Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato are competing with Conor Metcalfe for a place in the Socceroos' starting lineup for their final World Cup group match against Paraguay. The game, set for Tuesday in Oakland, carries significant weight as Australia seeks to secure progression to the knockout rounds.
Selection dilemmas abound
Assistant coach Paul Okon acknowledged that changes are likely for the match against Paraguay. “Is the starting lineup already decided? No, not yet. But, yeah, you could expect maybe some change,” Okon said. The team faces multiple selection questions, including whether to start Irankunda, whose pace and directness have excited fans and pundits alike.
Irankunda scored against Turkey, while Volpato impressed in a second-half substitute appearance against the USA. Metcalfe also found the net against Turkey, creating a three-way battle for two winger positions, assuming Mohamed Touré remains the starting striker.
Pressure on Popovic
A defeat against Paraguay would leave Australia in limbo, relying on results elsewhere to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Okon described head coach Tony Popovic as calm under pressure. “He’s quite calm, he’s focused as you would expect. He has a strong belief in his process and his preparation for games,” Okon said.
Okon added that selection decisions are based on physical, mental, and tactical evaluations. “Every player is evaluated on how they are physically, mentally and tactically, and sometimes the decisions will fall on one of those three, or all of those three,” he said.
Yellow card concerns
Four of the five likely starting defenders—Jordy Bos, Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati, and Jacob Italiano—are one yellow card away from suspension for a potential knockout match. Okon said the risk has been discussed but is not a major pre-match consideration. “I’ve been a player and I know at times it can be a bit tricky in the game when you know that you’re maybe one tackle off getting a yellow card,” he said.
Leckie ruled out
Mat Leckie, who started as a winger against the USA, will miss the Paraguay match with a hamstring strain. Okon was not optimistic about his recovery. “What happens post-Paraguay will determine what happens with his rehab, at the moment he’s not active,” he said.
Regardless of external opinions, Okon emphasized that Popovic will make the final call on the starting XI. “At the end, it’s always the decision of the head coach. I would be surprised if there weren’t any changes. How many? That’s still up in the air,” Okon said.
