Curacao vs Australia: World Cup Warm-Up Match Preview
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| Popovic calls on new faces to shine vs Curacao |
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic urges new faces to seize chance vs Curacao, ahead of World Cup in US, Mexico, and Canada. Australia takes on Curacao in a World Cup warm-up match, with coach Tony Popovic looking to finalize his roster.
Australia faces Curacao in Melbourne, aiming to boost World Cup preparations before facing Mexico and US in friendlies...
Australia coach Tony Popovic is urging new squad members to grab their chance to shine against Curacao, as he finalizes his World Cup roster. The Socceroos' last home friendly before the June 11-July 19 finals, Tuesday's match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium follows a narrow 1-0 win over Cameroon in Sydney last Friday.
Popovic wants to see strong performances from players like Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson and uncapped Croatia-born striker Ante Suto, who plays for Scottish side Hibernian. The match against Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, is a crucial opportunity for these players to impress.
Australia's win over Cameroon didn't exactly showcase their attacking firepower, but right-back Jacob Italiano and teen centre-back Lucas Herrington did grab attention with their calm defending.
Coach Popovic hopes for more solid performances against Curaçao, the smallest nation at the World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US.
“Obviously (we're) having a look at a few of the other boys that have been here in camp who have now settled and are more accustomed to the environment, and hopefully they can get some minutes tomorrow,” Popovic told reporters on Monday.
“It's a World Cup, and anyone that's here now feels they're so close, they're in the final camp before we go to the World Cup to prepare.
“So you have to believe, as a player, you're in the mix. And then they have to obviously try and perform to their maximum and really show that they deserve to be on that plane.”
Uncapped striker Ante Suto, playing for Hibernian in Scotland, is looking for a chance. He just arrived in Australia for the camp.
Midfielder Alex Robertson, with two caps, hopes to impress Popovic after last playing under Graham Arnold in 2023. He's eligible through his family.
Australia's Socceroos are gearing up to face Curacao, the world number 82 team, in a friendly match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Curacao, a Caribbean side with Dutch roots, is looking to bounce back from their 2-0 loss to China in Sydney last week and build momentum for their World Cup debut.
Great insight from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic on “not selling” the Aussie shirt after Adrian Segecic’s switch to Croatia.
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) March 19, 2026
“If you’re getting called up by Australia through the junior levels, then you get called up by the Socceroos, shouldn’t that be enough that you’re wanted?” pic.twitter.com/ox80hWUmvv
Curacao, with a population of just 156,000, is the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup and will be making their debut in the tournament. Led by coach Fred Rutten, they're eager to make a statement and have a fighting spirit, having gone unbeaten through their qualifying campaign.
“Such a small nation ... it’s an amazing achievement,” Popovic said of the country of 156,000.
“Two nations going to the World Cup up against each other - we're taking it very seriously.”
After facing Curacao, Australia heads to Florida for a training camp before taking on Mexico on May 30 at LA's Rose Bowl.
In the World Cup, Australia's in Group D with the US, Paraguay, and either Turkey or Kosovo - the playoff winner decided on Tuesday.
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