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Brazil have named seven new players and switched to a 4-3-3 for the second friendly against Australia in Brisbane, while Tony Popovic keeps an unchanged Socceroos side after the 1-1 draw in Townsville.
Brazil have named seven new players in their starting lineup for the second friendly against the Socceroos at Brisbane's Lang Park, with the side also shifting to a 4-3-3 formation.
The match kicks off with Australia looking to build on their late draw in Townsville and Brazil desperate to make amends for their disappointing start to the new international cycle. The Socceroos gave Brazil an enormous scare in Townsville, but are expecting a furious response from the five-time world champions in Brisbane. Australia coach Tony Popovic has stuck with the same starting XI that earned a late 1-1 draw last time out.
With only three games, including this one, before the Asian Cup, that is probably as close as we can expect to Popovic's strongest team. In Townsville, Brazil almost had their pants pulled down by a superb Socceroos display, salvaged only by the latest of late goals. Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring with a free kick of supreme quality, giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the second half.
Brazil coach Ancelotti faces intense pressure
Brazil equalised through Rayan's last-second header in the very last play of the match, in front of 25,440 fans. The result was a 1-1 draw in the first match of Brazil's new international cycle. The reaction in Brazil has been intense. Iconic commentator Galvao Bueno labelled the performance a disgrace.
Writing on X, he said the draw was disappointing and frustrating for the first match of the national team in this new cycle. He added that it was just a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the limited Australian national team, and that even worse, the equaliser by Rayan came in the very last play of the match. He said Ancelotti will have to work hard to fix this team and questioned whether it will be possible to fix it.
Brazil coach Ancelotti now faces pressure to fix the team quickly as they prepare for the second match in Brisbane. The Brazilian media and fans have not taken the Townsville result lightly, with Bueno's comments reflecting widespread frustration. The Socceroos are bracing for a chastened Brazilian bounce-back in Brisbane. There are fears of a repeat of the 1997 Confederations Cup, when Brazil responded to a 0-0 draw with Australia by winning 6-0 in a rematch a week later.
Tony Popovic warns Socceroos must improve
Popovic is well aware of the threat and said his team will need to improve on their strong performance in Townsville to stand a chance. He said whether Brazil can lift again and put in a better performance, he feels Australia will have to be better than they were to get a result in the next match.
He added that this takes nothing away from what they did, as it was a very good performance, but they should also look to see what areas they can improve in. Popovic has demanded bravery from his players against a fired-up Brazil. Tonight's match at Lang Park is a sell-out crowd for a soccer game at the venue, the first since the FIFA Women's World Cup third and fourth place play-off in 2023.
A wave of yellow, green and gold has descended on the stadium, with fans circling the entrances waiting for the gates to open. The gates have now opened and the crowd is flooding into the stands for what promises to be a special night of action. Brazil's lineup features Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, who has scored 14 goals in his last eight games for Barcelona playing in a false nine role.
Raphinha leads Brazil attack in Brisbane
Raphinha is expected to be comfortable playing up top, with Otavio also in the side. Australia's unchanged team reflects Popovic's plan to build continuity before the Asian Cup, with only three matches including this one remaining. The Socceroos, meanwhile, are focused on improving their own performance and handling the expected Brazilian backlash. With a sell-out crowd and a wave of Brazilian and Australian supporters filling Lang Park, the atmosphere is set for an intense contest.
Australia's unchanged lineup and Brazil's seven changes signal different approaches, but both teams are desperate for a positive result. The Socceroos are wary of a repeat of 1997, when Brazil turned a draw into a 6-0 demolition in the rematch. Popovic's side will need to be at their best to avoid a similar fate, as Brazil know they must respond to avoid another embarrassing result.
ABC Sport is covering the match live from Lang Park, with reporter Simon Smale on site for tonight's action.
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abcnews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Socceroos Vs Brazil Tony Popovic Lang Park Friendly Townsville Draw Brazil Backlash Brisbane Friendly Brazil Lineup Changes Lang Park Sell-Out
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