"Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an elite mentality to earn, or continue to earn, that honour. But there was another message. Less a demand and more an evocation and one that has been brought sharper into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America. My expectations were to do something special, in my first talk to the players, Popovic says. That hasn't changed."
"The coach, for one, appears truly at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old's reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team changed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling quite distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos' place in next year's global tournament."
"Those wins came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only snapped away by the United States earlier this month. It's form that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently ranked 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia as well as Ecuador's games against Canada and New Zealand, and the final games of European qualifying loom large in this regard."
Tony Popovic took charge with under three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers and required an elite mentality from any player hoping to wear the Socceroos shirt. He set a clear expectation to do something special on the road to the World Cup in North America. Popovic's public persona has become more expansive and at times jovial despite a prior reputation for austerity. The team recovered from early setbacks to register wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia, producing an 11-game unbeaten run before a recent loss to the United States. Upcoming friendlies and remaining qualifiers will influence World Cup draw seeding.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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