Don’t underestimate what the Socceroos have just achieved.

Only 10 other nations have an active streak of six (or more) consecutive World Cup appearances: Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Spain, England, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, France, Portugal ... and now Australia.

Wednesday morning’s 2-1 victory away to Saudi Arabia has capped off a terrific qualification campaign – and one of the best international windows for the Socceroos in recent memory, after last week’s rare 1-0 win over Japan. Yes, it was “easier” since the World Cup has expanded to 48 teams, but to not lose to either of those two sides is a massive effort, and one that most fans thought was beyond coach Tony Popovic’s side.

Though they have hardly set the world on fire with their performances under Popovic, they are undefeated in eight games since he took over. And it’s important to remember the situation he walked into.

Graham Arnold stepped down two matches into this qualifying phase, having overseen a disastrous 1-0 defeat at home to Bahrain and then a 0-0 draw away to Indonesia that left hopes of a direct berth for the 2026 World Cup in serious peril. Appointed on September 23, Popovic had less than two weeks until he had to name his first squad.

In those circumstances, Popovic’s first, second and third priority was qualifying by any means necessary. Time was of the essence. Everything else could wait.

With the job done, he now has a full year – more than any Socceroos coach has had before him – to prepare for the World Cup in North America, which will kick off on June 11.

Between now and then, there are five international windows, and therefore 10 opportunities for friendly matches to tweak, test, and try things out before they have to front up on the game’s biggest stage.

These are the areas Popovic will need to address to ensure that they are ready for what’s ahead of them.

Under Popovic, the Socceroos have run a very tight ship in defence. The only goal Japan – the........

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