After naming an extended 26-man squad earlier today, Subway Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic expressed his excitement at leading the team in their upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 fixtures against China and Japan.
Popovic’s first Australia squad welcomes back several familiar faces including the likes of Massimo Luongo, Riley McGree and Ajdin Hrustic with one maiden call-up in Melbourne Victory winger Nishan Velupillay.
Here’s what Popa had to say when he faced the media in Adelaide earlier today.
On Luongo making himself available for selection after international retirement
I didn't have conversations with Massimo, but obviously people within the organisation did. He's made himself available, and he became an option for us. And I wanted to bring him into this camp. There is no sales pitch. If we have to sell the Socceroos jersey, we have a problem. If a player makes himself available for selection, and if he's chosen, that should be enough for every player. Now we're choosing for this camp, we've got 26 players, which is a little more than we usually select but, with my first camp, I thought it was good to bring in a few extra players to see how they are.
A couple of boys are coming back from injury. I'll be worried if I have to sell to a player a reason to play for the Socceroos - I'll never do it. If you’re selected, you should be honoured, you should be privileged - 26 players - to come and play for your country. And if that's an issue for any player, I'd advise them not to make themselves available.
On player arrivals and a short period of preparation
That will be something which is unique for me to obviously understand. But, we have to adapt. I think from Sunday we get a group of players, another group on Monday. We obviously have to monitor the weekend's games and hopefully everyone comes through unscathed. As I'm seeing, little issues occur in terms of player availability, but we have to find a solution.
We just have to focus on what we can control. And it may be more conversations with players, more video sessions. We have to make sure that they've recovered well from their weekend games, and know that they're playing for their country. And I'm sure that you can put jet lag aside when you're representing Australia.
On the inclusion of Geria and Villupillay
Obviously, I've got a history with them. I know them very well and they've had a very good, long Australia Cup run. So they've played regularly. They're playing well. There are some areas on the pitch where we have some unfortunate injuries, and it creates opportunities for players, and I felt Jason and Nishan deserve that opportunity.
On where the September games went wrong
I think there are a lot of things in play in those two performances, but, I'm sure there'll be a change now when they come in, and I'm sure the players themselves, the quality they have, the careers they've had, they'll be hurting about those two performances. And it can happen. We haven't often seen Australia in recent years as a group play so poorly over two games. You can have individuals, it happens, they have an off day. But Australia's predominantly been able to cover those cracks. But, these two matches, it was pretty much poor from everyone, so I'm sure they'll be okay, and they'll be ready to come into camp and play better.
On being in Adelaide
I'm happy to be here for this first press conference. I'm looking forward to seeing the players. Being here in camp is good with the staff. The next step, following this, is that the players start rolling in as they do. I’m just excited. And we know that fans here in Adelaide are always special. I know they'll get behind the Socceroos, and we know how crucial this match is. And their support backing us from the stands will make a huge difference.
Even from my experience, from being overseas, when you come back to your home state, especially in front of family and friends, - a lot of the boys played their football here, that are from Adelaide - that's always a special moment for the individual. So, I'm sure they're looking forward to it and that they'll enjoy it and appreciate it.
On the strengths of the squad
Look, they're quality players, first and foremost. They're 26 players selected because of the quality that they have, that I don't doubt. Each one of them will be able to contribute, individually and collectively, to make a good performance for us. So we really need to make sure that the desire is strong in terms of representing your country. That needs to always be there. I believe that's a non-negotiable. And then we need to improve our football. And if we improve our football, I'm sure that we can put on a really good performance on Thursday. I'm confident.
On having seven South Australians in squad for Adelaide
It’s quite special and something that every South Australian should be proud of. And hopefully there's more to come.
On the lack of creativity in the last window and if that has been addressed with this squad
We've selected a number of players that have those attributes. Riley [McGree] has come back from injury. Ajdin Hrustic has come back from injury. Jordan Bos has come back from injury. Good attacking players. Sammy Silvera is a young player that's getting minutes and showing good quality. So, there is quality there. It's an area we know we have to improve, but I'm confident with this squad and the abilities that they have that we’ll see a positive change.
On managing an extended squad of 26
Every player that comes to Australia should want to play, and unfortunately, the rules only allow 11 to start, so there will be disappointed players, but if they're not disappointed, they shouldn't be here, and they should all want to be contributing on the field. But, that's why you have a squad. That's why they should feel privileged to be in the 26 and then when they come here, they should fight to get the opportunity to play.
And if it's not in this game, it may be in Japan or it may be in the next camp. So I'm not ruling anyone in or out whether they're here. If they're not here, the chances of playing for Australia do not diminish. And in the next camp, in November, we may have a very different squad.
On any messages and tactics Popovic wants to convey to the squad
There are some things there that we’ll discuss internally. But first they need to remember that they are good players, that they've represented Australia extremely well. The group has been together a long time. We had a very good World Cup. Some really good memorable moments, memorable matches.
At the moment, the last couple of games of performances were not good. I think that's all clear to see. But, I want them to come with the attitude that they need to get back to their best - remember why they're here, who they're representing, and that's a good starting point. And then from there, I'm sure once we're together and we have our discussions and we do our training, that they'll be ready to perform.
On how much can be done tactically in such a short space of time
Tactics will be important. They'll be well aware of what we want to do on the pitch and I'm sure we'll all be able to see that.
On analysing China and Japan
We've been focusing on that in particular the last three to four days with the staff. So, we're aware of the way they play. We're aware of what we need to do. And we're building our preparation towards Thursday.
On whether Japan will be a different proposition to the last time we met them
If you look at the recent games of Japan, I believe they had 11 players that all play overseas, that don't play in Japan, in their starting line-up. So, it shows how far they've progressed. Their style of play looks like it's evolved. It's different.
They’re playing with a back three. We'll be prepared for that. But really, the focus needs to be on China. It needs to be on this game here in Adelaide, and then we'll deal with Japan after that.
Match Details
Subway Socceroos v China PR
Thursday, 10 October 2024
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Kick-off: 7:30pm ACDT (8:00pm AEDT)
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $29 Adult, and $58 Family. Tickets from Ticketek.
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Japan v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Saitama Stadium 2002, Tokyo
Kick-off: 7.35pm local (9.35pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+