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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Tilio in makes for interesting omissions. I think Goodwin missed the final club game?

I doubt it's for Taggart or Borrello with the latter receiving a lot of media time. Yengi might be out but isn't a like for like replacement. Maybe just for Irvine and midfield is that tad thinner but unlikely again.
 
Despite there still being a fair number of injuries to automatic selections, there seems to be a good number of guys putting their name forward with some good form. This is what we needed heading into these matches.

This does mean there will be a riot here when pet fringe player x does not get selected for 50 cap veteran x who everyone knows is shithouse.

Edit:
I didn't realise, Matt Leckie; Joe Marston medalist. How mad should all be when it happens?
 
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Cunningstunt said:
Despite there still being a fair number of injuries to automatic selections, there seems to be a good number of guys putting their name forward with some good form. This is what we needed heading into these matches.

This does mean there will be a riot here when pet fringe player x does not get selected for 50 cap veteran x who everyone knows is shithouse.

Edit:
I didn't realise, Matt Leckie; Joe Marston medalist. How mad should all be when it happens?
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Reading about Leckie's drive tonight shows his experience and leadership but there is no way he should be bright into the squad given his zero time in the system.

I think Milanovic hasn't made it if Tilio is in. I fear Balard may just miss the cut which would be a joke.
 
JS96 said:
Reading about Leckie's drive tonight shows his experience and leadership but there is no way he should be bright into the squad given his zero time in the system.

I think Milanovic hasn't made it if Tilio is in. I fear Balard may just miss the cut which would be a joke.
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A lot of selections for fringe guys will come down to performance at the camp (for those who are there). Popa is big on players demonstrating a high level in training. This is my guess as to why Teague got the nod over Triantis last window.

There is a spot in midfield available with Irvine out, and I expect Ballard to be picked there. He knows Popa's expectations from being in his previous squad, and he was noted to be unlucky last window. That said we don't know what has gone on in camp.

Popa clearly has his own views on players and doesn't care about any outside opinions or supposed backlash. I know this is probably contrary to most people here, but if Leckie is back this is a very good selection. He is the top end of quality for Australian players, appears to be playing well and has near 80 caps. You need someone with a lot of talent or potential to outweigh that. If not for injury this guy walks into any squad and contends to start.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
If leckie was selected, would you start him or have him on the bench?
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Starting would be a surprise given what JS said about the system. If he had been at the camp probably more likely.
Also is his conditioning up to the higher level required?
But quality/experience wise he stands out, so not impossible.
 
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There are some pretty disappointing omissions again. Triantis, Balard, Irankunda and Goodwin the biggest ones imo. Picking Caceres and Okon-Engstler over those two is criminal. Even Teague and Yazbek.

Other notable players missing include Luongo, Robertson, Volpato, Nisbet, Jack Iredale, Strain, Segecic, Kalik, Silvera, Hrustic.

Injured includes Souttar, Bos, Farrell, Yengi?, Stama.

Great to see Circati back. Mohamed Toure the other i'm stoked to see.
 
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JM47 said:
Yeah the whole stuff about they need to prove themselves blah blah blah and then you pick Okon-Engstler is just hypocrisy at its finest.
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Yep I imagine that narrative would breed frustration for performing young players.

Why select four centre forwards for one position? Duke?

That midfield sure is missing some quality.
 
And who is gonna play in our front 3? I'd say Boyle is the only one deserving of a selection tbh. Especially with no Nish nor Goodwin. Missed opportunity not selecting Irankunda.
 
Quicky said:
There are some pretty disappointing omissions again. Triantis, Balard, Irankunda and Goodwin the biggest ones imo. Picking Caceres and Okon-Engstler over those two is criminal. Even Teague and Yazbek.

Other notable players missing include Luongo, Robertson, Volpato, Nisbet, Jack Iredale, Strain, Segecic, Kalik, Silvera, Hrustic.

Injured includes Souttar, Bos, Farrell, Yengi, Stama.

Great to see Circati back. Mohamed Toure the other i'm stoked to see.
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I can't wait until Popa leaves the role. Can't stand his selections and it's been that way since day 1. He's completely butchered the situation with Triantis and after him having essentially committed to us, he's now seemingly re-evaluating. You can hardly blame him! One of our very brightest prospects and arguably our best plsyer at club level this season. He's made zero progress with getting Robertson or Volpato into the fold. C. Goodwin who has been such a star for us over the last couple of years, and a reliable scorer and assist provider left out. Some of our highest performing players this season at club level like Balard, Triantis and Iredale ignored. Young A League stars like Milanovic, A. Goodwin, Botic and Segecic all left out, with the latter perhaps joining the Volpato/Robertson/Triantis club. And then we see the same old crap automatic uninspiring choices regardless of their often mediocre club form: Caceres, Duke, Taggart, Degenek and O'Neill. Such a disappointing squad for so many reasons, but I really shouldn't be surprised based on what we've seen from Popa so far. Same old favourites, no communication happening to players not selected, which all impacts the culture. How many minutes have McGree and Metcalfe had this season... they just walk back into the team. In what universe is Okon-Engstler currently ahead of Balard. We'd better hope Balard isn't a dual national too!
 
Can anyone tell me what Paul Okon Engstler have done or what he looks like??? Never heard of him. He must be a golden boy like a young Kewell to go straight to this most important window of qualification.

The only chance we can score is frm the brilliance of set piece delivery from Craig Goodwin. None can bend the ball like him with set piece crossing. So now we have to rely on Arzani/Teague/Tilio for set piece.and go straight to the opposition? Especially we lost Irvine who has been good in the air. Maybe only Miller can score from the corner. Villupillay is a big loss as well.

Cam Burgess got the height but not known for being good with heading. Mitch Duke is okay in the air but anything with his foot almost zero chance to score. I dun think Popa follows his form in J League. If Im Segecic I would be pissed.

Kasey Boss is just okay tho and if you watch MV games he has been poor defensively with marking. But at least its not Joel King.

No ideas what Balard/Gerbach/Jack Iredale did in the camp to not get included.
 
Players in training squad who missed selection:

Baccus
Balard
Bonetig
Davidson
Esposito
Gersbach
Iredale
Milanovic
Yengi
 
I’ve got question marks already on some of the selections and omissions but Popa will pick who he likes so it’s irrelevant of what we think.

But for me the likes of Ballard and Milanovic feel very harsh not to be included, not sure what you can say to them if they continue to not get picked given their club form.
Do we also assume Triantis will not be picked again after dropping out last week? Let hope not…

Ultimately national team football is more subjective unlike club football, I just hope they get they get the job done but I do feel tougher tests lie ahead.
 
There doesn't appear to be a natural rwb in that squad. Both Miller and Geria have shown they are much better at rcb. Miller in particular will.be carved up in that position by the Japanese if they play close to their best team.
 
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