<\/div>\n\u2018GET THE KID TO THE PREM\u2019: DANGEROUS DUO SHINE<\/b><\/p>\n
Australia looked like a completely different team when attacking down the right-hand side for the first hour.<\/p>\n
Cristian Volpato and Jordy Bos formed an impressive combination with dazzling dribbling that gave the Paraguayan defence several headaches.<\/p>\n
Volpato followed up his eye-catching half an hour stint against the USA by being Australia\u2019s most threatening player in the first half.<\/p>\n
He was eventually substituted just shy of the hour mark and Bos took over that mantle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen early on most of our attacking threat is coming down the right side, through Jordan Bos and Volpato,\u201d former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire said on SBS\u2019 commentary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one thing I love about Volpato, he\u2019s brave and looks to create, wants to make an impact on the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo get on the ball – he\u2019s an unpredictable player too. Not sure we\u2019ve had a player potentially of this quality, close ball skills, since perhaps Harry Kewell sitting in the studio,\u201d commentator David Basheer added.<\/p>\n
There is set to be more high praise to come for the pair who created three goal scoring chances apiece against Paraguay.<\/p>\n
They both came ever so close to breaking the deadlock.<\/p>\n
Volpato cut back onto his left, but his shot was parried away close to half-time.<\/p>\n
While Bos had the chance to be a match-winner at the death knock after a brilliant run into the box, but his left-footed strike sailed wide.<\/p>\n
Regardless, they both showed they were a class above.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Cristian Volpato (20) battles for the ball with Paraguay’s Diego Gomez (8) and Andres Cubas (14) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo\/Eugene Hoshiko)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFor 22-year-old Volpato, it was particularly impressive given it was his first World Cup start.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, for 23-year-old Bos, it was a performance on the big stage that everyone felt was coming despite a significant change pre-game.<\/p>\n
The Feyenoord star, who has come on in leaps and bounds in the past 12 months under the tutelage of former Arsenal and Manchester United goalscoring machine Robin van Persie, switched to the right against Paraguay.<\/p>\n
With Jacob Italiano missing with an adductor injury, the change was done to let Aziz Behich occupy his preferred position at left wing back.<\/p>\n
It was a change that may become permanent \u2013 at least for the rest of the tournament with Italiano reportedly unlikely to return.<\/p>\n
\u201cBos was fantastic on the right-hand side. He could be starting there a lot more now,\u201d Kewell said.<\/p>\n
Popovic revealed in his press conference that the shift was not unprecedented.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen him play for Westerlo on the right, and he did come on for us against New Zealand early in the year in a friendly, so we\u2019ve seen that he can adapt and play on that side,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the best game he\u2019s played of the three by far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regardless, it showed Bos\u2019 talent to be flexible.<\/p>\n
With Lucas Herrington producing a solid display on the right side of Australia\u2019s centre back trio, it allowed Bos to push higher up the pitch.<\/p>\n
If that continues going forward, it will only benefit Australia as arguably the nation\u2019s best footballers get more involved in attacking plays.<\/p>\n
While it could also lead to higher honours for him at a club level.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Jordan Bos #5 of Australia competes for the ball against Damian Bobadilla #16 and Junior Alonso #6 of Paraguay<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLeading football commentator Daniel Garb summed up the nation\u2019s admiration for Bos by writing on social media: \u201cthat\u2019s the Jordy Bos game we knew was coming. Get the kid to the Prem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before the World Cup, Bos had already featured in transfer rumours suggesting a move may be on the cards after a club season that included winning the Eredivisie\u2019s player of the month in September.<\/p>\n
He is set to play in the UEFA Champions League with Feyenoord next season, but English Premier League clubs are surely now standing up and taking notice.<\/p>\n
Or maybe they should listen to Ajdin Hrustic who told reporters in the mixed zone post-game that he started calling Bos \u2018Dani Alves\u2019 \u2013 after the legendary Brazilian defender \u2013 upon shifting to the right side in training. <\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nTurkiye take down USA in final seconds | 00:31<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\u2018LOOKS FANTASTIC\u2019: WUNDERKIND\u2019S DREAM DEBUT<\/b><\/p>\n
Speaking of young Australians destined for big moves, Lucas Herrington gave the nation the World Cup debut everyone was waiting for.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old looked completely unflustered by stepping into a crunch, final group game to make his first appearance at the tournament.<\/p>\n
He also delivered a display that shows why he has risen so rapidly and is tipped for much more success \u2013 having been linked with Barcelona and Liverpool.<\/p>\n
One of the teenager\u2019s biggest assets is his work with the ball.<\/p>\n
He caught the eye of many keen onlookers when in an MLS game against Lionel Messi\u2019s Inter Miami, the Colorado Rapids youngster delivered a superb long ball to assist an equaliser.<\/p>\n
Herrington did not get the chance to play provider against Paraguay, but he did show that he is cool with his feet.<\/p>\n
There were multiple times early when the Paraguayan attackers pressed at him but the Brisbane Roar product kept his cool to find a teammate and avoid a sticky situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe does. Looks comfortable, does not seem like too much fazes him and there an instance where they marshalled him into the side down the left-hand corner and he played it out nicely,\u201d Socceroo legend Harry Kewell said at half time.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood communication and connection with Aziz as well but looks fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Lucas Herrington (25) battles for the ball with Paraguay’s Julio Enciso (19) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAustralian fans were in disbelief when one of our own was linked with a move to the Nou Camp before the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The Athletic later revealed that Barcelona\u2019s initial offer of \u20ac10 million was rejected by Colorado Rapids as the American club believe they can get a record fee for the Queenslander.<\/p>\n
It was also reported that Liverpool had sent scouts to watch him earlier this season as the massive European clubs have identified him as a potential successor to the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ronald Araujo.<\/p>\n
That is certainly high regard for the teenage who only left the Roar for the US in January and became the youngest ever MLS player to feature in a World Cup game.<\/p>\n
Herrington has played every minute of the MLS season for the Rapids and also played the entire match against Paraguay.<\/p>\n
He is giving Australian fans every reason to be excited about his future; while also showing he belongs at present.<\/p>\n
Socceroos boss Tony Popovic put it best when asked about picking him in the starting line-up before kick-off.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very cool and calm young man,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got big wraps on him for the future, but I trust him enough to play in a crucial game.\u201d<\/p>\n
He reiterated those words in his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a special talent and I think I\u2019ve spoken highly enough about him previously and that\u2019s why he\u2019s selected in the squad,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to just make up the numbers. We trusted this talented young man in the most important game of the three.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nEcuador fume as VAR dismisses high boot | 00:26<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nAUSSIES PROVE THE DOUBTERS WRONG<\/b><\/p>\n
It is time to dig out all those prediction videos.<\/p>\n
Every Socceroos fan knows the ones.<\/p>\n
Americans, Europeans, English and South Americans all talking about how Australia will finish bottom of Group D.<\/p>\n
Well, for a second straight World Cup, it is the green and gold who have the last laugh.<\/p>\n
Tony Popovic\u2019s team entered this World Cup with a quiet confidence.<\/p>\n
The manager spoke at his squad announcement about how his youthful squad would no doubt be stronger in four years\u2019 time, but he did not want to squash expectations this time around.<\/p>\n
It proved to be the perfect formula.<\/p>\n
Australians who kept tabs on Socceroos players abroad knew that something special might be brewing with the likes of Jordy Bos, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure in impressive form for their respective clubs.<\/p>\n
But Australians listened to Mark Schwarzer before the tournament when he had loud-mouthed American pundit Mike Grella squirming when saying Australians just let our performances on the pitch do the talking.<\/p>\n
And that is exactly what Popovic\u2019s men have done.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think if you were to look when the draw came out, I don\u2019t know how many people would have circled us to be in second,\u201d former Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams said on SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I think to be in that position with the big result on the first game day, I think they could really look at themselves with confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis game was full of confidence and hope, and I think they got to play with flair as well and showed individual qualities, so I think it has been a really successful game and tournament so far.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Jordan Bos #5 of Australia celebrates after a 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Paraguay and Australia<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGroup D presented one of the toughest groups in the tournament.<\/p>\n
T\u00fcrkiye were billed as a dark horse after coming through European qualifying.<\/p>\n
The USA were always going to be a challenge on home soil.<\/p>\n
While Paraguay defeated the likes of Brazil in qualifying.<\/p>\n
Those resumes are why so few overseas gave Australia a hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great achievement for Australia. It was a tough group and to come second is fantastic for them. It sets them up nicely now,\u201d former Socceroos, Tottenham and Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou said on ITV.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s another World Cup that they\u2019ve got out of the group stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s massive for a country like Australia. We\u2019re at that stage where we\u2019re qualifying for World Cups regularly and now it\u2019s about getting to that next level.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a lot of countries like Australia and others at that level, for us to break through we\u2019ve got to get to the knockout stages consistently and win knockout games – that\u2019s the next phase.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Cristian Volpato (20) and Nestory Irankunda (17) celebrate after the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAs Postecoglou, who managed the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup, said winning a knockout game for the first time in the nation\u2019s history is now the challenge ahead of them.<\/p>\n
For those who tuned in to pre-tournament press conferences, the current squad, especially those that have been on this stage before, made no qualms about that being the goal.<\/p>\n
Now, by finishing second in the group, they have avoided a Round of 32 date with Germany.<\/p>\n
Instead, they will wait until next Saturday morning to play the runner-up of Group G \u2013 which could be Egypt, Belgium or Iran.<\/p>\n
However that match up falls, it is far more enticing than the European powerhouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know you want to give yourselves the best chance of having the best run as deep into the tournament as you can,\u201d four-time World Cup Socceroo Mark Milligan said on SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why finishing second was so important and today\u2019s performance was so important. Popa spoke about after the second game perhaps the players being overwhelmed by the occasion. Make no mistake, today was a big occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had not every right but there was every chance that if that second game affected them that tonight would have. Seeing the performance individually and as a group thanks didn\u2019t affect them at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nMexico beats Czechia to top group A | 03:32<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nWHERE WILL THE GOALS COME FROM?<\/b><\/p>\n
There is no hiding the fact that the Socceroos need to find the back of the net in their next game.<\/p>\n
After putting two past T\u00fcrkiye, Popovic\u2019s side have failed to score in their last two outings.<\/p>\n
It is a credit to Australia\u2019s defensive solidity that they have advanced to the knockouts having only scored two goals \u2013 their lowest ever tally to make it out of the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to earn the right to play and today we earned the right to play,\u201d Socceroos legend Harry Kewell said on SBS. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the moment we played, we played forward, we played with pride, tempo, we used the right areas. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing we are lacking, and when we look at that table, I know it goes Australia 4 points, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the USA game proved, teams must eventually score to avoid the dam wall bursting.<\/p>\n
Popovic\u2019s decision to start Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato against Paraguay was widely praised after they looked dangerous in the second half against the Americans.<\/p>\n
But it did not solve his attacking headaches.<\/p>\n
Irankunda battled admirably against Paraguay\u2019s three centre backs, but the 20-year-old typically plays as a winger for English Championship side Watford rather than leading the line.<\/p>\n
Popovic trialled him in the role in the lead-up to the World Cup. <\/p>\n
But it clear that with Irankunda\u2019s desire to use his blistering pace to get in behind defenders, he is better suited to the wide positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a difficult one because of how we have been playing, there\u2019s been a lot of speculation on who will be leading the line for the Australian team,\u201d Kewell said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI felt in the second half he was better, a lot more aggressive in his passes, his one touch was better, he was laying off and trying to get to his area and making things happen but it\u2019s difficult. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes being up there by yourself against three centre-backs is very hard to find space and when you do, especially a player like Irankunda, wants to get on the ball and feel it and drive at players and feel things are so is not that kind of focal point.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhereas Mo Toure is. Even Tete Yengi when he came on, he\u2019s that kind of position. So great sign for Popovic though with the options.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Nestory Irankunda (17) heads the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe question about Irankunda throughout the tournament had been whether or not to start him.<\/p>\n
Now, it seems Popovic\u2019s question is what to do with the striker position?<\/p>\n
He could return to Mohamed Toure, who banged in goals for fun for Norwich last season but has not been sighted in a Socceroos shirt since he was substituted at half time against the USA.<\/p>\n
While Tete Yengi is an unproven option but offers the advantage of his towering frame if Popovic wanted to play a front man who would compete strongly in aerial contests.<\/p>\n
Wherever the Socceroos boss lands, he will be buoyed by some of Australia\u2019s attacking efforts against Paraguay.<\/p>\n
Of course, Jordy Bos and Cristian Volpato, impressed.<\/p>\n
But the Socceroos will also benefit from the challenge of having to try breakdown a low block.<\/p>\n
Knockout games are notoriously more defensive with teams happy to sit back, take less risks and wait for their openings.<\/p>\n
So, whoever they end up playing, Australia will not only be able to rely on counterattacking like they caught out T\u00fcrkiye with.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe chances we created in the first couple of the game, we were direct and looking to use the pace of the boys in those wide areas,\u201d four-time World Cup Socceroo Mark Milligan said on SBS. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd today, we had some fantastic passages of play, we were able to get Bos into these areas like pre-tournament when he was scoring goals and getting him to these types of areas where he is able to skip past players and get into the box. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt becomes difficult for defenders when you get players like Jordy Bos into the box, but you cannot jump in. <\/p>\n
\u201cGuessing the other quality we have in those areas so again creating chances through good passages of play.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Socceroos have advanced out of their group at the World Cup for just third time as a goalless draw with Paraguay guaranteed second place in Group D. Socceroos boss Tony Popovic was ecstatic after the final whistle in Santa Clara and the result Australia needed came off the back of the manager seemingly listening […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":250142,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[156],"class_list":{"0":"post-250141","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}