Tony Popovic says Socceroos must match rival ‘energy’ in World Cup qualifier
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has revealed his plans for Thursday’s blockbuster World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says his priorities have shifted in his second camp at the helm, but “the expectation is to win” a vital World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
Popovic wants the Socceroos to “cement the foundation” of his new system during the November window as they vie for the top-two spot required to seal a 2026 World Cup berth.
The coach was cryptic over whether Australian captain Mathew Ryan would return to the line-up after Joe Gauci was preferred in October’s 3-1 win over China and 1-1 draw against Japan.
Popovic confirmed Ryan, who is yet to make an appearance for his new Serie A club Roma, had retained the captaincy of the side, but did not guarantee him a starting spot in the AAMI Park clash.
He was not prepared to rule out any of Australia’s 26-man squad from contention despite several of players arriving in the Melbourne camp as late as Tuesday night.
“It’s a pleasure to be back here again – some wonderful memories here at this stadium,” the former Melbourne Victory coach said on Wednesday.
“I look forward to another (memory) tomorrow, a packed house supporting the Socceroos.
“We’re aiming to put on a performance that can excite (the fans) … one to make them proud, and get a vital three points.”
The Socceroos sit in second spot in their World Cup qualifying group behind Japan, but only ahead of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (where they will travel next Wednesday) on goal difference.
Popovic said it was clear that securing automatic qualification was “in our own hands”.
“Here at our home stadium, our crowd. The players look calm and confident, and I want to see that in their performance (on Thursday),” he said.
“I feel like we’re in the early stages of building a foundation of how we want to play.
“We don’t shy away from the expectation of a very good performance … our expectation is to win regardless of if it’s early in our tenure together.”
Melbourne boy Jackson Irvine, who was a likely starter in central midfield, said he was sure Saudi Arabia would “have a bit of a bounce” from regaining World Cup coach Herve Renard.
“We know their qualities, we’ve come up against them a number of times over the last few years and we’re aware of those threats,” Irvine said.
“But within the framework of our own game, we’ll be looking at the ways we can use it to our advantage and get a positive result.
“Every (international) window presents another chance for us to progress … I think we showed in the last two games how far we can come in such a short period of time, and the challenge for us this time round is to do the same again.”
‘Take control’: Socceroos eye seismic shift
Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess says the Aussies are “back in a position to take control” of their World Cup qualifying fate in two key matches this week.
Burgess joined the Socceroos camp in Melbourne ahead of Thursday night’s clash against Saudi Arabia after helping his club Ipswich to a monumental Premier League victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
The 29-year-old defender declared himself ready to perform if selected in the AAMI Park qualifier after holding down a post in coach Tony Popovic’s new back three system in the 1-1 draw to Japan last month.
The result left Australia on equal points with its two opponents in this window, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, but ahead on goal difference in second place behind Japan.
Finishing second in the group would secure automatic World Cup qualification, but a third or fourth-placed finish would put the Socceroos through another round of qualifying in a three-nation group potentially containing difficult opponents in Qatar or Iraq.
“We’re in the position we’re in through our performances … we’ve put ourselves back in a position to take control,” Burgess said.
“That’s what we want to do. We want to be one of the best teams in this competition. It’s in our hands to do that, and we have to show that we can be that team.”
Burgess said the Socceroos would be wary of a Saudi outfit likely to press and play more aggressively under returning coach Herve Renard, who led them to an upset 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
“There could be some different things thrown at us. They’ve had that manager before … they’ll be familiar with each other, so there’s things to look at, and more importantly, what we can do to hurt them,” he said.
Burgess, 29, has played for newly promoted Ipswich Town since 2021 but had to wait until last month to make his Premier League debut against Everton.
The 194cm Scottish-born defender remained in the line-up as the Tractor Boys rose out of the relegation zone with their first win of the season on Sunday – a 2-1 away win over Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.
“It’s up there. These are the little things you dream of when you’re a kid, to want to play in the Premier League, and then to win your first game in it. It’s pretty special and maybe a moment for reflection at some point down the line,” Burgess said.
“Obviously (Postecoglou) would’ve been disappointed with the result from his perspective, but I got the chance to speak to him a little bit after the game … a message of congratulations and to keep working hard, just a nice message, it was good to come across (him).
“(The win was) special for the club, special for the fans, and you can really see the difference it makes in people’s lives in the Ipswich area. It’s special to be able to do that.”
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