the aim, to shoot as low as possible and keep giving myself chances," Woad said. "If someone shoots lights out, fair enough. I'm excited for the opportunity. I've got the experience and I'll try to use that." Another Australian, Minjee Lee, who was joint third after the first round, improved from Friday's travails with a 70 but is downfield in joint 27th on four over.
Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Perth Now
Australian swimming's fresh wave face world title test
The new wave in Australian swimming face an immediate resilience test at the world titles, head coach Rohan Taylor says. Taylor is overseeing a Dolphins team with a near-quarter of debutants, plus five new coaches, at the championships starting on Sunday in Singapore. "We don't have a footy game every week, we go once this year," Taylor told AAP. "So we have got to make sure that they get the experience. "Next year we will have a multiple competitions that they will be exposed to. "But the first one is the one that will test their resilience." Proven performers and gold-medal winners including Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers, Cam McEvoy and Mollie O'Callaghan form a core of a team including 10 world championship rookies including 16-year-old breaststroker Sienna Toohey. And the 10-strong coaching team under Swimming Australia's head coach Taylor has been revamped after last year's Paris Olympics with five fresh faces. Taylor was impressed with integration of the newcomers at the Dolphins' camp in Darwin before arriving in Singapore. "Having new people come in - a quarter of the team, half the coaching staff - they slotted in really well, it was really nice to see. That is the first step," he said. "The second step will be when they get into competition, obviously anything can happen. "It's going to be how they manage themselves, manage the ups and downs that come with it. "We have had a pretty consistent group of coaches and athletes over the last cycle that we worked with. This is just a new test for us as a leadership." The titles were vital for Taylor's plans for the ultimate goal, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. "I want to be able to look at the next three years to ensure we're working on all the key things for LA," he said. "I just want to know where are our gaps, where are our strengths ... and what do we need to be doing about it as an organisation." Australia will unveil a revamped women's 4x100m freestyle relay team on night one at the Singapore Sports Hub. The retired Emma McKeon and Shayna Jack, who missed selection, are missing from the relay team that won Olympic gold last year. Also on night one, Paris silver medallist Elijah Winnington and a rejuvenated Sam Short renew rivalry with Germany's Olympic champion Lukas Martens in the men's 400m freestyle. And with Ariarne Titmus yet to return post-Olympics, Lani Pallister will fly the Australian flag in a highly-anticipated women's 400m freestyle boasting Canadian Summer McIntosh and American legend Katie Ledecky. McIntosh, at Canada's trials last month, regained the 400m free world record from Titmus and also set global records in the 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Sydney FC signs son of former Socceroos star
A day after signing Al Hassan Toure, Sydney FC have secured the services of emerging Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The Sky Blues have signed Okon-Engstler - the son of former Socceroos defender Paul Okon - on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old joins from Portugal's most successful club Benfica, who made the last 16 at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Okon-Engstler was called into Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad for recent World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Although he is yet to make his international debut, he is considered a rising star and remains in the mix to feature for Australia at the 2026 World Cup. Okon-Engstler progressed through Benfica's academy and featured in the Portuguese second division throughout last season. "I'm really excited to be joining Sydney FC and to start this next chapter of my career back in Australia," Okon-Engstler said. "Sydney FC is a fantastic, forward-thinking football club with a progressive football philosophy and strategy which really drew me in. "It's a special moment for me and my family, I'm coming here to win trophies and fast-track my career and I can't wait to play in front of the Sky Blue members." Okon-Engstler could make his first appearance for Sydney on July 29 when they take on Western United in the Australia Cup. Toure, who started his career at Adelaide United, signed a two-year deal. The 25-year-old returns to Australia from FC Tulsa in the USL Championship after stints in Turkey and France. A day after signing Al Hassan Toure, Sydney FC have secured the services of emerging Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The Sky Blues have signed Okon-Engstler - the son of former Socceroos defender Paul Okon - on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old joins from Portugal's most successful club Benfica, who made the last 16 at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Okon-Engstler was called into Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad for recent World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Although he is yet to make his international debut, he is considered a rising star and remains in the mix to feature for Australia at the 2026 World Cup. Okon-Engstler progressed through Benfica's academy and featured in the Portuguese second division throughout last season. "I'm really excited to be joining Sydney FC and to start this next chapter of my career back in Australia," Okon-Engstler said. "Sydney FC is a fantastic, forward-thinking football club with a progressive football philosophy and strategy which really drew me in. "It's a special moment for me and my family, I'm coming here to win trophies and fast-track my career and I can't wait to play in front of the Sky Blue members." Okon-Engstler could make his first appearance for Sydney on July 29 when they take on Western United in the Australia Cup. Toure, who started his career at Adelaide United, signed a two-year deal. The 25-year-old returns to Australia from FC Tulsa in the USL Championship after stints in Turkey and France. A day after signing Al Hassan Toure, Sydney FC have secured the services of emerging Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The Sky Blues have signed Okon-Engstler - the son of former Socceroos defender Paul Okon - on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old joins from Portugal's most successful club Benfica, who made the last 16 at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Okon-Engstler was called into Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad for recent World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Although he is yet to make his international debut, he is considered a rising star and remains in the mix to feature for Australia at the 2026 World Cup. Okon-Engstler progressed through Benfica's academy and featured in the Portuguese second division throughout last season. "I'm really excited to be joining Sydney FC and to start this next chapter of my career back in Australia," Okon-Engstler said. "Sydney FC is a fantastic, forward-thinking football club with a progressive football philosophy and strategy which really drew me in. "It's a special moment for me and my family, I'm coming here to win trophies and fast-track my career and I can't wait to play in front of the Sky Blue members." Okon-Engstler could make his first appearance for Sydney on July 29 when they take on Western United in the Australia Cup. Toure, who started his career at Adelaide United, signed a two-year deal. The 25-year-old returns to Australia from FC Tulsa in the USL Championship after stints in Turkey and France.
