‘We looked quite good for 20 minutes’: Tony Popovic content after Socceroos draw with Switzerland

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is keeping his cards close to his chest about who he will start against Turkey on 14 June in Australia’s first World Cup match, after Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe made strong cases during the 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Irankunda struck the crossbar and was active even during the long passages the Socceroos were without the ball, while Metcalfe set up the equaliser for debutant Tete Yengi in the second half. Popovic said the friendly against the formidable Swiss provided the ideal final preparation before the World Cup . “Conditions were warm, it’s sticky – the pitch – so it’s a good experience for us [against] a wonderful opponent,” he told Paramount+. “We just had to get through that first part and fortunately we didn’t concede another goal, but [in the] second half we had a good passage of play there where we looked quite good for 20 minutes.” Metcalfe came on at right wing at half-time for the Socceroos’ other debutant, Cristian Volpato , after a difficult opening period during which Australia were clearly second best. Popovic said he was happy for Yengi to get his goal after the untried trio of Irankunda, Volpato and Yengi struggled to have an impact. “Our front three, first time playing together, [were] a little bit disjointed, not really quite sure what to do with and without the ball but they settled in the second half,” he said. …