Weight of the nation rests on local shoulders in the Wild West

With the arrival of the biggest day once in every four years for fans of Australian football, the question is usually asked of who the individuals will be to write a brand new script for the Socceroos long and arduous journey to make world football’s show-piece tournament.

This time around, in the face of various moves and shakes across the squad, a rather unique opportunity is presented that is in parts something mythical.

The Socceroos hero for the 2026 World Cup cycle has the opportunity to not only hail from the state of Western Australia, but has the opportunity to do it on the hallowed turf of it’s premier sporting ground in front of close to 60,000 people.

A-League star striker and Perth Glory player of the year Adam Taggart is one such player and it was very clear what is key for the forward ahead of the match.

“To be involved in front of friends and family is very special, and especially with how last year’s match (against Palestine) went and how memorable that was, I am really looking forward to this one,” he said.

It is also quite evident being the match that may send the Socceroos through to the FIFA World Cup, that Taggart knows he may play a role of importance, for now though, he was happy such an occasion was happening at home, and did not want to think too strongly about his exact role in the saga.

“Knowing what’s on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn’t something that comes around too often, is something that obviously we all want to make the most of.” 

Should the Australian route to the tournament be roughly fought, the rare air of defensive stocks become key in a way they may not have previously been.

Speaking ahead of such a potential moment, perhaps not in Perth but eventually in Match Day 10 in Jeddah, imposing centre-back and Joondalup native Cameron Burgess had his say on the potential successes of the team and how preparation for the games is shaping up.

“First and foremost to do some big things with this team is something that I absolutely relish and love to be a part of. Especially with this great group of coaches and players, to take a big step towards that automatic qualification in front of friends and family is a really special thing,” he said.

Burgess also notes that the group under the relatively new stewardship of Tony Popovic will have ways to go but that progress has been made, saying that a marker will be laid now against Japanese opposition.

“From the players side of things this is a great opportunity to lay a marker and show what we’ve been able to grow in and to go out and do in from the last couple windows, looking at where we were against Japan last game, this is now our chance to put in another good performance,” he said.

Of course for the Socceroos it is easy to understand the occasion of the match that lies ahead, and manager Tony Popovic is certainly no stranger to the experience as a player, he will want to do things in the right why by any means necessary.

For him and likely by effect the squad including its WA born and raised heroes, the two match-days ahead are a moment to take in and to perform like nothing else.

“We certainly are aware of what the games mean to Australia and for every football fan out there representing the Socceroos, the goal is to get the results we need, and to win the game,” explained Popovic.

“We’ve taken the approach window by window and we have maintained that throughout the preparation for automatic qualification, and we’re ready to do that tomorrow night.”

In line with Burgess sentiment, and in the face of what is a surprisingly rotated squad, Popovic has also mentioned the aspects of the team that are developing and have fully developed in time for a big finish with 2nd spot in Asia’s Group C ready to be clinched.

“In all the little details and in all areas of the park we are showing improvement and then tomorrow becomes a good stage to put our very best performance forward,” the coach said assuredly.

“I think the growth and development is very clear and we understand there is more growth to come, but this is a team that is much better than in October.”

It was at this point, the topic of Australia’s long losing streak against Japan was raised, and Popovic embodied a level of confidence that the game in this country has perhaps maybe lacked, one hopefully buoyed by the presence of the home heroes here in Perth.

The marker was set, and even in the face of a sideways step tonight, Popovic wanted to close off the discussion with a very frank yet still confidence ensuing point.

“At some point, Australia will beat Japan, I have no doubt. We have the chance to do that tomorrow and we want to take the opportunity,” he said.

“We have set out a target to be in this exact position and we take a major step by winning. It has been a long time since we beat Japan but we will finish that off tomorrow.”