00:00Australia didn't qualify for the World Cup until 1974 and their return was
00:05delayed repeatedly by defeats in inter-confederation playoffs. Now
00:11ensconced in the AFC with its eight guaranteed places at the finals, the
00:16Socceroos have been ever-present since 2006. But this consistency has also
00:25hidden something of a decline. The production line of talent has slowed to
00:29a trickle and only a handful of players are thriving in European leagues.
00:36That makes the job of coach Tony Popovich extremely difficult. But he coped
00:42admirably with a task during qualifying, taking over from long-standing
00:46predecessor Graham Arnold and steering his side to five wins and three draws to
00:51see them finish comfortably ahead of Saudi Arabia in a group dominated by Japan.
01:00Popovich is a pragmatic coach who sets up his sides to be difficult to break down. It
01:05can lead to dour football. But as one of the World Cup's biggest underdogs, Australia will
01:10be forced to scrap for their lives.
01:18One of only three Australians to earn 100 caps, Matt Ryan has been his country's first choice gloveman
01:25for over a decade. But as his fortunes at club level have declined from his career peak with Brighton and
01:31the Hove Albion. His place has come under threat from Joe Gauci and Paul Izzo.
01:44Popovich operates with a defensively minded back five, featuring three imposing central defenders and two industrious fullbacks.
01:54The linchpin is the giant Harry Suter. At six feet seven inches, he is one of the tallest outfielders in
02:02World Cup history, and a serious handful from set pieces, offering Australia a rare attacking outlet.
02:17Popovich's midfield pivot is all about control and industry. One of the two will be Jackson Irvine, a regular with
02:25FC Sampaoli in the Bundesliga. While his partner will vary depending on the opposition. But options include Middlesbrough's energetic Riley
02:34McGree.
02:43Pace on the left is provided by Craig Goodwin. Dynamism on the right comes courtesy of Martin Boyle. And this
02:51pair are responsible for almost all Australia's attacking thrust.
02:57There is no recognised goal scorer in the striking role, with veteran Mitch Duke a hard-working target man, and
03:04Kusini Yengi a more mobile runner.
03:08It all means the Socceroos carry little goal threat from open play.
03:15But there is some hope on the horizon, with the emergence of promising youngsters Mohamed Toure and Nestori Irankunda. Both
03:24are African born, but settled in Australia after their families fled regional wars.
03:30Graham Arnold somehow cajoled Australia into the round of 16 at Qatar 2022. It would be a miracle if his
03:38successor came close to repeating the feat in 2026.
03:42We'll see you next to Ben Seeley butiva Mauritius.
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