Latest news with #Popovic
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Socceroos confident of completing World Cup assignment against experimental Japan
When he was first introduced as the coach of the Socceroos, just days after Graham Arnold's decision to step down and with just weeks to prepare for his first qualifiers in charge, Tony Popovic was adamant there was enough time to right the ship and qualify automatically for the World Cup. Now, as Australia's men prepare to meet Japan in Perth, knowing that a win will all but guarantee them a place in North America, the coach has the chance to deliver on that promise. Numerous permutations will govern what could happen in Group C of Asian qualifying in the coming days – there still exists a scenario in which Indonesia could qualify automatically – but the straightforward scenario for the Socceroos is to just beat the Samurai Blue. Do that, and they will ensure they'll enter the final matchday a minimum of three points clear of the Saudis and be able to count on a goal difference cushion that currently, largely thanks to the Green Falcons' remarkable profligacy in their eight games, sits at nine. Advertisement Related: Mighty Japan stand in Socceroos' way – but it has never been a better time to face them | John Duerden 'We certainly are aware of what these games mean to us, they mean to Australia and to every football fan out there supporting the Socceroos,' said Popovic. 'We've taken an approach, window by window, to get the results we need, to keep improving our game, and we've maintained that through this preparation. Every game is significant for the Socceroos. But, obviously, these last two games, for automatic qualification, we know what we need to do; we need to put that into action, and we're confident we can do that.' But while the permutations may be relatively simple, beating Japan is anything but. It's probably one of the most difficult task in all of football right now – Hajime Moriyasu's side are unbeaten in their last 12 games and have lost just twice over the last two years, with wins over the likes of Germany and Turkey, as well as a first-ever away win in Saudi Arabia, recorded during this spell. They became the first nation to punch their tickets to 2026 during the March window, beating Bahrain to take an insurmountable lead atop Group C with three games to spare. The World Cup has never been won by a nation outside South America or Europe before, but Japan are shaping as genuine contenders to deliver on their promise to break this trend. The Socceroos haven't beaten Japan since 2009, when Tim Cahill scored a brace to secure victory at the MCG. Their last meeting came in Popovic's second game in charge back in October, when Australia were besieged but held out for a 1-1 draw. In hindsight, after the whirlwind of the coach's arrival, that result did far more than get a point for the side. It stabilised them and gave them a result to lay at the foundation of their efforts to build something. And the coach believes they're better since then. Advertisement 'The growth and development and the way the team has evolved are clear,' said Popovic. 'We all see that. We understand there is a lot more growth in us, but we're a much better team than we were in October.' In a boost for the Socceroos, they meet a less-than-full-strength Japan in Perth. Less than half of the squad that featured for Moriyasu during the March window have made the trip, with the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Ritsu Doan, Ayase Ueda, and Ao Tanaka absent. In their place, established figures such as Liverpool's Wataru Endō and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo will need to provide a steadying hand to a squad featuring more potential debutants – eight – than it does players with more than 10 international caps, seven. Related: Socceroos reach crunch time with World Cup 2026 qualification in sight But such is the growing strength and rising depth of Japanese football that even this lesser-heralded cohort possesses players signed to top European clubs. Domestic-based youth such as Junnosuke Suzuki and Ryūnosuke Satō, meanwhile, may not yet be too well known outside their homeland but the J1 League has long since established itself as the most consistently strong league in Asia. It was only last month that Kawasaki Frontale, sitting midtable in the J1 League, knocked out an Al Nassr side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo on their way to the final of the Asian Champions League Elite. Kōta Takai started that day and is in line to make his third appearance for the Samurai Blue in Perth. And with 2026 locked in, it's a side full of players looking to show their worth. 'The way we are going to play, I won't be changing anything in terms of mindset,' said Moriyasu. 'We play each game one by one. We take each game seriously. But still, we need to strengthen our squad. We need to expand our squad. We need to prove that Japan still has a lot more talent coming through. I would like to show the world that we still have lots of players who are coming through. I would like my players to shine on the very best stage tomorrow.'
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Popovic urges Australia to seize World Cup spot ahead of Japan clash
PERTH: Australia coach Tony Popovic has implored his side to "finish the job" ahead of the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifier against rivals Japan tomorrow in Perth. A drought-breaking win over the Asian powerhouse would all but assure Australia an automatic berth in next year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos have a three-point lead and a significant goal difference advantage over Saudi Arabia as they jockey for second place in Group C of Asian qualifying. But a loss or draw against already qualified Japan means Australia will be thrust into a critical clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10. A win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage if Saudi Arabia claim victory in their away game against Bahrain later tomorrow. "We just need to finish the job off. We can take a major step tomorrow night by winning," Popovic told reporters today. "There's a real excitement from the group, but there's a calmness and confidence in our ability." Australia have not beaten Japan since 2009, but hopes are high against a considerably weakened side resting a slew of top players. Leeds United star Ao Tanaka, Reims forward Junya Ito and Hidemasa Morita from Sporting Lisbon are among the players missing for the Samurai Blue. In contrast, Australia will boast a near full-strength side and buoyed by the recent return of Parma defender Alessandro Circati from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. "It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence in this group," said Popovic, who has turned Australia's fortunes around since replacing Graham Arnold in September. "At some point, Australia will beat Japan. We have a chance to do that tomorrow and we want to take that opportunity." A febrile atmosphere is tipped with 50,000 fans expected to attend Optus Stadium despite stormy weather in Perth ahead of the game. "We certainly are aware of what these games mean to us and mean to Australia," Popovic said. "I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner." With an eighth straight World Cup appearance assured, Japan are using their trip to Australia and subsequent home game against Indonesia as an opportunity to trial younger players and build depth. Japan's 27-man squad includes eight uncapped players, but Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo provide plenty of class for the Asian nation eyeing a first World Cup triumph. "The ultimate goal is to win the World Cup," Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. "So we really need to take each match and the time we prepare for matches seriously. "We need to build the strongest team possible (for) the World Cup."
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Popovic wants win over ‘best team in Asia' in quest for World Cup berth
AUSTRALIA coach Tony Popovic is eyeing victory over Japan on Thursday to not only boost his side's World Cup qualification hopes but further improve the Socceroos' prospects of becoming the strongest team in the Asian confederation. The Australians face Hajime Moriyasu's much-changed squad in Perth knowing a win would take them to the verge of securing a ticket for next year's 48-team finals in North America as runners-up in Group C behind the already-qualified Japanese. 'A win is something that we're pushing towards,' said Popovic, who led his team to a 1-1 draw when the sides last met in October. 'We feel confident we can show an improved performance from what we did in Japan, albeit that was a very good one. 'We'll have to be at our best to beat the best team in Asia. That's where we want to get to and to be the best we have to beat the best and they clearly are.' The Japanese confirmed their ticket for the finals in March and, as a result, head coach Moriyasu has named a squad featuring eight uncapped players for the trip to Perth. While Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo have been included in the 27-player line, the Japanese are missing key players such as Kaoru Mitoma, Hidemasa Morita and Ayase Ueda. Australia go into the game in second place in the group, three points ahead of Saudi Arabia with two games remaining, although Popovic will be without goal-scoring midfielder Jackson Irvine, who is sidelined after foot surgery. 'It's not their best squad, I wonder what that will look like because when we played them in Japan they had their starting 11 all playing in Europe,' Popovic said. 'We can see that they have a mixture of J-League players and European based players in their squad. We haven't beaten them often and I'm sure they'll be strong regardless of who they play.'
Hans India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Popovic names Australia's extended squad for crunch World Cup qualifiers
Australia's men's football head coach Tony Popovic has named an extended 26-man squad on Sunday for the final fixtures in the third round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Australia currently sits second in Group C with 13 points from eight games and will play first-placed Japan in Western Australia on Thursday and third-placed Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on the following Tuesday. The top two-ranked teams will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup and a win against Japan would guarantee qualification for the Socceroos. If the Australians are beaten by Japan in Perth, a draw against Saudi Arabia would likely be enough to finish second in the group because of the Socceroos' current three-point and goal difference advantage. "We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny. We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification," Popovic said on Sunday, as quoted by Xinhua. Popovic's squad includes four players who have never represented the Socceroos and only two who have made over 50 appearances for the national team -- veteran goalkeeper Maty Ryan and defender Azi Behich. Behich is one of six squad members who played in Saturday night's A-League grand final, which was won by Melbourne City against crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory. Emerging defender Alessandro Circati has been named after recovering from a ruptured ACL injury suffered in September 2024 and star midfielder Riley McGree has also been selected to return from injury. If the Socceroos do not finish in the top two positions in Group C they will progress to the fourth round of AFC qualification as they aim to reach a sixth consecutive World Cup. Socceroos squad: Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Popovic wants win over 'best team in Asia' in quest for World Cup berth
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Australia v Indonesia - Post-match Press Conference - Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia - March 20, 2025 Australia's Tony Popovic during the press conference after the match REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File photo (Reuters) -Australia coach Tony Popovic is eyeing victory over Japan on Thursday to not only boost his side's World Cup qualification hopes but further improve the Socceroos' prospects of becoming the strongest team in the Asian confederation. The Australians face Hajime Moriyasu's much-changed squad in Perth knowing a win would take them to the verge of securing a ticket for next year's 48-team finals in North America as runners-up in Group C behind the already-qualified Japanese. "A win is something that we're pushing towards," said Popovic, who led his team to a 1-1 draw when the sides last met in October. "We feel confident we can show an improved performance from what we did in Japan, albeit that was a very good one. "We'll have to be at our best to beat the best team in Asia. That's where we want to get to and to be the best we have to beat the best and they clearly are." The Japanese confirmed their ticket for the finals in March and, as a result, head coach Moriyasu has named a squad featuring eight uncapped players for the trip to Perth. While Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo have been included in the 27-player line, the Japanese are missing key players such as Kaoru Mitoma, Hidemasa Morita and Ayase Ueda. Australia go into the game in second place in the group, three points ahead of Saudi Arabia with two games remaining, although Popovic will be without goal-scoring midfielder Jackson Irvine, who is sidelined after foot surgery. "It's not their best squad, I wonder what that will look like because when we played them in Japan they had their starting 11 all playing in Europe," Popovic said. "We can see that they have a mixture of J-League players and European based players in their squad. We haven't beaten them often and I'm sure they'll be strong regardless of who they play." (Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
