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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

we need the magic delivery from Goodwin. But one thing we know Burgess and Rowles are not great in the air.
 
I can't believe that Arzani and Tilio got selected ahead of Irankunda. Davidson? Had one good world cup and that is it. Borello and Taggart? I could cope with one but no Botic? I wasn't expecting much from Poppa but even that was too much to expect from Poppa.
 
DandyCasey said:
Expect to see....

--------------------Ryan
----Geria---Burgess---Rowles
Miller----O'Neill----Irvine----Behich
----Goodwin-----------Tilio or Boyle
-------------Yengi?(fitness) or Borrello

......little to no rotation
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Goodwin and Boyle narrow can work but the wing backs don't overlap as much as they should and neither can do much on the ball. Bloody horrible. We have so many good options not in the squad.

Popovic is now in the hole that he has a lot to justify and keep the camp happy.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
I can't believe that Arzani and Tilio got selected ahead of Irankunda. Davidson? Had one good world cup and that is it. Borello and Taggart? I could cope with one but no Botic? I wasn't expecting much from Poppa but even that was too much to expect from Poppa.
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I'm personally glad for the first 2 as to not lose the link to them. I'd taken them over Leckie.

Davidson has been doing well in Greece and Elder is simply a ghost. The experience he brings is valuable.

Borrello and Taggart are so lucky. For me it's about the players actually getting chances and good service. It's useless otherwise.
 
I think Grant might start in China given his height and Asian experience. Maybe Trewin to debut. I'd take that for Geria to then be RWB.
 
JS96 said:
I'm personally glad for the first 2 as to not lose the link to them. I'd taken them over Leckie.

Davidson has been doing well in Greece and Elder is simply a ghost. The experience he brings is valuable.

Borrello and Taggart are so lucky. For me it's about the players actually getting chances and good service. It's useless otherwise.
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Tilio himself has said that he needs to work his way back to form after a long lay off. Given Poppa's comment about Arzani earlier this year, I don't think anything has changed, no goals and few assists. Contrast that to Irankunda who has been named player of the month in the Swiss league, scoring and assisting.
I get that Taggart is not getting much service but all that means is that we don't know his form. Borello is tireless off the ball but as a #9 he is not scoring as much as he should. I don't mind having one or the other but not both.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
Tilio himself has said that he needs to work his way back to form after a long lay off. Given Poppa's comment about Arzani earlier this year, I don't think anything has changed, no goals and few assists. Contrast that to Irankunda who has been named player of the month in the Swiss league, scoring and assisting.
I get that Taggart is not getting much service but all that means is that we don't know his form. Borello is tireless off the ball but as a #9 he is not scoring as much as he should. I don't mind having one or the other but not both.
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That's right and Popovic is becoming very inconsistent with his justifications.
 
JS96 said:
Goodwin and Boyle narrow can work but the wing backs don't overlap as much as they should and neither can do much on the ball. Bloody horrible. We have so many good options not in the squad.

Popovic is now in the hole that he has a lot to justify and keep the camp happy.
Click to expand...
Goodwin needs space to operate in, I don't think it suits him.

Wingbacks, I agree.

Teague? How does he make a squad so light on in midfield?

Taggart? Is their more upside in selecting a young'un? unsure he will get minutes.

One positive Triantis, lots of cover at the back, hopefully he gets some minutes in midfield.
 
jas88 said:
Arzani ain't even playing much is he? No Botic? come on the kid is top scorer.

Just not sure how we will score goals?

Feel bad for Balard but we just got so much depth there.
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Are Teague and Caceres better than Balard though?
 
jas88 said:
Nope they have both played under poppa I think, he just picks mates.
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Caceres has not played under Popa at club level.However Arzani and Velupillay probably owe their selection to the fact that they are MV boys.Teague 's selection is reasonable based on this season's form though Balard is very unlucky
 
DandyCasey said:
Goodwin needs space to operate in, I don't think it suits him.

Wingbacks, I agree.

Teague? How does he make a squad so light on in midfield?

Taggart? Is their more upside in selecting a young'un? unsure he will get minutes.

One positive Triantis, lots of cover at the back, hopefully he gets some minutes in midfield.
Click to expand...
Yeah I fear the same issues of Bos and Goodwin smothering each other will occur. We end up flat and suffocate the opponent in the final 3rd but can't score. Then Irvine somehow ends up on the left wing and Behich on the goal line offside. I much prefer a 433.
 
It's not a tournament so it's less alarming. We need 15-17 blokes for 2 games. Ironic that Duke is out and no new strikers are listed. I know it's ages back but Taggart and Boyle linked up very well when they played together.
 
Indonesia 11

Ryan
Geria Trewin Burgess Rowles Behich
O'Neill Irvine
Boyle Goodwin
Taggart

China 11

Ryan
Karacic Degenek Grant Burgess Davidson
Triantis
Teague
Arzani Yengi Goodwin

Benefit here is you can let Karacic roam forward and Degenek is a tidy RB from the WC and Davidson can slot back.
 
Going on the little I have seen of him, Grant is able to use his head at both ends of the park, so that will cover the issues we have had with Burgess and Rowles. I remember that Davidson was responsible for keeping players on side in Brazil, particularly against the Netherlands. Hopefully he has learnt.
 
We've got something of a tradition of raw centre backs coming in and doing a job. DeVere in the Germany friendly was brilliant. Wright and Rowles in the playoffs. Dellbridge NZ away and Jurman against Syria and Honduras. Burgess settled in very nicely.

I think Grant will look fine and here's hoping we have quick relief that he's off the grade.
 
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