Tony Popovic isn’t precisely certain what emotions will swirl moments before he becomes the most scrutinised man in Australian soccer.

“It’s probably hard to answer how I would feel beforehand,” Popovic said ahead of his debut as Socceroos coach in a crucial World Cup qualifier against China in Adelaide on Thursday night.

“As every player should feel with regards to the Socceroos, whether it’s your first game or in some cases 50 or 60 or 70th game, I think excitement before the game, nerves of excitement, pride.

“But when that all settles, then there’s a job to do.

“I have to make my contribution from the sideline and the players will be ready to make theirs on the pitch.”

Popovic took over as coach from Graham Arnold who announced his resignation on September 20, quitting after two dreadful results in Australia’s opening games in the third phase of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

A shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain on the Gold Coast was followed by a scoreless draw in Indonesia, leaving Popovic to pick up the proverbial pieces in Australia’s bid for direct qualification for soccer’s showpiece tournament.

The Australians are fifth in the six-nation group, ahead of only China, which has conceded a dozen goals in losing both games of the fresh qualifying phase.

“They have had a poor start, so you have to expect a real determination and desperation from the opponent, desperate to get a result any way they can,” Popovic said.

“We have to match that desire. And if we do that, we’re at home, we will be confident.

“I’m sure that we can win the game, just we have to get that balance right between being calm with and without the ball and also having that dynamic edge when we get our opportunities to be creative in that front third.”

 

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Popovic’s players, many in camp in Adelaide for just two days, have heard a two-pronged message from their new coach.

“The first part is the football we want to play, that’s a priority,” Popovic said.

“Just for all the players to realise, and the staff, that we’re representing Australia and that needs to be seen when we’re out there.

“We need to show that we’re a level above any club level game and when you represent your country, that should be a non-negotiable for everyone – and then the football to match what we want to do.

“If we can match those two together, we’ve got a very good chance of winning.”

After hosting China, the Socceroos face a demanding away trip to play unbeaten group leader Japan next Tuesday.

-AAP