Sunday 4 October 2026
Afternoon EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
Australia

Ancelotti praises 'really good' Socceroos after Brazil's 4-2 win in Brisbane

Brazil coach detects 'stylistic shift' in Australia's high-pressing approach since the World Cup

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has offered high praise for Tony Popovic's Socceroos, describing them as 'a really good team' after a 4-2 victory in Brisbane on Tuesday night, while noting a clear tactical evolution from Australia's World Cup campaign earlier this year.

Across a decorated 30-year coaching career, Carlo Ancelotti has seen almost everything in soccer. But after Tuesday night's 4-2 result in Brisbane, the Brazil coach said Tony Popovic's Socceroos surprised him with their new approach.

"They played differently today," Ancelotti said, having detected a clear stylistic shift from Australia since the World Cup a few months ago. "Honestly, I have to say they pressed really well, with high intensity. They are really well-organised, and they surprised us in this sense ... they put much more pressure in front, and we had more difficulty to build up from the back."

Ancelotti described Australia as a "really good team" with "really powerful players, well-organised, strong in the duels," adding that "in modern football there are no easy teams."

The result did not go Australia's way, but the performance marked a significant step forward. The contrast with the World Cup was stark, with the Socceroos daring to play and matching Brazil for long periods. The team is building towards January's Asian Cup, with injured players Jordan Bos, Mohamed Toure and Cristian Volpato still to return. The window may be remembered as the moment this new generation of Socceroos took a great leap forward.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The performance signals a genuine tactical evolution under Tony Popovic, moving from the World Cup approach toward a high-pressing, organised style that can compete with top-tier nations.
  • With the Asian Cup in January, Australia's growing depth and confidence could make them serious contenders, especially as key injured players return.
  • Ancelotti's unsolicited praise provides external validation that the Socceroos are on the right track, boosting morale and credibility on the world stage.

Background

The Socceroos' World Cup campaign a few months ago was physically aggressive but often defensive. Under Tony Popovic, the team is now attempting a more proactive style, pressing high and building from the back. Tuesday's match against Brazil in Brisbane was a test of this evolution, and while the result was a 4-2 loss, the performance drew rare compliments from one of the game's most accomplished coaches.

Key Perspectives

Socceroos and Coach Tony Popovic: The team is showing a clear stylistic shift toward high intensity and organisation, suggesting a planned post-World Cup tactical evolution or players better executing the coach's demands. The near-future looks bright with young talent integrating. Brazil and Coach Carlo Ancelotti: Ancelotti acknowledged Australia's quality and admitted his team struggled to build up play under pressure. While Brazil's individual talent ultimately decided the match, he recognised Australia as a well-organised, powerful side. Critics/Skeptics: The result was still a loss, and some may question whether a 4-2 defeat can be called progress. Consistency against Asian Cup opponents will be the real test.

What to Watch

  • Australia's performance in January's Asian Cup, particularly how the high-pressing style holds up in tournament conditions.
  • The return of injured players Jordan Bos, Mohamed Toure and Cristian Volpato, who could add further quality.
  • Whether the tactical shift becomes a permanent identity or a temporary adjustment.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe