The last time Australia faced Indonesia, it ended Graham Arnold’s tenure as Socceroos boss. The stakes six months later, this time in Sydney on Thursday evening, are equally massive thanks to the pulsating, unpredictable results in Asia’s Group C in 2026 World Cup Qualifying.
Despite the horror start, losing to Bahrain at home before a scoreless draw in Jakarta that saw Arnold step aside, the Socceroos’ World Cup destiny is actually back entirely in their own hands ahead of facing Indonesia, then China in Hangzhou on Thursday.
But context is everything and looming beyond these two matches is the next window’s double header away in Saudi Arabia and at home to Japan, who might have already qualified by then, such is their runaway lead in the group, nine points clear of Australia, who edge a chasing pack of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China by a mere point.
Anything but six points from these two matches would heighten the risk of plunging the Socceroos back into the world of World Cup play-offs; and although there are more spots in the expanded 2026 tournament, automatic qualification is the Holy Grail.
Tony Popovic has stabilised and refreshed things in the green and gold camp since, and although he has only won one from four, he has not tasted defeat.
That is something he cannot contemplate over the next two matches.
With the stakes so high, the window to prepare so slim, a defensive line shattered by injuries needing to be patched together and four months having passed since he last had the group on the paddock, the squad charged with responsibility at home in front of a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium and then in China – both sides who the Socceroos would expect, and need to, beat – starts to make more sense.
While three A-Leagues young guns in red hot form celebrated goals on the weekend with the very confident ‘phone me’ celebration, Popovic has clearly not just reverted to a group with experience, but a group he trusts, and who are largely familiar with him.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
“We feel there is a better understanding of the foundation, the template so to speak, of what we want to put into place,” he said on Wednesday of his third camp in charge.
“They look confident, certainly understanding everything – and it is always nice when you see some fresh faces as well, you see the buzz.”
He added: “I am equally excited about…players that have a lot of experience coming in buzzing, with a lot of games, caps; that are still excited to be in this environment and part of something special.”
Clamour amongst Socceroos fans for the likes of phone-wielding local stars Noah Botic (23), Adrian Segecic (20) and Nicolas Milanovic (23) was clear while watching comments rush through on YouTube during Popovic’s live squad announcement press conference last week, as was discussion of the omission of the likes of Mitchell Duke and, of course, Nestory Irankunda. Irankunda, in particular, has been on fire on loan with Grasshoppers in Switzerland but remains omitted from Popovic’s squad.
The red hot A-Leagues trio will surely be a big part of the Socceroos’ future as well. But while we all want to see a more expressive Socceroos with fresh talent unleashed, the most important (cliché) priority now, especially after the campaign’s start, is points.
And the curveball to that for the side ahead of these games has been bedding in a backline missing Harry Souttar, Jordan Bos and Hayden Matthews, who joined Alessandro Circati on the injured list since the last international window.
This all comes against an intriguing opponent, who have also changed since the 0-0 draw. They now have a swathe of naturalised Dutch-born players in their squad, helmed by Dutch football icon Patrick Kluivert, which remarkably has a higher transfer value than the Socceroos in this window (according to Transfer Market) and has more players in Europe than Australia does.
It is why that experience, and trust, remains vital in the hotbed of World Cup qualification.
“A lot of the experienced players are the existing ones – maybe a couple of new boys who have come in that haven’t been with us for a while in terms of experience – but ultimately it is the quality they bring,” Popovic explained.
“There are some debutants as well that are here, who are enjoying it; I think the mix is good, we’re happy with all the players. In terms of experience, I think the experience helps that have been playing in big games but they’re here because they’re quality players and we trust all of them that are here to play.”
New in this squad are Jason Davidson and Adam Taggart, who both debuted way back in 2012; Alex Grant is a 31-year-old rookie with vast experience in Asia; Fran Karacic was in the last World Cup squad. Familiarity? Popovic mentored Nishan Velupillay, Ryan Teague and Daniel Arzani while Melbourne Victory boss.
Daniel Arzani of Australia competes for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
The selections
Assuming Popovic retains his formation with three central defenders, wing backs and two narrow or inverted attacking players, you’d expect to see an in-form Mat Ryan behind a trio of Cameron Burgess, Jason Geria and one of Kye Rowles, Milos Degenek or Alex Grant, with Aziz Behich down the left, and perhaps the recalled Fran Karacic down the right, competing with incumbent Lewis Miller.
That’s not to say there isn’t future proofing and experimentation in the squad – something Popovic was keen to point out. Melbourne City’s Kai Trewin is a defensive option, as is Hibernian’s Nectarios Triantis, although the 21-year-old has established himself in midfield since leaving Central Coast Mariners as a towering defender.
In midfield, Jackson Irvine is a lock, and Sydney FC’s Anthony Caceres has emerged as the preferred central creative force with Riley McGree, Ajdin Hrustic, Massimo Luongo and Alexander Robertson all absent through selection, form, tactics or other reasons. Perhaps Caceres gets the nod in Sydney, and Aiden O’Neill, a more conservative choice for the game away?
Craig Goodwin takes one spot in attack, and the rest is a guessing game.
Kusini Yengi has only returned from injury recently but Popovic was keen to point out he played 68 minutes on the weekend, his first substantial minutes since November, enough to get the nod where Duke couldn’t.
Remember, despite an inconsistent showing in Bahrain last time out, he did score a pivotal brace. He presents a very different option up front to Brandon Borrello and Adam Taggart, but even if he starts one of the games, it would be a surprise to see him start both.
You’d expect Martin Boyle to be on the other flank but Popovic has thrown a selection wildcard into each of his line-ups so far and that’s what Marco Tilio, Vellupilay and Arzani present. If anything sums up his selection, Popovic doing things his way, it’s this.
You sense there’s something in each of them that Popovic values as a game changing X-factor, even where their overall league form hasn’t warranted their selection, on paper, over a player like Irankunda. You also get the sense he believes he can get the best out of them, his way.
When asked about Arzani on Wednesday, he smiled, almost anticipating the question.
He said: “In October he wasn’t good. You asked the question back then, I answered it. You asked it now and I tell you he’s doing very well.”
His inclusion sparked debate and a talking point; great. If it sparks one of our prodigious talents to find his best, even better. If it sparks Australia’s attack and a place at a World Cup, masterstroke.
Possible Socceroos XI: Ryan; Burgess, Geria, Rowles; Karacic, Irvine, Caceras, Behich; Boyle, Yengi, Goodwin.
David Weiner is the author of the young adults book The Goals That Changed Australia – the story of the Socceroos & Matildas – which is available as a book, e-book and now an audio book as well.
