Australia's World Cup Performance: Popovic's Tactical Changes and Emerging Talents

After a week of criticism over his selections for the USA game, the anticipation for the 11 that Tony Popovic would roll out to face Paraguay was palpable.

Speculation and discussion dominated the travelling press pack.

But not even the most optimistic would have predicted Popovic would make six changes — the most ever by an Australian side at a World Cup — and drop his only true out-and-out striker.

Some would argue this was the attacking line-up he should have picked for the USA game.

The decision to leave Mo Toure on the bench saw Australia start with Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe and Cristian Volpato in attack.

"It's a tournament, it's the biggest game that we play to go through, and this is the best team for that," Popovic said pre-game.

From the opening minutes, after a few loose touches, Volpato demonstrated his talent, often the focal point of Australia's forays forward.

Starting on the right, he looked capable of creating something special every time the ball came his way.

He almost unlocked the defence in the 11th minute with a series of stepovers as he drove into the Paraguay box and had a shot saved just before half-time.

His combination with Jordy Bos, who played as a right wing-back, caused Paraguay no end of problems.

When he was subbed out in the 58th minute, no player had made more dribbles than the winger.

But for all the flare and pizzazz Volpato and Bos provided, there were no goals. The lack of a clinical striker was on sharp display against a Paraguayan side that threatened little in attack and defended deep.

This is a problem Australia need to fix if they want to go further than any Socceroos side before them. They have scored just twice in three games from 14 shots on target.

A teenager with the world at his feet

At 18, Lucas Herrington is composed beyond his years. Paraguay targeted the teenager early in the first half, but he calmly dealt with everything that came his way.

"He's a very cool and calm young man. I've got big wraps on him for the future, but I trust him enough to play in a crucial game," Popovic said before the game.

Herrington's performance, albeit against a poor opponent, does raise the question of why Popovic waited until this game to play him.

At half-time, no-one had completed more passes — 47 at a success rate of 96 per cent — and only Harry Souttar had more touches.

He was excellent against Mexico and Switzerland in the pre-tournament games and looked at home alongside Souttar and Alessandro Circati. Now he's carried that form into the tournament proper.

In Herrington, Australia could have found its next great defender, and it's hard to see him not being selected for the Socceroos round of 32 match next week.