The Socceroos’ defensive approach ended their World Cup dreams. They have some tough decisions to make
- Written by: Weekend Times
Tony Popovic took over the reins of the Socceroos when there was real concern they would not qualify for the World Cup. It’s what he does best: he goes into teams and
is a bit of a “Mr Fix It”.
Going into the tournament, there were not great expectations the team would reach the knockout stages – especially after being drawn in such a tough group. But Popovic reverted to a style of play that characterised the Socceroos in a previous era, with a low block, five defenders and limited attacking flair.
If the Socceroos had played an expansive style that characterised similar nations such as Canada or the United States and been knocked out at this stage, it would have been considered a success. But, playing this defensive approach, success for the Socceroos needed to involve reaching a Round of 16 match against Argentina, especially after finishing second in the group stages.
Read more: The Pharaohs rule in Dallas as the Socceroos are knocked out
What went right, and what went wrong?
Ironically, what went right also went wrong: the unorthodox selections. In two of the matches, the decisions Popovic made will go down in Socceroos folklore.
Against Turkey, he dropped captain and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and vice-captain Jackson Irvine and produced one of the most famous Socceroos performances.
Against Paraguay, he moved left-footed Jordy Bos to the right-hand side, and he was man of the match.
As good as these changes were, the six changes made against the US, including dropping the two goalscorers, were nonsensical – and also failed.
This takes us to the Egypt match. This was arguably the weakest team Australia played at the World Cup. There was nothing special about the Egyptians apart from their strike force, who were not 100% fit.
But one minute before the end of extra time, when Ryan replaced Patrick Beach in goal, you could sense doubt in the Socceroos. Beach looked startled that he was taken off, and so were soccer experts.
Ultimately, Ryan did not save a penalty, and it was surprising that an 18-year-old and the lanky centre-back Harry Souttar took penalties.
The flow-on effects
There will clearly be participation flow-on effects. Every four years, the sheer size of the World Cup provides aspiring boys and girls with a vivid example of what could be achieved by playing the game. This is also complemented by the success of the Matildas in their various World Cup campaigns.
At this World Cup, politicians from all sides of politics argued the Socceroos represented what it means to be Australian in 2026.
Sponsors and broadcasters have always been keen to align themselves with the Socceroos. This will, of course, continue. However, there remains a reluctance to align themselves with soccer beneath the Socceroos, such as the A-Leagues (men’s and women’s).
It would clearly have come with a next-round match against Messi and Argentina – the biggest match in the history of the sport in Australia, bigger than the 2006 match against Italy.
The commercial benefits would have been far more evident with that match.
The next steps for Football Australia
The 2026 World Cup has left Australia with a young group of players who will improve and grow in stature. Many of these players will now move to bigger clubs.
At the national level, a decision will need to be made on the style of play the nation wants to adopt: the conservative, defensive focus, or a more proactive possession-based approach that presses the opposition high up the field, looks to control territory, dominate the ball and win it back quickly after losing possession.
In four matches, the Socceroos only scored three goals.
In many ways, the defensive focus is a system of yesteryear and not the style FIFA rewards. It also goes against, in many ways, the traditions of the Socceroos, who generally would have had more of a go.
While it was pragmatic and brought success through World Cup qualification and progression to the knockout stages, many commentators were critical of the approach and argued it was, in many ways, un-Socceroos.
Football Australia also has to unite a very fractured game. The A-Leagues (men’s and women’s) is struggling due to a range of issues, including some beyond its control. There are governance issues, junior development issues, and a major question mark over the commodification of the sport at the grassroots level and the rise of private academies.
In a highly competitive sporting landscape, Football Australia needs to be a unifying influence on the game in Australia. As history has consistently shown, that task becomes much easier with a thriving and successful Socceroos team.
The sport will endure
At the end of the match, Popovic was asked about the goalkeeping replacement, and he replied, “I had one more sub to make and I made it”.
This substitution may have been not only a defining moment in the future of the match, but also of the football code in general.
Australian soccer’s strengths will always be its high participation rates among boys and girls, men and women. It is also the global game, which means there will always be superior commercial opportunities.
Even if the Socceroos fail at the World Cup, the sport will endure. But you can’t reflect on this without thinking the defeat against Egypt was an opportunity lost.
Steve Georgakis does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
