Popovic expects more ‘confident and positive’ Socceroos
Anna Harrington |
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic expects Australia to deliver a “more confident and positive” performance in their second game against New Zealand after shaking out some early nerves first-up.
Australia won the first leg of their ‘Soccer Ashes’ in Canberra on Friday night 1-0 but Popovic had indicated he wasn’t satisfied with the performance, especially being too “negative” early on.
He believed after a few more days together on the training track, his youthful and inexperienced charges could deliver more chemistry and confidence in Tuesday night’s clash at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.
“We were reviewing the game, discussing it with the players, that it wasn’t that the intentions weren’t right,” he said.
“It’s just that when the players are together for the first time, and you’ve got so many players with limited international experience, their first thought is not to make an error.
“And when you think you’re on the pitch … you’re telling yourself, ‘don’t make an error. Don’t make an error.’ So you’re playing very safe.
“And in the end, you’re thinking, ‘OK, we’ll just keep the ball and we’ll go around the back, go the goalkeeper’, and they pressed us well, and we started giving the ball away.
“Yet maybe three phases earlier, there was a chance to play forward and be positive, but they’re not giving the ball away initially – but they’re thinking just the safe option.”
Popovic, who wouldn’t be drawn on potential changes, has reason to believe that will change.
“What we’re seeing in training is real positivity, great energy, confidence on the ball, combining well,” he said.
“It’s about transferring that when you put the jersey on and the national anthem’s played and you’ve got to go play for your country.
“You can’t just get that – it takes time, and I’m expecting to see any of the boys that are back out there again from the other night, that we will see a more confident and positive display as an individual, which should help us collectively.”
The Socceroos got a spark from their “dynamic” substitutes on Friday night, with Mohamed Toure teeing up debutant Max Balard to score, while Nestory Irankunda and debutant Nicolas Milanovic also showed some dare.
Popovic was delighted with an early bold switch in play from Aberdeen attacker Milanovic.
“It was great to see, wasn’t it? And the game had opened up by that stage, so it’s a good moment for these boys to come into,” he said.
“And when you’re a young player, and your first two or three touches are very positive, that gives you the confidence and belief to try some more things and try and express yourself further.”
Popovic also pointed to Irankunda sprinting 30 metres to get into the box to attempt a header as an example of development.
“It’s something we’re trying to add to his game,” he said.
“If he can start doing that consistently, we know he has a great shot from the edge of the box and outside the box, but the more he finds himself in there, I think he’ll keep getting more chances to score.”
“… For the young boys, they’re learning. It’s a education as well, on top of the pressure of needing to perform for your country.”
AAP
