Tony Popovic's telling response to World Cup move cynics have slammed as a FIFA cash grab
Tony Popovic believes FIFA's mandatory hydration breaks aren't needed for the Socceroos' World Cup campaign but is exploring how they can be exploited for his side's benefit.
With the tournament being held in North America's summer, three-minute drinks breaks will be implemented across the middle of every half, no matter where games are played.
The Socceroos play their group matches in Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco where conditions won't be overly warm.
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Speaking at a roundtable interview, Popovic described the move that cynics have called a FIFA cash grab designed to squeeze in ad breaks to increase the value of broadcast rights an "interesting decision".
Lewis Miller hydrates while playing for the Socceroos. Getty
"In terms of for us, where we are on the West Coast, we probably don't need a drinks break but I guess if we were playing in Central America or East we'd be very happy to have one," he said.
"That's just something that we have to accept, try and work on it in a couple of friendly games we have leading into the World Cup, (and try to) come up with an arrangement with Mexico.
"Maybe we can practice it then if they're happy to do that just to understand what that's like, four quarters is very different and we'll have to come up with some ideas and strategies for parts of our game whether it's prior to the break or after the break, how will that look? How quickly can we get back into the game?
"And just accept it's happening, not dwell on it but accept it's happening and how can we best utilise it and is there a way we can get an advantage over our opponent before or after those breaks."
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Tony Popovic. Channel 10
Popovic, a noted disciplinarian, forged a career as a no-nonsense centre back and was asked how he'd feel about it as a player.
"The rules and regulations are constantly changing and there's things we'll all agree with and things we'll question," he said.
"If I was playing where we thought we'd play, in altitude or high heat, I'd probably be happy with that. We don't need it where we're playing but Tony Popovic the football person would just accept it. My mind goes straight to the coaches and how do we make the most of this? As opposed to dwelling on whether we like it or dislike it and how it's a negative for the game."
Popovic noted he wouldn't be shying away from meeting with AFL coaches to discuss how to make the most of quarter breaks.
The Socceroos coach also met with Eddie Jones when he was in Tokyo to discuss how to make the most of a five to six week block with a playing group.
Eddie Jones of Japan at a press conference. Getty
"I'm speaking to a lot of different codes, I actually had breakfast with Eddie Jones at Tokyo which was interesting. He's had a very successful career ... he was very open and showed me a lot of information and how he learnt from things they did wrong," he said.
"Whether it's family and friends or not giving enough days off to the staff or players and how do you manage those five to six weeks. We want to hit the ground running in that first game but we also don't want to fall off a cliff straight after the first game, so how do you keep going that way?"
