Tony Popovic knows a thing or two about being the underdog.
He was part of the Socceroos’ drought-breaking 2006 side, which scored Australia’s first ever World Cup goal, and advanced out of their group to the knockout stages.
Twenty years on, Popovic, now prowling the sidelines instead of the defensive third, is dipping into that mentality again as his side prepares to face Türkiye.
“The USA thinks that they should beat us, Paraguay thinks they should beat us, Türkiye thinks they should beat us. That’s no different for us,” he said in his final media conference ahead of the opening game in Vancouver.
Tony Popovic knows his side faces a big challenge against Türkiye, but believes his squad can win. (Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images)
“All we can do is do our own part, work the way we work, prepare how we can to our best, and without words, with action, we can show that we deserve to be here.”
Australia is used to being dismissed on the global stage, rarely considered a contender despite qualifying for six straight World Cups.
And it is understandable. In 2006, the Socceroos did the unimaginable and went through after beating Japan 3-1 and drawing two-all with Croatia. But then, in four consecutive tournaments, Australia failed to advance.
In 2010, goal difference ended the Socceroos’ chance of progression, while in 2014 they lost all three games and four years later managed just one draw.
In Qatar, Matthew Leckie stunned Denmark as Australia moved out of the group stage for just the second time.
A day out from the Socceroos’ clash with Türkiye, it was Turkish captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu who fired an early shot, declaring he expects his team to dominate their World Cup match because they are more talented.
“They expect to win but so do most people. They expect Türkiye to beat Australia tomorrow,” Popovic said.
“All we can do is try and spoil the party, and that’s our challenge tomorrow and that’s what we aim to do.”
Turkish captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu says he expects his nation to dominate the Socceroos. (Getty Images: FIFA/Robert Cianflone)
Popovic has long spoken of his belief that this squad, with its mix of wise heads and talented youngsters, can achieve something special.
And while he has accepted that the rest of the competition does not rate his side, the 52-year-old has not wavered in his message to his squad.
“We have every right to believe we can get through the group. That’s what we aim to do.”
Türkiye ending a drought of its own
While Australia prepares for a talented Turkish side that contains stars from Real Madrid and Inter Milan, it is also coming up against a nation that has been starved of global success for more than two decades.
Türkiye last qualified for a World Cup in 2002, where it made it to the semifinals and then defeated South Korea for third place.
Arda Güler, who is just 21, and Juventus’s Kenan Yildiz were not born the last time their nation qualified for a World Cup.
So Australia has to know it is coming up against a team full of generational talent, which is also out to end a generation of World Cup exile.
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