Socceroos coach Tony Popovic still ‘smiling’ about Australia’s win over Japan at the 2006 World Cup

The feeling the Socceroos had after their famous win over Japan at the 2006 FIFA World Cup is something national coach Tony Popovic wants his players to also experience in Saitama on Tuesday night.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic hopes to guide his team to victory in Japan. Picture: Brenton Edwards / AFP

A win over Japan on Tuesday night in Saitama might just give Tony Popovic the same amount of satisfaction and delight that he still feels about Australia’s famous victory over the Samurai Blue at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The recently appointed Socceroos coach was part of the Australian squad that beat Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslautern 18 years ago.

It was the victory that set up the Socceroos’ memorable run to the round-of-16, where they were beaten 1-0 by eventual champions Italy.

“That was a special day in 2006,” Popovic said on Monday night.

“I’m still smiling about that result, and I’m hopeful that (on Tuesday) night I can be smiling again, but I also understand that Japanese football has improved immensely.”

In contrast, the Socceroos of today aren’t at the level of the “Golden Generation” that Popovic the player was a part of.

However, in his first game as national coach last Thursday night, Popovic guided the Socceroos to a 3-1 win over China in Adelaide to lift confidence in the team going into Tuesday’s daunting World Cup battle against a red-hot Japanese outfit.

POPA CAM: New footage of the #Socceroos boss in the dugout at Adelaide Oval 🙌

That Nishan Velupillay debut goal was special on the bench 💚💛

🇯🇵 v 🇦🇺- 15.10.24, 9:35pm AEDT
📱💻📺 Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/ldm1GvTlSR

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 14, 2024

“Against a great opponent, I want us to have the confidence to build on that performance (against China), and to show a better playing style again,” Popovic said.

“That’s key for us. We feel if we can do that, we have a chance to definitely win the game.

“We have a long wait to get to (the 2026 World Cup). For now our focus is this match.

“Our mindset right now is to win (in Saitama), and I know that the players and the staff have belief in what we are trying to build, and that we can get the three points.”

Socceroos striker Mitch Duke, who plays his club football in Japan for Machida Zelvia, echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“There’s no reason why we can’t beat anyone on our day, and we need to have that belief, and that’s the approach,” Duke said.

“We’re not going into this with a point mentality just to not lose. We’re going there for the three points.

“I’ve done well there (Saitama Stadium). The last time I was there, I won with my club, so I’ve definitely got a good feeling there, which is good.

“I’m very familiar, having been in Japan for so long, with the Japanese playing style in general.

“I’ve got a few teammates in the team as well, which will be nice, and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s a great stadium, a great atmosphere and a great chance for us to really shock the favourites.”

Duke said Popovic’s coaching style was “very different”.

“It’s been really good. He’s had such a short time with a fresh group of boys, and I think everyone got on board as soon as that messaging was put out to us,” Duke said.