Popovic: I'm confident the players selected will take their opportunity

Taryn Heddo 1741923320,1741930994

Subway Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic spoke to media after announcing a 26-player squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers against Indonesia and China.

He touched on the injuries to the squad, his rationale on various selections, and the importance of the upcoming games.

 


Injuries presenting opportunities

We've got some players out injured unfortunately. That gives an opportunity to someone else. I’ve quickly learned in this role that you can never take anything for granted. We still have a weekend to get through now, so there still could be some changes, and some boys that just missed out maybe coming in. With that approach, we’re pretty much at ease with what needs to be done, and we’re very happy with the squad we have assembled.

There are key players injured, of course… I’m confident that someone else that's now been selected may take that opportunity, and hopefully the next camp you're talking to me about someone else being a key defender. So if we can keep enhancing our squad, make the squad stronger, these boys have an opportunity to do that now.

Tony Popovic


The importance of this international window

Three points are always important. Obviously, the games are running out, but I think it's the same approach as when I came in against China. That was a very important must-win game where we needed to get the result, and the boys handled that pressure very well. We understand very clearly where we are at in the qualification games. We also know that we're second, and we have a chance to cement that spot with a good win now, and then we want to win again in China. It's in our hands. We need to embrace that pressure, that expectation, playing here in Sydney, a wonderful city. You can see here in the background how good it is, a full capacity stadium full of our supporters. We’ve got to embrace the challenge and get the job done.

Playing at the new Sydney Football Stadium for the first time

It’s special. I'm a Sydney boy, so it's a very special moment. I can tell by the request for tickets from family and close friends that this is special, a special moment playing in Sydney. As I referred to earlier, it’s a wonderful crowd. Wonderful city to play football. The Socceroos have always been supported here. We've had some special moments in Sydney in the past. We want everyone to get behind us. We want to put on a fantastic performance and get the crucial three points.

Sydney Football Stadium


The attacking qualities of Kusini Yengi

We don't have anyone that has the style of play or the profile that Kusini has. I was in London to watch him a few weeks ago, so I saw the way he was moving. I can see that he's looked after his body really well. He played 30 minutes, but he moved well for a first game since November. And he gives us something a little bit different to what the other attackers do.

A potential debut for Alex Grant

I know Alex very well. Obviously, I was with him in Perth, and we both left at the same time, and he went for a move to Korea and then to China. He's just a tough defender, you know. And I feel there might be a moment in these two games that we need that. I'd argue that maybe he hasn't got enough game time, but I believe in a one-off game or a moment that we need to start him or put him on, that he can do the job.

 


Nectarios Triantis and his position in the Socceroos

I'll have to see when he comes into camp, but I'd probably look at him as a midfielder for now, until we have him in training and see whether we can use him in the back line as well. In October and November, he was playing games, but a little bit raw in Scotland. He's developed confidence, obviously, a lot of belief, and playing really well. And they're on an unbelievable run. I think it's 13 or 14 games without a defeat. I saw him play live against Celtic. Set up a wonderful goal, the first goal. He played well, and he looks very confident. I look forward to seeing him in camp and seeing what he can do.

Fran Karačić fighting his way back into the squad

He did play in the last World Cup, and he is 28 so he should really be at the peak of his powers. We monitored him again October, November, and maybe his form wasn't so good at that time. These things can happen for players. In January - I know his club quite well - they sold their captain, and Fran got the armband, and you can just see a different player. I don't know if the responsibility has helped him, but he seems a leader on the field, playing very well. So I've been impressed with him. And you know, I want to see what he can do in our environment.

The omission of Mitchell Duke

Yeah, [it’s a] lack of game time. November was pretty much the last game he played. Then he had obviously a break over their winter break, and he hasn't played a lot of football since the J-League has resumed their new season. That obviously doesn't equate to him never being selected again. You've probably seen this squad. There's some players that, after last camp, I thought weren't in great form, but have played really well the last couple of months and then they're back in. I'm sure if Mitch gets some minutes under his belt, he comes into contention for June.

MATCH DETAILS:

Subway Socceroos v Indonesia
Thursday, 20 March 2025
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: Available via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+

China PR v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 10.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+