Tony Popovic has been a Socceroo hero for over ten years. Tonight marks a new dawn in Australian football, as one of our toughest-ever defenders steps aside to turn from player to fan
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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.
“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.
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