Australia 3:1 China (Oct 10, 2024) Match analysis

New coach Tony Popovic led the Socceroos to a 3-1 win over China to revive their World Cup qualification hopes.

A cracker from Craig Goodwin, unlikely hero Lewis Miller’s header and a goal from debutant Nishan Velupillay ensured Popovic’s reign got off to a triumphant start.

The Socceroos were shocked to concede the opening goal to China’s Xie Wenneng in the 20th minute of Thursday night’s cup qualifier in Adelaide.

But the often pilloried Miller, who had been suspended since February after his personal horror show at the Asian Cup, equalized in stoppage time.

Goodwin delivered a superb strike in the 57th minute and new signing Velupillay scored just before the final whistle to give Australia its first win from three games in this 2026 Cup qualifying round.

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Goodwin was found in space by a clever pass from Socceroos captain Jackson Irvine as Popovic opted for Joe Gauci in goal instead of regular captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan.

Goodwin made a series of deft touches and fired a left-footed shot into the net from around 20 yards.

The win leaves Australia third in the Group of Six nations with four points – with five games remaining in this phase of qualifying for the 2026 North American Cup.

Popovic’s charges will face undefeated group leaders Japan, who have picked up six points from two games, in Saitama on Tuesday evening.

The top two nations will secure direct entry to the 2026 soccer tournament and the third and fourth-placed nations will take part in another qualifying round.

Popovic was appointed when Graham Arnold quit as coach following a goalless draw in Indonesia and a shock 1-0 defeat to Bahrain on the Gold Coast in the qualifying window last month.

Popovic made an impression before the game by benching Ryan, captain since October 2019, in favor of Gauci.

The new coach also called up Miller, who had been on the outside since awarding a penalty and a free kick that resulted in South Korea’s goals in Australia’s 2-1 Asian Cup quarterfinal loss last February.

Popovic’s show of confidence was rewarded in the 47th minute when Miller, sandwiched by Chinese defenders, parried a Goodwin free-kick and headed in the equalizer.

After half-time, South Australian Goodwin’s stunning strike enthralled the 46,291 crowd at the Adelaide Oval, the largest crowd for a Socceroos game in the state.

And substitute Velupillay crowned the victory in the 92nd minute with a cool right-footed shot from six meters away.