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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jack Snape

Socceroos seek to build on newfound momentum in crunch clash with Saudi Arabia

Socceroos Tony Popovic Hervé Renard Saudi Arabia World Cup Jackson Irvine Australia Anthony Caceres Mat Ryan Max Balard
Head coach Tony Popovic speaks to Socceroos players
Socceroos will be out to continue their return to form in 2026 World Cup qualification when Australia face Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on 14 November. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

A newly motivated Saudi Arabia stand in front of the resurgent Socceroos in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on Thursday, with the group’s second automatic qualification spot for the 2026 tournament dangling tantalisingly for the winner.

Although he only took charge in September, Australia’s coach Tony Popovic believes his players are well placed to win a clash that represents the halfway mark of this qualification phase, between opponents locked together in the standings on five points.

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