Tony Popovic Calls for Greater Ambition from Socceroos: ‘They’re Not Where We Aim to Be’

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is optimistic that his side is beginning to find their rhythm as they set their sights on a place in the World Cup, though he acknowledges there’s still room for improvement.

Appointed six months ago following Graham Arnold’s departure, Popovic’s vision for the team is gradually coming into focus.

Their 5-1 victory over Indonesia in Sydney on Thursday marked their strongest performance under his leadership, positioning them well to secure a spot alongside the already-qualified Japan at next year’s tournament from Asian Group C.

“I set high targets,” Popovic remarked, as he aims to lead Australia to their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.

“While we’re not yet at our intended level, that’s not a setback; it’s an opportunity for growth. The players have shown significant progress, and achieving what they did against Indonesia is no small feat.

“Scoring five goals against any opponent is challenging. We faced a worthy competitor in a World Cup qualifier. We all aspire to improve continuously, and that enhancement will come as we play more matches together.

Australia will head to Hangzhou, China, for a crucial encounter on Tuesday, needing another win to maintain their hopes of securing the second automatic qualifying spot.

Only the top two teams from the group advance automatically, with third and fourth places facing additional qualifying rounds.

With three matches remaining, the battle for that second spot is still up for grabs, especially after Saudi Arabia edged past a 10-man China with a 1-0 victory in Riyadh.

As it stands, the Socceroos have accumulated 10 points, one ahead of the Saudis, who are set to face Japan, and four clear of Indonesia, China, and Bahrain.

“It’s unfortunate that injuries and changes have made it difficult to maintain consistency,” Popovic added. “However, what we are developing is depth within the squad.

“This camp is the first time I’ve sensed during training and around the hotel that this group is evolving into what we’re striving to build for the future. I’m feeling very positive and excited about the upcoming match.

The win against Indonesia was achieved without several injured key players, including Leicester defender Harry Souttar and Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree.

Compounding their concerns, goal-scorer Martin Boyle and striker Adam Taggart both exited the match at half-time with minor injuries.