Frank Farina backs Socceroos coach Popovic amid World Cup pressure

Former Socceroos coach Frank Farina empathizes with the intense pressure on current national team manager Tony Popovic as Australia prepares to face Paraguay in a critical FIFA World Cup match. Popovic's bold selection decisions have drawn mixed reactions, but Farina, who coached the national team for 58 games in the early 2000s, understands the scrutiny.

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I sat in that chair for six years, so I've heard it all before … everybody's an expert.

"I sat in that chair for six years, so I've heard it all before … everybody's an expert," Farina said. He explained that coaches make decisions based on constant observation of players in training and games. Farina noted the perception of Popovic shifting from "hero to zero" based on early tournament results, a common experience for national team coaches.

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As coach you're around the players all the time, you're seeing stuff and you make calls based on whatever information you've got from training and games.

Despite the external pressure, Farina supports his former charge, praising Popovic's tactical acumen and the team's counter-attacking style. "The way Popa's setting up, it's a counter-attacking team, which is a wonderful way to play," Farina stated. He believes Popovic is "doing a great job" and will make the right choices, particularly advocating for the use of fast outlets like Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato against Paraguay.

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The way Popa's setting up, it's a counter-attacking team, which is a wonderful way to play.

Reflecting on his own coaching era, Farina acknowledged that the current Socceroos squad is not comparable to the "golden generation" of the 2000s, which featured players consistently performing in top European leagues. However, he sees promise in the current team's competitiveness and the development of young talent. "This squad is competitive. We've got some good and growing players [and] a lot of them are young guys coming through and just starting their international careers," he said, emphasizing the need for time and continued progress.

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I think he's doing a great job [and] I think he'll make the right decisions.