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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jack Snape

No major World Cup regrets, says Tony Popovic, despite shootout heartbreak

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic celebrates after the 0-0 draw with Paraguay at the World Cup
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has said he has no regrets over Australia’s World Cup campaign, which ended in penalty shootout disappointment against Egypt. Photograph: Matt McNulty/FIFA/Getty Images

More than two months have passed since Australia’s painful penalty shootout defeat against Egypt ended a World Cup adventure that had begun so brightly. Although the Socceroos upset Turkey and progressed to the knockout stage with the youngest team in the tournament, coach Tony Popovic wore criticism for his selections, especially in that shootout in Dallas.

Sitting in front of a bank of microphones in Sydney on Tuesday in his first media appearance since the World Cup, the coach is finally ready to talk. “There’s always been a purpose behind every decision I’ve made. And I’m comfortable with that purpose for all of them.

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