Iran sit atop of group

Socceroos assistant coach Mile Jedinak has hit back at the criticism of Australia’s performance against the US, declaring everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater were among the league greats who had questions about coach Tony Popovic’s selection choices against the US, with Australia’s two goal scorers against Turkiye benched in the first half.

“Who’s the pundits?” Jedinak asked reporters when informed about the comments made by former Australian players.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, we know that,” he continued.

“What you can’t do sometimes is, you’re never going to make everybody happy. We understand that, but we have access to the players all the time and decisions have to be taken. It is never easy.

“I think it’s clear - no one wants to miss out playing, especially in a World Cup game when there is something at stake and (you’re) representing your country.

“Any football or former footballer will say when I’m not named on the team sheet that it hurts a little bit. They should feel that way cause that is the competitiveness of it.

“It doesn’t always align with everyone’s opinion, but you can never make everybody happy. I think what’s clear is how you got to the decision and the conversations around it.

“Opinions are going to be there, everyone is entitled to that. I don’t get offended by it, to be honest. We are clear in our mind.”

Craig Foster is predicting that Australian fans will see a whole new starting XI again when the Socceroos face Paraguay on Friday.

Tony Popovic has made several big calls in his first two games with the team at the World Cup, but only one of those starting line-ups managed to end in a win.

The US exposed flaws within Australia’s attack and defence. A win or draw against Paraguay is now needed to ensure that the Socceroos get out of the group stage.

And while many fans will be calling to see certain young faces start on Friday, Foster is unsure that all those calls may be answered.

“You never quite know with Popa,” Foster told Nine’s Today.

“Both line-ups were very surprising in different ways and one paid off.

“He rightly got amazing credit here in Australia. He was being spoken about as an amazing leader, which was great because that is coaching.

“He made some big calls leaving (Nestory) Irankunda and (Connor) Metcalfe off, it didn’t pay off. But that is what coaching the Socceroos is like.

“It wasn’t just that because the USA did do a job on us. If we can get that second half in the first half, we will be in a great position.

“I think we will see a different line-up in the third game.”

A second-place finish will be the most ideal spot for the Socceroos to be, with round of 32 opponent set to be either Iran, New Zealand or Belgium.

If they finish third, they could be tasked with a fierce European nation.

“If we finish third, we will get one of the best eight which could be Portugal, France - who we’ve just had enough of in World Cups - or Germany,” Foster added.

“(Second in the group) is a great position to be in. All we need is a draw or a win, which will make it certain.”

This could be HUGE!

Belgium’s Nathan Ngoy has been shown the red card by the referee after getting his contact on Iran’s Mehdi Taremi all wrong.

Taremi looked to make a clever run into the middle of the pitch when he was dragged down by Ngoy, who clipped him in the face and the chest before pulling him backwards.

Had he not done that, it is likely Taremi would have run away and been a good chance to taking a shot at goal.

It was a big call but Belgium’s Rudi Garcia could see the card coming.

He becomes the eighth player at this World Cup to be shown red.

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