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The Socceroos are through, but they still have a big problem to solve
Tony Popovic made an unprecedented number of changes and got Australia to the knock-outs, but the Socceroos are still short on goals. (Getty Images: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
After a week of criticism over his selections for the USA game, the anticipation for the 11 that Tony Popovic would roll out to face Paraguay was palpable.
But not even the most optimistic would have predicted Popovic would make six changes — the most ever by an Australian side at a World Cup — and drop his only true out-and-out striker.
Some would argue this was the attacking line-up he should have picked for the USA game.
Socceroos through to knockout stage with sweetest scoreless draw in their World Cup history
Santa Clara: Non-believers in Australia regard soccer’s low scoring rate, in comparison to the other football codes, as a fatal flaw. Presenting the case for the defence was this game: the stalemate of Santa Clara; the biscotto in the Bay Area; the sweetest (and only) scoreless draw in the Socceroos’ World Cup history.
Millions of Australians stopped work and ditched responsibilities on Friday to gather around their nearest screen to watch the Socceroos take on Paraguay. It was never part of the deal that they would be entertained; just that they would feel something.
And that feeling you’re feeling right now: the release; the realisation that we get to do this all again next week in the first knockout round of the greatest thing in world sport – that’s what it’s all about.
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‘Get up early, please’: Popa’s plea to Aussies as Ange pays tribute to ‘unbelievable’ Roos
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has begged Australians to “get up early” for next week’s Round of 32 clash after the men in green and goal qualified for the knockouts of the FIFA World Cup.
Australia secured second place on the Group D standings with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in Santa Clara on Friday afternoon AEST, progressing to the knockouts for just the third time in World Cup history.
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“Unbelievable. I’m so proud of everyone involved, the staff and the players and a wonderful young group of men,” Popovic said after the game.
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