The Australian national soccer team believes they can silence critics when they face Turkey in Saturday’s World Cup opening match in Vancouver, according to coach Tony Popovic.
Turkey enters as the favored squad for the Group D encounter at BC Place, featuring midfield standouts Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz who are anticipated to be among the tournament’s most promising young talents in North America.
The Socceroos, meanwhile, have established themselves as consistent World Cup participants, earning spots in the previous six tournaments. They advanced to the round of 16 for the second time during the 2022 Qatar tournament, where they fell to eventual winners Argentina.
“We understand that not many people are expecting much from us, outside of our own people, our own media, our own team, our own staff. But we’re accustomed to that,” Popovic told reporters on Friday.
“We’re confident that we can show them some great football tomorrow and show them what Australian football can do.”
With tournament co-hosts the United States and 2010 quarter-finalists Paraguay rounding out their group, both the young Australian and Turkish squads will look to establish momentum early in Vancouver.
“We know we have a big challenge tomorrow against a formidable opponent, but it’s the World Cup. We’re ready. The boys are excited. Of course, we’d love to get off to a win — that’s the target,” Popovic added.
“They (Turkey) expect to win, but so do most people. What we can do is try and spoil the party.
“Individually and collectively, they’ve shown recently how strong they were … It’s a very passionate team. The people are very passionate for the football…
“We also have to think of ourselves and think how we can cause them problems and show Australian football at the World Cup. That’s our aim tomorrow, to be extremely competitive, to show that we are a strong nation and that we deserve to be respected.”
Concerns arose when Australia striker Mohamed Toure was absent from Wednesday’s training session, but Popovic confirmed no fitness concerns exist within the squad.
Australia has struggled to find a reliable target man since Tim Cahill’s prime years and continues to lack elite-level midfielders to supply their attacking players.
However, significant optimism surrounds the 22-year-old Toure, who has shown promise playing for Norwich City in England’s second division.
“Everyone’s fit,” Popovic said. “Everyone’s available, which is what a coach wants leading into the first match. We expect everyone in the next hour or so to be available to train.
“Toure just had a runny nose and just wasn’t training.”
