Subway Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic said that his latest squad can show how much they have improved since October when they take on Japan on Wednesday evening.
Popovic was speaking to media in Perth after the final 26-player squad for the June international window was announced.
He touched on the benefits of the team’s recent training camp in Abu Dhabi, and also went through the reasons for some of his selections.
- READ MORE: Tony Popovic names Subway Socceroos squad to face Japan and Saudi Arabia
- READ MORE: Squad Notes: Six Socceroos return while two players earn maiden call-up
Abu Dhabi Training Camp…
It's something that we don't often get in international football, an opportunity to work with the players over an extended period. I welcome that and I’m grateful to have had the players. We were able to work on a lot of things on and off the field, with some players that we hadn’t seen before as well. It was good to understand where they're at in this moment.
Injury to Joe Marston Medalist Mathew Leckie…
It's a shame. We were on the flight, so I didn't see the game [the A-League Men’s Grand Final] live, but I watched the game back this morning. He was very worthy of winning the man of the match award. I thought he was outstanding in the game, and it's why we had him in the squad - because for big matches, he can provide the experience and quality that you need in big moments. [His hamstring injury] is a shame for him, and a shame for us. But I'm sure he'll wake up feeling a little better after winning the final.
Replacing injured Jackson Irvine…
We have a few options. Connor Metcalfe is a player we hadn't seen since I've been with the Socceroos. Riley McGree comes back in after a long layoff. Without this camp [in Abu Dhabi], it would have been very difficult to pick those two players. They’re welcome additions to the squad, and we have some options. We've got some other players, obviously. Patrick Yazbek comes back in, who's doing very well in the US. Aiden O'Neill and Ryan Teague [as well].
The selection of Alessandro Circati…
We're delighted to have him. He's played two consecutive games for Parma. We didn't expect to have him, we weren't planning on having him in the squad, and we anticipated September would be the earliest moment to have him back. But once he played those two games and he got through it, we saw the opportunity to bring him in. We've worked with him for a couple of days, just the last few days of the camp in Abu Dhabi, and he looks well. He’s still [got to] gain fitness. He's not quite there, but we're happy to have him and feel he can certainly contribute.
Perth locals Taggart, Burgess, Circati…
I'm sure they're buzzing. [Being watched by your] family and friends, in your hometown is always special. I feel it when I'm in Sydney, I felt it when we played Indonesia. It’s quite special. I'm not from Perth but I’m excited to be back here, because I've had some great memories here and a great time when I was coaching at Perth Glory. I’d expect them to lift themselves even more for the game.
Expectations of Japan…
“Not their best squad” - I wonder what that would look like? When we played them in Japan, they had their starting 11 all playing in Europe. We can see that they have a mixture of J-League players and European-based players in this squad, and we haven't beaten them often, so I'm sure they'll be strong regardless of who they play.
Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™…
A win is something that we're really pushing towards, and we feel confident that we can show an improved performance from the one we gave in Japan - albeit, that was a very good one [performance]. We'll have to be at our best to beat the best team in Asia, which is where we want to get to. To be the best, we have to beat the best, and they clearly are.
SUBWAY SOCCEROOS’ FIXTURES | JUNE FIFA MEN’S INTERNATIONAL WINDOW
Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+