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“Pressure Mounts on Socceroos as New Coach Tony Popovic Faces Must-Win Clash Against China”

Low expectations in China are adding pressure on the Socceroos as they prepare for their World Cup qualifying match. Australia's opponents in Adelaide are still in search of their first point in this stage of qualification, making the stakes even higher for the Socceroos. Group C of the third round of Asia’s World Cup qualification initially appeared challenging, but for Australia, it has turned into a tough situation. With only one point from matches against Bahrain and Indonesia, the team's performance has not gone as planned. This situation became even more dramatic with the recent resignation of as head coach, followed by the appointment of . Popovic's first match in charge will be against China in Adelaide on Thursday, and it is crucial for the team to secure a win, especially with a tough match against group leaders Japan looming just five days later. On a positive note, Popovic has a proven track record in Asian football, having led the to victory in the in 2014. One of the highlights of that campaign was a semi-final win against the Chinese powerhouse , a time when Chinese football was gaining significant recognition on the global stage.

Question 1: What is the current situation of the Socceroos in the World Cup qualifying campaign?

Answer: The Socceroos have had a disappointing start in Group C of the third round of Asia’s World Cup qualification, earning only one point from matches against Bahrain and Indonesia.

Question 2: Who has recently resigned as the coach of the Socceroos, and who has been appointed as the new coach?

Answer: Graham Arnold has resigned as the coach of the Socceroos, and Tony Popovic has been appointed as his replacement.

Question 3: Why is the upcoming match against China considered a must-win for the Socceroos?

Answer: The match against China is considered a must-win due to the Socceroos' poor start in the qualification campaign and the upcoming challenging match against group leaders Japan.

Question 4: What experience does Tony Popovic bring to his new role as the Socceroos' coach?

Answer: Tony Popovic has experience in achieving results in Asia, notably leading Western Sydney Wanderers to victory in the Asian Champions League in 2014, including a significant win over Guangzhou Evergrande.

Question 5: How are the expectations for the Chinese team in this qualifying round, and how does it affect the Socceroos?

Answer: The expectations for the Chinese team are low, which puts additional pressure on the Socceroos to perform well and secure a victory in their upcoming match.