The Australian national football team, known as the Socceroos, achieved a narrow victory over New Zealand with a score of 1-0 on March 24, 2024, at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Despite extending his unbeaten run as head coach to nine matches, Tony Popovic expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, citing a need for improvement before the upcoming World Cup.
In the first half of the match, Popovic criticized his players for adopting a “negative” approach. It was not until the final 15 minutes that Australia displayed any offensive spark, thanks to the introduction of substitutes Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, and Max Balard. Balard, making his debut, scored just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch, highlighting the potential within the squad but also underlining the areas needing enhancement.
Popovic acknowledged the challenges facing the team as many key players based in Europe were left at home for this experimental lineup. “I can’t say I’m totally satisfied, because I want to see us do better,” he remarked. “But I know there’s a process and I know that you can’t just get there overnight.” He emphasized the importance of building continuity and familiarity within the team as they prepare for significant international competitions.
The coach noted that several players were still adjusting and lacked comfort on the pitch. He specifically praised wingback Jordan Bos for his relentless performance and debut goalkeeper Paul Izzo, commenting that Izzo “looked like he belonged out there.” While Izzo faces stiff competition from captain Mat Ryan for the starting goalkeeper position, Bos’s recent form could offer Popovic a more dynamic option in defense compared to the reliable Aziz Behich.
Toure emerged as a standout among the substitutes, demonstrating effective hold-up play and composure that led to Balard’s decisive goal. As a player currently developing his fitness, Toure’s potential to become Australia’s first-choice striker remains uncertain. Popovic expressed concerns regarding Toure’s ability to sustain a full match, as he has struggled with injuries in the past. “He needs to find a way of getting 10 or 15 consecutive games,” Popovic stated. “At the moment, he’s an impact player.”
The Socceroos will continue their preparations as they head to Auckland for the second match of the “Soccer Ashes” against New Zealand on March 26, 2024. With Popovic’s commitment to developing a competitive team, Australia aims to build on this victory while addressing the aspects of their performance that require urgent attention.
