Popa’s baptism of fire: Australia’s World Cup hopes go on the line

Tony Popovic’s induction as Socceroos coach has been a whirlwind.

Appointed two weeks ago, his schedule since has been jam-packed: face-to-face meetings with his new colleagues in Football Australia’s offices, an overhaul of his coaching staff, endless analysis of the team’s recent performances and their next opponents, selection quandaries, media commitments, logistical challenges ... and then, just three training sessions before one of the biggest matches in Australia’s recent history. Only one of those three featured his full 26-player squad.

Tony Popovic has taken the reins of the Socceroos.Credit: Getty

“It’s been everything I was told to expect,” Popovic said.

That includes all the unforeseen curveballs that come with international football, like the two injury-enforced changes he was forced to make to his squad before it even assembled, sidelining likely starting midfielders Massimo Luongo and Connor Metcalfe, and the desperately limited face time he gets with the ones who did make it.

When he was unveiled as Graham Arnold’s replacement, Popovic vowed to foster a more dynamic, faster style of play. And despite everything, he promised that the first hints of it would be there on the pitch against China on Thursday night in their critical World Cup qualifier at Adelaide Oval.

“There’s some things that are out of our control, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse,” he said.

“We feel we have enough time to show the players how we like to play, and I’m sure the players have seen it, they’re comfortable with it, and they’ll show some good signs of that tomorrow night. I’m sure of that ... and then moving forward, I’m sure we’ll get better, and that’s the goal.”

Popovic used the word “calm” repeatedly at his official pre-match press conference on Wednesday, and it didn’t seem like he was putting it on. He used it to describe the way Socceroos players need to be if they don’t nab an early goal to ease the tension in this absolute must-win clash, albeit balanced with the necessary sense of urgency they’ll need to play with to unsettle a likely deep-sitting Chinese defence.

He also used it to describe how he has tackled the hurdles he has confronted thus far, albeit balanced with a natural level of anticipation about what lies ahead. He appeared very much a man who is ready to meet the moment that awaits: all business, no frills.

“It’s a great honour and privilege, and the limited preparation, of course, everyone talks about that,” he said.

Sam Silvera and Riley McGree at training on Monday.Credit: Getty Images

“But that is international football. We just look at it as finding solutions to the problems that may occur, do it in a real positive manner, do it with a lot of belief that we have, and then we execute.”

While he played 58 times for the Socceroos, and coached in Asia to great success at club level with the Western Sydney Wanderers, Popovic isn’t sure what it will feel like to be standing in the dugout, the nation’s footballing hopes and dreams resting largely on his shoulders. A crowd of close to 41,000 is expected; the capacity of Adelaide Oval is much greater, but AFC rules have blocked the sale of standing-room tickets or the use of the venue’s famous hill.

“That’s probably hard to answer, how I’ll feel beforehand,” Popovic said.

“As every player should feel regardless of whether it’s your first game or in some cases, 50th, 60th or 70th game, I think excitement before the game, nerves of excitement, pride – but when that all settles, there’s a job to do. I have to make my contribution from the sideline and the players will be ready to make theirs on the pitch.”

Asked what dominant theme he had conveyed to his players in camp this week, Popovic said: “The first part is the football we want to play. That’s a priority. Just for all the players to realise and staff that we’re representing Australia, and that needs to be seen when we’re out there.

“We need to show that we’re a level above any club-level game. When you represent your country, that should be a non-negotiable for everyone. Then the football to match what we want to do.

“If we can match those two together, we’ve got a very good chance of winning the game tomorrow, which is what we aim to do.”

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