Australia and Valencia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is relishing the opportunity to test himself against the biggest stars of the Premier League and says the Socceroos can repeat their 2003 success when they face England in an international friendly in Sunderland on Friday.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise since bursting onto the scene with the Central Coast Mariners, helping them win the A-League Championship in 2013 before earning a move to Europe with Belgium's Club Brugge.
After two seasons which saw him become a Belgian Cup winner, Ryan took the next step in his career by joining La Liga giants Valencia last summer after being linked with a move to the Premier League.
Now he'll be in the shop window at the Stadium of Light against Wayne Rooney and Co.
"Australia and England have a big rivalry on the international scene," Ryan told ESPN FC on last week's visit to Singapore with Valencia.
"I think it's been over 10 years now since we last played them and we beat them the last time in England.
"Fingers crossed, we can go and do the same again but it'll be a good test for everyone."
By his own admission, Ryan's first season in Spain didn't go according to plan after a knee injury restricted him to only eight league appearances and 21 in all competitions.
While he had to, at times, play second fiddle to Diego Alves at Valencia, he remains the first choice for Australia coach Ange Postecoglou for the game against England, plus two friendlies on home soil against Greece early next month.
"I can't wait for these couple of games, but obviously, the England game is coming up first," he said.
"I have the hunger to play all the time and, having not fulfilled that much at Valencia, it makes these international games even more important.
"I'm looking forward to getting into camp and working hard with the other goalkeepers and the rest of the team to prepare for the game.
"Hopefully, I can get the nod on game day and have another test against one of the best teams going around in the world."
England will head into Euro 2016 as one of the genuine contenders and, given that they are currently 40 places above Australia in the FIFA world rankings, will be strong favourites for Friday's clash.
However, there is no shortage of Europe-based quality at Postecoglou's disposal, including the likes of Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak, Bayer Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse and Celtic playmaker Tom Rogic.
And Ryan sees no reason why the Australians cannot cause a similar upset as they did in 2003, when a Harry Kewell-inspired side beat David Beckham's England 3-1 at Upton Park in what was Rooney's international debut.
Ryan was only 10 years old when that game was played on a chilly February evening in east London. Mark Schwarzer, who was second string goalkeeper for English champions Leicester City this season, wore the gloves for Australia on that night.
