Socceroos coach Tony Popovic declares there’s no complacency ahead of Indonesia clash

Once upon a time, a clash with Garuda would have been considered an easy win for the Socceroos but Australian coach Tony Popovic has declared no complacency within the team.

Once burnt, twice shy, the Socceroos have ruled out any hint of complacency when they take on Asian football minnows Indonesia in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Thursday.

The Socceroos still have a great chance to qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - but they simply cannot afford to slip up against Indonesia at home.

There was a time when playing Team Garuda was considered an easy win for the Socceroos but not these days, as the squad found out last year when they drew 0-0 with each other in Jakarta.

That result led to Graham Arnold quitting as Socceroos coach and has contributed to the team’s current precarious position, where they are in second spot in Group C, but are one of five teams separated by a single point.

The Australian public expects the Socceroos to win comfortably but new coach Tony Popovic said his players were not taking anything for granted.

Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic says the Socceroos are not complacent. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“The group is very tight, so there is no reason to underestimate Indonesia. Their last result proves that against Saudi Arabia. So that’s not happening,” Popovic said.

“That hasn’t crossed our minds. But the expectation of the Australian public, that’s what it should be.

“They should expect their national team to produce, to play good football.”

After making a disastrous start to the qualifying campaign under Arnold, losing at home to Bahrain then drawing away to Indonesia, the Socceroos have made a slight improvement under Popovic without landing the killer blow.

While they did beat China 3-1 in Adelaide and drew away to runaway group leaders Japan, they now find themselves under pressure because they missed out on vital points when they drew away to Saudi Arabia and at home Bahrain.

With just four group games to go, Popovic said everyone was aware of just how important it was to get maximum points at home.

“We know what the expectation and pressures are of playing for the Socceroos and representing our country,” he said.

“From what I’ve seen, the players are embracing that. They’re enjoying that challenge and expectation, and they’re pretty relaxed and confident and prepared for this game.”

After being thrown into the job at short notice, Popovic has just had an extra four months off to look over his squad and their opponents but he is still none the wiser about how Indonesia will approach the game.

Like the Socceroos, Team Garuda have also brought in a new manager - hiring Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert - leaving Popovic preparing for a range of different scenarios.

Graham Arnold quit after the Garuda tie. Picture: ADITYA AJI / AFP

“We know there is a new coach, but we don’t know how he will set up,” he said.

“Like any game, the teams are very well organised in world football now, regardless of who you play.

“The teams can structure themselves well, they can get behind the ball, a lot more power in players, they can break quickly.

“So we have to be patient. If that’s the case, if that’s how they play, if they press, well, you know, we have to be able to exploit the spaces that are there.

“If they sit deep, we need to exploit the spaces between the lines and try to penetrate around the box. We just have to be prepared to do whatever at the moment allows us, and if it’s not on, be patient and wait for the opening.”

Originally published as Socceroos coach Tony Popovic declares there’s no complacency ahead of Indonesia clash