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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Monoethnic Social Club said:
Im calling it 2-2 or 1-1 and Ill take that every day of the week and twice on Sundays....
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I still reckon player for player they are a 3 zip better team, but yeah, there is always a levelling effect. Also, are they qualified already? If so, then the old foot off the pedal effect could come into play.
 
Frankly Speaking said:
I still reckon player for player they are a 3 zip better team, but yeah, there is always a levelling effect.
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All pressure is off them, not saying they will rest players but its ours to lose the qualification... A win is an unrealistic (but hoped for dream) but I think we will bend heaven and earth to get a late equaliser if we have to.
 
Frankly Speaking said:
Personally, I'm tipping 3-0 to Japan. That's based on comparative squads.
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agree the comparative squads mention, chalk and cheese, score ? I couldn't say but thats it will be their way.
IF they play on song we won't be near them but chase shadows, they can afford to be quite flippant but I expect they will luv to make it damn hard for us to qualify in spite.

Sure MSC no pressure for them but do you think even most of their bench will play at 50%, ofcourse not plus "honour" they will give us a run and half regardless.
I respect them too much considering the spread of talent they have and leagues most play in compared to ours.
Sure our Aussie honour/spirit will match theirs, thats on our fellas and more so Poppa, is he like a Ange who can hit these guys heart strings pre game for those moments in games.

Thinking of Duke as mentioned by Keeper, christ IF Endo is playing deep lying mid cleaner, Duke won't get much space whatsoever.
The LFC Champ samuri is a beast of cleaner.
 
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Monoethnic Social Club said:
All pressure is off them, not saying they will rest players but its ours to lose the qualification... A win is an unrealistic (but hoped for dream) but I think we will bend heaven and earth to get a late equaliser if we have to.
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They have rested players I believe. Many Jleague players selected in the squad, a number of regulars left out.

The predictions for Japan to destroy us occur prior to virtually every encounter for the past 10 years. Often accompanied with a 'if x gets selected Japan will destroy us' about the hated socceroo of the day. They have beaten us 2-0 twice since 2006. Japan are world class so a shellacking is always possible, but it hasn't happened to this point despite the predictions. Getting a win however would be quite something, not since Cahill scored a double in 2009...16 years and 10 encounters since that game.
 
Frankly Speaking said:
It is amazing what he gets away with. Imagine the reaction in the UK if a coach selected the equivalent of Duke and Okon-Engstler?
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Sadly it’s one of the reasons why the sport doesn’t progress the way we want it without decent media scrutinising decisions like these.

Instead they don’t care except when it’s a World Cup or a flair at a game.
 
jas88 said:
Do you actually think we will dominate possession against Japan at home and Saudi away? I'd be inclined to say our transition phases will be the most productive for us. I'd also wager they get more touches cause the play is alot slower.
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No I don't think we will dominate possession.

Villup ( injured) is pretty good off the ball, as is Boyle. I'm worried about Arzani's efficacy if starved of the ball. Japan tend to play at a high tempo too, and, Squeeze intensively.
 
Cunningstunt said:
They have rested players I believe. Many Jleague players selected in the squad, a number of regulars left out.

The predictions for Japan to destroy us occur prior to virtually every encounter for the past 10 years. Often accompanied with a 'if x gets selected Japan will destroy us' about the hated socceroo of the day. They have beaten us 2-0 twice since 2006. Japan are world class so a shellacking is always possible, but it hasn't happened to this point despite the predictions. Getting a win however would be quite something, not since Cahill scored a double in 2009...16 years and 10 encounters since that game.
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yes true - the score isn't as it seems regards destroying past history but stats sure show they destroy us going forward and defensively.
Resting players will be interesting therefore we're going to see even more hungry to impress samuri's to be in future WC selections.
JL is ranked 23ish APL 52 last check.
Our last game stats
www.flashscore.com.au

Japan - Australia 1:1

ASIA: World Championship - Qualification - Third stage - Round 4
www.flashscore.com.au www.flashscore.com.au

Lets not forget many are in Championship level comps all over EU let alone their JL standard.

D Jap are full on with and without the ball for yonks/years, don't need stats to confirm what we're up against.
Boyle, a wide headless chook down the flank, off the ball you'd hope so as long as he doesn't trip over his own 2 feet, once he recieves the ball he'll be cleaned up or lose it more than being effective.
Don't worry Arzani efficiency (spl chk for you) will be fainting injury being he'll get ripped/twisted turned when on the pitch :)
 
Keeper66 said:
Continually picking Duke is disgraceful. 34 years old, hasn't scored in his last 13 national team appearances (9 as starts). Has started 4 times this current J League season, plus 8 appearances as sub (across 19 games starting in Feb), scoring 1 goal. Of the 4 starting appearances, three times he was subbed off at half time and didn't finish the other game either (subbed off at 77'). Total playing time 383 minutes.

Some people go on about his work rate and pressing for the Socceroos, but frankly I don't think he does a great job in those roles either. Maybe he did years ago, but I haven't seen it for a long time.
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oh he's brilliant scored that fluke of a goal at Qatar - fark lucky he got his head to the flying ball in the first place didn't know wtf it was going.

Poppa persists with Duke the tried proven frontman to fall back on - thanks for your service but seriously its done sorry.

This 24yr old for them gets a call up.
www.transfermarkt.com

Yu Hirakawa - Player profile 24/25

Yu Hirakawa, 24, from Japan ➤ Bristol City, since 2024 ➤ Right Winger ➤ Market value: €1.00m ➤ * Jan 3, 2001 in Kashima, Saga, Japan
www.transfermarkt.com www.transfermarkt.com
36 EFL appearances, no consistant scorer to date but I'm sure a little better than Dukey.
 
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i think its safe to say we are heading to the play offs, Our squad isn't cut out for beating sides like Japan and SA. I believe our only chance is the intercontinental play offs and hope we draw a side like Cuba or New Caledonia.
 
Barca4life said:
Sadly it’s one of the reasons why the sport doesn’t progress the way we want it without decent media scrutinising decisions like these.

Instead they don’t care except when it’s a World Cup or a flair at a game.
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Muz said:
3 nil to Japan?! Pah!

We've got 'mateship. 8 nil win to us.
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Ha ha yeah, that old trope.

The Kelly gang had mateship. That ended well.
 
Is there any info about Irankunda's omission? Because from my POV only a falling out with Popavic rationally explains it.
 
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