‘Fresh start’ looms for anxious Socceroos under new coach Tony Popovic

A leading Socceroo admits players are on edge following the appointment of Tony Popovic as Australia’s new coach.

Star winger Craig Goodwin admits it’s an “unnerving time” in the Socceroos camp following the departure of long-time national coach Graham Arnold and the appointment of his successor, Tony Popovic.

The post-Arnold era officially starts on Thursday night when the Socceroos host China in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.

With a monumental assignment awaiting the Australians next Tuesday in Saitama against Japan, a win over China is essential after the Socceroos’ poor start to the latest round of qualifiers last month.

A 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and a 0-0 draw with Indonesia led to the resignation of Arnold after six years in charge.

“It’s always an interesting time and probably an unnerving time when there’s a change of coach from a players’ perspective because you never know what’s going to happen,” Goodwin said in Adelaide on Monday.

“With ‘Arnie’s’ departure, it’s one of those ones where there’s a new coach coming in, fresh faces, and everyone just has to look at it as a fresh start and a fresh perspective to really stamp their authority on the team under a new coach.

“You’ve really got to try to refocus and re-evaluate the individual effort that you’re putting in, and making sure that you’re at the right level, and that’s going to happen over the next few days.”

New Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is a ‘winner’. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Football Australia

Former Adelaide United captain Goodwin, who now plays his club football for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Wehda, said none of the Socceroos had been expecting Arnold, who guided Australia to the round-of-16 at the 2022 World Cup, to resign.

“No-one knew it was coming,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a sad time because it’s been six years with ‘Arnie’ in charge and we’ve achieved some amazing things together.

“It’s sad to see that chapter end, but this is football, this is what happens, and now we have to refocus in the middle of qualifying in a really important stage.”

Goodwin, 32, was “excited” at the prospect of playing under former Socceroos defender Popovic – whose greatest coaching achievement was leading Western Sydney Wanderers to AFC Champions League glory in 2014 – for the first time.

“His teams are always well-organised, very difficult to play against, and you can see he’s a winner,” Goodwin said of Popovic.

“If he can instil that similar mindset within the group, that real winner mentality, that’s going to help us.

“I’m sure he’s got the plan set in stone, and for us as players, it’s about getting in, learning as quickly as possible, and trying to implement that.

“We have a very good squad, good players, and very motivated players to make up for what’s happened in the last two games.

“You’ll see a different mentality coming into these two games.”

Originally published as ‘Fresh start’ looms for anxious Socceroos under new coach Tony Popovic