Tony Popovic: We're open to bringing in players
Subway Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic spoke to the media in Perth on Tuesday ahead of what is an important six months of FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Qualifiers.
The Aussies begin the March window against Indonesia at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney before an away match against China PR.
In June, Popovic's side will then host Japan at Perth Stadium and later face Saudi Arabia.
Popovic discussed a number of topics, from being back in the West, to embracing the challenges of international football as well as keeping an open mind when it comes to squad selection.
On returning to Western Australia and playing at Perth Stadium
We've seen how supportive our fans are, in particular here in Perth. I have felt that stadium rocking with support. And you know, we certainly need everyone to get behind us. And people here in WA are big supporters of sport, big supporters of football and I'm sure they'll come out in big numbers and support us and help us get over the line against a very difficult opponent in Japan.
On the importance of the upcoming qualifiers
I'm learning quickly every game is you could say a must-win match. There's not a lot of time in international football to think games too far ahead. So we know that March is the most important, but we also know that in June, there could be a defining game. We had a good result against Japan away, and we're looking forward to playing them here, and I anticipate the game will be different, and with our home support, that could be enough to get a vital win.
On Harry Souttar's Achilles injury
I have spoken to Harry so obviously, the first couple of days is a lot of disappointment. He was playing very well and Sheffield United was at the top of the table in the Championship, and he was a real contributor to that. So he's disappointed. But you know, as a professional, you learn that you do have setbacks. He knows that this will be a longer-term recovery, but all we can do is just be there for him and support him any way we can.
On which players have caught his attention
Look, it's hard to single anyone out because, I see a one-off game, and sometimes the player can have a great match, and sometimes it may not be his team's or individually, a great performance. But, we're just looking for consistency from the group. The players that can play week in week out, obviously, that helps us with the important matches and the type of intensity that you get in international football. The more games that I see, the more players I see regularly on the park. It gives, obviously, us a lot of options, and creates a better depth for the Socceroos.
On the exciting young talent in the A-League
In the A-League, basically every week there's a debut. If you think about it, there's always a young player making a debut. So it's a great time to be a young player in our professional league at the moment, and the fruits of that labour will come maybe in three or four years' time, where you see the players are getting 50 or 60 games under their belt. But it's exciting to see young players coming through, and they're performing. Obviously, it's not easy for them to be so consistent when they start off their careers, but you can see there is certainly some talent out there.
On potential new faces in defence for March
We may blood someone else, but they'll have to earn it, and they'll have to deserve to be with the Socceroos. So far, we have blooded some players, and especially in the back line. Jason Geria came in after making his debut eight years earlier. Hayden Matthews, a young 20-year-old, came and played against Bahrain. So we're open, certainly to the idea of bringing in players, but they have to fit in the style of play that we'd like to play. So we're looking. We're actively searching. At any moment, someone can come through and have a great period of games and surprise everyone and get into the Socceroos.
On enjoying the challenge of international football
I've enjoyed it, it's obviously a different challenge for me. In club football you get to train week after week, and you've got time to see the progression of individuals and as a group. This is very much one or two training sessions. You've got to get it spot on. You can't waste a session. Your messages have to be clear and concise. You can't waste meetings, you're dealing with players coming in who are jet-lagged after a difficult game on the weekend. So you've got to consider all these factors. But, I just take it on as a challenge, as something, as an honor, as a privilege, to be Socceroos coach and not dwell on anything that has happened before. Bring across our ideas and how we want to play and trust that we'll get the job done and get to the World Cup.
On Nectarios Triantis' form with Hibernian
We've been watching him for months really, since October, his team (Hibernian) has hit really good form, I think the last five games, and I believe maybe they've won four out of five. So that obviously helps as well. And we've got a few Aussies in that team, and they're all contributing and making a difference to the success that they're having at the moment, and certainly Triantis is one of those.
