Popa points finger at virus, referee after Australia’s poor defeat
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Tony Popovic has revealed a virus swept through Socceroos camp on the eve of their 3-0 defeat to Colombia, rendering his players unable to train and praising them for their performance in the circumstances.
Wednesday’s (AEDT) loss at Citi Field in Queens, New York was the team’s third in succession – the first time that has happened in over 11 years, raising questions about how far Popovic’s defence-first tactical plan can take them at next year’s World Cup, and the lack of attacking imagination they have shown in his tenure as coach.
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Australia had only two shots to Colombia’s 16, with all three goals coming in the final 15 minutes after a contentious penalty forced them to go on the attack and leave spaces behind that were brutally exploited by the South Americans.
But any analysis of the match must be couched in Popovic’s post-match revelation that players and staff were bedridden due to sickness after their 1-0 defeat to Venezuela over the weekend in Houston, Texas, which partly explains why they fell away so badly late.
“They didn’t train on Sunday. The whole group was sick in bed,” Popovic said.
“We kept that quiet, because the players wanted to keep that quiet. So that’s a credit to them. I was happy to mention that, but the players wanted to keep that quiet.
“We had a virus through the whole squad, including the staff, so we were unable to train on Sunday. The entire day, everyone was in bed. We flew three hours here on Monday, and came here and put up a really good, brave performance. I’m actually surprised at how well they did, because physically they were clearly nowhere near it.”
Tony Popovic.Getty Images for Soccer Australia
Midfielder Aiden O’Neill said players experienced fever-like symptoms and that their display against Colombia – which was, until the goals, vastly improved – should be regarded as a credit to them and their mentalities.
“We could face this [at] the World Cup, so we had to get on with it and deal with it,” he said. “And I think we can be really proud of the fact that we were able to go out and perform at that level for a certain amount of time.”
Popovic was seething about the foul given by referee Tori Penso for the penalty that Colombia’s captain James Rodrigues converted in the 76th minute, which opened the floodgates as the Socceroos threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser.
Penso blew her whistle after spotting contact by Australian substitute Callum Elder on Santiago Arias, but replays suggested it was minimal.
Socceroos players speak with referee Tori Penso after her decision to give Colombia a penalty.AP
“It’s never a penalty. It’s the softest penalty you can see,” Popovic said.
“I’m sure we don’t get that tonight. It’s unfortunate to say that, but I’m sure it’s true. Without VAR, that’s such a soft penalty to give. The player has gone down ... [nobody] would have thought that was a penalty, but the referee gave it, which I’m very surprised she did.”
Defender Milos Degenek was even stronger, telling Paramount+ after the match that Penso had told players she had paid advantage for the foul before awarding the penalty: “We asked for an explanation, she has absolutely no idea what she’s done ... she’s killed the game there, and then the game’s just gone pear-shaped from there.”
3.23pm on Nov 19, 2025
MATCH REPORT: Socceroos stumble in World Cup tune-up
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The Socceroos will finish 2025 on a three-game losing streak and off the back of their heaviest defeat under Tony Popovic after collapsing to a 3-0 loss to Colombia.
Australia wanted a response from Saturday’s flat 1-0 loss to Venezuela and turned in a vastly improved performance, until Colombia skipper James Rodriguez converted a contentious penalty in the 76th minute.
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Superstar Luis Diaz added a second goal from a defensive mix-up in the 89th minute before Jefferson Lerma bundled home four minutes later at New York’s Citi Fields.
It was a particularly disappointing end given a back five marshalled by Milos Degenek had defended with aplomb for the first 75 minutes.
Australia showed far more intent to retain possession than they had against Venezuela, but still lacked precision going into attack as Colombia’s defence expertly isolated young striker Mohamed Toure.
The Socceroos have never beaten Colombia, who had 16 shots (eight on target) to two (one), in five attempts. Australia have now won just nine of 50 matches against South American opposition.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez acknowledges the crowd after the friendly win over Australia.Getty Images
It was the Socceroos’ final game before the World Cup draw on December 5, while they won’t be in action again until the March window. Australia’s pot for the draw is yet to be confirmed.
Popovic turned to experience against the world No.13, making five changes, while Paul Izzo was selected ahead of captain Maty Ryan and young gun Patrick Beach.
Jackson Irvine captained Australia in his first start in eight months, while Riley McGree started for the first time in a year after both players returned from injury against Venezuela.
Colombia showed early intent and Izzo palmed away a fierce strike from Bayern Munich star Diaz in the 23rd minute.
In first-half injury time, Lewis Miller was brought down on the edge of the box after an aggressive run and McGree forced an excellent diving save from Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Some five minutes into the second half, Toure tried his luck with an ambitious overhead kick but sent it over the bar.
Socceroo Riley McGree (right) vies with Colombia’s Richard Rios.AP
Kai Trewin and Degenek brilliantly thwarted Diaz on the turn in the 57th minute, while Johan Mojica fizzed a shot over the bar, with a helping hand from Izzo, in the 61st.
Colombia took the lead from the spot after Callum Elder was ruled to have fouled Santiago Arias, and Rodriguez dutifully sent Izzo the wrong way.
Popovic responded with a triple change, calling upon Nestory Irankunda, Martin Boyle and Paul Okon-Engstler to chase the game.
But Australia were unable to manufacture an equaliser and two defensive lapses proved costly.
The Socceroos defence got caught out by a long ball over the top and Izzo came out to try to defend Rafael Santos Borre, but it spilled to Diaz to tap home.
Then, Izzo saved Lerma’s initial header from a set piece, but the defender recovered to bundle home a third.
I have to mention for the players … they didn’t train on Sunday. The whole group was sick in bed. So we kept that quiet, because the players wanted to keep that quiet. So that’s a credit to them. I was happy to mention that, but the players wanted to keep that quiet.
We had a virus through the whole squad, including the staff, so we were unable to train Sunday - so the entire day, everyone was in bed. We flew three hours on Monday, came here and put up a really good, brave performance.
I’m actually surprised at how well they did, because physically, though, clearly nowhere near it.
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3.01pm on Nov 19, 2025
In other news... Curaçao has qualified for the World Cup!
By AP
Curaçao salvaged a 0-0 draw with Jamaica on Tuesday to become the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup and will be joined by CONCACAF sides Panama and Haiti which also booked their spots.
Curaçao finished as the only undefeated nation in the tournament and finished atop of Group B with 12 points to advance to the World Cup for the first time in its history.
Curaçao got the historic result it needed despite not having his coach Dick Advocaat. on the bench. The 78-year-old Advocaat missed the crucial match because he had to return to the Netherlands last weekend for family reasons.
Advocaat was at the helm of the Netherlands national team for three stints and managed South Korea, Belgium and Russia before taking the job with Curacao.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics in Curaçao, the country has a population of 156,115 persons as of last January. Iceland, with a population of just over 350,000 was the smallest country to reach the World Cup when it qualified for the tournament in Russia in 2018.
Panama advanced to its second World Cup after defeating El Salvador 3-0 on first-half goals from Cesar Blackman (17) and Erick Davis (45). Jose Luis Rodriguez (85) added a goal for the Panamanians, who have Russia 2018 as their only World Cup appearance.
Panama finished as the best team in Group A with 12 points while Suriname, which came into the last round leading the way on goal difference, lost 3-1 against Guatemala and finished in second place with nine points.
Haiti, a troubled Caribbean country, had a surprising campaign winning Group C over favorites Honduras and Costa Rica after beating Nicaragua 2-1.
Loicious Deedson opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Ruben Providence added a goal in the 45th. Haiti’s only previous trip to the World Cup was in Germany in 1974.
The Haitians finished with 11 points while Honduras had nine and Costa Rica finished with seven.
2.34pm on Nov 19, 2025
The full-time stats sheet makes for more grim reading
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2.31pm on Nov 19, 2025
FULL-TIME: Colombia 3-0 Australia
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The final whistle is blown.
Colombia prevail 3-0 on a disappointing night for the Socceroos, who fall once again to a CONMEBOL opponent - one that turned the screws in brutal fashion after that late penalty, which changed things, with all three goals coming in a 17-minute blitz.
That’s three consecutive defeats for Australia. Can’t remember the last time that happened.
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2.27pm on Nov 19, 2025
Make that 3-0 to Colombia...
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They’re not off the hook yet. Here’s a corner kick, and Colombia can sniff a third goal … James takes it, and there it is.
Izzo makes an initial save on Lerma but the Socceroos fail to clear the danger and someone prods it over the line. Not sure who it was. It is Lerma, actually, who recovers and taps it in.
That hurts.
James Rodriguez of Colombia celebrates with teammate Luis Diaz.Getty Images
Colombia 3-0 Australia, 90+3 minutes
2.24pm on Nov 19, 2025
And there it is … 2-0 to Colombia
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As the Socceroos push hard for an equaliser … they’re leaving gaps in defence. And a long ball from their goalkeeper has just undone them.
It sits perfectly for Borre is who goes one-on-one with Paul Izzo. He rushes out of his area, but can’t defuse the situation, and it falls for Luis Diaz, who passes it into an empty net.
Demoralising finish for Australia, with six minutes of added time to come.
Colombia 2-0 Australia, 90 minutes
2.21pm on Nov 19, 2025
Boyle brought down
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Yellow card for Jefferson Lerma as he chops down Martin Boyle, who was threatening to break away on the counter attack.
From the free kick that follows, the Socceroos turn it over straight away.
You can see Nestory Irankunda getting frustrated. He’s hardly had a sniff and looks desperate to spring forward and change things for Australia.
Colombia 1-0 Australia, 86 minutes
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2.16pm on Nov 19, 2025
Colombia sends on more fresh legs
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As Australia looks to attack more often, Colombia senses more opportunities in the other direction. So this game is heating up.
It’s a corner kick now for Colombia - on their right side, so expect an in-swinger from James.
As we wait for that to be taken, Yaser Asprilla is coming off, and so too is Guan Camilo Portilla. On comes Jefferson Lerma and Jorge Carrascal.
The corner, once it’s eventually taken, is cleared, but the Socceroos can’t hang onto the ball, so Colombia recycles possession and will look to mount another attack.