Straight Yellow - Football Podcast

Popovic plays poker before Socceroos' Paraguay decider! | Straight Yellow

Straight Yellow - Football Podcast

Show Notes

Straight Yellow comes live from Santa Clara as part of the Fanatics World Cup Tour, just hours before Australia's crucial World Cup clash with Paraguay.

Adam Peacock is joined by former Socceroos Aaron Mooy, Alex Tobin and Brad Smith outside the stadium to capture the nerves, excitement and final questions before kick-off.

The boys discuss Tony Popovic keeping the team sheet under wraps, the forced changes with Jacque Italiano and Matt Leckie unavailable, how Australia handle Paraguay's low-possession style, why conceding early would be dangerous, and how the Socceroos can stay calm against a streetwise South American opponent.

They also talk about Guus Hiddink's famous pre-game approach with Tony Popovic in 2005, the atmosphere outside the stadium, latest World Cup results, South Africa and Ecuador's huge wins, the USA vs Turkey dead rubber, Australia vs Paraguay odds and final score predictions before heading inside for one of the biggest Socceroos games in recent history.

0:00 - Intro 4:45 - Live from Santa Clara before Australia vs Paraguay 5:13 - Socceroos nerves before the biggest game 6:29 - Popovic keeps the team sheet secret 7:04 - Italiano, Leckie and selection changes 8:15 - Paraguay's low-possession threat 9:50 - Keeping cool against South American edge 11:11 - Hiddink story and Popovic's dressing-room mood 13:02 - How Australia vs Paraguay could play out 15:20 - Group results, odds and final predictions Head to www.fanatics.tv for more football insights & banter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Straight Yellow - Football Podcast

Oct 23, 2026

⚽ Welcome to Straight Yellow Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

Oct 19, 2026

One A-League club is reportedly stopping a young star from going to the U17 World Cup. Robbie Slater says if it's true, it's a disgrace. This week on Straight Yellow, Adam Peacock and Robbie Slater get stuck into a massive weekend of football. Man United fight hard at Elland Road but leave without the three points. Brighton blow Palace away early. And Robbie makes a huge call: Newcastle's new manager will do well to make it to Christmas. Then it's home to round one of the A-League. The Sydney Derby had a big crowd and a great atmosphere, but Robbie says the football was the worst he's ever seen in a derby. Auckland v Melbourne City and the F3 Derby showed what round one should look like. Plus Robbie tells his story about his last game, the big question of where the Australian Championship goes from here, and why Football Australia and the APL have to be on the same page. Drop your questions in the comments and we'll get to them later in the week. Like and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Oct 16, 2026

The A-League is back, and Robbie Slater says it’s time for Australian football to stop whingeing and get behind it. Adam Peacock and Robbie are back together for a big week. They cover the A-League’s return, why the World Cup proved it’s the best place in the country for young players, and why SBS never said so on air. They also get into South Melbourne’s Australia Cup win and whether it earns them an A-League spot (it doesn’t, yet), Perth Glory’s pay troubles, and Sam Cosgrove’s fiery clash with a journalist in Auckland. Then it’s the Premier League. Lisandro Martinez has torched Manchester United’s hierarchy, and the boys ask whether this is the start of another disaster season at Old Trafford before giving their tips for the round. Along the way Robbie tells the full story of the worst cross in Fox Sports News history, plus the 9am phone call that ended with him telling Michael Cockerill exactly where to go. Like, subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Straight Yellow.

Oct 12, 2026

Former Liverpool defender and Socceroo Brad Smith joins The Straight Yellow for a massive football discussion covering Liverpool’s 3–0 defeat to Manchester City, the controversy surrounding City’s Premier League charges, and what it all means for the integrity of English football. Brad shares his thoughts on Liverpool’s performance, the controversial red card, Florian Wirtz’s big-money price tag, and the pressure facing Liverpool’s new-look full-backs. We also dive into the potential punishments facing Manchester City, the impact on Liverpool’s famous 2013–14 title race, and whether football history could look very different. Closer to home, Brad reflects on the Socceroos’ impressive performances against Brazil, his own international career and World Cup disappointment, and South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph. Could South Melbourne be the club to help take the A-League forward? And is promotion and relegation realistic in Australian football? An honest, wide-ranging conversation with a former Premier League player who has experienced the game at the highest level.

Oct 8, 2026

The international break is finally over, and the Premier League is returning with a bang!

See all episodes →