The Socceroos will have to quickly move on from Thursday night's 0-0 home draw with Saudi Arabia, when a lack of clinical edge proved costly, ahead of taking on Bahrain in Riffa on Tuesday (Wednesday morning AEDT).
Bahrain beat Australia 1-0 on the Gold Coast in the disastrous start to the campaign under Popovic's predecessor Graham Arnold.
Now with group C particularly tight - behind leaders Japan (10 points), three teams - Australia, Saudi Arabia and China have six points and Bahrain five - the reverse fixture looms as a pivotal one.
China beat Bahrain 1-0 courtesy of a 91st minute winner to add some extra chaos to the mix.
"This group's really tight behind Japan, all these teams," defender Jason Geria said.
"Very tight. And China did us a little bit of a favour but I think we need to just focus on just winning our games."
The Socceroos have been left with food for thought with their World Cup chances on a knife-edge. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
None are more aware of the game's importance than coach Tony Popovic.
"Of course, it's important," Popovic said.
"We know it's a huge game in Bahrain and we need a much better performance than we had here, where we lost 1-0.
"So if we can improve that performance, then we've got a chance to win."
The horrendous home performance against Bahrain was the beginning of the end for Arnold, who finished up after the subsequent 0-0 draw with Indonesia.
But in three games under Popovic, the Socceroos have gone unbeaten.
"You can feel the structure of the team is clearer, the game plan," midfielder Jackson Irvine said.
Jackson Irvine can see improvements in the Socceroos' game under their new manager. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
"We can feel on the pitch that we can see exactly what it is we're trying to do.
"We're facing totally different ways of football, but we're still sticking to what we're trying to do, and we're finding solutions, good enough solutions, probably should have won us the game."
Irvine and midfield partner Aiden O'Neill lamented a lack of clinical finishing - which will be crucial against a Bahrain defence expected to hunker down.
Geria stressed Australia had created "clear-cut chances" against the Saudis and backed his attacking teammates to deliver.
He is also ready for if Bahrain try to frustrate the Socceroos with time wasting or other tactics.
"That's the number one thing, is to not get frustrated," he said.
"Sticking to what we're trying to do and not letting the referee or tactics from them affect how we apply ourselves in the game. Because that can happen in these games."
The VAR is working overtime in Melbourne, and the — 10 Football (@10FootballAU) @Socceroos are counting their blessings!Here's @SaudiNT_EN's Disallowed Goal, and what made the entire stadium wait with baited breath!#AUSvKSA | #Socceroos | #AsianQualifiers | Live & Free @Channel10AU | https://t.co/M14OJmndRV pic.twitter.com/r4UY71pjDBNovember 14, 2024
Attacker Riley McGree insisted Australia were "only going in the right direction", as did goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
"We're definitely in a better spot than where we were a few months ago, that's for sure," Gauci said.
The Socceroos will wait on an update on Nishan Velupillay (ankle) and Popovic said it was "too early" to think about a potential replacement for the Melbourne Victory attacker.
But they will regain key creative outlet Craig Goodwin from suspension.
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