Ahead of the Australia's crunch clash against Japan on Tuesday night, Mitch Duke talks about life under Tony Popovic, taking on their Asian rivals and more.
Duke, currently residing in Japan with J. League side Machida Zelvia, is relishing the build-up and the challenge of playing at Saitama Stadium 2002 after Australia's 3-1 win over China in Adelaide.
Here's what he had to say when he spoke to the media.
On the victory over China
It was more just 'job done'; a good reaction and what the boss wanted us to do. He’s [Tony Popovic] only had a short time to instill his playing style and philosophy, and I thought the boys did really well. Obviously, not off to the best start with conceding a goal early, but he was very happy with our reaction and not losing our composure and just getting the job done.
On the Socceroos' performance
I think we probably had a few wayward passes against China, but once those connections start to improve, our football’s only going to get better and better. Once those passes start to stick and those combinations start working, I think you can see what we tried [against China], and when we start making them stick, we can create a lot more chances. And for me as a striker, that’ll be brilliant to try get more chances like that as well. He’s had such a short time to instill this with the boys, and everyone’s taking that on board and really tried to do it. Even though we went 1-0 down, no one panicked, no one started just popping long balls, and we believed in what we were doing and we got the job done.
On playing in a Tony Popovic team
You can see from the game last night, we are trying to get our connections a bit better, the way he wants us to play, making sure we’re all surrounding, say, the striker, making sure the supporting strikers are close by for bounces and things like that. You can see we had maybe a few wayward passes which we can’t afford to give away to Japan, because they can punish you with their quality, so we need to tidy those things up. And then obviously how we conceded the goal, in moments like that as well. And then also in reaction with their counterattacks to make sure we get back, because it’ll be a different level of quality in playing against Japan.
On Popovic's coaching style
It’s very different. He got us in once the boys arrived and gave us a speech about what his standards, expectations and everything are. Making sure that we take accountability for what we do, individually and collectively. And that could be small percentages of what you do, either with your diet, your sleep, what you do on the pitch and making sure you do everything at 110%. He’s also mentioned as well that he’s ready to take accountability, if the standards are not up to scratch in whatever circumstance, not to be afraid to communicate that to him. It’s been really good, because he’s had such a short time with a fresh group of boys, and I think everyone got on board as soon as that messaging was put out to us when everyone arrived.
On the mentality against Japan
Once all the boys got together in camp, the boss got us together and started speaking about his expectations, what he wants out of the group, and what he wants us to do as individuals to prepare for games like that. There’s no reason why we can’t beat anyone on our day, and we need to have that belief, and that’s the approach. We’re not going into this with a point mentality just to not lose, we’re going there for the three points.
On playing at Saitama Stadium 2002
I’ve done well - the last time I was there, I won with my club. So I've definitely got a good feeling there, which is good. I’m very familiar, having been in Japan for so long, with the Japanese playing style in general. I’ve got a few teammates in the team as well, which will be nice, and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great stadium, a great atmosphere and a great chance for us to really shock the favourites.
Match Details
Japan v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Saitama Stadium 2002, Tokyo
Kick-off: 7.35pm local (9.35pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+