Source: FOX SPORTS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGOALKEEPER \u2014 MAT RYAN<\/b><\/p>\n
It would be a shock of monumental proportions if Mat Ryan isn\u2019t in goal for Australia\u2019s first group stage game against Turkiye in Vancouver on June 14.<\/p>\n
This outcome wasn\u2019t always a given, though.<\/p>\n
Dropping Ryan, his captain, to the bench, was one of the first big decisions Popovic made when he took charge of the national side for the first time in October 2024.<\/p>\n
The shot-stopper was overlooked for a starting spot for three straight games as other contenders stood up.<\/p>\n
But he managed to regain his place between the sticks for November\u2019s World Cup qualifier against Bahrain and was the No.1 choice until qualification was achieved. His incredible club form also helped Levante escape relegation from La Liga.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe experience; something that we don\u2019t have too much of in terms of age or World Cup experience,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaty is obviously the captain, so I think he expected to see himself coming to the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul Izzo and Patrick Beach are quality back-ups. Goalkeeping depth has always been a luxury for Australia.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Mat Ryan makes a save against Mexico, following a stellar La Liga season.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRIGHT BACK \u2014 JACOB ITALIANO<\/b><\/p>\n
Right-back has been a problem position for the Socceroos for the last two World Cup cycles.<\/p>\n
No player was able to nail down the role in Qatar. Lewis Miller was building a strong case for this World Cup until he ruptured his Achilles playing for Blackburn against QPR in the Championship in February.<\/p>\n
That left Jacob Italiano as the clear first-choice option and the 24-year-old, who plays for Grazer AK in Austria, has made the role his own with a string of impressive displays.<\/p>\n
Italiano only made his debut during the October window games against Canada and the USA last year but has looked more than comfortable at international level.<\/p>\n
Kai Trewin is the closest player in terms of profile in the squad to Italiano, but the former Perth Glory man looks like getting first crack.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Jacob Italiano firmed as the right back incumbent after Lewis Miller\u2019s injury.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCENTRE BACKS \u2014 ALESSANDRO CIRCATI, HARRY SOUTTAR, CAMERON BURGESS<\/b><\/p>\n
Circati plays in Serie A with Parma, and Souttar and Burgess have played in the Premier League. <\/p>\n
It seems like a dream trio, but they\u2019ve never actually started a game together under Popovic due to an ACL injury to Circati and then a ruptured Achilles to Souttar over the course of the qualifying campaign.<\/p>\n
Their availability seems like a nightmare for Australia\u2019s group stage opponents.<\/p>\n
However, Popovic chose to start 18-year-old Lucas Herrington alongside Circati and Souttar against Mexico at the Rose Bowl on Sunday. <\/p>\n
As impressive as the teenager is, overlooking the experience of Circati, Souttar and Burgess together would be a big decision with World Cup points on the line.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Harry Souttar is a Socceroos mainstay who has overcome brutal fortune with injuries to reach another World Cup.<\/span>Source: News Corp Australia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLEFT BACK \u2014 JORDAN BOS<\/b><\/p>\n
Jordan Bos is not only Australia\u2019s best left back but also one of the Socceroos\u2019 most destructive attacking weapons.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll enter his debut World Cup off the back of a stunning season for Dutch giants Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.<\/p>\n
Bos scored four goals and provided 11 assists from 36 appearances across all competitions for the Rotterdam-based club as they finished second to PSV in the title race.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old has earned the trust of Feyenoord manager and Dutch great Robin van Persie and has the potential to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament if all goes to plan.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Jordan Bos has pace to burn and shapes as a huge World Cup asset for the Socceroos.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCENTRE MIDFIELDERS \u2013 JACKSON IRVINE AND AIDEN O\u2019NEILL<\/b><\/p>\n
This established duo is likely to get first crack at the two centre midfield roles in Popovic\u2019s system, but there is pressure coming from elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Retaining the ball and controlling play early in games has been an issue for the Socceroos and Jackson Irvine and Aiden O\u2019Neill will have a large role to play in changing that trend.<\/p>\n
This will be Irvine\u2019s third World Cup. O\u2019Neill made his debut for Australia straight after Qatar and has been ever-present over the last three years.<\/p>\n
Between them they boast 111 caps of experience, but young gun Paul Okon-Engstler is increasingly making a strong case to break up the partnership.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Jackson Irvine is off to a third World Cup as a midfield mainstay.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRIGHT-SIDE INVERTED WINGER \u2014 CRISTIAN VOLPATO<\/b><\/p>\n
Will he start? Who knows. It would certainly be worth a try.<\/p>\n
Sydney-born-and-raised Cristian Volpato\u2019s stunning decision to swap Italy for Australia was revealed last week and caught just about everyone by surprise. <\/p>\n
The 22-year-old, who plays for Sassuolo in Serie A, and was once on the books of Roma under Jose Mourinho could force his way into the starting side with a strong showing against Switzerland in San Diego on Sunday after arriving in camp too late to face off against Mexico.<\/p>\n
Volpato is as close to a replacement for the injured Riley McGree as the Socceroos will get. If Popovic is looking for some spark in attack and composure on the ball, then Volpato could be the answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very talented player; a young player, so that\u2019s another young player that is doing well in the Serie A, of course with Sassuolo; can be much better,\u201d Popovic said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s young, so there\u2019s a lot of growth and potential still there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t played a lot of minutes, which we would\u2019ve like that he\u2019d played more minutes, but that\u2019s the situation we face with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he has come on, you can see technically a very good player, great left foot. He\u2019s comfortable under pressure which you have to be in the Serie A.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to working with him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Cristian Volpato of US Sassuolo Calcio in Serie A \u2014 one of Australia\u2019s most remarkable World Cup selections, ever.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLEFT-SIDE INVERTED WINGER \u2014 CONNOR METCALFE<\/b><\/p>\n
Metcalfe might\u2019ve struggled for consistent game time at club level this season as FC St. Pauli was relegated from the Bundesliga in Germany, but that isn\u2019t an issue that has followed him into Socceroos camp.<\/p>\n
Popovic has been and remains a huge fan of the former Melbourne City man.<\/p>\n
The coach has never left Metcalfe out of a starting side when the 26-year-old has been fit and available.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Connor Metcalfe has been a constant in the Socceroos starting line-up under Tony Popovic.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSTRIKER \u2014 MOHAMED TOURE<\/b><\/p>\n
Toure looks like being handed the responsibility of leading the line for Australia.<\/p>\n
His move from Danish side Randers to Championship outfit Norwich in the UK during the January transfer window went better than anyone could\u2019ve anticipated.<\/p>\n
A return of 10 goals from 12 games made him an instant favourite with the Canaries\u2019 faithful. He provided three assists as well.<\/p>\n
At 186cm tall and with pace and power in abundance, he\u2019s set to be a handful for opposition defenders if he can get service from those around him.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Mohamed Toure was lethal for Norwich City in the Championship this season.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYOUNG GAME-CHANGERS \u2014 NESTORY IRANKUNDA, NISHAN VELUPILLAY, PAUL OKON-ENGSTLER AND LUCAS HERRINGTON<\/b><\/p>\n
There is depth in this squad.<\/p>\n
Nestory Irankunda, Nishan Velupillay, Paul Okon-Engstler and Lucas Herrington wouldn\u2019t look out of place in the starting side.<\/p>\n
Calls will most likely grow louder for Irankunda to be unleashed from the beginning as kick-off against Turkiye draws closer. It will be a temptation right throughout the campaign.<\/p>\n
However, the Watford wonderkid might be able to have more impact off the bench.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s group stage clashes are likely to be highlighted by a heavy early shift in defence, even for the attacking players.<\/p>\n
Sending a fresh Irankunda on just after half-time, when the opposition players have a little more fatigue in their legs, could be a huge advantage for Australia. Stopping his searing runs wouldn\u2019t be easy.<\/p>\n
Velupillay is slightly older at 25, but still relatively young in his international career with just seven caps to his name.<\/p>\n
There was a moment in the game against Mexico that reinforced to the Socceroos coaching staff that he\u2019d have a part to play in this tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe won a duel on the halfway line and powered away from the players and then it was just the final ball. He tried to put Nestor (Irankunda) through and it didn\u2019t quite get there. I think that was a sign that at this level that he actually can make an impact,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure if he remembers that moment but we certainly do as a coaching staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can play really well between the lines. We always call him a bit of a hybrid because he plays well between the lines but he also likes to run in behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Velupillay can play either of the inverted winger roles or as a lone striker, as can Irankunda.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Nestory Irankunda makes an audacious attempt on goal against Mexico.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOkon-Engstler is a different type of midfielder to Irvine and O\u2019Neill and turns the tempo of matches in Australia\u2019s favour with his ability to receive and play in tight spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could see the huge potential that he has,\u201d said Popovic.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t reached, I believe, half of what he could reach, but his improvement over 12 months has been significant.\u201d<\/p>\n
18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington has started Australia\u2019s last three games against Cameroon, Curacao and Mexico.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s every chance he does the same against Turkiye in Vancouver if Popovic decides to overlook Cameron Burgess.<\/p>\n
His switch from the Brisbane Roar to the Colorado Rapids in the MLS in January has taken the teenager\u2019s game to another level.<\/p>\n
Popovic, who carved out a career in the same position, knows Australian football could have something special in Herrington.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can be really good,\u201d said Popovic.<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take long for Herrington to impress the coaching staff during his first call-up in March this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce I saw him train, he was playing and I see that same carefree kid, that loves football, has no fear and he\u2019s 18 so it is quite special at 18 to be doing what he\u2019s doing,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s pinching himself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Paul Okon-Engstler has immense potential in the Australian midfield.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEXPERIENCED HEADS \u2014 MATHEW LECKIE AND AJDIN HRUSTIC<\/b><\/p>\n
A fit-again Mathew Leckie at this World Cup appeared long odds, but his body has come good at just the right time after a horror run with injury.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old has been restricted to 38 appearances for Melbourne City across the last three seasons and just eight appearances this campaign.<\/p>\n
Popovic was searching for experience to guide the talented crop of youngsters through their first World Cup and that role, in part, has fallen to Leckie.<\/p>\n
\u201cA couple of months ago, God knows what he was thinking in terms of his football with all the injuries that he\u2019s had,\u201d said Popovic with a smile that reflected just how remarkable it is that Leckie has managed to be fit again at the perfect time after years of misfortune.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offered him the opportunity to come in the early group and I\u2019m sure if he didn\u2019t do that, there\u2019s no way he would be selected.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that proves the benefit of coming in and starting on the fifth of May, and when you think about it almost four weeks later, he\u2019s getting selected for the Socceroos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leckie can play just about anywhere except the backline in Popovic\u2019s system and you wouldn\u2019t put that past him either.<\/p>\n
Ajdin Hrustic will fill one of the inverted winger positions and will be high in the rotation for that position.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Mathew Leckie and Lucas Herrington are headed to the World Cup, at opposite ends of their careers.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUNTRIED OPTION WHO COULD SURPRISE \u2013 TETE YENGI<\/b><\/p>\n
Tete Yengi is 25, the brother of injured Socceroo and fellow striker Kusini, and has never played for Australia before.<\/p>\n
The fact he has come from taking no part in the qualifying campaign and subsequent friendly games to a spot in the final 26-player World Cup squad is nothing short of remarkable.<\/p>\n
Popovic started scouting the giant forward, who stands 197cm tall, when he was at Livingston in Scotland.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wrote some notes on him and left it at that at that stage,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
A loan move to Japan with Machida Zelvia \u2013 Mitch Duke\u2019s former club \u2013 in January, piqued Popovic\u2019s interest again as they competed in the rejigged J-League and made the final of the Asian Champions League Elite, eventually losing the decider to Al-Ahli 1-0 in late April.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just stayed on our mind in terms of the profile that he has, it\u2019s very different to anything that we have here in terms of his size and presence on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt that that gives us a different option.<\/p>\n
\u201cTete probably sums up the whole process since we started in giving players an opportunity and not closing the door on anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Tete Yengi \u2014 uncapped, but off to a World Cup.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFULL SQUAD<\/b><\/p>\n
Goalkeepers:<\/b> Mathew Ryan (c), Paul Izzo, Patrick Beach<\/p>\n
Defenders:<\/b> Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin<\/p>\n
Midfielders:<\/b> Cameron Devlin, Jackson Irvine, Aiden O\u2019Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler<\/p>\n
Inverted wingers:<\/b> Ajdin Hrustic, Connor Metcalfe, Mathew Leckie, Nestory Irankunda, Awer Mabil, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato<\/p>\n
Forwards:<\/b> Mohamed Toure, Tete Yengi<\/p>\n<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nSocceroos WC squad settle into US camp | 02:41<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nWORLD CUP SCHEDULE<\/b><\/p>\n
June 14:<\/b> Australia v Turkiye, BC Place, Vancouver \u2013 2pm AEST<\/p>\n
June 20:<\/b> USA v Australia, Seattle Stadium, Seattle \u2013 5am AEST<\/p>\n
June 26:<\/b> Paraguay v Australia, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara \u2013 12pm AEST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The hard conversations were over. Four players had departed, and just happy faces remained. Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportsmail. Sign up now!!! Tony Popovic reckons it\u2019s something he\u2019ll never forget, as he looked around the room at the 26 players that were 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