Australia Cup: Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic hoping to continue improved form in cup play-off in Darwin
Australia Cup: Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic hoping to continue improved form in cup play-off in Darwin
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend
Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there."
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Socceroos hero Aziz Behich and coach Tony Popovic ecstatic after later winner against Japan
By Aziz Behich's own admission, the Socceroos' newest hero did not actually see his 90th minute strike hit the net. Instead, he saw a sea of bodies rise as one in the crowd, heard a roar summoned from their depths, and he knew he had struck gold. With his late strike on his unfavoured right foot, Behich entrenched himself in Socceroos and national sporting folklore, steering home Riley McGree's cutback on his unfavoured right foot to give Australia a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth. The Socceroos had scarcely deserved a point, let alone all three from their clash in front of a crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium. But it did not matter, as their three points over Japan pushed them to the precipice of a sixth successive World Cup qualification. Only a disastrous defeat in the realm of five goals to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday would thwart direct qualification to the 2026 marquee tournament in North America. Behich said he saw the chance to push forward as the Socceroos chased a late but unlikely winner and as it turned out, fortune favoured the brave. 'It was just about getting myself in a position into the box. One thing the boss said at half-time was, we've still got to work hard, be tough to break down, but we will get our opportunity if we stick to our structure and get numbers into the box,' he said. 'We'll get one opportunity, and we'll take it. 'I just tried to get myself into that back post area and as soon as it sat and it's come off my foot, I felt it hit pretty nicely. 'I actually didn't see the ball as it hit the net; I just saw the crowd erupt and players start running everywhere, and that's when I looked at the goal. It was a beautiful moment.' Last Saturday, Behich's Melbourne City side were crowned A-League Men's champions; all in all, it has not been a bad few days for the 34-year-old, and he said the goal sat 'right at the top' of his career. 'With what's on the line for us, with we've had to go through this campaign, and obviously, playing against the nation that we haven't beat in I don't know how many years,' he said. 'We're always the underdog and always expected to lose, but we always have belief within those four walls. This is right up there in my green and gold career.' His winner against Japan was just his third Socceroos goal in more than 80 games, and first for the national team in more than a decade. When Behich's goal hit the back of the net, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic sunk down and exalted a scream of pure passion and delight, before he was mobbed by his coaching staff. 'As soon as he hit it, I just had a great vantage point there. I could see the ball was going as soon as it left his foot, just a wonderful goal,' Popovic said. Almost six years to the day Popovic watched his Perth Glory side fall in an A-League grand final at Optus Stadium on penalties, he oversaw the national team take a massive stride towards sealing their place at a World Cup. 'A special night. The outpouring of emotions when we scored, and obviously after the game — it's a moment I'll always remember,' Popovic said. 'Emotions were obviously very high, I think for many reasons. We know what we're aiming to do is to get direct qualification. 'You're playing the best team in Asia at the moment, and you win it so late — you can't script it better than that, although, it's obviously a nervous 90 minutes before it gets to that point. 'I'm very happy for everyone involved with the Socceroos: the FA the board, chairman, CEO, all the way down. '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.'
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
City's Socceroos stars enjoying breakfast table banter
Emerging Socceroos midfielder Ryan Teague is trying to put Melbourne Victory's grand-final loss behind him, but it's hard when you have a trio of Melbourne City players in your face at the breakfast table. Marco Tilio, Aziz Behich and Kai Trewin had little time to celebrate Melbourne City's 1-0 grand-final triumph over the Victory, with the trio jumping on a flight to Perth on Sunday morning ahead of Thursday night's World Cup qualifier against Japan at Optus Stadium. Victory's Teague, Kasey Bos and Daniel Arzani are also in the Socceroos squad, ensuring there has been plenty of friendly teasing over the past couple of days. "There's a bit of banter. I sit on the same table as all three of them (City players), so you can imagine there's a little bit," Teague said with a smile. "(They've been saying) all the things you can imagine about beating us, beating Victory. "It was disappointing to lose the grand final. That's three grand finals lost in two years I've been at Melbourne Victory (including the Australia Cup grand final). "But I'm here now, I've got to put it past me. "I've got plenty of time later on to look back and reflect. But my sole focus now is the game against Japan." Japan (20 points) have already qualified for the World Cup, leaving Australia (13 points) and Saudi Arabia (10 points) to battle it out for the second automatic qualification berth. The Socceroos' goal difference of plus seven is far superior than that of Saudi Arabia's minus two. Saudi Arabia face lowly Bahrain away this week before hosting Australia in Jeddah next Tuesday. If the Socceroos are able to beat Japan, it would almost certainly be enough for Australia to hold onto second spot - barring a calamitous loss to Bahrain in the vicinity of five goals next week. Socceroos veteran Milos Degenek would love to appear at a third World Cup. And given the 2026 event is being held across the US, Canada and Mexico, Degenek is expecting big things. "It's going to be a really special World Cup in the States," he said. "Obviously, they're going to go all out guns blazing and show the world they've got everything - probably flying taxis and everything will be around at that time." Teague made his international debut earlier this year in the Socceroos' crucial 2-0 win in China. The 23-year-old actually had the chance to play for either China or Malaysia, but said it was a no brainer to choose the Socceroos. "My grandfather was born in China, and my mum's half Chinese," he said. "I'm super proud of my culture and my heritage. But as a kid, my goal and ambition has always been to play for the Socceroos." Emerging Socceroos midfielder Ryan Teague is trying to put Melbourne Victory's grand-final loss behind him, but it's hard when you have a trio of Melbourne City players in your face at the breakfast table. Marco Tilio, Aziz Behich and Kai Trewin had little time to celebrate Melbourne City's 1-0 grand-final triumph over the Victory, with the trio jumping on a flight to Perth on Sunday morning ahead of Thursday night's World Cup qualifier against Japan at Optus Stadium. Victory's Teague, Kasey Bos and Daniel Arzani are also in the Socceroos squad, ensuring there has been plenty of friendly teasing over the past couple of days. "There's a bit of banter. I sit on the same table as all three of them (City players), so you can imagine there's a little bit," Teague said with a smile. "(They've been saying) all the things you can imagine about beating us, beating Victory. "It was disappointing to lose the grand final. That's three grand finals lost in two years I've been at Melbourne Victory (including the Australia Cup grand final). "But I'm here now, I've got to put it past me. "I've got plenty of time later on to look back and reflect. But my sole focus now is the game against Japan." Japan (20 points) have already qualified for the World Cup, leaving Australia (13 points) and Saudi Arabia (10 points) to battle it out for the second automatic qualification berth. The Socceroos' goal difference of plus seven is far superior than that of Saudi Arabia's minus two. Saudi Arabia face lowly Bahrain away this week before hosting Australia in Jeddah next Tuesday. If the Socceroos are able to beat Japan, it would almost certainly be enough for Australia to hold onto second spot - barring a calamitous loss to Bahrain in the vicinity of five goals next week. Socceroos veteran Milos Degenek would love to appear at a third World Cup. And given the 2026 event is being held across the US, Canada and Mexico, Degenek is expecting big things. "It's going to be a really special World Cup in the States," he said. "Obviously, they're going to go all out guns blazing and show the world they've got everything - probably flying taxis and everything will be around at that time." Teague made his international debut earlier this year in the Socceroos' crucial 2-0 win in China. The 23-year-old actually had the chance to play for either China or Malaysia, but said it was a no brainer to choose the Socceroos. "My grandfather was born in China, and my mum's half Chinese," he said. "I'm super proud of my culture and my heritage. But as a kid, my goal and ambition has always been to play for the Socceroos." Emerging Socceroos midfielder Ryan Teague is trying to put Melbourne Victory's grand-final loss behind him, but it's hard when you have a trio of Melbourne City players in your face at the breakfast table. Marco Tilio, Aziz Behich and Kai Trewin had little time to celebrate Melbourne City's 1-0 grand-final triumph over the Victory, with the trio jumping on a flight to Perth on Sunday morning ahead of Thursday night's World Cup qualifier against Japan at Optus Stadium. Victory's Teague, Kasey Bos and Daniel Arzani are also in the Socceroos squad, ensuring there has been plenty of friendly teasing over the past couple of days. "There's a bit of banter. I sit on the same table as all three of them (City players), so you can imagine there's a little bit," Teague said with a smile. "(They've been saying) all the things you can imagine about beating us, beating Victory. "It was disappointing to lose the grand final. That's three grand finals lost in two years I've been at Melbourne Victory (including the Australia Cup grand final). "But I'm here now, I've got to put it past me. "I've got plenty of time later on to look back and reflect. But my sole focus now is the game against Japan." Japan (20 points) have already qualified for the World Cup, leaving Australia (13 points) and Saudi Arabia (10 points) to battle it out for the second automatic qualification berth. The Socceroos' goal difference of plus seven is far superior than that of Saudi Arabia's minus two. Saudi Arabia face lowly Bahrain away this week before hosting Australia in Jeddah next Tuesday. If the Socceroos are able to beat Japan, it would almost certainly be enough for Australia to hold onto second spot - barring a calamitous loss to Bahrain in the vicinity of five goals next week. Socceroos veteran Milos Degenek would love to appear at a third World Cup. And given the 2026 event is being held across the US, Canada and Mexico, Degenek is expecting big things. "It's going to be a really special World Cup in the States," he said. "Obviously, they're going to go all out guns blazing and show the world they've got everything - probably flying taxis and everything will be around at that time." Teague made his international debut earlier this year in the Socceroos' crucial 2-0 win in China. The 23-year-old actually had the chance to play for either China or Malaysia, but said it was a no brainer to choose the Socceroos. "My grandfather was born in China, and my mum's half Chinese," he said. "I'm super proud of my culture and my heritage. But as a kid, my goal and ambition has always been to play for the Socceroos."
