"A day before Australian football looked to its past, Tony Popovic sent out a side to face Venezuela focused on its future. Nineteen years and 364 days ago, the Golden Generation defender had been part of the side that defeated Uruguay in a shootout to end 32 years of heartbreak and send the Socceroos back to the promised land. Two decades on, here he was in the dugout of Shell Energy Stadium, tinkering and experimenting before a sixth-straight World Cup for Australia."
"The South Americans were, quite simply, better. Sometimes it's just that simple. They were more physical, better in possession, won their duels and second balls, and played with greater fluidity, purpose, and drive than Australia. Far from looking like a nation that has never qualified for a World Cup and was fielding a side filled with new blood under an interim coach, it was Fernando Aristeguieta's unit that looked like they were tuning up for the tournament in North America."
Tony Popovic fielded an experimental Australian side against Venezuela, naming three debutants and a teenager, Nestory Irankunda. Australia narrowly lost 1-0, a scoreline that arguably flattered the home side. Venezuela dominated physically, controlled possession, won duels and second balls, and displayed superior fluidity, purpose and drive. The match exposed tactical and personnel issues as Popovic trials attacking changes and positional shifts. The defeat reduced the already limited preparation runway ahead of the World Cup and emphasized that hard decisions and improvements are required across selection, physicality and cohesion before the tournament.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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