Tony Popovic changes lauded as Socceroos triumph in first game under new coach
Updated . First published at
Craig Foster says the Socceroos appear to be "moving in the right direction" under new coach Tony Popovic following a first-up win.
Australia beat China 3-1 in Adelaide on Thursday night to move up the ladder in their AFC Asian Qualifiers group.
In Popovic's first game in charge, Australia trailed 1-0 for most of the opening half after China's Xie Wenneng broke down the Socceroos' defence to score a counter-attack goal against the run of play in the 20th minute.
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Hometown hero Craig Goodwin led the come-from-behind win with a goal and an assist while 23-year-old Nishan Velupillay scored the match-winner off the bench in his international debut.
Tony Popovic watches on. Robert Cianflone via Getty Images
Despite a cautious start, in which Goodwin squandered several early scoring opportunities through set pieces, the side was eventually able to open up China's defence.
The Socceroos scored the equaliser late in the second minute of added time, with defender Lewis Miller getting his head on the end of a pin-point free kick from Goodwin to draw the hosts level.
The goal doubled as Miller's maiden international goal.
But it was Adelaide local Goodwin who was the hero, edging Australia ahead in the 53rd minute with a strike from outside the penalty box.
Finally, Velupillay came from the bench to seal the win in stoppage time.
Goodwin was awarded player of the match for his efforts.
The Socceroos needed a win after starting the third and final round of World Cup qualifiers with a shock 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and a 0-0 draw with Indonesia in Jakarta last month.
Graham Arnold was subsequently axed as coach.
Foster already likes what he sees from the Popovic regime.
"It was excellent in many respects," Foster told Nine's Today on Friday.
"Firstly the first half wasn't great, so going behind... everyone was very stressed by 25 or 30 minutes in, thinking 'oh no, what's going to happen here?'... they responded really well.
"Brilliant performance from Craig (Goodwin), he really stood up and showed his experience and his leadership in exactly the right moment.
"In the second half it was much better. Everyone is feeling a lot more comfortable today.
"Japan are clearly the strongest at the moment, they bumped China 7-0 of course.
"We know how strong they are, and playing in Japan is always very difficult."
Australia needed the points from a win to keep hopes of automatic qualification alive ahead of a clash with table-toppers Japan on Tuesday in Saitama.
Craig Goodwin of the Socceroos celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images
Popovic had only days to work with his squad following Arnold's sudden departure.
Foster was particularly impressed with Popovic's tactical move with attacking weapon Goodwin.
"We saw some nice changes last night - we saw some dynamism to the game, fast ball movement, starting to see some combinations, so it's clear what he's been working on," Foster said.
"From my perspective looking at last night was certainly starting well (under Popovic) and moving in the right direction.
"(To be) sitting second in the group with seven games to go, that's a very different situation than even a week ago."
