In previous World Cups, Australia have gone into the tournament as underdogs. Now, under former Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic, standards are higher and they feel they are going to challenge, rather than make up the numbers.
“He drives elite standards. He will tell you how to sleep and how many protein grams you need every day,” Lachie Avil of the Round Ball Australian football podcast told our Make Football Great Again podcast.
There are many reasons to be hopeful for this proud sporting nation under their highly respected boss. Popovic has won 10 out of his 16 games in charge of the Socceroos as Australia cruised through qualifying. Their only defeat was an embarrassing 1-0 home loss to Bahrain.
“I’ve never felt more confident going into a tournament,” Lachie said. As a pot two team in the draw, confidence will be high for supporters.
Popovic is one of several strong homegrown coaches who have led the team in recent years. Graham Arnold and Ange Postecoglou have both led the team in recent years. It is a far-cry from the days of the ‘celebrity coach’ like Terry Venables or Guus Hiddink.
“He will be defence first and set up not to concede goals,” Lachie said about Popovic, in stark contrast to the style Postecoglou has become known for.
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In attacking areas, Australia have a talented group of young players who, if given licence to perform, could star.
One late arrival to the team is Sassuolo’s Cristian Volpato. The former Italy U21 international has made a late sensational switch to the country of his birth, after a solid season in Serie A. His incisive crossing and excellent dribbling will make him a threat down the right-hand side, if Popovic brings him straight in.
However, he will fight for a starting berth on the right flank with Watford’s Nestory Irankunda. The 20-year-old former Bayern man has shown flashes of brilliance in his first season at Vicarage Road, managing four goals and four assists.
“He’s a player it feels like Australian football wants to give a big hug to, because he has so much raw talent, but has had some issues over the years. He’s definitely the highest ceiling player we’ve got,” Lachie said about Irankunda.
His talent cannot be called into question, and with the raw tools he has, the one-month tournament could be the perfect setting for Irankunda to flourish.
Norwich’s Mo Toure has starred in the Championship since his January arrival from Danish side Randers, and Popovic is likely to find his form hard to ignore. Mitch Duke has often featured as a target man, but at 35, Popovic may look for a younger option who can stretch an opposition backline more. Toure can do that, and has also scored 9 goals in 11 games for the Canaries. This includes hat-tricks against Oxford and Bristol City.
To give the solid defensive foundation, they will be relying on Alessandro Circati among others. Circati has captained both Parma and the national team at just 22.
“He (Circati) is an incredible footballer and is brilliant at setting up the play,” Lachie told the Mirror.
Australia have produced a long line of strong goalkeepers like Mark Schwarzer and Mark Bosnich. Former Brighton and Arsenal man Matty Ryan is likely to be handed the starting berth after a fantastic season in La Liga for Levante. He will also lead the team out as captain.
Other names familiar to British fans will be Swansea and former Ipswich defender Cameron Burgess, Hearts’ Cammy Devlin and Leicester’s Harry Souttar. Souttar is an imposing centre back at his best but has been ravaged by injuries in recent years.
Australia are in Group D alongside Paraguay, Turkey and the co-hosts USA. Their campaign begins against Turkey on June 14 at 5am UK time.
“We want to be the team that goes to America against the USA, hold the ball and be favourites,” Lachie said, confident about his nation’s chances.
Having never previously won a knockout game at the tournament, that must be the aim for the Socceroos. If they finish second in their group, a mouthwatering tie against New Zealand could await in the round of 32.
“They will be talking about doing something really special and going deep in the tournament. I reckon at minimum we can reach the Round of 16,” Lachie said.
This Australia squad does not have the elite talent of players like Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka or Harry Kewell. But it is more balanced than the squads that have preceded them. And in terms of belief in their ability to make a statement at this tournament, few nations come close.
