Popovic's Australia perfect art of qualifying ugly

Tony Popovic would not deny that his Australia team are tough to watch at times but the former centre half has done what he was brought in to do and taken them to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

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The Socceroos were distinctly second best to an under strength Japan in Perth on Thursday but Aziz Behich’s late winner means they only have to avoid a 5-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday to punch their ticket.

"It was a special, special night,” Popovic told reporters. “The outpouring of emotions when we scored, and obviously after the game, yeah, they are moments I'll always remember.

“We've all played a part in getting us to this point, and we want to go to Saudi Arabia now and really finish the job off.”