Updated ,first published
Arlington: Don’t get caught up in the moment. History is made at full-time. They are the messages from Australia coach Tony Popovic to his young side as they chase history against Egypt at Dallas Stadium (Saturday, 4am AEST) in the hope of becoming the first Socceroos side to win a match in the World Cup knockout stages.
Australia is through to the World Cup knockout rounds for a third time, playing a Pharaohs side who Popovic says will give the Socceroos their toughest challenge of the tournament so far. The scenario in front of 80,000 people in Dallas is simple – lose and go home.
Egypt is sweating on the fitness of star forward Mohamed Salah, after the ex-Liverpool talisman came off with a hamstring issue in their final group stage match against Iran. His coach, Hossam Hassan, said his captain has told him he wants to play, but it may be from the bench.
Popovic said Australia is prepared for whatever the Salah scenario may be. The Socceroos have kept two clean sheets in their three group games, including a scoreless draw with Paraguay, a result the coach thinks was underappreciated, especially as South Americans have since gone on to knock Germany out of the tournament.
But his side has not scored a goal since the 2-0 opening victory over Turkey, and he knows it must take its chances against the African nation, who sit two spots ahead of them on FIFA’s world rankings.
“The details matter, and moments make the difference,” Popovic said at the pre-game press conference. “We created good opportunities against Paraguay. We were unable to take those opportunities, but the opportunities were there against a very good team.
“I’m confident that we’ll create more [chances] tomorrow.”
Australia’s group stage loss came against the US – where they lost 2-0 after a disastrous first half. Popovic acknowledged after that match that his young Socceroos squad looked “flat and lethargic” and appeared overawed by the occasion of playing the tournament co-hosts in front of a massive, parochial crowd in Seattle.
He wants to make sure that does not happen again as his side chases history in Dallas.
“We can’t overthink that and can be caught up by the occasion,” he told reporters. “We have to stay in the moment. The history gets made after the game. We have to do our part during the match, whether it’s 90 minutes, extra time, or penalties, to create that history.”
Salah, 34, trained with his teammates in front of the media in Egypt’s final session before the match in hot Dallas conditions, which nudged close to 40 degrees.
This will be the first time the Pharaohs have appeared in the World Cup knockout stages, and Hassan said the country’s highest-goal scorer wanted to play.
“Salah is a passionate player; he is very much looking forward to making his own contributions with his teammates tomorrow,” Hassan said through an interpreter.
“But of course, I am not going to run any risk unless I am sure that he is 100 per cent sure of the fact that he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.
“We look forward to him playing tomorrow, not sure though whether he is going to be in the starting line-up.
The winner will face either reigning champions Argentina or minnows Cape Verde in the round of 16.
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Nick Ralston is the deputy editor and investigations editor for The Sydney Morning Herald. He has previously spent time as news editor, justice editor and world editor.Connect via X or email.
