Australia aims for World Cup qualification under Tony Popovic

Australia recently faced off against Indonesia in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Sydney, where they showcased a significant improvement in their performance under the leadership of coach Tony Popovic. They achieved a dominant 5-1 victory, boosting their chances of securing the second automatic spot for the World Cup finals, which will take place in 2026 across North America. The group is tightly contested, with Australia needing to maintain their second position to avoid complications in qualification. Popovic, who took over coaching responsibilities in late 2024, emphasized the importance of patience and strategic play against different opponent styles, highlighting their preparation for upcoming matches against tougher competitors like China. Indonesia, ranked 127th in the world, had shown notable progress since their last encounter, including surprising victories over stronger teams like Saudi Arabia. Despite this, Australia's victory marks their third game without loss under Popovic, instilling a sense of renewed confidence as they head into the next qualifying rounds. Australia aims for automatic qualification, a feat they hope to achieve without having to go through intercontinental playoffs, which could further complicate their journey to the finals.