How will we best remember Tony Popovic? As one of the first-chosen players in the Socceroo squad for the past decade Popovic has seen a lot of game time; and been at the heart of some of Australia’s most heart-breaking and inspiring sporting moments. While he has been one of our most consistent performers during that time, “Poppa” hasn’t always received the accolades of some of his more revered teammates but his very efforts helped get the Socceroos to their finest moment of all: qualifying for the World Cup.

Vital Statistics
Born: 4 July 1973, Sydney
Height: 194 cms
Weight: 83 kgs
Debut: v Colombia (0-0), Brisbane, February 1995
Last match: v Brazil (0-2), Munich (Aus), 18 June 2006

It was Poppa who most memorably marked Alvaro Recoba - Uruguay’s danger man - out of the second qualifier in Sydney. Our starting left back that night gave so much heavy-handed attention to Recoba that it completely nullified the Inter Milan star’s sharp game and forced him to leave the field complaining of weary legs and fatigue. For Poppa, he then made way for Harry Kewell who sparked the Socceroos’ attack back to life which eventually led to Mark Bresciano’s goal.

The Bahrain game marks a special occasion for Poppa and some of his teammates who he has shared so many special moments... he still speaks of that night at Telstra Stadium in November 2005 with pure joy. He told The Socceroo: “Qualifying against Uruguay was special for me. It had been unfortunate that we’d failed at the last two qualifying campaigns and I just got injured before it. I felt that the jinx was there again after the Confederations Cup in Germany where I got injured. I didn’t play for three months going into the Uruguay game and I thought, ‘here we go again.’

“I thought it would be three campaigns of World Cup qualifying or matches that I’d miss out on but I worked really hard for a couple of weeks with Anthony Crea to give myself an opportunity to at least be fit. Fortunately for me the manager showed faith even though I had no match fitness to play in those games. It was a special moment to be selected and an even greater moment to qualify and to do it at home in Sydney was something special. That crowd is something that I’ll never, ever forget.”

Now playing in Qatar in the Middle East for Al-Arabi, the 33 year-old was tempted to come home to play in the Hyundai A-League but says his international adventure isn’t over just yet. With a career that has seen him playing from Sydney United to Crystal Palace in England, as well as five years in Japan for Sanfrecce Hirsoshima, Poppa is well-traveled (he even speaks fluent Japanese) and is probably the most qualified of all Australian players to speak about the complexities of playing away against Asian sides now that we are part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Having lost 2-0 against Kuwait recently, debate has raged about how the Socceroos should prepare for Asian opposition after only playing sides from Oceania for so long.

“For me it’s pretty simple really,” he warns The Socceroo. “If we don’t take it seriously, we won’t qualify. It’s as simple as that. Anyone who thinks it’s going to be easy coming through Asia to come away from home, playing qualifiers on a Wednesday night, in Asia in soaring heat with players coming from Europe… is crazy.

“It’s different conditions and it’s very difficult. The Kuwait game showed that. The conditions beat us. Kuwait’s not better than us. With a small amount of preparation it’s going to be difficult. If we think it’s going to be easy we’re in for a rude shock. We’ve got to be as well prepared as we possibly can be. You’re battling teams that are used to the conditions and that can play. Most of our squad will coming from five to ten degrees playing and training in Europe over eight or nine months and then they’ll get hit with 35 to 40 degrees in a World Cup qualifier.”

Of course, the memories of our successful World Cup qualifying campaign are just the start and Popovic has seen both the highs and lows with the Socceroos. But it was his most recent appearance for Australia that provided the best and worst moments during his time in Australian colours. “They both came at the World Cup actually! The best moment I’d say is to get picked to start against Brazil. To do that in the World Cup is a dream come true, but probably the worst was about 40 minutes later when I went off injured.

It just shows you how things can happen and change so quickly. It was probably a bad day for me that day and for a few hours afterwards. But when the dust settled the next morning I definitely felt more proud than down and disappointed. I thought about it, and on the injury side… I’d done everything I could to be as fit as I possibly could be and it was something unfortunate that happened. It was something I could do nothing about,” he says.

While his game time ended prematurely and in disappointment, Poppa still feels that just being a part of the camp in Germany – alongside mates – was one of the best experiences of his career. And the enormity and emotion of the occasion was something that wasn’t lost on someone more known for his tough exterior.

“The thing is, we all get along great,” he says of his Socceroo teammates. “When you’re together for five or six weeks... and I can honestly say there were no fallouts, nothing within the group... it is just brilliant. That just shows how close we are and how special the team spirit is.

“We worked really hard and we were there for a reason. We weren’t there just to make up the numbers at the World Cup. We were really determined, as the management were, to show what we could do. Training was very intense and all the players responded to it. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we wanted to make the most of it. Again, we wanted to show the world what Australia could do and I think we did our country proud.”

As tonight is the last time we will see Poppa and some of his other celebrated teammates as Socceroos, the 194-cm defender explained the thoughts behind his decision – and one that comes so agonisingly close to the Asian Cup finals next year. “It would be nice [playing in the Asian Cup finals] but it’s something that I’ve thought about a little bit for a little while and it’s just the right time for me to stop. I’ve been in the national team for over 10 years, I’m very proud for playing for my country and I’m a proud Australian.

“I’m proud of what I’ve done and to be a part of this but there comes a time where you’ve got to look ahead and I feel that I’m just delaying the inevitable. I feel that now is the right time for me to do it and for me to move on to other things and for other players to come in and get the job done and do well at the Asian Cup. It’s time for me to become a fan now,” he explains.

Reflection aside, Poppa has been looking forward to tonight’s encounter as well as the 10-day Socceroo camp. He knows that tonight’s hit out will be against a side that is desperate to win – and one that features two of his Al-Arabi teammates.
Bahrain midfielders Salman Isa and Mohammed Salmeen (who is also captain) will be out to beat the Socceroos tonight as they remain a chance to qualify for the Asian Cup. Poppa has revealed that the competitive banter has already begun and that he is confident that the Socceroos will win the match. “We’ve had a bit of a chat and for them, it’s a really big game. They were obviously really disappointed we lost to Kuwait because it makes it harder for them and it comes down to their last match against Kuwait. They’ll have to beat us and then them to go through. They’re looking forward to coming out to Australia. They’ve never been to Sydney,” he said.

All Hyundai A-League fans would welcome a player of Popovic’s experience to their clubs... and it is still something that he is considering. “I signed a one-year deal (for Al-Arabi). I had the option to sign a two-year deal but I signed for one year to see how it goes. I’ve always maintained I’d like to finish in Australia. Especially now, I’d like to play in the new league but we’ll see how it goes. I wouldn’t play if I felt that physically I wasn’t up to it. I wouldn’t let myself down just to go through the motions. If I felt I could compete and do well and contribute and help the league on the field, I would do it.

“I follow it a bit because a lot of players that play there are friends of mine. I’m interested to see how they’re going. Obviously I check the Sydney team the most. I know a lot of the boys there and I grew up playing with a few of them. I’m also good mates with Musky [Kevin Muscat] and Okon [Paul Okon]. Now there’s Lazza [Stan Lazaridis] who’s back and Viddy [Tony Vidmar] and they’re guys who when I see them, we’re mates. I’m always interested to see if they’re fit and well.”

Despite the retirements following tonight’s game and the newfound fortunes for the national side, Socceroo fans needn’t despair that more doom and gloom lies ahead. Poppa believes that with the right development, the Socceroos remain in good stead and the strong majority of World Cup players will form the backbone for the next World Cup campaign. As new blood enters the fold, he thinks our young players have the quality to continue the momentum.

“As a footballing nation we’re definitely in safe hands. But if people expect results and miracles overnight they’re not going to happen,” he explains. “What you’ve got to remember is that everyone starts when someone
gets injured… When someone got injured I got seven or eight games under my belt and within that time I gained a bit more experience and confidence and then finally felt a part of it. These guys are the same. They can’t be expected to walk in and in one or two games set the world alight. It’s going to take time. We’ve got to be patient and hopefully the group will gel and some outstanding players will emerge for the Socceroos. I’m sure we’ll see that in the next generation.”

For the retiring Socceroos, tonight is special. But for those of us here and lucky to witness it, it’s also a special night. Australia’s retiring players are a part of new football but just as importantly, they were part of old soccer too. They’re the ones who bridged the gap. Whether Poppa, or the Socceroos of his generation realise it or not, they’ve helped changed the sport in Australia forever.

“Knowing that most of the boys are coming back is special and obviously with it being my last camp I’m going to cherish it and enjoy every moment. It’s going to be a great 10 days.

“It won’t be sad for me. I’m very content with what I’m doing. I know it’s the right thing to do and like I said I’m looking forward to the games and after that to being a fan at Socceroo matches. It will be great to catch up with the boys. I have a lot of good mates there and it’ll be nice to see them all.”

Take a bow, Poppa.