The Socceroos will search to construct on their momentum underneath coach Tony Popovic and edge nearer to a extra beneficial draw on the 2026 World Cup once they meet the US in a pleasant on Wednesday.
Australia secured a seventh straight victory when Nestory Irankunda's purpose was sufficient to grab a 1-0 win over Canada final Saturday and are actually in line to rise to world No 24 when the Fifa rankings are subsequent up to date on 23 October.
The Socceroos are unbeaten of their previous 12 matches – together with all 11 performed since Popovic took the reins a yr in the past – whereas the projected rankings would place Australia in pot 2 of the draw for subsequent yr's World Cup.
Little separates the world No 22-25, South Korea, Ecuador, Australia and Austria, because the groups battle for a rating that might theoretically assist them keep away from a more durable opponent than in the event that they have been to land in pot 3 for the draw on 6 December (AEDT).
“We wish to win each sport,” Popovic stated. “It's at all times straightforward to say if you don't get the end result, ‘the end result doesn't matter as a result of it's a pleasant'.
“That's a throwaway line that's straightforward to make use of. We wish to hold our run going. That's why we've taken on this sport and we respect the US giving us this chance to check ourselves towards them.”
A win or draw towards the Sixteenth-ranked US would enhance Australia's possibilities of being seeded in pot 2, whereas the World Cup co-hosts are already assured of a spot in pot 1.
Regardless of the lure of a useful World Cup seeding, Popovic refused to ensure that captain Maty Ryan would return in objectives after fellow gloveman Paul Izzo starred within the win over Canada in Montreal.
However the 52-year-old coach hinted that he would proceed to tinker with the Socceroos' lineup as he challenged rising and fringe gamers to “shock” him.
Jacob Italiano was the newest participant to be handed a world debut after impressing Popovic in coaching and began at right-back towards Canada.
“I'd like to be stunned by extra gamers,” Popovic stated. “They arrive [in] underneath this stress, the expectation, they're enjoying for his or her nation, which is sufficient stress by itself, they usually ship.
“We noticed a very good, strong show by Jacob Italiano, which was unbelievable for us as a training employees. Paul Izzo stepped up. We wish a number of extra of these gamers to extend the depth and choices come June subsequent yr.”
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Popovic bristled on the suggestion from the US head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, that the Socceroos “hold the identical form and the best way they're enjoying [over] the final yr”.
The Australia head coach argued that his facet was “consistently making adjustments” and pointed to a younger assault led by the teenage sensation Irankunda and ahead Mohamed Toure.
“We performed a 19-year-old and 21-year-old up entrance,” Popovic stated earlier than the conflict with the US at Dick's Sporting Items Park in Denver, Colorado. “We had a captain [Alessandro Circati] at 22.
“I'm certain each groups wish to construct the continuity however on the identical time attempting to extend the depth of your squad, the depth of your staff, the standard of your staff. That may solely come from these video games and giving gamers a chance.”
