Socceroos daring to dream of 2026 FIFA World Cup spot as Tony Popovic moulds team in his style

Socceroos daring to dream of 2026 FIFA World Cup spot as Tony Popovic moulds team in his style

Tony Popovic has had a successful start to his tenure as Socceroos coach, with six points out of six in this window and six games undefeated so far.

The team is now just two games away from potentially securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite the positive results, Popovic and the Socceroos know that the hard work is far from over.

Their recent 2-0 win against China showcased an incisive and brave performance, with goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay.

The Socceroos’ defensive resilience and attacking prowess were on full display, leading to a comfortable victory.

Popovic’s impact on the team’s playing style has been evident, with players starting to embrace his philosophy more with each game.

The Socceroos are now in a strong position, with qualification for the World Cup within reach if they continue to perform well under Popovic’s guidance.

In each game, the Socceroos are striving to improve their performance. Despite missing their top defender Harry Souttar due to a knee injury, the team continues to progress, especially in adopting a defensive strategy.

The recent victories, earning six points in this international window, were crucial for Australia to stay ahead in the competitive Pool C. However, it’s not just about the points but also the overall performance on the field.

The 5-1 win against Indonesia not only lifted the Socceroos from the bottom of the ladder but also boosted their goal difference, giving them an edge over Saudi Arabia. Although the scoreline was convincing, the display in Sydney was not flawless.

Despite dominating possession and shots, the Socceroos had to rely on key saves and missed penalties to secure their wins. Coach Popovic praised the team’s progress in ball possession but acknowledged the need to handle pressure better.

While these victories were expected against weaker opponents, the Socceroos remain focused on the task at hand. As Borrello, Irvine, and Velupillay emphasized, every game is crucial, and the team must stay grounded and focused on the ultimate goal of qualification for the World Cup.

The journey is far from over, but the Socceroos are determined to keep dreaming and striving for improvement in every match. sentence: Please remember to turn off the lights before leaving the room.