Socceroos coach Tony Popovic faces a raft of crunch selection calls, while Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro believes his side is due for some help from above ahead of taking on the Australia in Santa Clara, California in their decisive World Cup clash. Live from 12pm AEST!
Speaking to reporters at the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers on the eve of their crucial Group D clash, Alfaro said it was time for “divine justice” as Paraguay chased back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time in their history.
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“You know, we believe in divine justice, and I think at some point that needs to favour us,” he said.
The call to the heavens draws similarities to Uruguay star Álvaro Recoba’s “divine right” comment before the famous intercontinental playoff in Sydney in 2005 that the South American nation lost on penalties.
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Paraguay do not have the same glittering history as their two-time World Cup winning neighbours.
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But after an upset 1-0 victory against Turkiye, Alfaro’s side kept their tournament alive following a 4-1 thrashing by co-hosts the USA in their opening game.
A Socceroos win, or a draw, will put Australia automatically through to the Round of 32, while Paraguay need to win to nab second place in the group.
The third-place finisher will face an anxious wait to see if they are one of the eight best third place teams as results come in from other groups.
“It’s a final for us,” Alfaro said. “There’s no tomorrow for us. … I tell my players, we need to live this match as if it were the last one we play.”
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Paraguay’s plea to the heavens may be an attempt to overcome Australia’s serious height advantage.
The likes of towering skipper Harry Souttar and fellow centre back Alessandro Circati are set to control the air against the Paraguayans.
The final make-up of the Socceroos’ starting XI remains unclear but Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano will miss through injury.
They might not be alone in making way from the Australian XI, however.
Mohamed Toure was part of a triple substitution at half time against the USA and reporters in Seattle said they saw the striker hobbling after taking his time to re-emerge from the dressing rooms.
Irankunda replaced Toure up front with Connor Metcalfe and Cristian Volpato operating on either side.
Popovic could opt for that combination again or return to the starting front three from the Türkiye victory of Metcalfe, Toure and Irankunda if Toure is fit.
Otherwise, inexperienced striker Tete Yengi, who scored against Switzerland in his lone international appearance to date, is waiting in the wings.
“Definitely Irankunda and Metcalfe, in my opinion, have got to start. I don’t think there should be any question about that,” former Manchester United and Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said on SEN.
“If Irankunda gasses out, like people have said, then take him off. Quite simple. But you start with your best players and he’s arguably our best player.”
While fresh reports have also cast doubt over midfielder Aiden O’Neill – which could path the way for the experienced Jackson Irvine to start.
“I can reveal this: that Aiden O’Neill is basically waiting to have an ankle operation,” host James Dodd said on Stan Sport’s World Cup Daily.
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“He’s had injections in his ankle, he’s in absolute bits, but he’s still running himself into the ground for this team.
Italiano, meanwhile, arguably causes the biggest headache for Popovic, who revealed in his match eve press conference that the right wing back sustained an adductor injury in training.
There is no natural second choice right-back to replace the 24-year-old who plays in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Kai Trewin and Jason Geria, who came off the bench as one of the three half time changes against the USA, shape up as the most likely replacement.
Both are more naturally suited to play a central defensive role, however.
The same can be said of fellow squad member Milos Degenek, who featured in all four matches under Graham Arnold four years ago.
Another option is to move Degenek’s fellow three-time World Cupper Aziz Behich to the right – the veteran is stuck behind Jordy Bos in the left wing back pecking order.
“I know maybe in the past he has put Trewin out on the right-hand side,” former Socceroo Archie Thompson said on SEN.
“We’re not used to him there, he is more central mid. That could be an option or Jason Geria on the right.
“With speed and athleticism I would go Geria. It’s a hard one; Italiano has been fantastic in that position. That is the better option.
“It will be interesting to see if Popovic rejigs the central defensive trio and we have to remember most of the back four are on yellow cards, they have been more involved than anyone the way we sit back and defend.
“They will have that one their minds though. It will be a shame if we miss one of them if we reach the knockouts.”
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