Soccer: Popovic era begins with China clash

Australia will look to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track when they take on China in Adelaide on Thursday night.

A lot has changed since the Socceroos were last in action - they are now coached by Tony Popovic following the departure of Graham Arnold.

Just one point from the opening two games in the third round of qualifying resulted in Arnold stepping away.

Popovic will now try and salvage the situation, but it will be a tough ask with Japan and Saudi Arabia in the same group.

Nothing other than a win against China will do and the pressure is on the Socceroos to get the job done in Adelaide.

A massive clash with Japan will follow, but for now all the focus is on picking up three points against China.

. What: Australia v China
. Where: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
. When: 19:10 (AEST) Thursday 10th October, 2024
. How to watch: Paramount+
. Odds: Australia 1.12, Draw 8.50, China 13.00

Australia enjoy head-to-head advantage

The Socceroos have the edge over China when winning three of the six matches played between the two nations.

Two of the matches have finished in draws, while China have won one.

In the last two meetings in 2021, both which were World Cup qualifiers, Australia won one 3-0, while the other finished in a 1-1 draw.

Duo ruled out for Popovic bow

Popovic has already been hit by a couple of injury problems, with two players being forced to pull out of his original 26-man squad.

Massimo Luongo came out of international retirement to make himself available for Popovic, only to suffer a hamstring issue while playing for Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

Luongo is now unavailable and the same has to be said of Connor Metcalfe, who has also pulled out with a leg injury.

Popovic has taken action by replacing the duo with Luke Brattan and Patrick Yazbek.

It will be interesting to see what changes Popovic makes to his starting XI and what style of play he employs.

Nishan Velupillay, a player that Popovic knows well from his time at Melbourne Victory, is in the squad, along with Victory team-mates Daniel Arzani and Jason Geria.

Paul Izzo, Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine and Mat Ryan are also in the squad and will be keen to play a role over the next couple of games.

Socceroos squad: Daniel Arzani, Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Luke Brattan, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci (GK), Jason Geria, Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Gianni Stensness, Nishan Velupillay, Patrick Yazbek.

Mixed bag from China so far

China were hammered 7-0 by Japan in their opening third-round qualifier, but showed more resolve against Saudi Arabia in their next game.

They lost that game 2-1, with the Saudis only scoring the winner in the last minute of the game.

China are not expected to park the bus against the Socceroos and will come out and take the game to Popovic’s side.