DALLAS — Australia coach Tony Popovic says his youthful squad is ready to make history now rather than wait for future success as the Socceroos prepare to face Egypt in Friday’s World Cup round-of-16 clash.
Australia advanced from a difficult Group D featuring the United States, Turkey and Paraguay, reaching the knockout stage for the second consecutive World Cup with Popovic placing significant trust in a new generation of players.
“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,” Popovic told reporters. “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.”
The coach said Australia had already demonstrated its quality by emerging from one of the tournament’s toughest groups and now had another opportunity to prove itself on the biggest stage.
“We’ve shown that already by getting through the group, a very difficult group,” he said. “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 consistently favored youth during the tournament, handing starting roles to 21-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach ahead of veteran Maty Ryan while also relying on youngsters Alessandro Circati, Jordan Bos, Mo Toure and Nestory Irankunda.
Australia have twice reached the World Cup knockout rounds but have never won a match, losing to eventual champions Italy in 2006 and Argentina four years ago in Qatar.
“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.”
Although Australia have impressed during the group stage, Popovic expects an even sterner challenge against Egypt.
“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,” he said. “But I also feel that we can play better and tomorrow is a chance to do that.”
Australia will again be without injured Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano, both of whom left the squad earlier in the tournament, while Egypt remain uncertain over the fitness of star forward Mohamed Salah, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
“We have prepared for Mohamed Salah playing,” Popovic said. “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.”
