Add Geria too.

Superb!

Those 4 stood up against very high calibre opposition.

Fantastic!

This is a far more even group than first predicted.  Apart from Japan, any team can beat any other.

I'm sure UEFA refs or former Aussie ref, Ben Williams, would sort Bahrain's time wasting out with a few cards.

It is a 5-2-3 in BPO in the attacking half.

A 5-4-1 flat midfield in BPO in the defensive half.

A 3-4-3 in Ball Possession.

All lines tend to be flat in all 4 manifestations of Popa's system, although the FBs often push up high and wide in the attacking half.

The 3-4-3  diamond shaped midfield and the  4-3-3  (3:1  defensive line) are much the same. It is part of the Dutch KNVB system, also  extrapolated to other  countries.

It is impressive Popa has changed  Arnie's system and got  immediate  results - although according to Simon Kuper's data, there is usually   an immediate spike in performance with new coaches' tenures.

Really surprised Saudi didn't win?

Aus have been a bit lucky with other results going our way in this window.

Gutsy defensive effort by Roos -  luckyJapan weren’t very sharp which helped get the draw. 

a point in Japan is more than anyone banked on ... Well done Poppa and the lads.  Qualification is sor tof back on track now.... result against the Saudi Actors Guild is crucial.

Thought it was typical Poppa team organised, physical and determined to not concede. He has brought more competition in which I like and which has surely lifted the quality in training. Seems happy to make changes when things don't work - Arnie was slow to make changes imo. 

Would love to see Bos play inverted and Nestory out on the left... I think its the only way we can score goals in this team with Riley/Nisbet in there pulling strings.

The fact Geria has come in and done so well I hope gives some of the a-league boys some inspiration to get into form and maybe get picked.

He was really good, in such a tough game to get your second cap. We been crying out for a proper shot stopper for years. 

So what happened to all the Popa negativity?
No one is a lock any more.
Brattan taken off at half time for tactical reasons

Still a poor choice of coach for me, but results are going his way for now so, gotta back the guy in to do the job... its NEVER personal

Popa has shown more in two games with his willingness to change than he did at MV in two seasons almost

I actually thought there were moments last night where we were not bad on the ball (albeit tiny moments)

My only grip was Hrustic on the pitch so long. He just comes across as obnoxious and largely useless. He is so slow, and stifles attacks with his slow nature and poor decision making. Maybe he is doing more off the ball you can't see. 

I am really happy he gave Gauci a go. That's a massive decision, and personally I thoght Izzo was the inform keeper. Gauci did well last night. Way better at coming to crosses / corners than ryan 

Bratten and Hrustic must take 5 second  b4 releasing the ball. But again it was expected when you see the names.

We need Nisbet and Arzani.. guys who got skills,  keep ball possession.  

Geria, Bos, and Souttar were fantastic 

Hopefully we wont see Bratten again. 

Without Goodwin the next game im worried we wont have final product to score.. and having Duke there as a striker is a big concern. 

Considering we don't have the players of the same quality of Popa's era, it is miraculous what he has achieved with the team. 
The team didn't look to have the pace and power of last year, except Bos.
We don't have that players of high technical ability like Japan. We need the curriculum to focus far more on skill development, not simply on the tactical 4-4-3 play out from the back

The creativity of Japan is a joy to watch. When we play teams sitting back we just cannot do those runs or movement. Our defenders did exceptionally well because they just seem to always have different ideas going forward

Next round sees pivotal matches of Pot 2 v Pot 3, with Us against Saudi; Qatar v Uzbekistan and Iraq v Jordan. Should get some clarity from these matches as to whether the top nation's in group A and B will be challenged. It does seem that Iran, Sth Korea and Japan are well on the way to North America 2026. Second spot still up for grabs in each group, though wins for any either of the Pot 2 or 3 teams will give them confidence for the second round of matches.

they near on play like a EPL game - mind you having 65% possesion their noted 12 shots/3 on target wasn't great but for the long range one imo that was easy pickings for Gauci.
Gauci's save of that low hard cross between legs was first class, I agree he stamps confidence in the danger zone compared to Ryan.

yep well said, same applied for all the arnie haters the moment he came in.

Yeah man, I don't hate Arnie, how the hell could I Ive never met the bloke? He seems like a nice enough guy and clearly cares for both his players and the country..I'd have a beer with him any day of the week and chew his ear off about soccer..

I hated his selections, his timid substitution policy and the garbage football he had us play sometimes.... 

I was against Popas appointment but will support him now. I think getting 4 from 6 points is a big tick. I like that he has the defence humming, the GK decision is spot on (not what I'd have done either), and he is proactive with his subs. 

I still have concerns. Miller at RWB isn't good enough defensively or offensively. Duke up top, all he does is press. Our midfield still lacks creativity and the ability to keep possession. Different selection can help that. The 5-2-3 system was pragmatic for these fixtures but I'll be concerned if it stays because I doubt we score enough with it. 

Saudi (H) is gonna be a huge test.

I don't get the dislike towards Bratten, who's to know that was Poppa's plan use him up 1st half knowing he wouldnt have the legs for the 2nd, not rocket science.
He's known for staying deep and cover, sure he was given a baptism of fire but he's the kind of player/experience that didn't do too bad on debut And everyone complained Arnie use's the same players, well Poppa tried something else, I think good on him.
Agree Geria Souttar < now thats the game we haven't seen in a while from Souttar, Geria breath of fresh air, the drop of the shoulder, the faint to trun the attacker around now and then was pleasure to watch.
Lets not forget Burgess, he ran his butt off as well. We have Cercati on ACL leave once back this is a defensive line for the future.
BOS, Thankyou for your game, at times you over cooked it but overall luv the fight/ticker and ability, LB/flank is yours.
A game dominated by our shape/defense that was expected, TBH nothing new here due to Poppa, we/Roos have always lifted when we play top NT's.
McGree another pleased to see stepped up.
Hrustic tried too much but he put in, should have been subbed way earlier than 88min mark, that wasn't smart Poppa.
Mind you as mentioned Bratten done his bit, to throw on Yazbek was damn good move, I have watched him for some years, he has the nouse/game, this experience will do him alot.
Sure some will focus on his errors but overall had calm on the ball, turn, vision, like Bratten going up against the best of Asia is no picnic, good on you one for the future.

Nisbet/Arzani might have created a chance or 3 but the game was about damage control steel a draw no matter Poppa saying we're going for the win, ofcourse everyone wants to win but never saw that coming......
Fluke enough as it was getting a OG against run of play, worse was us giving it back as well, you wouldn't have even considering betting that to happen.

sure agree, don't worry Poppa will end up using his favs in time as well, that may or may not work out.
We are the classic recycle and rinse mob.

Some of the headlines btw are still disrespectful to the team and any sports people with a brain. Drawing in Japan is a great effort we need football journos! 

On Brattan, he lost the ball just about everytime he possessed it under a press. Did zero offensively. Occupied some good defensive positions but that's not enough from our CM imo. We can do a lot better. It made me frustrated that Balard wasn't picked for the squad. 

I was keen on Popa from the start. I was surprised some MV fans were so negative about him last season? MV were a bit like the Socceroos ATM ( apart from playing against Japan and South K in the Asian Cup). MV had a lot of ball and territory, but could not convert goals. 

 Originally, I  didn't want Arnie to leave, but he has said he was shot after the Asian Cup early exit. Popa is the perfect choice.

New Socceroo coaches often make some surprising selections as soon as they are appointed, which work out to be successful calls.

Holger - brought Brosque and Ogger in. Played McKay in front of Emo.

Ange - brought Wilkinson and Franjic in.

Bert VM - not so much who he selected, but Risdon improved fast under his tutelage, but never kicked on after Russia 2018. The team improved too, apart from not converting goals.

Arnie - did he bring in Grant as RB? Can't remember any others who went straight into the team?

Popa - Gauci as first choice keeper, Geria and Villupillay (has already scored as a central striker). Geria has played as well as any Socceroo in the last 4 games - under immense pressure.  Popa has also stated he will be looking harder at AL players than Arnie. AL players Nishan V and Geria have already worked out in 2 key games. 

Haven't seen any yet.

The problem is most football journos are trained journos, but don't  have an adequate football  background.

If Ante Jukic, Tim Palmer ( Aussie Scout) or Kate Cohen write articles, they are a lot better. They have decent football backgrounds and know about the game.

ofcourse we can do alot better, christ he's mid 30's, just saying Poppa knows what he was doing more than anything, he sure isn't the future lol....
Japan - he was never going to be on the pace, though in other games and lesser NT's he could be useful defensively now and then.
He mightn't even get another cap as well.

Yeah I know bud... pass mark is ONLY for the first two games... I give him leeway to figure who he wants to play and where, I guess the China game was a "fact finding" mission and Japan was a "don't get humiliated" session ... Saudi game is the duck's nuts now... lets see what he rolls with. 

I suspect your talking from your Melb perspective and rightly so, they all gayfl diehards and on their payroll.
Here in Syd been in the car more than half the day, I didn't hear "disrespect" during the news and sports reports.
Importantly pointing out we earned a draw in Japan for WC qualifying.

Was pro arnie and poppa though there were issues with arnies last two games