World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[The4MW]

I was using hyperbole with reference to the EPL remark. Im calling you a fan boy because even when he is mediocre, he is seen by you as being a great player. You're the one saying the stats justified Teague being there, but you didn't give us any stats.

If you think a failure from Portugal liga 2 can wipe the boots of a player he's never beaten, that has won the JWM aswell as multiple trophies for his club, that's up to you. Teague has done nothing except play under Popa. For that reason and only that he was selected.

If your going to mention "stats", back up your claim, I want to see the stats.

 

[Quicky]

Genuine question - on what basis do people believe that system/style that Popavic is wanting the team to play is complicated and difficult for the players to learn? Is there any evidence for this or has it just been repeated so many times by punters that it has become “fact”?

I can’t see anything in the way the Socceroos play that should be beyond any professional player understanding it? I mean, Miller seems to be far from the sharpest tool in the shed and often makes fundamental mistakes, but he seems to be locked-in in the team at the moment. If he can understand and implement the style of play, why (apparently) can’t Ballard, Triantis, Irankunda?

I'll add to this. Popovic played a 4-3-3 at Victory. He plays a 5-2-3 for the NT. I think Popovic does favour players he has coached before which is a trust thing. But I don't think that those players are automatically familiar with his NT game plan, which is different to his club game plan, at least in the Victory example. That means that Teague shouldn't be any more equipped for the game plan than for example Triantis.

I don't think it's gospel that his game plan is complicated but @grazorblade did do a good break down of the Indo game focussing on pressing triggers and ball movement when we were pressed. It was really interesting, and did have some complexity to it. Whether that's difficult for a pro to pick up is an interesting debate. I actually think it should be okay, but it does explain some selection mysteries.

 

[Robbos]

Could easily have been 0.

yes but for a last minute goal, but it shouldn't have been that way. For everyone saying the 5-1 win against Indo was not reflective of game so was Bahrain games, we should won both of those games.

 

[Cunningstunt]

I was using hyperbole with reference to the EPL remark. Im calling you a fan boy because even when he is mediocre, he is seen by you as being a great player. You're the one saying the stats justified Teague being there, but you didn't give us any stats.

If you think a failure from Portugal liga 2 can wipe the boots of a player he's never beaten, that has won the JWM aswell as multiple trophies for his club, that's up to you. Teague has done nothing except play under Popa. For that reason and only that he was selected.

If your going to mention "stats" to back up your claim, I want to see the stats.

I think you would be the first person I have seen who thinks Teague's debut was mediocre. There are probably others, but the consensus has been he performed quite well.

You also rate Balard and Nisbet far higher than most other people. Teague was selected because he is there or there about with a number of other young guys with potential. I rated him below Balard, Nisbet and Triantis, Popa rated him above, now he has taken the opportunity and will be harder the those other guys to displace.

The good news for us is that if Balard and Nisbet are the second coming of Bres and Grella, their talent will shine through, they will move to big clubs / leagues this summer, they will demand selection and Popa will pick them.

 

[tsf]

I was using hyperbole with reference to the EPL remark. Im calling you a fan boy because even when he is mediocre, he is seen by you as being a great player. You're the one saying the stats justified Teague being there, but you didn't give us any stats.

If you think a failure from Portugal liga 2 can wipe the boots of a player he's never beaten, that has won the JWM aswell as multiple trophies for his club, that's up to you. Teague has done nothing except play under Popa. For that reason and only that he was selected.

If your going to mention "stats", back up your claim, I want to see the stats.

Look up the stats yourself. Teague will be there against Japan. Deal with it. He’s a good player.

You’re the one using hyperbole in what is coming across as a bit hysterical. I couldn’t care less who popa picks but you can take it to the bank he’s not picking your boys ahead of Teague. Fair or not - that’s the way it is.

 

[huddo]

You're comparing apples and oranges. Aleague to SPFL.

 

[huddo]

Look up the stats yourself. Teague will be there against Japan. Deal with it. He’s a good player.

You’re the one using hyperbole in what is coming across as a bit hysterical. I couldn’t care less who popa picks but you can take it to the bank he’s not picking your boys ahead of Teague. Fair or not - that’s the way it is.

I look forward to seeing how Teague does vs Japan.

 

[Muz]

Genuine question - on what basis do people believe that system/style that Popavic is wanting the team to play is complicated and difficult for the players to learn? Is there any evidence for this or has it just been repeated so many times by punters that it has become “fact”?

I can’t see anything in the way the Socceroos play that should be beyond any professional player understanding it? I mean, Miller seems to be far from the sharpest tool in the shed and often makes fundamental mistakes, but he seems to be locked-in in the team at the moment. If he can understand and implement the style of play, why (apparently) can’t Ballard, Triantis, Irankunda?

1000%. Going by the logic here (on the forum) you wouldn't pick Messi if he didn't fit the system. FFS, they're professional footballers not brainless robots.

 

[Pasquali]

1000%. Going by the logic here (on the forum) you wouldn't pick Messi if he didn't fit the system. FFS, they're professional footballers not brainless robots.

I honestly don't think Cristiano Ronaldo starts for the Roos under Popa because he doesn't do enough running

 

[Muz]

Popa is a club coach he will put he’s system first and then sees who can fit into it.

Also at international level you don’t have the luxury of training a team for a week and then playing a game on the weekend you have minimum 2 days of training and so the players need to pick up he’s ideas quickly so I’m assuming he has selected players based on that over others who need time to learn he’s ways?

Hopefully when we qualify we hope to see some new faces especially the ones that are needed to be in this squad.

This is so dumb it's beyond belief. To take an example Irankunda, or anyone, could be carving it up it the EPL for 5 years straight and whilst Popovic is coach he can't get in?

Does no one see a problem?

And also explain players getting debuts when they've only had 2 days training as well. Are they some sort of rocket scientists that have big brains over raw talent. Does Popovic get them to do psychiatric evaluations and IQ tests before coming into camp?

I can't believe this discussion.

 

[Muz]

Also nobody is playing professional football if they can't work with coaches and systems. You don't get to that level if you're a brain dead moron.

 

[LFC]

hehe there's something something when Muzza comes in and calls many out and rightly so.

Fark this the argie brazil game is smoking go watch some top football fellas.

 

[someguyjc]

If Popa treats the NT anything like the various clubs he's coached, then there will be no such thing as a regular/preferred starting XI. He'll chop and change all over the place. I would not be at all surprised if we see players like Ballard and Triantis starting.

 

[Keeper66]

If Popa treats the NT anything like the various clubs he's coached, then there will be no such thing as a regular/preferred starting XI. He'll chop and change all over the place. I would not be at all surprised if we see players like Ballard and Triantis starting.

Yeah, I tend to think that is probably the case as well. I think he just does things completely differently to most others, which isn't to say that it is bad, or to say that it is good. It's just different. He seems to me that maybe he even enjoys being a contrarian.

It must be quite frustrating for players though, playing sometimes, not playing other times even after playing well previously. I mean, why would Goodwin not have started or at least got some game time last night after playing well last game as a sub and generally playing well and scoring/creating goals through all the qualifiers. And who on here would have even guessed that Brattan would have been selected in the squad, let alone start against Japan? Caceres is another one out of left field that I'm sure very few saw coming.

 

[RIMB]

Teague did play in an underage international friendly competition last year I think and did well. He has not completely come out of the blue (and white) and I rate him.

No-one can really say who would fit the Socceroos roles best unless they have all played enough to be able to compare. We can say that Teague had a good game but how would he have looked if everyone around him had not been up to the game too. He can only pass where someone presents for it.

Funny moment in the game where the ball went to him midfield and he had a totally free player and clear pass backwards. But he controlled the ball, moved to open a passing lane, and delivered a perfect positive pass forwards. My immediate thought was "that's him gone - Popa will drop him for sure". It was thought as a joke but the thought was still there how different that one moment of positive creative football felt watching it.

Irankunda was a failure played with the players he was put with and in the (wrong) position and role Popa had for him.

So hard to judge players when you have such limited exposure at this level and with such widely varied players around them.

Our drop in the second half was as much Popa's changed strategy to protect the lead as it was China's attacking resurgence. How can players like Teague contribute as much in the second half as they did in the first when Popa has us back passing and defending with 8 again? Criticise players when they are at fault by all means, but also make sure we aren't blaming players for the system and instructions they must follow.

I also saw Behich at one point receive the ball wide as usual when he had a player running into space ahead of him. I knew he was going to pass backwards - but he stalled and stalled and finally released forward. To some extent I am giving Behich the benefit of his ingrained back facing play being a result of game after game being instructed to defend possession at all costs. I really felt like I could feel the battle within him in that moment as he saw the forward passing option but had to fight the habit of protective football.

Possibly reading far more into it but that is what happens when you live your life on the ball each moment.

 

[Barca4life]

This is so dumb it's beyond belief. To take an example Irankunda, or anyone, could be carving it up it the EPL for 5 years straight and whilst Popavic is coach he can't get in?

Does no one see a problem?

And also explain players getting debuts when they've only had 2 days training as well. Are they some sort of rocket scientists that have big brains over and over raw talent. Does Popavic get them to do psychiatric evaluations and IQ tests before coming into camp?

I can't believe this discussion.

I’m not trying to defend Popa here I’m just trying to think of some context behind this, do I feel it’s right that Irankunda, Botic are not selected and Goodwin are on the bench?
No, but it will be interesting when Australia gets a proper test from a team that will test us and put us in a bad situation in a game and then we will see if Popa decides to changes things tactically or with the personal.

I don’t think this is the best team we can put forward in my opinion but Popa is the coach.
He’s off to a great start with an undefeated run but hard tests lie ahead especially at the World Cup.

 

[Quicky]

It'd be nice to get the win v Japan and take control of our destiny. Make a statement. If you beat Japan no-one can say we don't deserve to be there.

 

[Muz]

I’m not trying to defend Popa here I’m just trying to think of some context behind this, do I feel it’s right that Irankunda, Botic are not selected and Goodwin are on the bench?
No, but it will be interesting when Australia gets a proper test from a team that will test us and put us in a bad situation in a game and then we will see if Popa decides to changes things tactically or with the personal.

I don’t think this is the best team we can put forward in my opinion but Popa is the coach.
He’s off to a great start with an undefeated run but hard tests lie ahead especially at the World Cup.

Sorry mate wasn't particularly aimed at you.

All good.

 

[RIMB]

My concern with Miller is that he is cumbersome. A nimble player can turn him upside down too easily when he is required in the defensive role.

It is not his effort or enthusiasm - just the physics of moving his large frame quickly then trying to reverse that momentum in a split second. Any player can simply be wrong footed to get a similar outcome but with Miller I see it as more pronounced.

 

[Keeper66]

I'll add to this. Popovic played a 4-3-3 at Victory. He plays a 5-2-3 for the NT. I think Popovic does favour players he has coached before which is a trust thing. But I don't think that those players are automatically familiar with his NT game plan, which is different to his club game plan, at least in the Victory example. That means that Teague shouldn't be any more equipped for the game plan than for example Triantis.

I don't think it's gospel that his game plan is complicated but @grazorblade did do a good break down of the Indo game focussing on pressing triggers and ball movement when we were pressed. It was really interesting, and did have some complexity to it. Whether that's difficult for a pro to pick up is an interesting debate. I actually think it should be okay, but it does explain some selection mysteries.

My memory is that Grazor noted that the pressing triggers were the LCB getting the ball, a poor first touch, and maybe some other things that are pretty fundamental. Similarly with ball movement when pressed in possession. These sort of things are pretty standard even at a semi-pro level, I can't believe that it is beyond the ability of a pro to understand and implement within one or two training sessions, plus video analysis and presentations that I'm sure Popavic would do quite comprehensively.