Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has called up Croatian-born Fran Karacic for a defining March FIFA window, which could determine their path to the 2026 World Cup.
Sydney United great Popovic has endured a tough start, with injuries ruling out a host of key players since taking over last September, although he remains undefeated having lifted the national team to second spot.
Karacic, 28, has been rewarded for a strong season with HNL club NK Lokomotiva, playing in 25 of their 26 league games this season. He also played 90 minutes in the 3-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb on Sunday morning.
The fullback has won 12 Socceroos caps, and was a member of the 2022 World Cup squad, starting against Tunisia and coming on in the dramatic second round loss to Argentina.
A number of Australian-Croatian players were rumoured to be in contention for their maiden selection, including Noah Botic (Western United) and Nikolas Milanovic (Western Sydney), who’ve scored 10 and nine goals respectively.
Former Central Coast Mariners midfielder Anthony Kalik is another who has become a first-team regular under Genaro Gattuso at Hajduk Split. But none of them made the cut.
“I don’t know if the responsibility (of captaincy at Lokomotiva) has helped him (Karacic). But you can just see he is a different player,” Popovic said.
“He seems a leader on the field. I want to see what he can do in our environment.”
The Socceroos face Indonesia at Sydney Football Stadium (March 20), who have just appointed Dutch great Patrick Kluivert as head coach, and China away on March 25.
Both teams are desperate to reach the 48-team tournament, with China failing to capitalise on their huge investment in club football, not qualifying for the World Cup since 2002.
Indonesia has never qualified since gaining independence – the only time it featured at the world’s biggest tournament was in 1938, featuring as Dutch East Indies. They were the first Asian team to qualify for the World Cup.
China are led by former Dinamo Zagreb and 1998 Croatia national team assistant coach Branko Ivankovic, with ex-Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia (28 caps) defender Mario Tokic the assistant.
Just one point separates the second-placed Socceroos (seven points) and bottom-placed China, with four teams deadlocked on six points. With the top two teams qualifying automatically, Japan (16 points) have already sealed direct qualification for 2026. Third and fourth will enter the fifth round of Asian qualifying.
“We understand very clearly where we’re at (in terms of qualifying). We also know that we’re second and we have a chance to cement that spot,” Popovic said.
“It’s in our hands. We need to embrace the pressure and that expectation.”
Popovic, who was appointed after former Sydney United teammate Graham Arnold departed the Socceroos coaching post, has secured one win and three draws since taking charge last October.
The best result was a 1-1 draw away to Japan, in Popovic’s second game.
The Socceroos have been hit by injuries, with 2022 World Cup star Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City) yet to feature and star defenders, Sheffield United’s Harry Souttar (achilles) and Parma’s Alessandro Circati (knee) are also out with long-term injuries.
Belgian-based left-back Jordan Bos (Westerlo) and keeper Joe Gauci (League One-side Barnsley, on loan from Aston Villa) are the latest to join the injury list.
SOCCEROOS MATCHES
Australia v Indonesia
March 20, Sydney Football Stadium, 8:10pm (AEDT)
TV: Channel 10
China v Australia
March 25, Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium, 10pm
TV: Channel 10
GROUP C TABLE
Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 Japan 6 5 1 0 22 2 20 16
2 Australia 6 1 4 1 6 5 1 7
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
3 Indonesia 6 1 3 2 6 9 -3 6
4 Saudi Arabia 6 1 3 2 3 6 -3 6
_______________________
5 Bahrain 6 1 3 2 5 10 -5 6
6 China 6 2 0 4 6 16 -10 6
SOCCEROOS SQUAD
Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Thomas Glover (GK), Craig Goodwin, Alex Grant, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Nectarios Triantis, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi.