Impatient Popovic confident Australia can make history against Egypt
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Australia head coach Tony Popovic speaks to media ahead of his side’s clash with Egypt.
PHOTO: EPA
- Tony Popovic wants Australia to win their first World Cup knockout match against Egypt.
- Australia advanced from a tough group with key young players like goalkeeper Patrick Beach and several others playing significant roles.
- Despite injuries to Leckie and Italiano, Australia is prepared for Egypt's star Mohamed Salah's potential participation, expecting a tough knockout game with a focus on staying present.
AI generated
DALLAS – Tony Popovic wants his Australia team to deliver the nation’s first win in the knockout rounds of a World Cup against Egypt in Dallas on July 3 rather than putting faith in his young squad to deliver success in the future.
The Australians have progressed through the opening phase for the second World Cup in a row with Popovic leaning heavily on the younger members of his squad as the team emerged from a group featuring the United States, Turkey and Paraguay.
“We believe the future is bright, of course, and there are many young players that aren’t here at this stage that will be in the future as well,” said Popovic.
“But I’ve maintained all along that we wanted to deliver now, with this group. We believe that they’re good enough to deliver now.
“We’ve shown that already by getting through the group, a very difficult group. And we’ve done that through the quality that these boys have.
“Tomorrow is another opportunity to not think about the future but to think about now, the present. And I’m sure these boys will deliver once more a very good performance tomorrow.”
Popovic has often gone for youth over experience, with 21-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach preferred ahead of Maty Ryan while Alessandro Circati, Jordan Bos, Mo Toure and Nestory Irankunda are among other youngsters to have featured.
Twice previously Australia have played in the knockout rounds they have been beaten by the eventual champions, losing to Italy in 2006 as well as Argentina in Qatar four years ago.
“We know how big this game is and I think all the players are ready to deliver,” Popovic said.
“We have to really stay in the moment. The history gets made after the game, so we have to do our part during the match, whether that’s 90 minutes, extra time or penalties, to create that history.
“I’m expecting the game to be even more difficult than we’ve had so far because it's a knockout game and respect to Egypt as well. But I also feel that we can play better and tomorrow is a chance to do that.”
The Australians go into the game without Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano, who left the squad due to injury earlier in the tournament, while Egypt have doubts over Mohamed Salah’s availability due to a hamstring strain.
“We have prepared for Mohamed Salah playing,” said Popovic. “We’ve seen when he’s not on the pitch the players that are in those positions where he may play. So we’ve prepared for both scenarios and we'll see tomorrow.” REUTERS
