Socceroos coach Tony Popovic can make his mark after securing World Cup qualification
One job done, work to do. After sealing World Cup qualification Tony Popovic has plenty to ponder. Erin Smith analyses how the Socceroos got here, and what’s ahead before the 2025 World Cup.
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A win over Saudi Arabia has given the Socceroos a fairytale ending to the arduous qualification process and means Tony Popovic’s focus can now turn to preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The task was simple for the Socceroos: just don’t lose the game by five goals or more.
After a nervy start — which included Martin Boyle missing a chance minutes before Saudi Arabia opened the scoring — the Socceroos steadied the ship to take the game, running out 2-1 winners.
Just like the game against Japan, Australia had very little of the ball — they were left to defend for large chunks of the game and were quite happy to just hold up the play when they did have it at their feet.
While the tactic wasn’t out of place given the circumstances the Socceroos will need to get a few more tricks in their bag before the World Cup kicks off in 12 months.
Popovic took the reins in September mid-qualification process after Graham Arnold handed back his whistle following a run of poor results.
It meant the former Melbourne Victory coach has had little option but to focus on the task directly in front of him — securing entry to the tournament with a nine game unbeaten streak.
With that task now achieved Popovic can look to sure up his World Cup squad, alter tactics and really drill down on any changes he wants to make.
Coming in mid-qualification process hampered his ability to make sweeping changes as rocking the boat could have had detrimental impacts.
Now he can look to experiment a bit, zoom in on the issues and even look to get some new set-ups and tactics in the notebook.
MOMENTS
World Cup success relies on teams making the most of every opportunity no matter how small and that is something the Socceroos are going to have to really drill down on.
Every missed shot, wayward cross or poor tackle could be the difference between making it out of the group or making an early exit.
The Socceroos missed a number of big moments in the game with Saudi Arabia — the most notable was Boyle’s missed shot at an empty goal in the 18th minute.
Boyle had done all the hard work and was under little pressure but just couldn’t get the shot on target.
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Missing the shot changed the match — the Saudi fans lifted, the Green Falcons found a new level and scored just two minutes later.
If Boyle had smashed that goal into the net it would have had a very different impact on the game.
Across the park Socceroos had sloppy distribution, with their passing accuracy sitting at just 77 per cent for the game.
While the Socceroos created more chances in the second half against a desperate Saudi side that is never a guarantee in a tournament such as the World Cup.
METCALFE MAKES A MARK
With some big names including Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar out injured the opportunity was there for a less experienced player to step up and really make a case for World Cup inclusion.
Connor Metcalfe, the 25-year-old midfielder who plays alongside Irvine at St Pauli, really stepped up.
Metcalfe put in a solid effort on the pitch and was rightly rewarded with a goal just minutes before half-time. It came off a stellar pass from Mitch Duke.
Metcalfe made a perfectly timed run to clinically slam the ball past the Saudi keeper into the net.
It was his first goal for Australia and a crucial one, leveling the scores.
If Metcalfe and Irvine can continue to build connections at a domestic level, once Irvine recovers from his foot surgery they could prove a real threat come the World Cup.
SOLID DEFENCE
The Socceroos didn’t need to score today and as expected Popovic sent out a very defence-oriented squad and they were clearly up for the task.
While not a fun brand of football for fans to watch, holding the fort or “parking the bus” as many call it for 90 minutes is not an easy task — especially when the other side is desperate for goals.
Aziz Behich, Cameron Burgess, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria and Lewis Miller made few errors in the backline.
It wasn’t a clean sheet performance but they did hold strong to limit Saudi Arabia to just five shots on target from 13 chances.
But while defence is an important part of the game, so is scoring goals and Popovic will have to find a way for the team to deliver a better mix of attack and defence come the World Cup.
A TRUE LEGEND
A penalty save, a win and qualification to the World Cup is a very fitting way for Socceroos captain Mat Ryan to make his 100th national team appearance.
The goalkeeper is just the third men’s player to reach the milestone behind Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill.
Ryan pulled off a stellar penalty save in the 85th minute, just moments after making another big stop.
When Popovic first took over as coach there were questions around whether Ryan’s time between the sticks was over, with the new manager leaving the captain on the bench in favour of the younger keeper Joe Gauci.
But the switch didn’t last long.
Ryan revealed some doubts about his Socceroos future ahead of his milestone match.
“There were definitely thoughts that I had then that I could well have played my last game for the national team,” Ryan said.
“At the same time, anyone who obtains success in their life, it’s a fundamental to be able to stay strong and continue to believe in yourself and back yourself.”
Ryan tops the list for the most FIFA World Cup qualifier appearances for the Socceroos.
He has 39 clean sheets from his 100 matches.
WHAT’S NEXT
Popovic has just five international windows left before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in June 2026.
Players will get a bit of a break with most clubs in the offseason and the next international window not until 1-9 September.
With the qualification process uncertain the Socceroos don’t have opponents locked in for that next window.
The limited number of opportunities to get together as a group between now and the World Cup will mean who they face in those windows will be crucial.
Popovic will be looking for opponents who can challenge the Socceroos, provide a range of styles of play that could mimic who they could face come the tournament but also keep the confidence levels high.
While there is just 12 months until the tournament FIFA are yet to announce dates for the draw.
Originally published as Socceroos coach Tony Popovic can make his mark after securing World Cup qualification
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