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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Watching Indonesia replay now. In hindsight it is like a cup game. A lively underdog wiry swift unpredictable movements and lapses that lead to conceding.
 
JS96 said:
Watching Indonesia replay now. In hindsight it is like a cup game. A lively underdog wiry swift unpredictable movements and lapses that lead to conceding.
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amazing how different games look on replay, keen on your thoughts when you are done. I'm too emotional to judge the game live haha

Only game I haven't watched the replay of was the away bahrain game.. Was too much pergutory for me
 
grazorblade said:
amazing how different games look on replay, keen on your thoughts when you are done. I'm too emotional to judge the game live haha

Only game I haven't watched the replay of was the away bahrain game.. Was too much pergutory for me
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Noticed a lot in the first half how Geria would pass to a narrow winger who'd flick it on. Our second goal came from that.

O'Neill kept the shape well and screened the area. There were a few moments where someone got it form on the sideline attractive 2-3 men and Irvine was a simple square ball away in the gap and then he has 30m to run and the wing back was high up ready to go to. We often played it back or lost it.

Just realised Miller's goal came from the parried Borrello chance. Behich was also at the far post so tomorrow need to keep doing things like that and hitting it across goal as the wingbacks should be lingering.

The Miller mix up where Ryan wanted to catch it was bad. Ryan wasn't happy. Had Indonesia made it 1-3 we may have had a longer shaky period. Arzani was nowhere. China is his opponent.
 
English born Browning went off hurt for China. He may miss this game. They got a red card too but that means they'll have fresh legs in.
 
Uzbekistan is something of a tricky spot I feel. They could qualify for their first WC tomorrow but are away to Iran. Iran are essentially there with only a GD turnaround the reason they won't make it. This is interesting in all 3 groups as certain H2H clashes to come limit the total points every team can get so we may see some confirmations of certain things very soon.

A draw will be very good for Uzbekistan. Qatar are in Bishkek while UAE are away to North Korea. Should both win it does heap pressure on Uzbekistan still as they'll face both Gulf nations in their final 2 games. I've entered 3 Uzbek losses and the 2 Gulf teams winning all their games (unlikely as Qatar host an already qualified Iran) and they could finish 4th in that case which would be a massive shame.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Has been injured forever. Hope his injuries don't hurt his career because I'd say Farrell is our best LB defender.

Bos could be the best LB attacker but Farrell wouldn't be far behind him.
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JBos has had a crap season regarding injury. Farrell has been injured for a long time since he left Oz. I think those two would be great to compete for the LB with the added benefit that JBos is quite versatile so he can play further up on the left but if need be can also play on the right.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Farrell has also done reasonably well as a stopgap CB
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I want these leaner selections. We pick Farrell and Bos so we have two left backs and one who can slot to LCB in an emergency. This allows for picks elsewhere. Arnold went wild on mids whereas Popovic hasn't. Tournaments need more mids and that was a big mistake at the Asian Cup.
 
BTW watching the replay. Miller did well, but that role is made for Metcalfe. his short passing and movement in those spaces would be great.
 
Three points tonight and we are almost there.However need to cut out our defensive errors.We could have been down 2 nil to Indonesia in the first 15 minutes.Poor marking at the set piece gave their player a clear header which led to Ryan's excellent save.Also Burgess completely missing the bouncing ball led to the penalty.If China replicate Indonesia's high press and we get flustered we could easily concede an early goal.
 
Is there anyway Australia could come out firing like our opponents do? It's typical to see the underdog do that as the higher level teams know the game is a marathon. It'd be nice to score on 8min and then the opponent must play.

I feel these lower level teams are better at spreading their players where they get back early and also go forward. The play is erratic and their passes see plenty of unconventional lines run and deflections.
 
JS96 said:
Is there anyway Australia could come out firing like our opponents do? It's typical to see the underdog do that as the higher level teams know the game is a marathon. It'd be nice to score on 8min and then the opponent must play.

I feel these lower level teams are better at spreading their players where they get back early and also go forward. The play is erratic and their passes see plenty of unconventional lines run and deflections.
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No, we may catch them napping with one like we did vs Bahrain. But Popa ain't aggressive in his tactics

I also probably don't want us scoring to soon, Popa has a habit of playing off the score.
 
huddo said:
No, we may catch them napping with one like we did vs Bahrain. But Popa ain't aggressive in his tactics

I also probably don't want us scoring to soon, Popa has a habit of playing off the score.
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A steady victory would be perfectly fine. First goal on 27, a second on 54 and then close it out.
 
booney52 said:
Three points tonight and we are almost there.However need to cut out our defensive errors.We could have been down 2 nil to Indonesia in the first 15 minutes.Poor marking at the set piece gave their player a clear header which led to Ryan's excellent save.Also Burgess completely missing the bouncing ball led to the penalty.If China replicate Indonesia's high press and we get flustered we could easily concede an early goal.
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Burgess made mistakes agaisnt Mexico (silly foul), Japan, Bahrain.

He still looks shaky
 
I reckon changes we see are:

Degenek -> Geria
Goodwin -> Boyle
Duke -> Taggart
Triantis -> O'Neill

The last one I think is more wishful, but you never know what you are going to get with Popa.
 
grazorblade said:
Mike tuckerman joins team "stop your whining" haha

I suppose my thoughts are
1) football is for the fans, lets celebrate all non troll opinions
2) I do wish there was more celebration including credit to the coach. We don't get many opportunities to celebrate and there is only 4 days to celebrate before we might get a bad result against China and need to get the pitchforks back out. We need to make the most of the celebrations to stay sane :D
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I reckon Arnie got a heap of credit for the World Cup then it all imploded.

I actually think there is push back against overly flowery analysis from the media from football fans.

It's almost as though people want to balance it out.
 
If the football is good people will be happy, some of the criticism is not only down to player selections but also the style of play the team has been set up.

At times it’s too rigid and defensive and when it’s not a good watch it can be frustrating watching a game.

Ange got the team playing in a way where it was attractive but Arnie took it to the opposite direction I think Popa is trying to bring more of a balance into the team but right now it’s feels
reactive and three of the goals came in the other night from set pieces where people want to see more from them in general play.
 
Barca4life said:
If the football is good people will be happy, some of the criticism is not only down to player selections but also the style of play the team has been set up.

At times it’s too rigid and defensive and when it’s not a good watch it can be frustrating watching a game.

Ange got the team playing in a way where it was attractive but Arnie took it to the opposite direction I think Popa is trying to bring more of a balance into the team but right now it’s feels
reactive and three of the goals came in the other night from set pieces where people want to see more from them in general play.
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Agree with everything you said except I felt Ange was to rigid aswell. but then again he needed to be rigid, as the players psyche is a major part of his tactic.

I honestly think all three haven't been fluid enough in there approach.
 
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