Australia v China: New Socceroos era kicks off under coach Tony Popovic

The Socceroos have kicked off the Tony Popovic era with a win after China’s counter strike put the Australians on the back foot early in their World Cup qualifier.

New Socceroos coach Tony Popovic’s debut was sweet after enduring first-half torture at Adelaide Oval last night.

Popovic, 51, steered the national team back on course for a sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance in a come-from-behind 3-1 win over China after former boss Graham Arnold’s voluntary exit last month signalled the end of an era.

A go-ahead goal from local hero Craig Goodwin eight minutes after the break saw the Socceroos claim their first win of the final phase of qualifying, before facing table-topping Japan away on Tuesday night.

Goodwin claimed the man of the match award with a goal and an assist which helped Popovic get off to a perfect start before substitute Nishan Velupillay scored in stoppage time on debut.

China took a shock lead before Lewis Miller’s bullet-like header levelled the score just before the break after Popovic’s side looked rejuvenated.

The Socceroos pressed China into submission and could have been awarded a penalty when Aiden O’Neill’s shot on target appeared to smack into a Chinese defender’s arm in an unnatural position, but VAR didn’t summon referee Muhammad Nasaruddin in the sixth minute.

What a performance from Craig Goodwin. Picture: AFP

The signs continued to look good for the home side, the intensity, sharp movement, the quick ball movement between the lines stunned the Chinese who had the odd foray inside the Socceroos box, but a concentration lapse proved costly in the 20th minute.

China scored the opening goal when a route one free kick from keeper and captain Wang Dalei saw Xie Wenneng turned ugly.

A Zhang Yuning flick-on header on the edge of the box allowed Wenneng to beat keeper Joe Gauci.

It was a dream start to life as a Socceroo for Nishan Velupillay. Picture: Getty Images

Wenneng’s stunner allowed China to put up a deep defensive block which frustrated the shell-shocked Australians as the visitors looked to spring counterattacks.

Miller got Australia out of trouble, scoring his maiden international goal, nodding the ball home from a pinpoint Goodwin set-piece, but fans were forced to wait for VAR clearance before celebrating the equaliser.

Popovic replacing South Australian-bred players Nestory Irankunda and Thomas Deng for SA’s Riley McGree and Jason Geria was the game changer that boss was craving as pockets of space became available for the Socceroos.

Goodwin’s wonder goal steadied the Socceroos’ nerves after China’s defence failed to close the midfielder down before scoring a vitally important goal.

Tony Popovic put his stamp on the side. Picture: Getty Images

POPA BALL

Popovic put his stamp on the Socceroos long before kick-off.

Critics demanded change after the national team picked up just one point in the opening two games of the final phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Popovic responded firmly.

Naming St Pauli of Germany’s Jackson Irvine as skipper for regular captain and AS Roma’s No. 2 gloveman Mat Ryan was a huge call which demanded instant respect.

Ryan was forced to watch Popovic’s coaching debut from the bench while Aston Villa’s No. 2 keeper and former Adelaide United custodian Gauci, earned his third cap.

Bayern Munich and ex Adelaide United winger Irankunda retained his place in the starting 11, but the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Hibernian’s Miller for the first time since Australia’s 2-1 AFC Asian extra-time loss to South Korea in February.

Miller was one of the Socceroos best in a testing first half.

It was a huge crowd in Adelaide. Picture: Brett Hartwig

RECORD FOR MEN ONLY

The 46,291 fans that helped Adelaide Oval reach its limited capacity set a new record crowd for the Socceroos in South Australia.

The Asian Football Confederation regulations which state that only individual seats were to be sold eliminated standing areas for the men’s clash ensured the Matildas kept the record crowd – 52,912 – for a national football team in SA which was set this year ironically against China.

2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier Asia

Group C

Australia 3 (Lewis Miller 47m, Craig Goodwin 53m, Nishan Velupillay 92m) China 1 (Xie Wenneng 20m) at Adelaide Oval – Referee: Muhammad Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)

Crowd: 46,291

See how all the action unfolded in our live blog below.

Originally published as Australia v China: New Socceroos era kicks off under coach Tony Popovic