Australia manager Tony Popovic has made clear that recovery — both physical and emotional — is the immediate priority for his squad following their impressive 2-0 victory over Türkiye on Saturday, even as the prospect of facing co-hosts the United States looms on the horizon.

The Socceroos delivered a commanding performance to dispatch Türkiye and advance in the tournament, but Popovic knows the hard work is far from over. The United States represent a formidable next challenge, and the Australian bench boss is already turning his attention to that fixture.

Popovic acknowledged the toll the Türkiye match took on his players, stressing that the squad must be given the time and support to recharge before they can focus fully on the USMNT clash. The emotional weight of a high-stakes knockout encounter, combined with the physical demands of the game, means Australia will need to be at their sharpest to compete with the co-hosts on their home soil.