Jason Geria and Thomas Deng can’t help but smile when they think about how their careers are intertwined.
Geria played right-back for Melbourne Victory first - earning himself his first Socceroos cap in 2016.
Then when he left for Japanese club JEF Chiba two years later, a rising defender - Deng - took his place.
In 2020, Deng made his own move to Japan, with Albirex Niigata.
A year after that, Geria returned to Victory, where his form ultimately earned him his second cap last week after an eight-year wait.
The man Geria replaced at halftime against China? Deng.
Now the pair are in Japan with the Socceroos, and jostling to make the right centre-back role their own ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Samurai Blue at Saitama Stadium.
“Football's crazy really,” Geria told AAP.
"Just how things can sort of come full circle, or you're playing with people, then you're not, and then you're back together.
"It's been really enjoyable being with him again.
"We spent some time in Melbourne, and then he's had a really good stretch here in Japan as well, with Urawa, now with Niigata.
"To see a lot of familiar faces has been really enjoyable for me."
Deng, 27, still reflects fondly on his early years at Victory with Geria, 31.
After a rare international appearance himself, Deng was rapt to see his fellow defender's eight-year international exile end.
"It’s been a long time for him as well,” Deng told AAP.
"So catching up with him, it's been really nice. It's been a couple of years since we played together as well.
"Every time we used to come to Melbourne, I'd catch up with him.
"So being in the same environment now, playing together and representing the badge, there's no better feeling.”
Deng had a mix-up with Harry Souttar for China's goal in the first half, but otherwise impressed before he was replaced by Geria - who is quick to praise his younger teammate.
"I thought he did really well in the first half in Adelaide," Geria said.
"It was just that moment for the goal, which can happen."
Deng is ready to make Geria earn the starting spot - adamant competition is a good result for everyone.
"Now, for me, it's all about the team,” Deng said.
“As long as we progress and we continue to win games, it doesn't matter who plays.
“Obviously, we're competitive, so we're gonna try and perform or outperform each other. That's perfectly normal for me.”
