Tony Popovic is seeking a more confident Socceroos performance against New Zealand, potentially involving young talents like Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure. He emphasizes that past achievements don’t guarantee World Cup spots, highlighting the equal opportunity for both young and senior players to earn their place in the squad.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has issued a rallying cry to his squad, urging them to display greater “confidence and belief” as they gear up for their second friendly encounter against New Zealand. While Popovic is keen to see a more assertive performance, he remains tight-lipped about whether he will unleash his most dynamic young talents from the starting whistle in Auckland.
In the first match of the “Soccer Ashes” double-header, Australia found themselves stifled by a resilient New Zealand side. It wasn't until the introduction of fresh legs and youthful exuberance in the form of substitutes Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, and Max Balard that the Socceroos managed to unlock the All Whites' defense in Canberra on Friday night. The injection of pace and energy proved to be a game-changer, providing the spark that the team desperately needed.
Balard, in particular, made an instant impact, scoring the decisive goal within a mere two minutes of stepping onto the pitch for his Socceroos debut. Toure, with a keen eye and incisive pass, picked out the 24-year-old midfielder in the penalty area, and Balard made no mistake, lashing home the game’s only goal in the 87th minute, sending the Canberra crowd into raptures.
Popovic, reflecting on the performance of his young guns, emphasized the purpose behind their inclusion in the squad. “The point of this exercise was to bring young, talented, potential players for the future and see where they fit in,” he stated. “We’ll be happy either way. We have learned a lot about them regardless of who gets minutes in this game.”
The coach was particularly impressed with the immediate impact the substitutes had on the game. “The indications were really good from the players when they came on. The first few touches were positive, that helped the team,” Popovic noted. He added, “The game was already a little bit stretched. We were playing better at that stage. I thought it would fit in well for them all to come on, and Toure really made a difference when he came on with his physicality.”
The potential long-term partnership between Irankunda and Toure is a tantalizing prospect for Socceroos fans. The duo's burgeoning connection on the field is complemented by their strong bond off the pitch, hinting at a promising future for Australian football. Toure, at 21, is the elder of the two, while Irankunda is a mere 19 years of age. Despite the age difference, they forged a close friendship while growing up in Adelaide, before embarking on their respective footballing journeys overseas.
“They’ve got a really good, close bond off the field, which I didn’t know prior to camp,” Popovic revealed. “I see the two of them always together and always in each other’s company. So that’s already a bond off the field.” He further elaborated, “The time that they had together on the field, you could see that they’re trying to link up together and trying to combine. That’s maybe something we can see for the future, depending on how they progress.”
Popovic's stance on players with dual nationality is well-known. He has, in the past, refrained from handing full-international debuts to players eligible to represent multiple countries, partly to ensure their unwavering commitment to the Socceroos cause. This unwavering approach reflects his determination to build a team of players fully dedicated to representing Australia.
The 52-year-old coach is also prepared to adopt a similarly uncompromising approach with established players who played a crucial role in helping the Socceroos qualify for the 2026 World Cup. He has made it clear that past achievements will not guarantee a place in the squad, and that players must continue to earn their spot through consistent performance and dedication.
The current squad notably excludes players from the out-of-season A-League Men, including Aziz Behich. Additionally, Japan-based Mitch Duke and Jason Geria were both overlooked for selection. Key players such as Jackson Irvine and Riley McGree are currently recovering from injuries, while skipper Mat Ryan was granted leave to focus on settling in at his new club, Levante.
“That doesn’t guarantee your World Cup spot,” Popovic asserted, addressing the players who were instrumental in securing Australia's qualification for the tournament in North America. He acknowledged their contributions, stating, “It certainly guarantees your recognition and going down in history for what you did in the qualifiers. But now you need to keep performing.” Popovic concluded with a clear message to his squad: “You need to keep playing well to get on that plane to go to the World Cup. The young boys have as much of an opportunity as the senior players.”