Intensity rises as Socceroos prepare to take the Popovic plunge
That Tony Popovic has only been Socceroos coach for 19 days limits the change he can implement in coming WCQs. The shakeup of the status quo and demands for intensity, however, are already being noted
ADELAIDE, Australia — He’s only been in the job for 19 days but new Socceroos coach Tony Popovic already finds himself preparing to dive into the deep end. So too, do his players. And while what lies beneath the surface will only reveal itself when they take the plunge.
Popovic, 51, was unveiled as the new boss of Australia’s men on September 23, just days after the shock resignation of Graham Arnold following a 1-0 defeat to Bahrain and a 0-0 draw away to Indonesia in the first set of games in the third round of Asian World Cup qualification.
It represented the biggest period of upheaval since Ange Postecoglou resigned his post as coach in the days after securing qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup; Arnold was tapped to succeed Bert van Marwijk months before the parachuted-in Dutchman led the Socceroos into that tournament and subsequently led the team for six years.
Since his appointment, Popovic has overseen a cleanout of the side’s support staff – bringing in Paul Okon and Hayden Foxe as assistants and Frank Juric as goalkeeper coach – briefly returned to Croatia to organise a sudden relocation to Sydney, named his first squad, and then had to rapidly scramble plug gaps in said squad following injuries to Connor Metcalfe and Massimo Luongo – replaced by Patrick Yazbek and Luke Brattan.
And now on Wednesday evening, he will lead Australia’s men in an almost must-win World Cup qualifier against China at Adelaide Oval.
With a trip to face Japan in Saitama awaiting in the days following and Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia set to visit Melbourne the following month, a result against a China side winless in their opening two fixtures – including a 7-0 loss to Japan – shapes as not just vital. Not just for the Socceroos’ hopes of progressing through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in this phase of qualification but also in providing some kind of spark, some kind of lift, following the upheaval of the past month.
“Change brings a new opportunity for everybody; individually and collectively,” said Jackson Irvine. “It gives us a chance to adapt and for something new. [We're playing] here in Australia, in front of what is going to be a great crowd. It's a massive game, [there's] pressure -- all the good stuff that makes us step up our game.
“We understand the circumstances surrounding the game but we've such a good group of players, great characters, and guys that are capable of performing under that pressure but also putting it to one side and focusing on just getting the performance right. And when we get that right, then the result will come.”
Of course, there’s probably a limit to the change that can be implemented by Socceroos in this coming window.
While some of the squad began assembling in the South Australian capital on Sunday and were able to dive into preparations, some of its European-based contingent has been arriving in drips across the past few days, with the last only arriving in the last 24 hours.
Well-known for his meticulous planning and commitment to putting in place a clear structure in his teams – particularly on the defensive end – the limited preparation time afforded to Popovic means this window will inevitably only provide a hint at what is to be expected from his Socceroos, rather than a definitive insight.
His recent spell at Victory perhaps offers hints; Jason Geria’s call-up potentially augurs the side playing with two classic fullbacks rather than one that tucks in and plays as a centreback in possession as they did under Arnold. But we can’t know.
“Everyone's on their toes,” said Irvine. “Everyone knows that when change happens, what was the status quo before is definitely not going to be the case. You've got to be sharp and ready. That's the expectation we always have within this group but we know that's amplified when a new situation comes up.”
Popovic took his players through a light session on Wednesday morning and will have them out on the Adelaide Oval surface again in the evening as he seeks to instil key messages before the clash with China.
Though generally known for his defensive resoluteness rather than vivaciousness in attack, Popovic earmarked a new level of speed and dynamism to the way the Socceroos will play in this coming window and that’s something that Irvine - who on Wednesday was named the PFA’s male player of the year - thinks can begin to be implemented without significant lead-in.
“The initial demand for intensity from him is going to be probably what draws [speed and dynamism] out in a lot of ways because we've got the players that are capable of playing that way,” he said. “I'm sure when we see the setup... if that's the type of game we're going to be playing, then he'll be looking for those players to perform in those areas.
“But everyone's got to bring that new intensity and that new dynamic and energy that we need to lift. And a new situation kind of brings that out of people naturally. I think anyway,
“The Australian football community is a tight-knit one, so obviously everyone knows each other, whether it's a past player or players who have worked under staff members. Definitely, there has been a change in the environment.
“Already, the intensity has gone up… that comes naturally with the change, but the demand from [Popovic], from our initial conversations... that's going to be the one thing, the standard that we have to really raise, that he wants to see from the group.”
Photo Credit: 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)