Australia proved they could handle high-pressure situations after securing a 2-0 victory over China in front of 80,000 hostile fans on Tuesday. However, coach Tony Popovic believes the team must reach another level in their next World Cup qualifier against Japan.
The win in Hangzhou, combined with last Thursday’s dominant 5-1 triumph over Indonesia in Sydney, has put the Socceroos in pole position for second place in Group C. With a three-point lead over third-placed Saudi Arabia, Australia is closing in on an automatic berth at the 2026 World Cup.
Popovic emphasized the importance of maintaining their advantage as they prepare for a high-stakes showdown against Japan in Perth on June 5. The Japanese side has already secured top spot in the group and qualified for the finals, but the Socceroos still have work to do.
“I think the main point for us was we were in front when we started this window, and can we stay there at the end of the window?” Popovic said after the win over China. “We did our part. We got six points. We extended our lead to three. So we’re in a good position. It’s in our hands, but we have to get the job done.”
With their final qualifier set to be a decisive clash against Saudi Arabia on June 10 in what promises to be another intense atmosphere, the Socceroos must continue their upward trajectory. Popovic praised the resilience and character his team displayed against Indonesia and China, believing it will serve them well in the upcoming challenges.
“They can certainly play under pressure. They can handle the expectation, and they improved,” he said. “When you look at this second game, the performance that we had was much better than the first, although we’d be happy with five goals in each international match.
“And now the challenge is a great one. You’ve got Japan and Saudi, and can we improve once more in June against the best team in Asia?”
With just two matches left in the qualifying campaign, Australia’s fate remains in their hands. A strong performance against Japan could put them on the brink of securing their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
