Latest news with #Socceroos'
West Australian
2 hours ago
- General
- West Australian
Calm, composed Socceroos primed to take down Japan
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is brimming with confidence Australia can beat Japan for the first time since 2009 and earn automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The arch rivals will lock horns in front of more than 50,000 fans at Perth's Optus Stadium on Thursday night, and there's plenty on the line for the Socceroos. While Japan (20 points) have already qualified for the World Cup, Australia (13 points) and Saudi Arabia (10 points) are locked in a fight for the second automatic qualifying berth. If Australia beat an understrength Japan, it will almost certainly be enough to snare a World Cup berth, barring a huge loss in the vicinity of five goals to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. The Socceroos' last win over Japan was a 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier at the MCG in 2009. Since then, Japan have won six and drawn four of their 10 matches against Australia. Australia are desperate to turn the tables. The Socceroos came close in October, when they snatched a shock lead on enemy territory, only for Japan to fight back for a 1-1 draw. Popovic feels his side is now ready to snare all three points. "When that whistle blows, I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner, with confidence of winning the game," Popovic said. "I think the growth in development and the way the team has evolved is clear. "We all see that, we understand there is a lot more growth in us, but we are a much better team than we were in October. "We set that as a target to be in this position, that we can qualify automatically. "We just need to finish the job off and we know that we can take a major step by winning. "It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence that this group can do that." Japan have brought across a youth-laden squad missing the likes of regular stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon). Despite that, Popovic is wary of the threat they pose, and is taking nothing for granted. Australia are also missing a host of players, with Jackson Irvine (foot), Craig Goodwin (foot), Mathew Leckie (hamstring), Nishan Velupillay (ankle) and Nestory Irankunda (hamstring) among a lengthy unavailable list.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
Calm, composed Socceroos primed to take down Japan
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is brimming with confidence Australia can beat Japan for the first time since 2009 and earn automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The arch rivals will lock horns in front of more than 50,000 fans at Perth's Optus Stadium on Thursday night, and there's plenty on the line for the Socceroos. While Japan (20 points) have already qualified for the World Cup, Australia (13 points) and Saudi Arabia (10 points) are locked in a fight for the second automatic qualifying berth. If Australia beat an understrength Japan, it will almost certainly be enough to snare a World Cup berth, barring a huge loss in the vicinity of five goals to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. The Socceroos' last win over Japan was a 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier at the MCG in 2009. Since then, Japan have won six and drawn four of their 10 matches against Australia. Australia are desperate to turn the tables. The Socceroos came close in October, when they snatched a shock lead on enemy territory, only for Japan to fight back for a 1-1 draw. Popovic feels his side is now ready to snare all three points. "When that whistle blows, I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner, with confidence of winning the game," Popovic said. "I think the growth in development and the way the team has evolved is clear. "We all see that, we understand there is a lot more growth in us, but we are a much better team than we were in October. "We set that as a target to be in this position, that we can qualify automatically. "We just need to finish the job off and we know that we can take a major step by winning. "It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence that this group can do that." Japan have brought across a youth-laden squad missing the likes of regular stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon). Despite that, Popovic is wary of the threat they pose, and is taking nothing for granted. Australia are also missing a host of players, with Jackson Irvine (foot), Craig Goodwin (foot), Mathew Leckie (hamstring), Nishan Velupillay (ankle) and Nestory Irankunda (hamstring) among a lengthy unavailable list.
New Straits Times
6 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."
West Australian
14 hours ago
- General
- West Australian
Socceroos Alessandro Circati and Adam Taggart dreaming of World Cup qualification in hometown of Perth
When Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati began rehabilitation to repair his torn ACL last October, he was asked what his goals for recovery were. The WA-raised centre-back had a very specific date in mind: June 5, and a game against Japan in his hometown. 'They asked me, when you first get your surgery, first start your rehab, 'what's your goal? What are you trying to accomplish?'' Circati said. 'I said there was a World Cup qualifier in Perth in June. My goal was to be able to go there.' After a rapid six-and-a-half month recovery, the 21-year-old has ticked that box ahead of the Socceroos' Thursday night blockbuster against Japan at Optus Stadium. Circati, along with fellow Sandgropers Adam Taggart and Cameron Burgess, will be in contention to start against Japan. The feeling between Circati and Taggart, knowing a win would all but propel Australia to a sixth successive World Cup, is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch qualification in Perth. 'That's the cream of the crop, that's the dream,' Circati said. 'It's things you don't even dream of because they're so rare. But now I've got the opportunity, and I'm going to try take it in two hands.' 'It's almost surreal to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, not only for myself personally, but for the city and all the people I care about,' Perth Glory skipper Taggart said. 'Everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty and it's replayed over and over. I was trying to explain to my mum the other day, the game is a similar situation to that. 'To be able to have the chance to create something special, like the Aloisi penalty or the Josh Kennedy header (in 2013), to have the chance to do it here in Perth is massive and really special.' Circati even being involved in camp is something of a surprise after he tore his ACL at the end of September during training with Serie A club side Parma. Stunningly, he was back on the bench less than seven months later and played a full 90 minutes in their final two games of the year, including a 0-0 draw with eventual champions Napoli. Circati said he began rehabilitation within three days of his operation and it was full systems go from there. 'I had surgery, went into rehab, was there for five-and-a-half months. After five-and-a-half months, I was sent back to the club and slowly started to train with the team, doing minimal things at the start, slowly and gradually moving into a full session,' he said. '(At) about six-and-a-half months, I was training fully and started on the bench. 'I was doing rehab six hours a day, only had Sunday off, so it was was full on. I didn't have much free time, I don't think I had a single day off other than the break for Christmas and New Year. 'It was 9-12 in the morning, go home, have lunch, be back at 2pm and go to 5, 5.30pm. 'When I play, I forget about my knee completely. It's not an issue for me.' The last time Circati played in Perth, he was playing for Glory's NPL team; Glory's A-League Men's skipper Taggart plays in Perth every other week, but his only national team appearance in his hometown came last year against Palestine at HBF Park. Taggart said the Palestine game was one of the most memorable of his career, but a step towards World Cup qualification and a goal against Japan would probably top it. 'Knowing what's on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn't something that comes around too often, is something that obviously we all want to make the most of,' he said. 'I'm really proud there's a few boys representing Perth, to play in the city and represent the people coming to watch the game tomorrow. It's massive for the city.'
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
WA's Socceroos chase dream World Cup qualification in Perth
When Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati began rehabilitation to repair his torn ACL last October, he was asked what his goals for recovery were. The WA-raised centre-back had a very specific date in mind: June 5, and a game against Japan in his hometown. 'They asked me, when you first get your surgery, first start your rehab, 'what's your goal? What are you trying to accomplish?'' Circati said. 'I said there was a World Cup qualifier in Perth in June. My goal was to be able to go there.' After a rapid six-and-a-half month recovery, the 21-year-old has ticked that box ahead of the Socceroos' Thursday night blockbuster against Japan at Optus Stadium. Circati, along with fellow Sandgropers Adam Taggart and Cameron Burgess, will be in contention to start against Japan. The feeling between Circati and Taggart, knowing a win would all but propel Australia to a sixth successive World Cup, is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch qualification in Perth. 'That's the cream of the crop, that's the dream,' Circati said. 'It's things you don't even dream of because they're so rare. But now I've got the opportunity, and I'm going to try take it in two hands.' 'It's almost surreal to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, not only for myself personally, but for the city and all the people I care about,' Perth Glory skipper Taggart said. 'Everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty and it's replayed over and over. I was trying to explain to my mum the other day, the game is a similar situation to that. 'To be able to have the chance to create something special, like the Aloisi penalty or the Josh Kennedy header (in 2013), to have the chance to do it here in Perth is massive and really special.' Circati, Burgess and Taggart are all WA products. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Circati even being involved in camp is something of a surprise after he tore his ACL at the end of September during training with Serie A club side Parma. Stunningly, he was back on the bench less than seven months later and played a full 90 minutes in their final two games of the year, including a 0-0 draw with eventual champions Napoli. Circati said he began rehabilitation within three days of his operation and it was full systems go from there. 'I had surgery, went into rehab, was there for five-and-a-half months. After five-and-a-half months, I was sent back to the club and slowly started to train with the team, doing minimal things at the start, slowly and gradually moving into a full session,' he said. '(At) about six-and-a-half months, I was training fully and started on the bench. Alessandro Circati takes a selfie for a supporter. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images 'I was doing rehab six hours a day, only had Sunday off, so it was was full on. I didn't have much free time, I don't think I had a single day off other than the break for Christmas and New Year. 'It was 9-12 in the morning, go home, have lunch, be back at 2pm and go to 5, 5.30pm. 'When I play, I forget about my knee completely. It's not an issue for me.' The last time Circati played in Perth, he was playing for Glory's NPL team; Glory's A-League Men's skipper Taggart plays in Perth every other week, but his only national team appearance in his hometown came last year against Palestine at HBF Park. Adam Taggart in Socceroos training session at HBF Park on June 2. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Taggart said the Palestine game was one of the most memorable of his career, but a step towards World Cup qualification and a goal against Japan would probably top it. 'Knowing what's on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn't something that comes around too often, is something that obviously we all want to make the most of,' he said. 'I'm really proud there's a few boys representing Perth, to play in the city and represent the people coming to watch the game tomorrow. It's massive for the city.'
