Wallaroos draw positives from 28th straight loss to NZ
The Wallaroos are drawing only positives after the Black Ferns maintained their trans-Tasman women's rugby stranglehold with a 38-12 victory in the Pacific Four series opener in Newcastle.
Doubles to winger Ayesha Leti-l'iga and exciting teenage fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee on debut and further five-pointers to prop Chryss Viliko and centre Sylvia Brunt earned New Zealand their 28th victory from 28 Tests against Australia.
But the Wallaroos are claiming a morale boost of sorts after dominating much of the second half at McDonald Jones Stadium and clearly narrowing the gap on the world champions.
The Black Ferns thumped the Wallaroos 62-0 in Brisbane in their most recent encounter last year.
On Saturday, the Wallaroos briefly threatened a famous triumph after pulling the deficit back to 26-12 with 15 minutes remaining through gritty second-half tries to front-rowers Eva Karpani and Ashley Marsters.
Jo Yapp's team were unfortunate to trail 26-0 at the break after officials missed a clear knock-on, before 18-year-old Sorenson-McGee's first try was awarded in the 38th minute.
Adding to the Wallaroos' frustration was a no-try ruling against Georgina Friedrichs after TV replays showed the classy centre had won the race to a brilliant chip kick from scrumhalf Tia Hinds to touch down.
Sevens star Hinds was superb running the show for the Wallaroos, while lock Kaitlan Leaney was enormous, controlling the lineout and Australia's effective rolling maul.
With a little more than three months before the start of the World Cup in England, the Wallaroos are staying upbeat.
"I back ourselves and I back our team. We're obviously growing. We've grown so much in the last 12 months together," Marsters said.
"Obviously we're sad about the result, but you can't fault the effort out there.
"There was a big turnaround in the second half.
"We went into sheds and we know obviously coming off the bench we have to change the momentum out there, and that's our job off the bench is to change the momentum and put it in our favour.
"So we fought well out there but the scores didn't come our way."
The tournament continues next Saturday, with the Wallaroos facing the USA in Canberra, and the Black Ferns up against second-ranked Canadians in Christchurch.
"Look, we have to start the game the way we're finishing," Marsters said.
"We can see that there's good energy from the second half but I think we just need to start like that - and even better."
The Wallaroos are drawing only positives after the Black Ferns maintained their trans-Tasman women's rugby stranglehold with a 38-12 victory in the Pacific Four series opener in Newcastle.
Doubles to winger Ayesha Leti-l'iga and exciting teenage fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee on debut and further five-pointers to prop Chryss Viliko and centre Sylvia Brunt earned New Zealand their 28th victory from 28 Tests against Australia.
But the Wallaroos are claiming a morale boost of sorts after dominating much of the second half at McDonald Jones Stadium and clearly narrowing the gap on the world champions.
The Black Ferns thumped the Wallaroos 62-0 in Brisbane in their most recent encounter last year.
On Saturday, the Wallaroos briefly threatened a famous triumph after pulling the deficit back to 26-12 with 15 minutes remaining through gritty second-half tries to front-rowers Eva Karpani and Ashley Marsters.
Jo Yapp's team were unfortunate to trail 26-0 at the break after officials missed a clear knock-on, before 18-year-old Sorenson-McGee's first try was awarded in the 38th minute.
Adding to the Wallaroos' frustration was a no-try ruling against Georgina Friedrichs after TV replays showed the classy centre had won the race to a brilliant chip kick from scrumhalf Tia Hinds to touch down.
Sevens star Hinds was superb running the show for the Wallaroos, while lock Kaitlan Leaney was enormous, controlling the lineout and Australia's effective rolling maul.
With a little more than three months before the start of the World Cup in England, the Wallaroos are staying upbeat.
"I back ourselves and I back our team. We're obviously growing. We've grown so much in the last 12 months together," Marsters said.
"Obviously we're sad about the result, but you can't fault the effort out there.
"There was a big turnaround in the second half.
"We went into sheds and we know obviously coming off the bench we have to change the momentum out there, and that's our job off the bench is to change the momentum and put it in our favour.
"So we fought well out there but the scores didn't come our way."
The tournament continues next Saturday, with the Wallaroos facing the USA in Canberra, and the Black Ferns up against second-ranked Canadians in Christchurch.
"Look, we have to start the game the way we're finishing," Marsters said.
"We can see that there's good energy from the second half but I think we just need to start like that - and even better."
The Wallaroos are drawing only positives after the Black Ferns maintained their trans-Tasman women's rugby stranglehold with a 38-12 victory in the Pacific Four series opener in Newcastle.
Doubles to winger Ayesha Leti-l'iga and exciting teenage fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee on debut and further five-pointers to prop Chryss Viliko and centre Sylvia Brunt earned New Zealand their 28th victory from 28 Tests against Australia.
But the Wallaroos are claiming a morale boost of sorts after dominating much of the second half at McDonald Jones Stadium and clearly narrowing the gap on the world champions.
The Black Ferns thumped the Wallaroos 62-0 in Brisbane in their most recent encounter last year.
On Saturday, the Wallaroos briefly threatened a famous triumph after pulling the deficit back to 26-12 with 15 minutes remaining through gritty second-half tries to front-rowers Eva Karpani and Ashley Marsters.
Jo Yapp's team were unfortunate to trail 26-0 at the break after officials missed a clear knock-on, before 18-year-old Sorenson-McGee's first try was awarded in the 38th minute.
Adding to the Wallaroos' frustration was a no-try ruling against Georgina Friedrichs after TV replays showed the classy centre had won the race to a brilliant chip kick from scrumhalf Tia Hinds to touch down.
Sevens star Hinds was superb running the show for the Wallaroos, while lock Kaitlan Leaney was enormous, controlling the lineout and Australia's effective rolling maul.
With a little more than three months before the start of the World Cup in England, the Wallaroos are staying upbeat.
"I back ourselves and I back our team. We're obviously growing. We've grown so much in the last 12 months together," Marsters said.
"Obviously we're sad about the result, but you can't fault the effort out there.
"There was a big turnaround in the second half.
"We went into sheds and we know obviously coming off the bench we have to change the momentum out there, and that's our job off the bench is to change the momentum and put it in our favour.
"So we fought well out there but the scores didn't come our way."
The tournament continues next Saturday, with the Wallaroos facing the USA in Canberra, and the Black Ferns up against second-ranked Canadians in Christchurch.
"Look, we have to start the game the way we're finishing," Marsters said.
"We can see that there's good energy from the second half but I think we just need to start like that - and even better."
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23 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Socceroos itching to confirm World Cup fate
The Socceroos will move on from the "frustrating" wait to have their tickets to the World Cup finals officially stamped and set their sights on sealing the deal in Saudi Arabia. Aziz Behich's wonderful 90th-minute goal against Japan delivered a 1-0 victory in Perth and almost certainly confirmed direct qualification for next year's tournament in North America. Socceroos players watched together from their hotel as the Saudis beat Bahrain 2-0 overnight, when a draw or loss would have sealed Australia's berth. Tony Popovic's Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat to finish second behind Japan ahead of Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference). A win, draw or defeat by less than five goals in Jeddah on Wednesday morning (AEST) will confirm Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance. Striker Brandon Borrello said of the Bahrain-Saudi result: "Frustrating. I'll leave it at that. It was probably just frustrating. "We have to approach the game regardless of Bahrain winning or losing. "The boss speaks to his elite standards that we have. It's just got to be the same ... so no-one drops the standards. "Obviously it's frustrating in that sense, but today's a new day, and we've just got to approach it the way we would (normally)." The Socceroos and Saudi Arabia, led by Herve Renard, drew 0-0 last time out in Melbourne. "We have to go to Saudi and get a result. They have to win by five ... we're going there to win regardless," Borrello said. "It's obviously going to be a very heated game but we're up for the challenge." Popovic's charges are now focused on recovery. When asked if sealing qualification in Saudi would be more satisfying than having it confirmed at 3am in their hotel rooms, Borrello said: "I don't think it matters how you qualify, as long as you do qualify." While there were scenes of elation and tears of happiness for the Socceroos on Thursday night, Borrello, who described the win as a reflection of "true-blue Australian grit", was measured on Friday. "I'm being honest - without sounding arrogant, our intention was to go and beat Japan regardless. And that was the way we spoke," Borrello said. "That was the language we used around it: we're going to win. "Obviously, last night, we created a bit of history. It's been a while since we beat Japan, and we knew it was going to happen. "And the boss said pretty much, if we believe in ourselves half as much as what he believes in us, that we're going to win. So that's what we did." The Socceroos will move on from the "frustrating" wait to have their tickets to the World Cup finals officially stamped and set their sights on sealing the deal in Saudi Arabia. Aziz Behich's wonderful 90th-minute goal against Japan delivered a 1-0 victory in Perth and almost certainly confirmed direct qualification for next year's tournament in North America. Socceroos players watched together from their hotel as the Saudis beat Bahrain 2-0 overnight, when a draw or loss would have sealed Australia's berth. Tony Popovic's Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat to finish second behind Japan ahead of Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference). A win, draw or defeat by less than five goals in Jeddah on Wednesday morning (AEST) will confirm Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance. Striker Brandon Borrello said of the Bahrain-Saudi result: "Frustrating. I'll leave it at that. It was probably just frustrating. "We have to approach the game regardless of Bahrain winning or losing. "The boss speaks to his elite standards that we have. It's just got to be the same ... so no-one drops the standards. "Obviously it's frustrating in that sense, but today's a new day, and we've just got to approach it the way we would (normally)." The Socceroos and Saudi Arabia, led by Herve Renard, drew 0-0 last time out in Melbourne. "We have to go to Saudi and get a result. They have to win by five ... we're going there to win regardless," Borrello said. "It's obviously going to be a very heated game but we're up for the challenge." Popovic's charges are now focused on recovery. When asked if sealing qualification in Saudi would be more satisfying than having it confirmed at 3am in their hotel rooms, Borrello said: "I don't think it matters how you qualify, as long as you do qualify." While there were scenes of elation and tears of happiness for the Socceroos on Thursday night, Borrello, who described the win as a reflection of "true-blue Australian grit", was measured on Friday. "I'm being honest - without sounding arrogant, our intention was to go and beat Japan regardless. And that was the way we spoke," Borrello said. "That was the language we used around it: we're going to win. "Obviously, last night, we created a bit of history. It's been a while since we beat Japan, and we knew it was going to happen. "And the boss said pretty much, if we believe in ourselves half as much as what he believes in us, that we're going to win. So that's what we did." The Socceroos will move on from the "frustrating" wait to have their tickets to the World Cup finals officially stamped and set their sights on sealing the deal in Saudi Arabia. Aziz Behich's wonderful 90th-minute goal against Japan delivered a 1-0 victory in Perth and almost certainly confirmed direct qualification for next year's tournament in North America. Socceroos players watched together from their hotel as the Saudis beat Bahrain 2-0 overnight, when a draw or loss would have sealed Australia's berth. Tony Popovic's Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat to finish second behind Japan ahead of Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference). A win, draw or defeat by less than five goals in Jeddah on Wednesday morning (AEST) will confirm Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance. Striker Brandon Borrello said of the Bahrain-Saudi result: "Frustrating. I'll leave it at that. It was probably just frustrating. "We have to approach the game regardless of Bahrain winning or losing. "The boss speaks to his elite standards that we have. It's just got to be the same ... so no-one drops the standards. "Obviously it's frustrating in that sense, but today's a new day, and we've just got to approach it the way we would (normally)." The Socceroos and Saudi Arabia, led by Herve Renard, drew 0-0 last time out in Melbourne. "We have to go to Saudi and get a result. They have to win by five ... we're going there to win regardless," Borrello said. "It's obviously going to be a very heated game but we're up for the challenge." Popovic's charges are now focused on recovery. When asked if sealing qualification in Saudi would be more satisfying than having it confirmed at 3am in their hotel rooms, Borrello said: "I don't think it matters how you qualify, as long as you do qualify." While there were scenes of elation and tears of happiness for the Socceroos on Thursday night, Borrello, who described the win as a reflection of "true-blue Australian grit", was measured on Friday. "I'm being honest - without sounding arrogant, our intention was to go and beat Japan regardless. And that was the way we spoke," Borrello said. "That was the language we used around it: we're going to win. "Obviously, last night, we created a bit of history. It's been a while since we beat Japan, and we knew it was going to happen. "And the boss said pretty much, if we believe in ourselves half as much as what he believes in us, that we're going to win. So that's what we did."
The Advertiser
23 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Edict fires two NRL greats into frame for Kangaroos job
The NRL will maintain its stance of prohibiting the Kangaroos coach from having club ties, placing Brad Fittler and Cameron Smith at the front of the queue to replace Mal Meninga. After nine years and two World Cup titles, Meninga has walked away from the Australian Test side to become head coach of the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027. Meninga has been one of the most vocal supporters of the international game's growth and leaves the role with an 89 per cent win rate from 28 Tests. His exit to take the Perth gig leaves the Kangaroos without a coach just five months out from the first Ashes series in more than two decades. Australia will play England in a three-Test series at Wembley, Headingley and Everton's new home ground in November. There has been speculation that South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett would put his hand up to lead Australia. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in Sydney on Friday that the ARL Commission wanted the national team coach to be at arm's length from club football. "We are all very excited for the end-of-season tour, it's been a long time in waiting, and of course we have a World Cup next year. "Today was about announcing Mal as the Perth Bears coach, and now with that secured the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos." Smith has no interest to coach at club level, but the 56-Test hooker said this week that the chance to work with the Kangaroos around his commentary commitments was appealing. Fittler, meanwhile, hasn't had a coaching position since parting ways with NSW following the 2023 State of Origin series. The ex-Australian playmaker currently works at the NRL and has received the backing of Phil Gould to lead the Kangaroos' Ashes tour. Meninga has helped restore the Australian team to the top of the international game, while the rise of Tonga and Samoa has left the Kangaroos increasingly fighting for players. "The Kangaroos job is a full-time job, it's not just coaching the team, there's a couple of other commitments," Meninga said. "From a transition point of view I'll hopefully be a part of all that. "I have loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and build the international program. "I'm satisfied with the job I did with the national program, I'm really comfortable with the fact that I'm moving on." The NRL will maintain its stance of prohibiting the Kangaroos coach from having club ties, placing Brad Fittler and Cameron Smith at the front of the queue to replace Mal Meninga. After nine years and two World Cup titles, Meninga has walked away from the Australian Test side to become head coach of the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027. Meninga has been one of the most vocal supporters of the international game's growth and leaves the role with an 89 per cent win rate from 28 Tests. His exit to take the Perth gig leaves the Kangaroos without a coach just five months out from the first Ashes series in more than two decades. Australia will play England in a three-Test series at Wembley, Headingley and Everton's new home ground in November. There has been speculation that South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett would put his hand up to lead Australia. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in Sydney on Friday that the ARL Commission wanted the national team coach to be at arm's length from club football. "We are all very excited for the end-of-season tour, it's been a long time in waiting, and of course we have a World Cup next year. "Today was about announcing Mal as the Perth Bears coach, and now with that secured the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos." Smith has no interest to coach at club level, but the 56-Test hooker said this week that the chance to work with the Kangaroos around his commentary commitments was appealing. Fittler, meanwhile, hasn't had a coaching position since parting ways with NSW following the 2023 State of Origin series. The ex-Australian playmaker currently works at the NRL and has received the backing of Phil Gould to lead the Kangaroos' Ashes tour. Meninga has helped restore the Australian team to the top of the international game, while the rise of Tonga and Samoa has left the Kangaroos increasingly fighting for players. "The Kangaroos job is a full-time job, it's not just coaching the team, there's a couple of other commitments," Meninga said. "From a transition point of view I'll hopefully be a part of all that. "I have loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and build the international program. "I'm satisfied with the job I did with the national program, I'm really comfortable with the fact that I'm moving on." The NRL will maintain its stance of prohibiting the Kangaroos coach from having club ties, placing Brad Fittler and Cameron Smith at the front of the queue to replace Mal Meninga. After nine years and two World Cup titles, Meninga has walked away from the Australian Test side to become head coach of the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2027. Meninga has been one of the most vocal supporters of the international game's growth and leaves the role with an 89 per cent win rate from 28 Tests. His exit to take the Perth gig leaves the Kangaroos without a coach just five months out from the first Ashes series in more than two decades. Australia will play England in a three-Test series at Wembley, Headingley and Everton's new home ground in November. There has been speculation that South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett would put his hand up to lead Australia. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in Sydney on Friday that the ARL Commission wanted the national team coach to be at arm's length from club football. "We are all very excited for the end-of-season tour, it's been a long time in waiting, and of course we have a World Cup next year. "Today was about announcing Mal as the Perth Bears coach, and now with that secured the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos." Smith has no interest to coach at club level, but the 56-Test hooker said this week that the chance to work with the Kangaroos around his commentary commitments was appealing. Fittler, meanwhile, hasn't had a coaching position since parting ways with NSW following the 2023 State of Origin series. The ex-Australian playmaker currently works at the NRL and has received the backing of Phil Gould to lead the Kangaroos' Ashes tour. Meninga has helped restore the Australian team to the top of the international game, while the rise of Tonga and Samoa has left the Kangaroos increasingly fighting for players. "The Kangaroos job is a full-time job, it's not just coaching the team, there's a couple of other commitments," Meninga said. "From a transition point of view I'll hopefully be a part of all that. "I have loved the opportunity to coach the Australian team and build the international program. "I'm satisfied with the job I did with the national program, I'm really comfortable with the fact that I'm moving on."
The Advertiser
23 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Popovic delivers special message after Japan success
The Japan hoodoo is over, but Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has a stern message for his players: The job isn't done yet. Australia all but locked in a spot for the 2026 World Cup after Aziz Behich's 90th-minute stunner lifted the Socceroos to a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday night. The 'all but' quantifier comes due to the fact Saudi Arabia are technically still in the hunt to steal the Socceroos' automatic qualifier spot. The Saudis (13 points) kept their hopes alive by beating Bahrain 2-0 just hours after the Socceroos' win. Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat. But if Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference) beat the Socceroos by five goals or more in Jeddah next Tuesday in the final match of the current qualifying phase, Australia will miss out on an automatic World Cup berth. Given Saudi Arabia have scored only six goals across nine matches, that scenario is unlikely, but Popovic doesn't want to take any chances. "We need to do a job in Saudi," Popovic said. "We're in a great position, but we have to finish it off. "It's been a really intense period since I've come in, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do. "We're very close now to achieving our goal." Thursday night's win in front of 57,226 fans marked the Socceroos' first victory over Japan since 2009, and inflicted a first loss on the Samurai Blue since their defeat to Iran at the Asian Cup in 2023. But it was far from a pretty display by the Socceroos against what was effectively a Japanese B team. Given they had already secured their World Cup berth, Japan's starting XI against Australia featured a total of nine players with four caps or less, including three debutants. Despite that Japan dominated for almost the entire match, finishing with 69 per cent possession and creating the better chances until Behich's late heroics. Popovic was proud of his team's defensive grit and believed getting a win over Japan - albeit against a severely depleted opponent - was significant. "They (our players) know they've done something that hasn't been done for quite a while," Popovic said. "We kept a clean sheet, and we've done something that many Australian sides have found hard to do. "Japan have been on a wonderful run and there's a reason for that. "They are the best (in Asia) and we want to challenge them to be the best. "We shouldn't shy away from that and hopefully we take a big step forward knowing we can beat Japan." Socceroos defender Milos Degenek said his side wouldn't take an ultra conservative approach into the game against Saudi Arabia. "You don't go into any game thinking, 'Oh, we just don't want to lose 4-0'," Degenek said. "You go in wanting to win the game. Very simple." The Japan hoodoo is over, but Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has a stern message for his players: The job isn't done yet. Australia all but locked in a spot for the 2026 World Cup after Aziz Behich's 90th-minute stunner lifted the Socceroos to a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday night. The 'all but' quantifier comes due to the fact Saudi Arabia are technically still in the hunt to steal the Socceroos' automatic qualifier spot. The Saudis (13 points) kept their hopes alive by beating Bahrain 2-0 just hours after the Socceroos' win. Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat. But if Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference) beat the Socceroos by five goals or more in Jeddah next Tuesday in the final match of the current qualifying phase, Australia will miss out on an automatic World Cup berth. Given Saudi Arabia have scored only six goals across nine matches, that scenario is unlikely, but Popovic doesn't want to take any chances. "We need to do a job in Saudi," Popovic said. "We're in a great position, but we have to finish it off. "It's been a really intense period since I've come in, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do. "We're very close now to achieving our goal." Thursday night's win in front of 57,226 fans marked the Socceroos' first victory over Japan since 2009, and inflicted a first loss on the Samurai Blue since their defeat to Iran at the Asian Cup in 2023. But it was far from a pretty display by the Socceroos against what was effectively a Japanese B team. Given they had already secured their World Cup berth, Japan's starting XI against Australia featured a total of nine players with four caps or less, including three debutants. Despite that Japan dominated for almost the entire match, finishing with 69 per cent possession and creating the better chances until Behich's late heroics. Popovic was proud of his team's defensive grit and believed getting a win over Japan - albeit against a severely depleted opponent - was significant. "They (our players) know they've done something that hasn't been done for quite a while," Popovic said. "We kept a clean sheet, and we've done something that many Australian sides have found hard to do. "Japan have been on a wonderful run and there's a reason for that. "They are the best (in Asia) and we want to challenge them to be the best. "We shouldn't shy away from that and hopefully we take a big step forward knowing we can beat Japan." Socceroos defender Milos Degenek said his side wouldn't take an ultra conservative approach into the game against Saudi Arabia. "You don't go into any game thinking, 'Oh, we just don't want to lose 4-0'," Degenek said. "You go in wanting to win the game. Very simple." The Japan hoodoo is over, but Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has a stern message for his players: The job isn't done yet. Australia all but locked in a spot for the 2026 World Cup after Aziz Behich's 90th-minute stunner lifted the Socceroos to a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday night. The 'all but' quantifier comes due to the fact Saudi Arabia are technically still in the hunt to steal the Socceroos' automatic qualifier spot. The Saudis (13 points) kept their hopes alive by beating Bahrain 2-0 just hours after the Socceroos' win. Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat. But if Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference) beat the Socceroos by five goals or more in Jeddah next Tuesday in the final match of the current qualifying phase, Australia will miss out on an automatic World Cup berth. Given Saudi Arabia have scored only six goals across nine matches, that scenario is unlikely, but Popovic doesn't want to take any chances. "We need to do a job in Saudi," Popovic said. "We're in a great position, but we have to finish it off. "It's been a really intense period since I've come in, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do. "We're very close now to achieving our goal." Thursday night's win in front of 57,226 fans marked the Socceroos' first victory over Japan since 2009, and inflicted a first loss on the Samurai Blue since their defeat to Iran at the Asian Cup in 2023. But it was far from a pretty display by the Socceroos against what was effectively a Japanese B team. Given they had already secured their World Cup berth, Japan's starting XI against Australia featured a total of nine players with four caps or less, including three debutants. Despite that Japan dominated for almost the entire match, finishing with 69 per cent possession and creating the better chances until Behich's late heroics. Popovic was proud of his team's defensive grit and believed getting a win over Japan - albeit against a severely depleted opponent - was significant. "They (our players) know they've done something that hasn't been done for quite a while," Popovic said. "We kept a clean sheet, and we've done something that many Australian sides have found hard to do. "Japan have been on a wonderful run and there's a reason for that. "They are the best (in Asia) and we want to challenge them to be the best. "We shouldn't shy away from that and hopefully we take a big step forward knowing we can beat Japan." Socceroos defender Milos Degenek said his side wouldn't take an ultra conservative approach into the game against Saudi Arabia. "You don't go into any game thinking, 'Oh, we just don't want to lose 4-0'," Degenek said. "You go in wanting to win the game. Very simple."
