"If we can improve on this performance we can win the game."
These were the words of Socceroos boss Tony Popovic after his sides nervy 3-1 win over China, discussing Australia's next game in Saitama against Japan.
Anyone who watched the China game - where the Socceroos fell behind - or who has any knowledge of the recent history between Australia and Japan will think Popovic is ambitious to say the least.
The Socceroos have only beaten Japan twice in the 21st century and have never won in Japan.
MORE: Socceroos World Cup qualifying results, standings | Socceroos fixtures
The Blue Samurai are also in far better form than Australia; Japan has won all four third round qualifiers so far without conceding, whilst the Socceroos have lost to Bahrain and home and drawn to Indonesia already.
Japan has the likes of Karou Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo and Takumi Minamino all in Europe's top leagues; Australia doesn't have a single player playing regularly in the same competitions.
On paper it's clear who the winner will be (or at least who the loser won't be), after all even the all-conquering Ange Postecoglou was never able to beat Japan during his spell in charge, so how could Popovic in just his second game in charge?
That line of thinking could be a dangerous one; time and time again in his coaching career, the 51-year-old has proven he thrives as the underdog when no one believes in him or his team, whilst also getting an almost instant buy-in and impact on his squad.
At the Perth Glory he lifted them from midtable mediocrity to a minor-premiership and grand final appearance in his first season.
At the Melbourne Victory he took over a side that had just finished bottom of the table and led them to an Australia Cup victory and eventually a grand final in his tenure.
But it was at his first club the Western Sydney Wanderers where he achieved this to the most extraordinary extent.
This expansion side started from the ground up in just weeks, signing players who were discarded by other A-League sides or from abroad. They failed to score in their first three games, and were beginning to be looked at as a joke.
He would then lead them to a minor premiership and two grand finals in his first two seasons, but most incredibly would win the Asian Champions League with the Wanderers in 2014, becoming the first Australian side to win it, and doing it at their first attempt.
When speaking to those close to Popovic, it becomes clear none of these achievements were flukes or came across Popovic by accident, it is in his nature and DNA to aim as high as possible.
Former Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas recounts a story that backs this up in a COPA90 documentary: "He shows me this presentation and - no word of a lie - it says 'performance, points, league champions' and at the bottom it says 'champions of Asia'.
"There was nothing around, and he says 'I wanna show this to the boys', and I said 'hold on till we get 11 players!'"
This shows quotes like the one after the China win aren't simply to keep the media happy or to curry favour with the fans, he truly believes he and his team can pull off what other people see as impossible.
He's done it in his playing career in the Premier League and as a member of the Socceroos' famed golden generation, and he's done it as a coach where he has knocked off some of the biggest teams in China, Japan, and Korea.
How has he done it in the past? By conditioning them to work harder and longer than anyone else, and through solid defence, and instilling a belief in the players that they can achieve anything
It's not going to be easy for the first two to happen for the Japan clash given he has only been in the job for two weeks, but there's little doubt he is already hard at work making these Socceroos players the mental warriors he wants and needs them to be.
It's perhaps poignant the trip to Saitama and Japan - a country where Popovic played in as a player - is coming as the 10-year anniversary to the Asian Champions League victory fast approaches.
On that November night, Popovic's Wanderers used all their grit and determination, combined with a bit of lady luck, to win the Champions League in front of 60,000 screaming fans in Riyadh.
The stakes won't be as high in Saitama, but the crowd and atmosphere will be similar, yet by kick-off there is a good chance every single one of the men in green and gold will have full belief they can go out there and win the game.
It feels a sharp contrast to how the mood and atmosphere felt under previous coach Graham Arnold, who often bemoaned the 'lack of cattle' at his disposal as Australia boss. Don't expect to see the same from Popovic.
10 years ago, Popovic told the Wanderers to fear none and conquer all. They did that.
Now can he do the same for the Socceroos as they look to reassert themselves as one of the top teams in Asia?
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
