Hinds adds sevens muscle to Wallaroos' World Cup push
Tia Hinds will miss Australia's rugby sevens world championship and instead join Charlotte Caslick and Bienne Terita in edging a step closer towards a Wallaroos World Cup berth.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Popovic vows Socceroos will embrace Saudi challenge
Excited and ready to embrace the challenge. That was the message from Australia coach Tony Popovic and cult hero Aziz Behich as the Socceroos prepare to clear the final hurdle in achieving automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup finals. After the 1-0 win over Japan last week even a modest defeat in Jeddah will take Australia to North America, but Popovic insisted the team will be aiming to win, not just defend for 90 minutes and aim to keep the score down. "We have put ourselves in a very good position and we have the chance to finish the job against a tough opponent," said Popovic. "We understand how difficult it will be but we are confident we can win the game. "We have to have the attitude - and I know we will - the mentality, the approach, to win the match. It won't be easy, Saudi Arabia are a good side and at home with their support it will be more difficult. But these are the moments you want as a footballer, that you want as a nation. "We are in a very good position. We understand we have to work extremely hard but we are confident we can finish the job." Australia's superior goal difference means the Saudis need to win by five goals to leapfrog them and join Japan as the automatic qualifiers from Group C in Asian Zone qualifying round three. It does not seem likely. In nine games in the group so far Saudi Arabia have scored six goals and Australia conceded six. Moreover the teams have played three times in the last five years, all in World Cup qualifiers, and only one goal has been scored, by the Saudis in a 1-0 win in 2022. Behich, who sent Australia into raptures with his 90th-minute winner against Japan in Perth, echoed Popovic's words. "We have worked hard to put ourselves in this position," said the Melbourne City defender. "We know it will be a difficult game but we have prepared really well and we are are very confident with the ability and the squad we have that we can get the job done. "We know what is up for grabs and we can't wait to kick off." In an effort to create a full house and a partisan atmosphere tickets are being given away, but Behich, who had a loan spell with Al Nassr in the Kingdom last year, said he relished the prospect. "I'm expecting a great atmosphere," he said. "This is what we play for. Japan was a hostile environment but the boys embraced that. You don't want to play in empty stadiums. "It is exciting, you get that extra buzz, playing for your national team in a full stadium, and on top of that qualifying for a World Cup automatically, which we haven't done for a while. "You can see the excitement in the boys and I am looking forward to it." Popovic, who stressed the need to play the match, not the occasion, added: "These are the challenges you must face at this level of football. "We have faced many together since I became the coach, starting with China - needing to win the first game to get off to a good start. Then all along the journey. We had one against Japan a few days ago, big pressure, a full stadium. We overcame that. I'm sure the young boys will embrace it. Excited and ready to embrace the challenge. That was the message from Australia coach Tony Popovic and cult hero Aziz Behich as the Socceroos prepare to clear the final hurdle in achieving automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup finals. After the 1-0 win over Japan last week even a modest defeat in Jeddah will take Australia to North America, but Popovic insisted the team will be aiming to win, not just defend for 90 minutes and aim to keep the score down. "We have put ourselves in a very good position and we have the chance to finish the job against a tough opponent," said Popovic. "We understand how difficult it will be but we are confident we can win the game. "We have to have the attitude - and I know we will - the mentality, the approach, to win the match. It won't be easy, Saudi Arabia are a good side and at home with their support it will be more difficult. But these are the moments you want as a footballer, that you want as a nation. "We are in a very good position. We understand we have to work extremely hard but we are confident we can finish the job." Australia's superior goal difference means the Saudis need to win by five goals to leapfrog them and join Japan as the automatic qualifiers from Group C in Asian Zone qualifying round three. It does not seem likely. In nine games in the group so far Saudi Arabia have scored six goals and Australia conceded six. Moreover the teams have played three times in the last five years, all in World Cup qualifiers, and only one goal has been scored, by the Saudis in a 1-0 win in 2022. Behich, who sent Australia into raptures with his 90th-minute winner against Japan in Perth, echoed Popovic's words. "We have worked hard to put ourselves in this position," said the Melbourne City defender. "We know it will be a difficult game but we have prepared really well and we are are very confident with the ability and the squad we have that we can get the job done. "We know what is up for grabs and we can't wait to kick off." In an effort to create a full house and a partisan atmosphere tickets are being given away, but Behich, who had a loan spell with Al Nassr in the Kingdom last year, said he relished the prospect. "I'm expecting a great atmosphere," he said. "This is what we play for. Japan was a hostile environment but the boys embraced that. You don't want to play in empty stadiums. "It is exciting, you get that extra buzz, playing for your national team in a full stadium, and on top of that qualifying for a World Cup automatically, which we haven't done for a while. "You can see the excitement in the boys and I am looking forward to it." Popovic, who stressed the need to play the match, not the occasion, added: "These are the challenges you must face at this level of football. "We have faced many together since I became the coach, starting with China - needing to win the first game to get off to a good start. Then all along the journey. We had one against Japan a few days ago, big pressure, a full stadium. We overcame that. I'm sure the young boys will embrace it. Excited and ready to embrace the challenge. That was the message from Australia coach Tony Popovic and cult hero Aziz Behich as the Socceroos prepare to clear the final hurdle in achieving automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup finals. After the 1-0 win over Japan last week even a modest defeat in Jeddah will take Australia to North America, but Popovic insisted the team will be aiming to win, not just defend for 90 minutes and aim to keep the score down. "We have put ourselves in a very good position and we have the chance to finish the job against a tough opponent," said Popovic. "We understand how difficult it will be but we are confident we can win the game. "We have to have the attitude - and I know we will - the mentality, the approach, to win the match. It won't be easy, Saudi Arabia are a good side and at home with their support it will be more difficult. But these are the moments you want as a footballer, that you want as a nation. "We are in a very good position. We understand we have to work extremely hard but we are confident we can finish the job." Australia's superior goal difference means the Saudis need to win by five goals to leapfrog them and join Japan as the automatic qualifiers from Group C in Asian Zone qualifying round three. It does not seem likely. In nine games in the group so far Saudi Arabia have scored six goals and Australia conceded six. Moreover the teams have played three times in the last five years, all in World Cup qualifiers, and only one goal has been scored, by the Saudis in a 1-0 win in 2022. Behich, who sent Australia into raptures with his 90th-minute winner against Japan in Perth, echoed Popovic's words. "We have worked hard to put ourselves in this position," said the Melbourne City defender. "We know it will be a difficult game but we have prepared really well and we are are very confident with the ability and the squad we have that we can get the job done. "We know what is up for grabs and we can't wait to kick off." In an effort to create a full house and a partisan atmosphere tickets are being given away, but Behich, who had a loan spell with Al Nassr in the Kingdom last year, said he relished the prospect. "I'm expecting a great atmosphere," he said. "This is what we play for. Japan was a hostile environment but the boys embraced that. You don't want to play in empty stadiums. "It is exciting, you get that extra buzz, playing for your national team in a full stadium, and on top of that qualifying for a World Cup automatically, which we haven't done for a while. "You can see the excitement in the boys and I am looking forward to it." Popovic, who stressed the need to play the match, not the occasion, added: "These are the challenges you must face at this level of football. "We have faced many together since I became the coach, starting with China - needing to win the first game to get off to a good start. Then all along the journey. We had one against Japan a few days ago, big pressure, a full stadium. We overcame that. I'm sure the young boys will embrace it.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Italy bounce back from opening WC qualifying shock
With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy have beaten Moldova 2-0 for their first points in the beleaguered national team's attempt to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014. Spalletti was informed ahead of Monday night's game in Reggio Emilia that he would be losing his job as Italy coach in the wake of the team's 3-0 loss in Norway last week, which marked a dreadful way to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Goals by Giacomo Raspadiro and Andrea Cambiaso meant Spalletti at least departed with a victory. Yet the Azzurri remained in a perilous position in Group I, with Norway beating Estonia 1-0 — thanks to Erling Haaland's 62nd-minute goal — to make it four wins from four halfway through qualifying. Italy stay nine points behind Norway — albeit having played two fewer matches — and might have missed a good chance to rack up some goals to boost their goal difference. Only the top team from each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for next year's expanded 48-team tournament in North America. The runners-up go into the playoffs — the stage where Italy were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia to miss out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, in a humiliation for one of Europe's traditional powers. "We are the first to know it wasn't a great game, we wanted to give the coach a better send-off," Cambiaso said. "We are professionals, unfortunately these things happen in sport. Spalletti is a great coach, has such passion for the sport, and every time a coach is fired, it hurts the players. We feel really sad." In Brussels, Belgium were heading for a second straight draw to open qualifying until Kevin De Bruyne struck late at King Baudouin Stadium to consign rejuvenated Wales to a first defeat under Craig Bellamy in his 10 matches in charge. Four days after being held by North Macedonia, Belgium sped ahead 3-0 inside the first half hour through goals by Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku. Wales mounted a stirring recovery to draw level by the 69th, only for De Bruyne to meet a deep cross with a left-footed volley inside the near post. The playmaker is preparing to leave Manchester City after 10 years, with Napoli a possible destination according to reports in Britain. North Macedonia won at Kazakhstan 1-0 and lead Group J on eight points — one above Wales and four above Belgium, who have two games in hand. Croatia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 and trimmed the gap to their opponents to three points in Group L. Croatia have played only two games — winning both — whereas the Czechs have played four and won three. With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy have beaten Moldova 2-0 for their first points in the beleaguered national team's attempt to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014. Spalletti was informed ahead of Monday night's game in Reggio Emilia that he would be losing his job as Italy coach in the wake of the team's 3-0 loss in Norway last week, which marked a dreadful way to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Goals by Giacomo Raspadiro and Andrea Cambiaso meant Spalletti at least departed with a victory. Yet the Azzurri remained in a perilous position in Group I, with Norway beating Estonia 1-0 — thanks to Erling Haaland's 62nd-minute goal — to make it four wins from four halfway through qualifying. Italy stay nine points behind Norway — albeit having played two fewer matches — and might have missed a good chance to rack up some goals to boost their goal difference. Only the top team from each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for next year's expanded 48-team tournament in North America. The runners-up go into the playoffs — the stage where Italy were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia to miss out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, in a humiliation for one of Europe's traditional powers. "We are the first to know it wasn't a great game, we wanted to give the coach a better send-off," Cambiaso said. "We are professionals, unfortunately these things happen in sport. Spalletti is a great coach, has such passion for the sport, and every time a coach is fired, it hurts the players. We feel really sad." In Brussels, Belgium were heading for a second straight draw to open qualifying until Kevin De Bruyne struck late at King Baudouin Stadium to consign rejuvenated Wales to a first defeat under Craig Bellamy in his 10 matches in charge. Four days after being held by North Macedonia, Belgium sped ahead 3-0 inside the first half hour through goals by Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku. Wales mounted a stirring recovery to draw level by the 69th, only for De Bruyne to meet a deep cross with a left-footed volley inside the near post. The playmaker is preparing to leave Manchester City after 10 years, with Napoli a possible destination according to reports in Britain. North Macedonia won at Kazakhstan 1-0 and lead Group J on eight points — one above Wales and four above Belgium, who have two games in hand. Croatia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 and trimmed the gap to their opponents to three points in Group L. Croatia have played only two games — winning both — whereas the Czechs have played four and won three. With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy have beaten Moldova 2-0 for their first points in the beleaguered national team's attempt to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014. Spalletti was informed ahead of Monday night's game in Reggio Emilia that he would be losing his job as Italy coach in the wake of the team's 3-0 loss in Norway last week, which marked a dreadful way to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Goals by Giacomo Raspadiro and Andrea Cambiaso meant Spalletti at least departed with a victory. Yet the Azzurri remained in a perilous position in Group I, with Norway beating Estonia 1-0 — thanks to Erling Haaland's 62nd-minute goal — to make it four wins from four halfway through qualifying. Italy stay nine points behind Norway — albeit having played two fewer matches — and might have missed a good chance to rack up some goals to boost their goal difference. Only the top team from each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for next year's expanded 48-team tournament in North America. The runners-up go into the playoffs — the stage where Italy were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia to miss out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, in a humiliation for one of Europe's traditional powers. "We are the first to know it wasn't a great game, we wanted to give the coach a better send-off," Cambiaso said. "We are professionals, unfortunately these things happen in sport. Spalletti is a great coach, has such passion for the sport, and every time a coach is fired, it hurts the players. We feel really sad." In Brussels, Belgium were heading for a second straight draw to open qualifying until Kevin De Bruyne struck late at King Baudouin Stadium to consign rejuvenated Wales to a first defeat under Craig Bellamy in his 10 matches in charge. Four days after being held by North Macedonia, Belgium sped ahead 3-0 inside the first half hour through goals by Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku. Wales mounted a stirring recovery to draw level by the 69th, only for De Bruyne to meet a deep cross with a left-footed volley inside the near post. The playmaker is preparing to leave Manchester City after 10 years, with Napoli a possible destination according to reports in Britain. North Macedonia won at Kazakhstan 1-0 and lead Group J on eight points — one above Wales and four above Belgium, who have two games in hand. Croatia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 and trimmed the gap to their opponents to three points in Group L. Croatia have played only two games — winning both — whereas the Czechs have played four and won three.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The ghost of Holger Osieck is the only thing that can stop the Socceroos
The last time the Socceroos lost a match by five goals, it launched the careers of both Ange Postecoglou and Maty Ryan. It was 2013, and Australia had just sealed a spot at the World Cup in Brazil. Josh Kennedy was the saviour, thanks to his iconic late header against Iraq in front of 80,000 people in Sydney. But there was no saving the unpopular Holger Osieck, who was sacked three months later, despite delivering Australia's third successive qualification. The Socceroos were a bit on the nose with the public. Osieck had allowed the ageing 'Golden Generation' to hang on for too long, and his style of football was hardly inspiring. Later that year, in their wisdom, Football Federation Australia scheduled back-to-back friendlies, both away, against Brazil and France. Rare chances for them to measure up against true global yardsticks. 6-0, 6-0. Critics accused the Socceroos of making the Australian game look like a 'joke' on the world stage with their 'spineless' performances, and several players of outstaying their welcome in the team. As soon as he returned to the team hotel after game two in Paris, Osieck was dismissed, and moves were immediately afoot to get the federation's No.1 coaching target, Ange Postecoglou, out of his contract at Melbourne Victory, thus setting in train a series of events that would soon lead to Postecoglou taking over and regenerating the squad, Mark Schwarzer's retirement, and the handing over of the gloves to Ryan, who will win his 100th cap on Wednesday morning (AEST) by hopefully contributing to what would be one of the best moments of his career. For that not to happen, the Socceroos would need to turn in a stinker the likes of which they have not had in 12 years. Not since that day in Paris. Or that other day in Brasília. That is how bad they would have to be to miss out on the 2026 World Cup from here. That is how long ago they last lost by five goals or more. That is the sort of heist Saudi Arabia has to pull off in Jeddah. It is an unfathomable thought on multiple levels. So far in this qualifying phase, the Saudis have scored only six goals in nine games – so to do it, they'd essentially need to reproduce that whole output in one match. Only twice before have the Socceroos ever lost a competitive match (not friendlies) by 5-0 or worse, and not since 1997.
