The Socceroos went into the game at Adelaide Oval after a shock 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and a scoreless draw in Indonesia last month left them in a perilous position in Asian Group C. It led to the departure of coach Graham Arnold and Popovic being installed as his successor.

Goals from Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin and debutant Nishan Velupillay did the damage after they went behind against the run of play in the 20th minute in front of 46,291 fans. "We were calm, composed, even after we lost the first goal we stuck to the game plan, which was obviously something new," said Socceroos skipper Jackson Irvine.

"But the boys took to it quickly, they are such an adaptable group. It was an all-round great performance." It secured three crucial points ahead of a tough away match against Japan next week and consigned China to their third straight qualifying defeat. Only the top two in the six-team group secure direct passage to the 2026 World Cup with the third- and fourth-placed nations facing another qualifying phase.

China are bottom of the group, piling more pressure on their Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic whose tenure has been under intense scrutiny after a run of poor form. Popovic, who barely had two days with the bulk of his squad to prepare, notably dropped captain Mat Ryan with Aston Villa's Joe Gauci preferred as goalkeeper and Irvine taking the armband.

"It does feel like a new beginning," said Gauci. "I think this is a positive step in the right direction. "We go away to Japan now and it's going to be a challenge, but I think it's a challenge we're ready for." China also made changes, with key players including long-time stalwart Wu Lei and Brazilian-born Alan Carvalho both missing through injury.

Australia started confidently and dominated early possession. But China's defence was resolute and chances went begging. Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead, with a long goal-kick nudged on for Xie Wenneng who angled his left-foot strike past the outstretched Gauci.

The hosts kept pressing but lacked penetration before finally getting the breakthrough on the cusp of half-time when Hibernian defender Miller headed home his first international goal from a Goodwin free-kick. It was Australia's first goal for 207 minutes in qualifying, but not their last.

Popovic brought on Riley McGree and Jason Geria at half-time, sparking renewed energy. It culminated in Goodwin bagging their second goal eight minutes after the restart with a 30-metre rocket before substitute Velupillay added a third in stoppage time, finding the top corner.

October 10, 2024

Nishan Velupillay

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