Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
With the Socceroos’ fate in their own hands and everything to gain against Paraguay, all eyes will be on how coach Tony Popovic chooses to attack Australia’s final World Cup group match.
The Socceroos boss could trust exuberant young attackers like Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure and Cristian Volpato to try and put Australia on the front foot.
Whether he will is another matter.
Popovic was rightly lauded for his selection and tactical masterclass in Australia’s opening 2-0 win over Turkey that set them on the path towards the knockouts.
But his decision to start a more conservative attack against the US, turning to Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay over Turkey goalscorers Connor Metcalfe and Irankunda, backfired in Friday’s 2-0 loss.
Starter Toure struggled, was hooked at halftime and conceded post-match he had felt “alone” up top.
The game only burst to life after Metcalfe and Irankunda’s halftime introduction, while Volpato exploded off the bench in the second half.
Turkey’s elimination ensured Australia will finish no lower than third in their group.
Paraguay’s gutsy 1-0 win over Turkey means the Socceroos will finish second behind the US in group D and head to Dallas if they secure a draw or win against the South Americans in Santa Clara on Thursday night (Friday AEST).
Defeat, though, will consign Australia to third spot and a nervous wait to see if they are one of the eight best third-placed teams to still reach the knockout phase – and that would then mean facing a tougher round-of-32 opponent.
That is a path that Popovic will want to avoid.
And whether he deploys Irankunda, Metcalfe, Toure and Volpato to put Paraguay under pressure could prove pivotal – and will be a talking point all week.
“I’m happy that people support me, and I’m happy that the nation supports me, and the nation backs me,” Irankunda said.
“But the coach’s decision is his decision. So, at the end of the day, we just look forward.
“And whether I’m starting against Paraguay or whether I’m on the bench, it’s the same approach: giving my all during the week in training and then if I’m starting, then play my best.
“If I’m coming off the bench, same thing.”
Irankunda, speaking before Paraguay eliminated Turkey, said players were just focused on staying calm.
“We’ll push on Thursday and get the result,” he added.
Defender Harry Souttar said Australia’s reaction this week had to be positive.
“We can look back at the game properly, take bits that we did well, and we didn’t do well – and there’s a lot of them,” Souttar said ahead of Australia’s flight back to their Oakland base.
“But it’s in our hands – we’re in that position where we know we can go through if we get a result.”
