Popovic sets sights on creating Socceroos history

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says there's nothing to fear in the "beautiful challenge" of defeating Japan on their home soil for the first time.

Popovic, on debut as Australia's coach, oversaw a 3-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier against China in Adelaide on Thursday night.

But almost immediately, he turned his attention to Tuesday night's encounter against Japan - Asia's highest-ranked football nation - in Saitama.

Australia have never beaten the Samurai Blues in Japan, with four losses and three draws.

And the Socceroos' last victory against the world No.16 was in 2009.

Ominously, Japan extended their lead in Group C with a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.

Japan, unbeaten in three games, top the six-nation group with nine points, and Australia (four points) climb to second ahead of Saudi Arabia (four points) on goal difference.

"Obviously, it's a big challenge but also a big opportunity as well, to win in Japan," Popovic said after the win over China.

"We can get better. If we can improve on this performance, we can win the game, that (improvement) is really key.

"You're going to Japan to play the best team at the moment - it's a beautiful challenge and I can't wait, I hope the players are really excited for it."

For Popovic, who was announced as Graham Arnold's replacement as Australia's coach on September 23, the trip to Japan also carries personal significance.

Popovic spent four seasons as a player in Japan with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. His captain was Hajime Moriyasu, who is now Japan's coach.

"There is nothing to fear. Full of respect for Japan," Popovic said.

"I know the coach very well because he was my captain when I played in Japan - a wonderful person who's been there several years now.

"And you can see the evolution of Japanese football and how he's changed, bringing players in and out, how they have improved their style of play, so I am very happy for him.

"We have to go there with confidence but also knowing that if we improve on the details that we showed in Adelaide, we give ourselves a chance, which is what we want to do - we want to win both of these games."

The victory against China - Australia's first in three games in the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup - lifted the Socceroos to second on goal-difference in the six-nation group. Japan, the leaders, are unbeaten.

Against China, the Australians conceded the first goal before hitting back with a triple treat from Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin and debutant Nishan Velupillay delivering Popovic a first-up win.

"So much has happened in two weeks ... some of it has been a bit of a blur to be honest with you," Popovic said.

"There's so much to do over two weeks and in particular when you want to change the entire way of playing, with a different system.

"We have put in a lot of work, so the focus has really been on that.

"Before the game, when the players were warming up, I had a chat to my wife and my kids, and you think 'this is something quite special'.

"So there's a lot of pride, and obviously the family is extremely proud of me.

"Putting that aside, when the game started, it just felt great, just everything felt right.

"I just felt at ease with the group, at ease with the staff.

"Even at one-nil down, I thought we were in total control of the game, we just weren't really doing much and enough in the front third.

"They had one shot and scored, so I felt that if we could remain calm and positive - and the players showed that throughout the game, so I'm pleased for them because it has been a big change for them."