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Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has urged his side to go out and make history as Australia prepares to face Egypt in the last 32 of the World Cup in the early hours of Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
The Socceroos have never won a knockout match on football\u2019s biggest stage, but then neither have Mohamed Salah\u2019s Egypt.<\/p>\n
UFC 329: McGregor v Holloway 2 | SUN 12 JULY 11AM AEST | Conor McGregor is back. The Irish superstar takes on the always dangerous Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Speaking to reporters on the eve of their meeting at the home of the NFL\u2019s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Popovic said: \u201cWe are feeling very good. We know we earned this achievement and have shown our value in the group stage.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWe feel relaxed, confident, and prepared,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow, we want to deliver our best performance. We have great respect for our opponent: like us, they also want to claim their first win in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be a special match and we are happy to have made it this far. We want to represent Australian football on the world stage once again.\u201d<\/p>\n The Socceroos stunned Turkiye 2-0 to start their campaign in North America, then lost 2-0 to co-hosts the United States, before a scoreless draw with Paraguay saw Popovic\u2019s team finish second in the group for the third time in the nation\u2019s history.<\/p>\n Making Australia\u2019s progress all the more exciting is that Popovic has the second youngest squad in the tournament at his disposal.<\/p>\n The likes of 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda and 23-year-old Jordy Bos have become household names in Australia off the back of starring roles this World Cup.<\/p>\n While 18-year-old centre-back Lucas Herrington has attracted interest from Barcelona and had Australian tongues wagging in his World Cup debut against Paraguay.<\/p>\n It means the future is certainly bright for the Socceroos, but Popovic believes that does not take away from their capabilities right now.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting group, of course it is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe the future is bright and there are many young players that aren\u2019t here that will be in the future as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve maintained all along that we wanted to deliver now with this group. They\u2019re good enough to deliver now. We\u2019ve shown that already by getting through the group – a very difficult group.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019ve done that through the quality that these boys have.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow is another opportunity to think about now, the present, not the future, and I\u2019m sure these boys will once again deliver a very good performance.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n TALKING PTS \u2014 Why shock axe could fall as Popa faces huge dilemma; mystery over PL icon deepens<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u2018Why the f***?\u2019: The alleged match-fixing, \u2018personal\u2019 score to settle in Socceroos\u2019 dark Egypt history<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n WC LIVE \u2014 Ronaldo in stunning World Cup first as brutal 103rd-minute call breaks hearts in all-time epic<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Socceroos wrap up prep for Egypt clash | 04:58<\/p>\n Standing in Australia\u2019s way is the threat of Liverpool legend Salah.<\/p>\n The 34-year-old has been under injury cloud after sustaining a hamstring issue in Egypt\u2019s final group game against Iran, but Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said in his press conference that Salah will play.<\/p>\n But it is uncertain whether he will start or come off the bench.<\/p>\n Either way the Australians are ready.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have prepared for both scenarios,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have analysed both the matches where Salah played and those where he was absent, observing the players who took his place. We are ready for either situation and tomorrow we\u2019ll see what the decision will be.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Popovic said that the remainder of his squad that is still standing after injured Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano were sent home is \u201cfully fit\u201d to tackle Egypt.<\/p>\n But the former defender, who experienced the knockouts as a player in 2006, remained tight lipped on the make up of his starting XI otherwise.<\/p>\n Players who can go the distance will certainly be weighing on Popovic\u2019s mind as the potential of a penalty shootout lingers.<\/p>\n European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands have been eliminated via spot kicks in the Round of 32 and with Popovic\u2019s back five being solid throughout the tournament so far, there is every chance the contest goes beyond the 90 minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that we\u2019ve done anything out of the ordinary or unusual in preparing for that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d all prefer to win the game in 90 minutes, but we\u2019ve seen in the knockout games so far, they\u2019ve gone to extra time, penalty shootouts, one finished at the very end of extra time.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we have to be aware and prepare for all scenarios. I\u2019m sure the players will be tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffSix-nation chaos; $8 trillion sky stadium: If you thought this World Cup was crazy, see the next two<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u2018Got screwed\u2019: White House fury at USA blow; icon set for shock return after WC disaster<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n