How A-League finals will influence Socceroos’ World Cup hopes

All eyes are on the A-League finals this weekend, but one set, belonging to Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, could see the spark which sets up a superb FIFA World Cup run.

Socceroos great ROBBIE SLATER and MARCO MONTEVERDE discuss the start to the A-League finals.

IT’S TIME TO SHINE

For a host of the A-League’s best players desperate to be included in the Socceroos squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia, the finals series is the perfect time to make a strong case for selection.

There is nothing more that national coach Tony Popovic would want to see than selection candidates standing tall in the biggest games of the season when the pressure is at its utmost.

Performing when the pressure is extreme and your team needs you more than ever is just what Popovic would want in a player striving to wear the green and gold.

There are several players in this weekend’s elimination finals that have the chance to catch Popovic’s eye.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic will watch the A-League finals closely. Picture: Getty Images

In the Western United team hosting Adelaide United at Ironbark Fields, striker Noah Botic and midfielder Angus Thurgate are the two that immediately spring to mind, and with good reason.

Botic has been among the A-League’s top strikers with 12 goals this season, while Thurgate is his team’s lynchpin in the centre of the park.

Let’s also not forget some other Western United players in captain Ben Garuccio, midfielder Rhys Bozinovski, and even 17-year-old central defender Dylan Leonard, who has already impressed Popovic.

It’s a pity that joint A-League golden boot winner Archie Goodwin won’t be leading Adelaide United’s forward line due to being sidelined with a hamstring injury because he too would have been watched closely by the national coach.

A-League golden boot winner Archie Goodwin will be a big loss for Adelaide United this week. Picture: Getty Images

However, Reds wing-back Dylan Pierias has another chance to shine in a Reds side that loves to attack on the break, while Adelaide’s central defender Panagiotis Kikianis - who is set to represent Australia at this year’s FIFA Under 20 World Cup – will also want to impress Popovic.

The same applies on Saturday night when Western Sydney Wanderers meet Melbourne Victory in what should be a pressure-cooker atmosphere at CommBank Stadium.

Western Sydney’s team contains the likes of attacking trio Nicolas Milanovic, Brandon Borrello and Zac Sapsford, as well as emerging defender Anthony Pantazopoulos, who could yet be a Socceroos selection bolter.

The Victory line-up will include Daniel Arzani, Nishan Velupillay and Ryan Teague, who all want to cement their spots in next month’s Socceroos squad. And let’s not forget the impressive Jordi Valadon, who Popovic also knows well from his time as Victory coach.

If there’s a time to shine, it’s now.

Could Melbourne Victory’s Jordi Valadon be a Socceroos smokie? Picture: Getty Images

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

The absence of star goalkeeper Mitch Langerak could be an issue for Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

The former Socceroos gloveman remains sidelined with a foot problem, and his experience will be missed in the do-or-die affair.

The pressure will be on Langerak’s replacement Jack Duncan, who cost his side a goal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

Mitch Langerak’s absence could be an issue for Melbourne Victory. Picture: Getty Images

While the result didn’t matter in the sense that the Victory couldn’t finish any higher or lower than fifth, Duncan’s late blunder wasn’t a good sign ahead of such a big game.

Wanderers’ goalkeeper and captain Lawrence Thomas also made a mistake last Saturday night, but Western Sydney were able to overcome his early positional error to end up beating Macarthur FC 3-1.

Who gets the nod between the posts for Adelaide United on Friday night will be intriguing.

Reds coach Carl Veart wouldn’t reveal his decision on Thursday whether he would stick with youngster Max Vartuli or opt for the more experienced James Delianov.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has a tough decision to make about his goalkeepers. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s a conversation we’ll have before the game,” Veart said.

“James has the experience, Max has the recent minutes — it’s about who gives us the best chance to win.

“That decision will be made after talking with (Adelaide goalkeeper coach) Eugene (Galekovic), who works them hard every week and knows where they’re at.”

Vartuli struggled initially but performed well in Adelaide’s last-start 0-0 draw with Melbourne City.

It would be hard on the 20-year-old gloveman if he was dropped, and the form of Delianov this season hasn’t been inspiring.

JJ’S LASTING LEGACIES

Many will argue that departing Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson’s legacy to the sport in this country will be the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

And it’s hard to argue considering the success of the tournament here, and the way the whole of Australia got behind the Matildas on their run to the semi-finals.

However, Johnson also needs to be lauded for resisting the pressure to sack Socceroos coach Graham Arnold before the playoffs to get into the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Outgoing Football Australia CEO James Johnson. Picture: AFP

Despite the admirable job Arnold had done in difficult circumstances during Covid, many were calling for his head after the Socceroos failed to gain automatic World Cup qualification.

But Johnson stuck with Arnold, who got the Socceroos through the playoffs before guiding Australia to our best ever performance at a World Cup.

The timing of Johnson’s resignation seems strange, with Australia to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March next year, the appointment of a new Matildas coach only a matter of weeks away, and the Socceroos being involved in crucial World Cup qualifiers next month.

Did he get tapped on the shoulder? We’ll find out soon enough.

Originally published as How A-League finals will influence Socceroos’ World Cup hopes