00:01That makes the job of coach Tony Popovich extremely difficult.
00:05But he coped admirably with the task during qualifying,
00:09taking over from long-standing predecessor Graham Arnold
00:12and steering his side to five wins and three draws
00:15to see them finish comfortably ahead of Saudi Arabia
00:18in a group dominated by Japan.
00:24Popovich is a pragmatic coach
00:26who sets up his sides to be difficult to break down.
00:29It can lead to dour football.
00:31But as one of the World Cup's biggest underdogs,
00:34Australia will be forced to scrap for their lives.
00:42One of only three Australians to earn 100 caps,
00:46Matt Ryan has been his country's first choice gloveman for over a decade.
00:51But as his fortunes at club level have declined from his career peak
00:55with Brighton and Hove Albion,
00:56his place has come under threat from Joe Gauci
00:59and Paul Izzo.
01:09Popovich operates with a defensively-minded back five,
01:12featuring three imposing central defenders
01:15and two industrious full-backs.
01:19The linchpin is the giant Harry Suter.
01:23At six feet seven inches,
01:25he is one of the tallest outfielders in World Cup history
01:28and a serious handful from set pieces,
01:31offering Australia a rare attacking outlet.
01:41Popovich's midfield pivot is all about control and industry.
01:46One of the two will be Jackson Irvine,
01:48a regular with FC Sampaoli in the Bundesliga.
01:52While his partner will vary depending on the opposition.
01:55But options include Middlesbrough's energetic Riley McGree.
02:08Pace on the left is provided by Craig Goodwin.
02:11Dynamism on the right comes courtesy of Martin Boyle.
02:14And this pair are responsible for almost all Australia's attacking thrust.
02:21There is no recognised goalscorer in the striking role,
02:25with veteran Mitch Duke a hard-working target man
02:28and Kusini Yengi a more mobile runner.
02:33It all means the Socceroos carry little goal threat from open play.
02:39But there is some hope on the horizon,
02:42with the emergence of promising youngsters Mohamed Toure
02:45and Nestori Irankunda.
02:47Both are African-born,
02:49but settled in Australia after their families fled regional wars.
02:54Graham Arnold somehow cajoled Australia into the round of 16 at Qatar 2022.
02:59It would be a miracle if his successor came close to repeating the feat in 2026.
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