Tag: South-eastern Asia

Hero’s recall amid injury carnage, with Socceroos already in China’s head — Talking Pts

The biggest moment of the Socceroos 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has arrived.

Weren’t we there five days ago? Yep, all of Australia’s remaining three games in the third round are likely to be played with an all-or-nothing undercurrent.

Next up, China in Hangzhou tonight (10pm AEDT kick off) and once again it is must win.

PROJECTING CALM WHILE THE STAKES ARE HIGH

Milos Degenek made his first appearance for the Socceroos in 528 days last week when he was sent on as a second half substitute against Indonesia in Sydney.

The versatile defender, now with 46 caps to his name, is tailor made to handle the eve of a match like the one that looms against China.

Usually, a player guaranteed to feature in the game would accompany coach Tony Popovic to the final press conference. Degenek might just be in line for cap number 47 given his presence in-front of a packed media room or maybe he was sent to handle questions about pressure like Roger Federer used to hit a cross-court backhand or Ricky Ponting a pull shot.

Those who have followed Degenek’s journey in life and football would’ve known what was coming when he was asked about the magnitude of the game. His perspective is shaped by the testing route his family took to even get to Australia in the first place from Croatia. The 30-year-old has told stories of a childhood spent dodging bombs in underground bunkers.

“I think there’s no pressure. Pressure is something that when you wake up in the morning and you have to provide food for your family; that’s pressure. This is just joy and love,” said Degenek.

“The fact that we do this, we’re very grateful and we’re very happy to be able to play in games like this that are of very high importance.”

READ MORE

The ‘kick up the backside’ behind Socceroo’s revival as European form sparks key WC qualies acts

Wake-up call sparks forgotten ace’s return; Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires — Talking Pts

Two-minute, two-goal blitz sparks key win for Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying hopes

Mitchell Duke of the Socceroos heads the ball against Saudi Arabia.Source: Getty Images

FITNESS OF THE SQUAD

Popovic has 25 fit and healthy players to choose from.

Strikers Adam Taggart (groin) and Kusini Yengi (hamstring) were left behind in Sydney and they’ve since returned to the Perth Glory and Portsmouth in England respectively.

Mitch Duke was recalled to the squad at short notice after initially missing selection due to a lack of game time and goals at Japanese side Machida Zelvia, while Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello was sent on when Taggart was substituted at half-time against Indonesia.

Popovic was giving little away when asked about the make-up of his strike force.

“Mitch has come in. He’s looking good, he looks sharp and well. He’s very accustomed to the Socceroos shirt and what’s required so he’s fitted in easily,” he said.

“We have options for [tonight] in that striker position and we have some ideas that the players are aware of.”

SET PIECE PSYCHOLOGY

The Socceroos scored two goals from corners against Indonesia and in the psychology stakes, defender Cameron Burgess believes that could help Australia before a ball has even been kicked in Hangzhou.

Australian players had been used to running around the region and using their size and strength to dominate set pieces. The Socceroos scored four set piece goals from six games in the second round of World Cup qualifying. One came in each of the first four outings.

It has led to a quirk where injured centre back Harry Souttar has the equal fourth most goals of any Socceroo that is still playing professionally. Only Mathew Leckie (14), Jackson Irvine (13) and Mitch Duke (12) have more. The defender is level on 11-goals with Jamie Maclaren. But Australia had only scored one goal from a set piece from its last eight World Cup qualifiers prior to kick off against Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Lewis Miller and Irvine both nodding home from corners signalled that a key weapon in the side’s arsenal was firing again.

“If you look across world football, set pieces play a massive part in the game,” said Burgess.

“They’re a huge weapon and we see it as such, and then you have the psychological factor where, if you’re scoring goals from set-pieces, you’re going up with that extra little thing in the back of your mind that we can score off this and then the opposition feel the same way.”

The 1.94m Burgess, who plays for Ipswich Town in the Premier League, hopes China was paying attention to the rout of Indonesia and the way Australia cashed in on corners.

“They’re obviously going to be worried about that I guess and that’s just human nature, that’s the psychological factors in how the game of football works. They’re huge weapons for us and we’ve always seen it that way and that’s something we definitely work on.”

Craig Goodwin and Cameron Burgess of Australia celebrate a goal by teammate Lewis Miller against Indonesia.Source: Getty Images

WHAT WILL CHINA BRING TO THE TABLE?

The last time Australia played China was Popovic’s first match in charge. The new era got off to a shaky start with China scoring first at Adelaide Oval in October. That’s one of just six goals China has scored in seven games as the Socceroos recovered to win 3-1.

Burgess believes Australia will have to ride out an early onslaught.

“They came out firing and obviously got the goal as well. They’re a pretty direct team and look to do things quickly,” he said.

“We’re expecting a fast start. The same as the other night really so we have improvements to make on that and hopefully we can start the game better than we did the other night.”

The other night Burgess is referring to is the 15-minute period where Indonesia put Australia under immense pressure in Sydney; a period where they could easily have been 2-0 down and on the ropes. The fact the Socceroos recovered to win 5-1 showed maturity and character.

While this game could follow a similar pattern – China sit in last place in group C and must win to have any hope of securing an automatic qualifying spot to the World Cup next year – Australia’s quality should see them through if they can take their chances like they did against Indonesia. And they will have their chances. China’s opponents have had an average of 13.71 shots per game during the third round and enjoyed 72% of possession.

“They’re going to be coming out swinging,” said Burgess.

“They’re playing at home in-front of what looks to be a big crowd as well. Under no illusions it is going to be a difficult task for us. We need to stamp our authority on the game and do what we can do to hurt them as well.”

TIME FOR BURGESS TO LEAD THE BACKLINE

Any side would struggle without the giant presence of Harry Souttar, but as the towering Socceroo rehabilitates a ruptured Achilles tendon, the responsibility for organising the central defensive trio is likely to fall on the broad shoulders of Burgess again.

“I think I put that leadership pressure on myself a little bit anyway,” said Burgess.

“I’ve been doing that for a number of years. I think it comes with age and experience.”

Popovic wasn’t happy with Australia’s backline against Indonesia. He felt they “weren’t great,” on edge and “a little bit sloppy.”

Burgess has struggled for consistent game time at Ipswich this season and while his timing and movement looked a little off initially against Indonesia, he insists he still feels sharp. Burgess’ 11 Premier League appearances have included minutes against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Manchester United to name a few. A similar situation faced good mate Souttar last season, who was limited to four games in all competitions at Leicester but enjoyed the continued confidence of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold. Burgess is hoping the national team can also offer him refuge.

“It’s not great not playing. I’d love to be playing every minute of every game as would everyone. However, the one upside is how hard we train there,” said Burgess of life at a top flight club.

“You get a real buzz because you’re here to play games. When you do get the chance to play it’s a great feeling. So, coming into camp to try and play minutes and help the team you get that adrenaline buzz.”

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.Source: Getty Images

THE STATE OF PLAY

Australia sits second in group C behind Japan. Three points against China will see them stay there and allow the side to prepare for the final window in June against Japan and Saudi Arabia with confidence.

The Socceroos are on 10 points with Saudi Arabia on nine and the chasing pack of Indonesia, Bahrain and China on six.

The reward for finishing first or second in the group is a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Third and fourth from each of the three groups progress to the fourth round and will be split into two groups of three. The group winners there also automatically qualify for the expanded 48 team tournament.

The runners-up of each of those groups advance to the fifth round for a home and away showdown. The winner advances to an inter confederation play-off for the final spot at USA, Canada and Mexico.

The fourth and fifth rounds are appointments the Socceroos are desperate to avoid.

Source link

March 24, 2025
Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires; wake-up call behind forgotten prodigy’s return: Talking Pts

The Socceroos might’ve finished 5-1 winners against Indonesia in their crucial World Cup qualifier in Sydney and taken a giant step towards automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in North America, but coach Tony Popovic made it clear there’s still plenty of room for his side to improve describing the performance as “solid but it wasn’t great.”

Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

Goals to Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Lewis Miller and a double from Jackson Irvine send Australia to China with three vital points in the bag and full of confidence, but all too aware that its job half done when it comes to jumping the hurdles this international window presented.

The mental resilience the side showed to escape unscathed – albeit with some fortune – from a tricky 15-minute opening period is also a sign of growth as is a welcome surge in the way chances were finally converted into goals. This result bloats Australia’s goal difference column too and that could be one less thing to worry about come the final matchday of round three in June.

It wasn’t all good news though with Martin Boyle and Adam Taggart coming off at halftime. Popovic revealing post-game that both have fitness concerns.

OMINOUS SIGN BEFORE A BALL WAS KICKED

A crowd of 35,241 packed into the Sydney Football Stadium and the Indonesian fans not only made their presence felt but had the decibel reader reaching its upper limits.

The Indonesian national anthem was greeted with full voice by those in red and more than one Socceroos player turned to look at the raucous away end. It did not sound,

look or feel like a Socceroos home game until the goals started flying in.

Remarkably, the Team Garuda faithful were still chanting at 5-1 down in the second half.

“It’s part of football and it’s what we love about it, that teams can come away from home and bring that energy and atmosphere,” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.

“I thought our fans were equally brilliant and pushed us in the key moments of the game and gave us that extra leg up probably when we needed it.”

A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES

Perspective is in the eye of what colour jersey you were wearing.

The decision to award Indonesia a penalty in the seventh minute after the Brisbane Roar’s Rafael Struick was ruled to have been fouled by the recalled Kye Rowles was

contentious through an Australians lens, but while it was on the softer side it was the right call.

Kevin Diks dulled the debate by hitting the woodwork. A sprawling Mat Ryan guessed the right way in any case and might’ve saved it.

Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert, in his first match in charge, believed his side struggled to shrug off that setback.

“If you shoot the penalty in it would be a totally different match of course,” Kluivert said.

“From that moment we changed something in our minds.

“We had a grip of the game. I think that we played better than Australia.

“If you score 1-0, I’m sure it will be a totally different game.”

10-minutes later Australia was sent to the spot after Nathan Tjoe-A-On pulled off a tackle on Lewis Miller in the box that looked more like something James Tedesco would execute on this ground in a Roosters jersey. Boyle did the honours from the spot.

The goal helped calm the nerves after the Socceroos were let off the hook just moments prior. The side looked far more settled from that point and Australia led 3-0 at the break thanks to two more goals from Velupillay and Irvine.

“It’s the hardest I’ve been pressed in a home game in a long time,” Irvine said.

“There was absolutely no time on the ball in the middle of the park.

“Once we broke that pressure it looked like we were going to score every time we went through.”

3-0! Socceroos dominant first half surge | 01:31

POPPA PULLS THE RIGHT SELECTION CALLS

This was not an easy squad to pick.

Six regular starters were missing through injury and Popovic had key calls to make when it came to his starting wingers and striker.

As Velupillay wheeled away to celebrate with the fans in the 20th minute he had fellow winger Martin Boyle and striker Adam Taggart to thank for the opportunity.

Boyle’s pass found Taggart whose lunging effort resulted in Velupillay being able to run onto the ball and calmly slot Australia’s second.

“It’s a special moment for the boy,” Popovic said.

“Starting your first game, pressure, a stadium that’s full. It doesn’t come bigger than that.

“When he looks back, he should be really proud of that.”

This was the first time Boyle had seen minutes under Popovic after failing to get on the pitch in the November window against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 14-goals and 9

assists in 36 games for Hibernian in Scotland made a compelling case for selection.

Velupillay is working his way back into form after a nasty ankle injury suffered against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. To start him in a game of this magnitude was bold. Taggart deserved his spot after five goals in his last 11-games for Perth Glory in the A-League but hadn’t even been picked in a squad by Popovic yet before this window.

For a goal that released the pressure valve in this campaign to be created by two players who’d never featured under this manager and scored by one still not quite at

top form domestically must be applauded.

Unfortunately, Taggart and Boyle were both substituted at half time with potential fitness issues. Taggart appeared to feel for his groin multiple times just before the break. Asked if there was anything amiss with both players Popovic said “there could be.”

“They both had a bit of a niggle, maybe Adam a little bit more than Martin Boyle.”

“Adam was definitely coming off and Martin was a bit of a precaution.”

IRVINE GOAL A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT

Jackson Irvine is the heartbeat of the Socceroos midfield. His goals in the 34th and 90th minutes were the 12th and 13th of his international career and came on the same

ground where he scored his first ever for Australia in 2017.

“From a personal point of view a special night,” he said.

“I never take it for granted being here and I haven’t played in this stadium since that night.”

THE RETURN OF DANIEL ARZANI

Arzani replaced Velupillay in the 72nd minute and was greeted by warm applause. It was his first appearance for Australia since a 26-minute spell in a World Cup qualifier

against Bangladesh in June last year.

His last minutes prior to that came against Kuwait in a friendly match in 2018. That was just before the anterior cruciate ligament tear on debut at Celtic that would change the trajectory of his then skyrocketing career.

It took just two minutes for Popovic to call Arzani to the sideline for a chat after his introduction, but generally he worked hard in defence and looked lively in attack.

All of this after Popovic told Arzani his effort in camp during the October international window last year “wasn’t good enough” and that his “level was really poor in

training.”

It appears to have been the wake-up call the 26-year-old – once dubbed the next big thing in Australian football – needed.

Five months on from that camp and Arzani has impressed his mentor this time around. Popovic does not give out easy minutes even with Australia 4-0 up at the time.

It was an impressive response from a player who can only enhance the fortunes of himself and his country with similar application.

Socceroos calm ahead of crucial clashes | 01:56

STATE OF THE PITCH

There’d been concerns about the state of the Sydney Football Stadium pitch in the days prior to kick-off and those fears weren’t alleviated once the game got underway.

Several players lost their footing or looked unsure on the ball. It was not ideal and hampered the fluidity of the game.

“Tough pitch for the players,” Popovic said.

“Very hard underneath and slippery on top. The players were in two minds. Half the players wore studs, and half the players had moulds. It was a difficult one for them tonight. It took a lot out of them.”

MAT RYAN BACK TO HIS BEST ON AN HISTORIC NIGHT

Lost in the euphoria of scoring five goals was the three incredible saves Mat Ryan pulled off between the sticks.

On a night where the goalkeeper became the third most capped player in Socceroos history with 97, moving ahead of another former skipper in Lucas Neill and now only

behind Mark Schwarzer with 109 and Tim Cahill on 108 appearances, Ryan was immense.

He stopped Jay Idzes’ header from a freekick in the 5th minute, made a superb diving save to his left in the 53rd minute and another clutch reflex save down low to his right

in the 84th minute.

“I have to say I’m not surprised after seeing him when he came into camp,” Popovic said.

“Just a different demeanour and that comes from playing.

“You can see he’s full of confidence and he showed that when he came in. He was a real presence around the group and tonight he stood tall.”

The fact the captain was dropped to the bench for the first three games of Popovic’s tenure now seems a distant memory. His move to Lens in France from Roma in Italy

has been a masterstroke.

Davidson hoping to re-ignite Roos career | 02:26

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AT THE BACK

Australia’s backline was hardest hit by the current run of injuries between November and March.

Popovic picked Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles and Aziz Behich.

Geria, Burgess and Rowles formed the central trio of that combination, and the coach made it clear there was plenty to work on. Indonesia’s goal was well taken, but the lead-up was scrappy.

“The goal they scored probably summarised how we defended,” Popovic said.

“They didn’t create, we gave them chances, we gave them the penalty, we gave them the goal as well.

“Defensively we weren’t great, we were a little bit on edge, a little bit sloppy in our defending.”

WHERE ARE THE SOCCEROOS AT WITH PROJECT POPPA AND WHAT’S NEXT?

Project Poppa is progressing, but it’s far from the finished article. That’s not a bad thing, but just the reality of only being in the job for six-months.

“I aim quite high,” Popovic said with a smile when asked how far along the side is when it comes to implementing his game style.

“They’re not where we want to be, but that’s not a negative that’s a positive. They’ve taken strides forward and it’s not easy to do what they did tonight.”

Popovic pointed to decision making as an area that needs work.

“How do we identify quicker what is happening on the field?” he said.

“That will happen with more games together.

“I felt that this camp or this window of the first game is the first time I’ve felt in training and just around the hotel that this group is now starting to build into something.”

Now, it’s off to China for their next qualifier on Tuesday night.

Australia remains second in group C and in control of its own fate when it comes to securing automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.

That goal could be a maximum of three games away.

Source link

March 20, 2025
World Cup hero gone, two shock returns and six rookies as Popovic names Socceroos squad

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has made 10 changes to his squad for two must win World Cup qualifiers this month against Indonesia and China, headlined by the omission of veteran striker Mitch Duke.

Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

The extended 26-player squad features six uncapped players in Scotland based midfielder Nectarios Triantis, Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague, Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Thomas Glover, fellow shot stopper Paul Izzo and Sydney FC defender Alex Grant. It’s the first time Triantis, Teague, Grant and Trewin have earned a senior national team call-up.

Popovic has also turned to two players, Jason Davidson and Fran Karacic, who haven’t been a part of the Socceroos’ set-up for some time. Davidson, a 33-year-old left back who plays for Panserraikos F.C in the Greek Super League, hasn’t featured for Australia since a friendly against Jordan in 2022. Before that, the 2015 Asian Cup winner’s last appearance was in a World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in November that year. Karacic’s last involvement for the Socceroos was during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The right back, who now calls NK Lokomotiva in Croatia home, was part of the squad for all four games and featured in the group stage win against Tunisia and the 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16.

A raft of injuries to first choice players made picking this squad a tricky task. Goalkeeper Joe Gauci (hip), defenders Hayden Matthews (ankle), Harry Souttar (achilles), and Jordy Bos (hamstring) are all missing while Riley McGree (knock) continues to struggle with his fitness at Middlesbrough. Alessandro Circati is also a long-term absentee as the 21-year-old Parama defender continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. The only two bits of good news from the frequent medical reports came in the form of striker Kusini Yengi returning to action for Portsmouth in the Championship three weeks ago after the 26-year-old hurt his knee in the Socceroos last match against Bahrain in late November while giant defender Cameron Burgess has seemingly shrugged off a calf complaint suffered in Ipswich Town’s fifth round FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest on March 4.

Mitchell Duke celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup match between Tunisia and Australia.Source: AFP

The rest of the squad is a mix of potential, young stars ready for their chance and one veteran who probably thought his time had passed.

Melbourne Victory’s Daniel Arzani gets another chance to impress after Popovic blasted the talented winger during an interview with reporters in January. The coach said Arzani “wasn’t good enough” when he came into camp in October last year and that his “level was really poor in training.” Arzani, once dubbed “the next big thing” in Australian football, missed selection for the November window and has been left in no doubt as to what Popovic wants to see from him. Marco Tilio’s impressive comeback for Melbourne City from a two-and-a-half-month stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury has also caught Popovic’s eye. Those two will be fighting to fill the inverted winger role with Ajdin Hrustic not selected. Hrustic has played just 16-minutes for Italian second division side US Salernitana in 2025.

Triantis made himself almost impossible to ignore after a stunning run of form for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League where he has featured as a ball-winning midfielder. Melbourne Victory’s Ryan Teague adds depth to the fight for that deeper lying role in the centre of the park. Speculation had recently linked him to the Chinese national team if his exploits had seen him overlooked for Australia again.

Triantis and Teague were picked over Max Balard and Patrick Yazbek. Balard has been a regular starter for NAC Breda in the Dutch top flight and was called into the Socceroos squad for the November window, but didn’t get on the field.

Defender Alex Grant gets his reward for a solid run of games with Sydney FC since signing a short-term deal with the Sky Blues in February. Grant is hugely experienced and has an Asian Champions League final appearance and a Korean Cup winners medal on his resume from his time with Pohang Steelers. At 6 foot 3 inches, the 31-year-old goes some way to filling the giant voids left by the injured Souttar and Matthews.

“It was a whirlwind start to the beginning of my tenure with the national team, and since November we’ve had the chance to review and assess all facets of our program ahead of these Qualifiers,” Popovic said.

“We understand the importance of these upcoming games and are excited by the opportunity to further cement our position in the group’s automatic qualifying positions.”

Australian coach Tony Popovic.Source: News Corp Australia

The biggest surprise is Duke missing selection. The striker has been a regular in green and gold since late 2019, but despite a huge work rate without the ball, hasn’t found the back of the net with the type of regularity the Socceroos have needed to smooth their path at or on the road to, major tournaments. Duke has found the back of the net just four times in 24-games at international level since the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The 34-year-old has also played 45-minutes for J-League side Machida Zelvia this season. Goals will now need to come from the boots of Yengi, Adam Taggart and Brandon Borrello.

There also wasn’t room for Nestory Irankunda once again despite the 19-year-old being named the Swiss Super League’s Player of the Month for February after his move from Bayern Munich to Grasshoppers.

The games against Indonesia on Thursday in Sydney and China in Hangzhou on Tuesday shape as crucial to Australia’s hopes of sealing direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. The Socceroos currently sit in second spot in Group C with four games left in the third round. If they stay there, they’ll earn an automatic berth to the game’s global showpiece. It makes two wins from these next two fixtures vital with Japan at home and Saudi Arabia away to come in June. Just one-point separates second placed Australia from last placed China.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the players and getting the squad together on the pitch in preparation for what will be a great occasion at the Sydney Football Stadium,” Popovic added.

Extended 26 player Socceroos squad:

Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Thomas Glover (GK), Craig Goodwin, Alex Grant, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Nectarios Triantis, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi

Source link

March 14, 2025
19yo Aussie striker ‘could’ve had a couple’ in dream English debut. Why Socceroos could be next

Socceroos hopeful Thomas Waddingham produced a Portsmouth debut he’ll never forget after the striker scored for the Championship club.

Watch every ball of The 2025 Women’s Ashes Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Waddingham, who only completed his transfer to Portsmouth from the Brisbane Roar last week, came off the bench in the 57th minute and slammed one home from close range in the third minute of added time as Pompey slumped to a 5-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

“I’m really pleased for him,” Portsmouth coach John Mousinho said after the game.

“For him to come on and make an impact so quickly, I think he’ll be absolutely thrilled.

“To get a taste of the level as well is probably a really, really important thing.

“He probably could’ve had a couple and, yeah, he took his goal well.”

The goal continues the 19-year-old’s incredible rise after he found the back of the net 15 times in 40 appearances for the Roar across the A-League and Australia Cup before Portsmouth came calling. Waddingham, a product of the Roar’s NPL program, only made his debut for Brisbane in August of 2023.

While it’s still early days for Waddingham in England, the fact the forward was not only included in a matchday squad so soon after his arrival but also got on the field for just over half an hour, speaks volumes about the regard in which he is held at Fratton Park.

The speed with which the Cairns born product has been thrown into the first team, while still a teenager, is slightly unusual for Australian players making their way to the second-tier Championship.

If he’s able to continue to feature for Portsmouth it could provide a somewhat unlikely answer to one of the most pressing questions facing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers in March against Indonesia and China.

Popovic lacks depth in the striking role with Kusini Yengi, who is also on the books of Portsmouth, not expected back from a knee injury until late February, 34-year-old Mitch Duke scoring just three-times in 20-games in green and gold since the start of 2023 and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos continuing to struggle with a calf injury after a rich run of form at Motherwell in Scotland. 31-year-old Adam Taggart is trying to make a late run with three goals in his last six games for Perth Glory.

Even if Yengi is integrated straight back in Portsmouth’s first team following the completion of his rehabilitation, he’ll still be a little short of match fitness ahead of the clash with Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia in Sydney on March 20. It leaves the door ajar for a new name.

In an expansive interview with reporters last week Popovic laid bare what it would take for players like Waddingham to thrive after making the move to Europe.

“Physically the demands are extremely high and what you do one day in training; that’s expected every single day and if you can do that, well then you can make the jump,” Popovic said.

The Socceroos boss is currently keeping an eye on a talented crop of young strikers, including Archie Goodwin, Jed Drew and Noah Botic, who are turning in impressive performances in the A-League, but Waddingham could pull away from the trio in the pecking order with a big few weeks.

“Now the question is, in three or four years’ time, can we be watching one of them playing in the bigger leagues in Europe? That is the question,” Popovic said when asked about Goodwin, Drew and Botic.

“Can they take their game to another level? The level they are at now is not good enough to play in Europe. That’s just the reality.”

Waddingham has shown his level is good enough to play in Europe and if he can back it up then he would’ve formed a strong case for a call-up to the Socceroos.

Source link

January 26, 2025
‘Many will die’: Outrage over $1 trillion World Cup ‘vote’ as two strange tournaments locked in

The vote for 2034 World Cup hosting rights has descended into farce with claims a $1 trillion “atrocity” is about to be made official.

Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

FIFA will on Thursday (AEDT) confirm the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups and the outrage has begun before the result is even made official.

A joint bid led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal is set to be awarded the 2030 hosting rights, while, Saudi Arabia has been a controversial choice to host the event in 2034.

The awarding of hosting rights for both tournaments will go to a vote during a FIFA Congress to be held virtually, but there is no doubt about the outcomes with neither bid having a rival.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Saudi Arabia’s bid for 2034 was boosted heavily as FIFA invoked its principle of continental rotation, therefore only welcoming bids from Asia or Oceania.

Controversially, the body gave potential bidders barely a month late last year to submit candidacies, and Australia and Indonesia quickly abandoned their interest.

That left Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, clearing the way for the World Cup to return to the Gulf region following Qatar’s hosting in 2022.

FIFA also linked the 2030 and 2034 votes together meaning European nations who would otherwise object to the Saudi event would be forced to vote against the Morocco, Spain and Portugal tournament – which they won’t.

The kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been using sport for some time now to amass influence and improve its global image.

Being handed the 2034 World Cup will be a crowning moment, and Saudi will win despite currently only boasting two stadiums with a capacity of 40,000, when a minimum of 14 are required.

FIFA seems desperate for a fight.Source: Supplied

The centre pieces of the bid were a stadium that will be built at the $1 trillion mega-city of Neom and a 92,000 seat venue to be called King Salman Stadium in Riyadh.

Beyond that logistical challenge, the baking temperatures in the northern hemisphere summer could mean pushing the tournament back to later in the year, as happened in 2022.

However, the fact that Ramadan will take place in December that year is an added complication.

Moreover, the awarding of the World Cup to Saudi will make the issue of human rights a major talking point again, just as in 2022.

Rights groups highlight mass executions in Saudi Arabia and allegations of torture, as well as restrictions on women under the conservative country’s male guardianship system. Free expression is severely restricted too.

Saudi Arabia, which is hosting several high-profile events including Formula One and the WTA Finals tennis, is often accused of “sportswashing” — using sport to divert attention from its rights record.

The push back has already begun.

Norway’s soccer federation plans to abstain from giving its approval when the vote is formalised, AP reports.

“FIFA’s own guidelines for human rights and due diligence have also not been adequately integrated into the process, increasing the risk of human rights violations,” Norway federation president Lise Klaveness said in a statement Tuesday.

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of labour rights and sport, said in a recent statement: “There will be a real and predictable human cost to awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without obtaining credible guarantees of reform.

The King Salman Stadium will be completed in 2029.Source: Supplied

The Marrakesh Stadium in Morocco has a long way to go. Photo by AFP.Source: AFP

“Fans will face discrimination. Migrant workers will face exploitation, and many will die.

“FIFA must halt the process until proper human rights protections are in place to avoid worsening an already dire situation.”

He earlier said: “As expected, FIFA’s evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid is an astonishing whitewash of the country’s atrocious human rights record.

“There are no meaningful commitments that will prevent workers from being exploited, residents from being evicted or activists from being arrested.

“By ignoring the clear evidence of severe human rights risks, FIFA is likely to bear much responsibility for the violations and abuses that will take place over the coming decade.

“Fundamental human rights reforms are urgently required in Saudi Arabia, or the 2034 World Cup will be inevitably tarnished by exploitation, discrimination and repression.”

The 2030 tournament, meanwhile, will mark a century since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay, and as a result the bid will also see the South American nation handed a game along with Argentina and Paraguay.

That makes it a remarkable and completely unprecedented bid, involving three different continental confederations.

FIFA already confirmed over a year ago that the joint proposal led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal was the sole contender for 2030, with all other potential candidacies having fallen by the wayside.

The Stade de Hassan will be the biggest football stadium in the world with 115,000 capacity.Source: Supplied

A joint British and Irish bid was abandoned when they decided to focus on hosting Euro 2028, while there were suggestions of a bid from South Korea, China, Japan and North Korea.

Four South American countries launched a joint bid in 2019, convinced that the centenary World Cup should entirely take place on the same continent where it all began.

In late 2022, UEFA promoted a bid uniting Spain and Portugal with war-torn Ukraine in a show of “solidarity” following the Russian invasion.

However, Ukraine was quietly dropped from that candidacy last year as Morocco joined forces with the Iberian neighbours, while South America agreed to step aside in exchange for being awarded the hosting of three games, one each for Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.

Following these “centenary celebrations” in the comparative chill of the southern hemisphere winter, the six teams involved — along with their fans — will have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to play a part in the remaining 101 matches.

This tentacular tournament will conclude with the final on July 21, and it remains to be seen where that game will be staged.

Spain, which hosted the 1982 World Cup, is set to be the centrepiece as it boasts 11 of the 20 proposed stadiums.

Morocco — which has tried and failed on five previous occasions to be awarded the staging of the tournament — will become the second African nation to host the competition after South Africa in 2010.

Potential venues for the final include the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou, as well as the planned Hassan II stadium between Casablanca and Rabat, which is set to become “the biggest stadium in the world” with a capacity of 115,000.

Portugal, which hosted Euro 2004, will offer two stadiums in Lisbon and one in Porto, and hopes to stage a semi-final.

— with AFP

Source link

December 11, 2024
‘Always really wary’: Socceroos star’s ‘frustrating’ injury blow in striker’s nervous wait

Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi is awaiting scan results after missing Portsmouth’s 2-2 draw with Swansea in the Championship with a knee injury.

Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

Portsmouth claim Yengi suffered the injury while on international duty with Australia over the last fortnight.

“He picked up an injury during the game when Australia played Bahrain,” Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said prior to his sides latest outing.

It’s unclear at this stage how bad the injury is or how long Yengi will be sidelined for.

The revelation comes as a slight shock given the 25-year-old played the entirety of the contest in Riffa and scored both goals, as it finished 2-2.

Mousinho said Yengi picked up the injury “just before half-time.”

“His knee was slightly swollen,” Mousinho added.

“He was scanned on Friday afternoon. So, we’re just awaiting the final scan results and for him to see a specialist.

“With knees, ankles and hips we’re always really wary.”

It has been a stop-start season for the forward.

He missed Pompey’s first two matches of the Championship campaign with a groin injury before being sidelined just two games into his comeback for a further five fixtures with the same complaint.

Brighton move to second on EPL ladder | 01:02

Yengi had just come off a run of six games in four weeks prior to linking up with the Socceroos in Melbourne.

He came on as a late substitute in a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia in the Victorian capital before the side flew out to Bahrain.

“Any injury is frustrating for us,” Mousinho said.

“People do pick up injuries on international breaks. It’s probably one of the reasons why certain players don’t necessarily want to go on international duty.

“We’re not one of those clubs. I want players to go away and play and represent their countries and I think it’s a really proud moment for anybody connected with Portsmouth when they do that.

“It does come with a slight risk and unfortunately (Kusini) has ended up picking up an injury.”

Any absence isn’t of immediate concern for the Socceroos.

Roar & Macarthur duel ends in 4-4 draw | 02:04

Tony Popovic’s side isn’t back in action until they face Indonesia and China in two must-win World Cup qualifiers in March.

While Yengi has made a bright start to life for the national team, scoring six goals in 11 games, the interrupted nature of his season has impacted his output for Portsmouth. He’s yet to find the back of the net in the Championship after scoring 13-goals in 31 appearances in all competitions last season, while they were in League One, following a move from the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League.

Source link

November 30, 2024
Inside football’s other World Cup… and how the ‘Street Socceroos’ are inspiring a nation

The Matildas are a worldwide phenomenon, the Socceroos have stunned some of the best teams in world football — but have you heard of the Street Socceroos?

Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

They’re one of the lesser known teams representing Australia, but potentially the most inspiring, made up of eight individuals experiencing homelessness from across the nation.

The Street Socceroos compete in the Homeless World Cup, a tournament that sees those sleeping rough wear their country’s colours proudly, shining a light on homelessness.

While some are desperate to lift the trophy, for others it’s simply about experiencing an event “like no other” in the hopes it can inspire them to make positive change.

This year’s Australian team was made up of eight individuals — Faz, Ibrahim, Abdalla, Faisal, Ron, Malika, Sara and Michael — who travelled to Seoul in South Korea in September.

They were picked from the 30 programs across Australia, with around 500 people participating in some lighthearted football that invites people of all ages, backgrounds and situations.

Street Socceroos head coach, George Halkias, played a major role in the program’s inception 20 years ago.

“We started as a pilot in 2004. We sent our first team ever to Edinburgh in 2005 and then in 2007 we were lucky to get federal government funding to expand across the country,” Halkias said to foxsports.com.au.

“So it’s been a sort of long journey to you know from something so small to a network of programs around the country and also participating in that event annually which is pretty special.

The Street Socceroos in Seoul for the Homeless World Cup. Source: The Big Issue Australia, Instagram.Source: Instagram

“It’s been a great sort of team effort by the organisation to grow so exponentially in those two decades.”

The Homeless World Cup began in Graz, Austria way back in 2003, and Halkias explained there’s around 60 to 70 thousand individuals involved in similar football programs across the globe.

The coach, who has a background in football and psychology, explained that from the Australian system, players from vast walks of life are selected.

“So there’s a network of almost 30 programs across Australia… and there’s 400 to 500 people participating each week,” he said.

“So we’re really just working with players to make better lifestyle choices. That’s the aim but they also have a great love of sport.

“Our participants are aged 16 and up and all genders and yeah, picking a team of eight is not easy.

“I also try to make it representative of the different types of people that come to our program. So that’s people who are experiencing homelessness in some form, mental illness disability, long term unemployment.

“Some have sought refuge in our country and have been displaced. So we get nominations from all around the country from their local coaches.”

Michael, one of this year’s team members, had never played a sport with a round ball before becoming involved in the football community.

The Street Socceroos in Seoul for the Homeless World Cup. Source: The Big Issue Australia, Instagram.Source: Instagram

“Michael is an indigenous man in his 40s who I guess would have experienced homelessness, racism, just a challenging youth,” Halkias said.

“That manifested also in homelessness and substance abuse in recent times. He actually slept rough as well on the pitch which we train every week.

“But with a range of different community supports he’s been able to get secure housing, and turn up weekly to his program. He sells the Big Issue magazine on the streets of Adelaide.

“That’s his way of earning an extra income and he’s been able to face his addiction. He was new to the sport but he wore the green and gold proudly and improved his skills.

Malika, meanwhile, got her chance to represent Australia after arriving in the country only “a few years ago” from Afghanistan.

“Displaced and I guess homeless because of violence in her homeland,” Halkias explained.

“She hadn’t played the game before and got that opportunity in Victoria, she started in our weekly women’s programs in the south east and built her skills and her confidence.

“And her interpersonal skills, and that’s the mix of people that we get in our programs which is pretty special.”

Australia’s team was littered with players of mixed abilities, but for Halkias, football simply becomes a “constant they can rely on”, with their ability an afterthought to individual growth.

“It’s an event like no other, where people come together and compete, go hard when they’re on the pitch, but off the pitch they’ve got to know each other,” Halkias said.

So how did they go in South Korea? The tournament began with all teams on a level playing field.

The Street Socceroos in Seoul for the Homeless World Cup. Source: The Big Issue Australia, Instagram.Source: Instagram

Then, after the first handful of games, each nation was given match-ups that would provide a fair contest with teams facing off with equal skill levels.

The Street Socceroos came up against footballing heavyweight Brazil, whilst also facing Denmark, Scotland and Ireland.

Then their wins came against Cambodia, Sweden and Zimbabwe, being awarded a FIFPRO Fair Play Award on the first day of the competition for their efforts.

And it was a hugely positive experience for our representatives, with Halkias explaining: “They get so much support from the crowd over there, other people, their families, their local communities. I think it’s important they realise that people don’t judge them.

“Some have made a few mistakes, or copped some kicks in the shins so to speak, but they can overcome them. There’s a lot of people out there to support them as well.

“The experience and understanding, it gives them a huge boost… and hope, sometimes when it’s not going your way, things can look forlorn.

“So players really have that spring in their step when they come back and then they can start to look forward, start to try new things and build that self esteem.”

As for the overall goal of the tournament, it’s to “improve their health and wellbeing, secure housing and make good healthy lifestyle choices”.

The Street Socceroos in Seoul for the Homeless World Cup. Source: The Big Issue Australia, Instagram.Source: Instagram

But for Halkias, one of the most important things for those sleeping rough is to “feel part of the community” they’re living in and to “start contributing”.

“Because they’ve shown that when they get an opportunity like this one, they can prove themselves,” Halkias added.

Post tournament, those involved sit down and set personal goals to spark an “upward trajectory”.

Opportunities for work come in the form of speaking gigs, educating schools and companies about homelessness.

Others, like Michael, sell The Big Issue magazine to earn an income, but overall players “move forward in a whole host of ways” according to Halkias.

“They get this shot of self esteem and confidence, and we can facilitate some direction to that but it’s ultimately up to them to use that and be empowered by that,” Halkias said.

“We also know that overcoming addiction and changing your life takes quite a bit of work.

“Sometimes it’s backwards and forwards, but we just try and look at the individual, look at what their strengths are and work towards new goals for them.

“Because they’ve shown that when you get the right support, there’s a whole heap of things that they can do… they’ve got the potential to achieve great things as well.

“When you wear the green and gold, and you overcome the challenges they have, I think it gives them a huge boost and a level of resilience they can use for the rest of their lives.”

Meanwhile, Australia are putting in a bid to host the event in 2026, alongside the Asian Cup and the Olympics.

West Ham upset Newcastle’s winning run | 01:05

Halkias was involved in the 2008 edition, which was played in Melbourne and said “I can tell you first hand, Australians can get right behind it”.

The Big Issue are under no illusions it’s going to be a tough task to get the bid over the line. But should it be played in Australia, it’s sure to spark a conversation.

“It’s an event that can motivate and inspire us, cheer us up. Sometimes, life can be a bit serious and bloomy but I think this is uplifting,” Halkias said.

“But it can also get us talking about a whole range of things from being more physically active, having more respect for women and gender equality, the importance of support for mental illness and disability.

“So it can also have an element of, you know, addressing some social issues. But I think more importantly, it’s a great event that brings people from all over the world. I think the whole community get behind it.”

Source link

November 26, 2024
Socceroos rescued in 96th-min madness as Popovic avoids disaster in WC thriller

A stoppage-time equaliser from Kusini Yengi has saved the Socceroos from complete disaster in Riffa against Bahrain.

Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

Socceroos score in 38 seconds! | 00:29

Leading 1-0 deep into the second-half, the Australians conceded twice in the space of two minutes through a brace from Bahrain substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar before Yengi’s second goal of the contest ensured the FIFA World Cup qualifier finished in a 2-2 draw.

The point moved the Socceroos into second spot, nine points behind Group C leaders Japan, in the third-round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

However, second place, which brings with it automatic qualification to the 2026 World remains well and truly up for grabs, with four teams – Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China – only one point behind Australia.

While the draw was better than nothing, the Socceroos should have put the game to bed before Bahrain’s second-half fightback.

The visitors made a dream start, going ahead inside the first minute through Yengi,

Called into the starting side at the expense of veteran marksman Mitch Duke, Yengi pounced on a weak back pass from Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer before rounding goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla and guiding the ball into the back of the net.

Australia’s forward #9 Kusini Yengi shoots to score his team’s first goal past Bahrain’s goalkeeper #22 Ebrahim Lutfalla during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between Bahrain and Australia at Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa on November 19, 2024. (Photo by Mazen Mahdi / AFP)Source: AFP

Yengi should have doubled Australia’s lead in the 24th minute after being fed by midfielder Riley McGree but he was foiled by Lutfalla.

Chances continued to fall Yengi’s way, with the woodwork denying the Portsmouth striker on the hour mark,

A poor first-touch soon after proved costly for Yengi when he had another good opportunity to increase Australia’s lead.

Concerns grow for Socceroos after escape | 04:44

Bahrain then had a chance to equaliser in the 64th-minute but Ebrahim Al-Khatal’s goal-bound shot was well blocked by Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess.

However, the Bahrainis found an equaliser in the 75th minute through a spectacular 40-metre effort from Abduljabbar.

The midfielder pounced on defender Burgess’ clumsy attempt to control a long ball with a speculative strike that caught recalled goalkeeper Mat Ryan off his line as it sailed into the back of the net.

Kusini Yengi slides the ball past Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to give Australia the lead. Picture: Christopher Pike/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Worse to follow in the 77th minute when Abduljabbar netted from close range after a cross from Mahdi Al-Humaidan was deflected on to the post by debutant Socceroos defender Hayden Matthews.

Abduljabbar was first to the rebound, with his second of the contest putting Australia on the brink of disaster.

However, Yengi’s late goal from close range ensured the points were shared.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made six changes to the side that started in last Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Melbourne

Captain and goalkeeper Ryan started for the first time since September’s departure of former coach Graham Arnold, replacing Joe Gauci, who had been the Socceroos’ gloveman in the first three games of Tony Popovic’s reign as national boss.

Sydney FC’s 20-year-old defender Matthews was given his Socceroos debut, coming into the side for Melbourne Victory’s Jason Geria.

Matthews’ Sydney teammate Anthony Caceres, who made his maiden national team appearance off the bench last week, also started, being preferred to Belgium-based midfielder Aiden O’Neill.

Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich was another of the squad’s A-League brigade given a start, with former City left-back Jordy Bos dropping back to the bench.

Further forward, Craig Goodwin returned from suspension to displace Ajdin Hrustic from the starting side, while Portsmouth attacker Yengi was given the nod at the expense of Duke.

Source link

November 19, 2024
Ruthless call puts stars on notice; moments that exposed Socceroos’ biggest issue: Talking Pts

Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold tried to warn anyone who would listen.

Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup wouldn’t be easy.

Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament from 32 teams in Qatar to 48 in Canada, USA and Mexico made it a harder message to sell.

After all, the Socceroos have qualified for the last five editions of football’s showpiece event. How on earth could Australia miss out with double the spots on offer through Asia?

Arnold had raised the alarm time and again about the record amounts of investment being ploughed into national team programs across Asia – teams Australia had rolled through with relative ease in the past.

His warning, in some respect, has come to fruition during this qualifying campaign.

The Socceroos are enduring another rocky road to a World Cup. The latest speed bump in the route will come in Bahrain on Wednesday morning (AEDT) where Australia can either keep their fate in their own hands or face two agonisingly tense international windows next year.

BAHRAIN PRESENTS A BIG CHANCE

The Socceroos currently sit second in Group C during the third round of qualifying but have just one win to their name. No second placed side, in any of the other qualifying groups, has fewer victories.

Second place presents the golden prize of automatic World Cup qualification come the final international window in June next year.

The only reason they are still in charge of their own destiny is because other sides have continually let opportunities to take control of their own fate slip.

Saudi Arabia, perceived from the outset as a fellow group heavyweight, like the Socceroos, have one win, three draws and one defeat.

China, in fourth place, have one more victory to their name than Australia, but have lost three of their five qualifiers.

The only pattern is that there isn’t one.

Consistency, apart from Japan who sit seven points clear at the top, has been elusive across the board.

Spurs star cops 7-game suspension | 00:42

Under Tony Popovic there are signs the Socceroos are starting to find their rhythm. Since taking over in October he has secured five points from three games. It has been a solid, but not spectacular start.

The game against Bahrain is must win; especially with Saudi Arabia taking on last placed Indonesia in Jakarta.

The reality of their situation has breached the walls of the camp. Harry Souttar was short, but sharp when asked about it in his final appearance before the cameras prior to the match in Riffa.

“Very important,” the giant centre back said.

“Obviously you can see the table, apart from the leaders Japan, you see how tight it is. It’s a huge game for us and it’s one we’re going to try and do our best at to get the three points.”

Australia, Saudi Arabia and China all enter this matchday on six points with Bahrain on five.

The margins are slim.

KEEP THE EMOTIONS IN CHECK

Bahrain set the first dose of third phase drama in motion back in September.

The world number 76 left the Gold Coast with a 1-0 win in what turned out to be Arnold’s second last game in charge after a six-year tenure.

Bahrain not only frustrated the Socceroos via an 89th minute Souttar own goal, but also by staying on the turf for lengthy periods after any contact.

Stand-in captain Jackson Irvine believes the side let it become “the story of the game” and the teams leadership group has vowed to not let their opponents get under their skin again.

“Of course, you want to maintain that discipline and not let it rattle us away from our game, but at the same time, you don’t want to let teams get away with certain kinds of behaviour and you need to have each other’s backs,” Irvine said.

“Probably in the first game against them, we didn’t find that balance well enough.

That’s the biggest thing you want to avoid. You want that drama to not be the centre of the game. You want our performance to be the main focus.”

England thrash Ireland to earn promotion | 00:53

SOCCEROOS MUST BE RUTHLESS IN FRONT OF GOAL

The Socceroos have taken 58-shots during the third round with 14 of those classified as on target. Yet, after five games, they’ve scored only four goals.

Now, like most statistics, they can be misleading or largely irrelevant when placed in context.

The Socceroos haven’t scored enough goals, but it’s clearly not through the number of shots being taken.

58 in five games is a large number.

What that statistic, and even shots on target fail to measure, is both the quality of the chances and ones that should’ve ended up in one column or the other but didn’t due to decision making.

The Socceroos should’ve beaten Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on Thursday night and to avoid a repeat performance against Bahrain they need to find a ruthlessness in-front of goal.

In Melbourne, Mitch Duke had a chance to shoot after a superb bit of pressing from Aiden O’Neill forced a turnover on the edge of the Saudi 18-yard box. Instead, the veteran striker decided to lay it off to Ajdin Hrustic who under hit his shot into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar.

Similarly, Brandon Borrello found himself through on goal and one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 84th minute. The Western Sydney Wanderers forward opted to square it to Riley McGree instead of finishing the chance himself. McGree was thwarted by a scrambling defender.

Those two moments were pivotal.

“It’s probably when you look at them all together, it probably looks like we need to have that more clinical edge,” Irvine said.

“Whether it’s someone taking more responsibility earlier without the hesitation or whether it’s squaring the ball in the right time for someone else to have an easier moment.

“There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s just about making sure we find that clinical edge individually and collectively to be able to put the ball in the back of the net.”

Craig Goodwin’s return from suspension should help their pursuit of goals.

The 32-year-old has seven goals to his name for his country and five of those have come in the space of 10-appearances in 2024.

Socceroos survive late scare v Saudi | 03:00

FIX THE EARLY WOBBLES

The team, by their own admission, have been poor in the first 20-minutes of games so far in the third round.

A lack of possession and a low percentage of passes completed have been consistent themes.

On occasion, it has come through their own doing while in other matches, an aggressive press from the opposition has induced multiple mistakes with the ball.

It has left the side chasing games once they’ve composed themselves, in what has proved to be crucial time lost.

Having a squad of 26 in Bahrain allows training to become match simulation.

A particular area of focus, according to Irvine, has been playing out from the back under pressure. Whether Bahrain will be bold enough to pressure Australia so high up the pitch remains to be seen, but the Socceroos are bracing for that possibility given how effective it has been against them so far.

“It is a question of sometimes the players on the pitch being able to identify solutions in those moments, about trying to find answers quicker,” he said.

“That was the main focus of training yesterday. Especially in and around our box and being calm and trying to find solutions in those areas. It was a topic of conversation post-game after Saudi and we’ve looked at it this week.”

RYAN BENCHING HAS PUT PLAYERS ON NOTICE

One of Tony Popovic’s first tactical decisions was to drop long time goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan to the bench and promote Aston Villa’s Joe Gauci in his place.

Gauci, who has seen some gametime for Villa this season in the League Cup, has played the last three games for Australia. Ryan, who is yet to take the pitch for his new club Roma in Serie A, is enduring his longest ever run out of the starting side since becoming a mainstay in 2013.

According to Irvine, Ryan’s demotion has proved anyone, no matter how entrenched they may seem in the side, is capable of being dropped.

“It shows everybody how key your performances have to be and you have to be on it all the time to make sure you maintain your place in the team,” he said.

Ryan is now 32 which is still relatively young for a goalkeeper and will no doubt continue to fight for his place.

At the very least he’ll be an experienced sounding board for 24-year-old Gauci who is just taking his first steps at a large European club.

That is a journey Ryan knows well.

Source link

November 19, 2024
‘Respect the shirt’: Status quo squashed as Popovic issues Socceroos selection statement

Well, that was surprising. Tony Popovic’s 26-player squad to face Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in two crucial World Cup qualifiers over the next fortnight has dismantled the status quo.

Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

The family, as the squad and environment were so often described under former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, has been broken up and, in its place, sits an eclectic mix of new faces and ones that seemed to be surplus to requirements.

Others, meanwhile, are completely missing through their own choosing; as is the case with Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson, or have been excluded, where they were previously part of the furniture.

Popovic, after taking on the role just weeks before the last international window in October, said he wanted to ensure that nobody felt they had a right to a Socceroos jersey. With this squad he has done just that and perhaps the biggest story surrounds three players who won’t feature in Melbourne and Bahrain this month.

Atletico steal victory with last kick | 00:33

THE MISSING PLAYERS

Alex Robertson

When Alex Robertson made his debut for Australia in a friendly against Ecuador in March last year, it seemed like the next 100-cap Socceroo had been discovered.

The midfielder, who is now on the books of Championship side Cardiff City, is one of those players blessed with both tactical and technical skill in abundance and it appeared as though the battle for his allegiance was won.

After all, with his father Mark and grandfather, also named Alexander, in the stands in Sydney that night, he became a third-generation Socceroo.

Mark represented Australia in 2001 and Alexander in the mid 1980s.

But Robertson is also eligible to represent Scotland, England and Peru through birth, residence and family.

After playing his junior football in Sydney, Robertson made the move to the UK as a teenager and represented England at youth level.

The 21-year-old hasn’t featured for Australia since a 2-nil friendly defeat to Argentina in Beijing in June last year and whether he adds to his two caps is now up in the air.

Last month, Robertson’s absence from the squad for games against China and Japan was explained as a paperwork issue with FIFA that hadn’t been resolved yet.

Now, it seems, Football Australia has done everything it can to resolve the matter.

“That sits in his hands now,” Popovic said after unveiling his squad in Melbourne.

“If he wants to play for the Socceroos, he needs to make himself available.

“It’s an Alex decision on what he wants to do.

“If he wants to make himself available for the Socceroos then we can look at whether we select him, but at the moment we don’t have that option.

“You have to respect the shirt, the badge; you have to respect the honour of playing for the Socceroos and we also have to respect the fact that everyone can make their own choice.

“Right now, his decision is not to make himself available.”

It’s a measure of Robertson’s immense talent that Popovic went on to say that the door hasn’t been closed because of this latest development, but fans who have long called for his inclusion in green and gold, at least now have some clarity on the matter.

Gunners suffer first loss in UCL | 01:21

Nestory Irankunda

The other big name missing from the squad list was that of Nestory Irankunda.

The 18-year-old, who swapped Adelaide United for Bayern Munich in the off-season, has made a positive start to his time at the German powerhouse.

The winger has been scoring for both Bayern II in the Regionalliga and also in the UEFA Youth League, but his output at international level has been mixed.

He looked lively and dangerous in the last fixtures of the Graham Arnold era, but struggled in his first match under Popovic, when handed a starting role against China in Adelaide last month and then didn’t feature against Japan.

Nestory Irankunda of Australia controls the ball during the round three 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Bahrain at Robina Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Popovic’s system, where the wingers play a more inverted role, doesn’t seem to suit the teenager. He’s more comfortable wider on the right, and so far, that is at odds with Popovic’s preferred tactical set-up.

“It’s just a selection decision,” Popovic said.

“We know he’s a young man with a lot of potential, who is signed at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“We just feel it is an opportunity for him to settle in at Bayern and get the development that he needs there and the growth.

“We still hope that we really see this potential moving forward from him in the national team in years to come.”

Stunning brain fade ends Villa’s streak | 01:03

Keanu Baccus

It won’t be a major headline, but the decision not to call-up Keanu Baccus is still notable.

The combative, deeper lying midfielder, was a mainstay under Arnold, who shot to prominence at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 while locked in a fierce battle with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in a heart stopping round of 16 defeat in Doha.

Under Popovic, Baccus has only seen 10-minutes of action, and that was in a largely unfamiliar right-back role against Japan, in the 1-1 draw in Saitama.

The new coach has plenty of options in central midfield too in the form of Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Max Balard, Anthony Caceres and Patrick Yazbek.

New United boss plays down City win | 01:16

THE NEW PLAYERS

Anthony Caceres

Anthony Caceres has often been referred to as the best player never to represent Australia at any level.

Now 32, it appeared the chance of the Sydney FC midfielder shedding that tag was slim, but the door has finally opened.

Caceres seems perfectly suited to Popovic’s system where those further forward are required to be comfortable and make good decisions in extremely tight spaces.

In fact, he’s done just that his whole career.

There was a school of thought over the years that while Caceres was technically gifted, he lacked a killer edge in the final third.

But with three goals, 10 assists and 13 goal involvements to his name last season, those concerns have been allayed, if Popovic ever had them at all.

“He’s been a player that I’ve admired for a very long time,” said Popovic.

“He deserves his chance.

“Every coach has their ideas and this is his chance now.

Max Balard

It’s perhaps the ultimate compliment, that after moving from the Central Coast Mariners to Dutch Eredivisie side NAC Breda this season, the local media in the Netherlands quickly dubbed the 23-year-old the ‘Australian Kante.’

It’s a nod to former Leicester City and Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, now playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who is one of the finest ball-winning midfielders of his generation.

Balard missed selection for last month’s window, but should now get the chance to shine, after proving to Australia’s new coaching staff that he can be just as damaging with his range of passing as well.

“He’s had some very good performances this year,” Popovic said.

“We’ve been monitoring him prior to the last camp, but I think in the last month, his game has become more consistent; more balanced in his play, with and without the ball.”

Hayden Matthews

The 20-year-old Sydney FC central defender only signed his first professional contract in January this year and has now earned his maiden international call-up.

At 195 centimetres, he is a towering figure, and although on the surface, it looks like Matthews has been included to get some experience in an extended 26-player squad, it’s interesting that he’s on the radar of the national team boss so early in his career.

Keanu Baccus did not find himself in Popovic’s squad. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

THE RETURNING PLAYERS

Rhyan Grant

The last time Rhyan Grant featured for the Socceroos was in a third round World Cup qualifying defeat to Japan in Sydney in 2022.

The tireless right-back has seen a long list of players cycle through that position in an Australian shirt since then, but never in his wildest dreams did the Sydney FC captain think he’d be considered again.

“I honestly didn’t see this coming, but I’m absolutely delighted,” Grant said.

The 33-year-old, who has 21-caps to his name, thought his time had passed, and stressed that point whenever the topic of a recall to international football surfaced, but could well be the answer to the problematic position again.

Brandon Borrello

The search for a striker who can score on a consistent basis is just as puzzling as the absence of an established right back.

Brandon Borrello will fight for minutes alongside Mitch Duke and Kusini Yengi.

The Western Sydney Wanderers quarter-final exit at the hands of Adelaide United in the Australia Cup left the forward short of minutes for the October window, but with 266-minutes and two goals from three games under his belt in the A-League this season, he’s moved back up the pecking order.

Milos Degenek

Few people are more passionate about the Socceroos jersey than Milos Degenek.

In an extraordinary interview at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 he offered an insight into the mentality he takes into games.

“The lion mentality is, you either eat or you get eaten, and that’s the simplest way to put it,” Degenek said at the time.

“I used this term before the Peru game with the boys, I said ‘there’s bread on the table’.

“Either we eat tonight; my kids, my wife and my family eats tonight, or they eat and my kids go home to sleep hungry and my wife as well – and I don’t want that to happen.”

Degenek has missed most of 2024 due to injury but is back on the park and played in FK Crvena zvezda’s first round Serbian Cup game just over a week ago.

The 30-year-old, who can play as a central defender or right-back, adds versatility to the squad and even if he doesn’t feature on the field, he’ll be a force for good around the squad.

Few people are more passionate about the Socceroos jersey than Milos Degenek. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Martin Boyle

Martin Boyle looked out of sorts in the September window as the Socceroos stumbled against Bahrain and Indonesia in, what turned out to be, the final days of the Arnold era.

He didn’t feature in Popovic’s first squad, but his form for Hibernian, in Scotland, has been hard to ignore.

The 31-year-old has five goals and five assists to his name this season and could potentially be deployed as an inverted winger or striker.

His experience will also help the side deal with the scale of the challenge in-front of them.

A victory over Saudi Arabia next week will go some way towards rectifying the Socceroos dire start to the third round of qualifying.

Australia is currently second in group C but locked on five points with their next opponents, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

A top two finish in the group earns automatic qualification for the next World Cup in 2026, so the stakes around every fixture from here are high.

Squad: Max Balard, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Jordy Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Milos Degenek, Mitch Duke, Joe Gauci (GK), Jason Geria, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Hayden Matthews, Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Harry Souttar, Nishan Velupillay, Patrick Yazbek, Kusini Yengi.

Source link

November 8, 2024