Australia Draw 1-1 With Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium
Australia drew 1-1 with Switzerland at snapdragon stadium, and Tony Popovic said the Socceroos got exactly what they needed from it. The result gave him another look at the squad before Australia opens its World Cup group-stage schedule against Turkiye in Vancouver this coming weekend.
Popovic’s seven changes
Popovic made seven changes to his starting line-up from the defeat to Mexico, and the reshuffle brought Chris Volpato, Tete Yengi and Patrick Beach into the frame. Volpato became Socceroo cap number 660 and Yengi cap number 661, while Beach was handed the gloves and was sensational between the sticks.
The coach had said Volpato would play after joining the camp just ahead of the match against Mexico in Los Angeles. The attacking midfielder made himself eligible for Australia just before the World Cup squad was named after representing Italy at youth level, and he started with Yengi up front, Volpato on the right and Nestory Irankunda on the left.
Ndoye strikes in the 14th minute
Switzerland hit first through Dan Ndoye in the 14th minute, and Australia were 1-0 down at half-time. Ndoye arrived in form as well, with 37 appearances for Nottingham Forest across all competitions this season, and Switzerland had lost only one of its previous 13 games heading into the match.
Australia’s response came from a midfield base built around Paul Okon-Engstler and Aiden O’Neill, while only goalkeeper Paul Izzo was yet to see any time on the pitch after the match. That left Popovic with a clear read on who had been used and who still has minutes to come before the group stage begins.
Turkiye waits in Vancouver
The draw leaves Australia heading into its opening World Cup group-stage match with Turkiye having already tested depth against a side that had been difficult to beat. For Popovic, the point in San Diego came with added value because it also moved more of the squad into competitive action before the tournament starts to matter for real.
What he has now is a trimmed list of questions, not a blank page. Beach, Volpato, Yengi and the rest of the rotated group got minutes, Australia recovered from the early concession, and the next competitive step is already set for Vancouver this coming weekend.
