Former Socceroos Coach Backs Popovic's Football Style

By Brendan Mounter

ABC Far North

Topic: FIFA World Cup

Friday, 26 June 2026, 8:37 am

Frank Farina watches his Socceroos play Jamaica in 2003.

In short:

Former Socceroos coach Frank Farina thinks Tony Popovic will make good decisions in the game against Paraguay.

Farina coached the Socceroos for six years but did not get to the World Cup.

Farina believes the current players need time to become as good as Australia's 'golden generation'.

The Socceroos are getting ready to play Paraguay to get a spot in the next round of the FIFA World Cup.

Few people know the pressure of being a coach better than Frank Farina, who led the national team for 58 games.

Farina said, 'I've heard it all before, everybody's an expert.'

As a coach, you make decisions based on what you see in training and games.

Some people think Popovic is a hero in one game and not so good in the next, but that's part of the job.

Tony Popovic talks to the Socceroos at a training camp in Florida.

But Farina, who coached Popovic, supports him and likes his style of football.

Farina said, 'The way Popovic sets up the team is great, it's a counter-attacking team.'

Nestory Irankunda is one of the players who can help with counter-attacks.

Farina hopes to see the Socceroos' attacking players do well against Paraguay.

Farina said, 'If you're counter-attacking, you need players with pace and who can hold the ball.'

Irankunda and Volpato are players who can do this, but Farina is not part of the squad, so he doesn't know what will happen.

But I'm not part of the squad, so I don't know what they'll do.

No 'golden generation' yet

Farina was the coach when the Socceroos had players like Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill.

Australia's 'golden generation' had players like Harry Kewell, John Aloisi, and Tim Cahill.

Farina says the current squad is not as good as the 'golden generation', but they are promising.

When Farina coached, all the players were playing in top European leagues, which is different now.

But this squad is competitive, and many players are young and just starting their careers.

They just need time, and we'll see how they do.

Different times

Farina never made it to the World Cup as a player or coach.

Farina lost a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay in 2001 and was replaced as coach in 2005.

Frank Farina talks to Tim Cahill at Socceroos training.

The best part of Farina's coaching career was when the Socceroos beat France in the Confederations Cup.

Farina's team finished third after beating Brazil, who won the World Cup the next year.

Farina's team also beat England in a friendly game.

Despite not getting to the World Cup, Farina has no hard feelings and doesn't think about what could have been.

Farina said, 'I wore the shirt, I coached the shirt, in very different times.'

It's an argument that could go on forever, but it's just how it was.

Frank Farina watches the Socceroos play in London.

Farina stopped coaching in 2016 after leading the Fiji under-23 team to the Olympics.

Farina has no plans to coach again but still loves football and the Socceroos.

Farina said, 'I'm a big Socceroos fan.'

I love watching football and the World Cup, and it's great to see the Socceroos playing since 2006.

Friday, 26 June 2026, 8:37 am

Friday, 26 June 2026, 10:31 am

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