Cameroon looking a relatively even match
The African nation are ranked 44th by FIFA, to Australia’s 27th. The main difference is that Cameroon did not qualify for this World Cup, so is genuinely more of a friendly. Or maybe not, for that same reason.
Anyway, here they are getting off the bus in the bowels of Stadium Australia.
A word from Popovic on the debutants
The coach has spoken with the Paramount+ broadcast about Herrington and Juric, and what he expects from them.
“They’ve been given an opportunity,” Popovic says. “I haven’t said too much to them, to be honest – don’t want to put the pressure on them. Let them enjoy it.”
The news of the week is who is not here
Adrian Segecic, a former Sydney FC academy product who plays for Portsmouth in the English Championship, had his request to switch his international allegiance from Australia to Croatia approved over the weekend by FIFA.
Popovic said he respected Segecic’s decision and wished him well, as he did with midfielder Nectarios Triantis, another long-term prospect who pledged himself to Greece last year.
Segecic, 21, is considered one of the best talents to have emerged from Australia in recent years. He represented Australia at three different junior age levels and earned a senior call-up from Popovic with the Socceroos last year, although he didn’t get on the field …
… But Segecic’s head has been turned by a lobbying campaign by the Croatian Football Federation, and though he faces a long road to get into their stacked senior team, he is expected to begin in their national under-21s program, which is coached by former Bayern Munich star Ivica Olić.
A fascinating starting XI from Popovic
They always are, in various ways.
The most eye-catching name is Lucas Herrington, the 18-year-old centre-back formerly of Brisbane Roar, and more recently of Colorado Rapids, where he has been absolutely killing it to the point where he is keeping former Arsenal defender Rob Holding on the bench. His ex-coach at the Roar, Ruben Zadkovich, once described him as the best defender in Australia. Yes, a big call, but it appears many other coaches share a similarly glowing view of Herrington. A good performance here could put him genuinely in the mix for a World Cup spot; that’s the level of talent we’re talking about here. As they say, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
Also: the midfield. With Jackson Irvine left in Germany, Popovic has named Aiden O’Neill alongside Connor Metcalfe, who is usually deployed in the wide attacking roles. He’s played central midfield before, of course, but not with great regularity for the Socceroos, so this seems like a bit of an audition for the FC St. Pauli star.
And then up front, in the absence of nailed-on No.9 Mohamed Toure, Deni Juric gets a start. This will be the first cap for the younger brother of former Socceroos frontman Tomi Juric, who set up the goal here at Accor Stadium that won the 2015 Asian Cup for Australia. The Juric boys will become the eighth set of siblings to represent the Socceroos. Deni’s been enjoying a good season in Poland with Wisla Plock, and given Australia’s relative lack of depth when it comes to centre forwards, this is a huge opportunity for him.
Everyone else is on the bench – duh, obviously, that’s how it works – except for Kye Rowles, the late call-up who replaced the injured Fran Karacic in this squad. He arrived in Sydney this morning, I believe.
Welcome one and all
That might have been what Tony Popovic said to his squad when they dropped in camp this week. And really, that means welcome to the 26 players selected for this penultimate window before the World Cup. But don’t feel too welcome, because this two-match friendly series against Cameroon and Curaçao equals pressure deluxe. To impress the head coach enough to pick them for the squad that matters the most. That squad – for the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada – must be finalised at the beginning of June, just days after a last away friendly with Mexico.
That is really what these games in Sydney and Melbourne are about. Yes, this is part of the FIFA Series. Yes, tonight is a celebration to mark 20 years since the class of 2005 qualified at this same venue – Stadium Australia. And yes, it is also the traditional pre-World Cup farewell. But on the pitch lies the burden of expectation. Popovic has said he wants to keep the players on their toes. He has also said he wants to see them play with freedom, within the boundaries of his system. So, dance as if nobody’s watching, even though everybody’s watching. Will make for a fascinating couple of games.
Popovic has made a swathe of changes to his squad from November, when the Socceroos lost 1-0 to Venezuela and 3-0 to Colombia.
Kick-off is at 8.10pm EADT. I’ll be here and so will my great colleague Vince Rugari.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
