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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Balinese workers at the airport seemed happy for me, they noticed I was watching on my phone.
 
Lupi said:
NSL has never co-existed with the A league so I don't know what you're talking about
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That's true so it's speculation on both our parts which is why I can question your assertion that the NSL would produce better players.
 
So a question then if a triantis, Robertson or volpato comes and says actually today I feel Australian do we select them over the guys that pulled the shift to get us qualified?
 
melbcityguy said:
So a question then if a triantis, Robertson or volpato comes and says actually today I feel Australian do we select them over the guys that pulled the shift to get us qualified?
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Probably. But I don't see how anyone could see the performance and subsequent interview from Ciccati and still want to pander to guys. Are they available? Select them the same as anyone else. That's it.
I hate seeing talented guys we developed say they want to play for other countries. But not worth sacrificing self-respect when Ciccati shows what it does actually mean.
 
grazorblade said:
could happen if we are too hung over celebrating...
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That's what worries me, sure the likely hood of Saudia Arabia belting the Socceroos is low, but stranger things have happened in football, eg. who expected Germany's 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup?
 
Keeper66 said:
A small part of me would like to see this, especially against the Saudis.
Ultimate shithousery!
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I can see the humour in this and particularly because I've worked in that part of the world and know the culture.
 
melbcityguy said:
So a question then if a triantis, Robertson or volpato comes and says actually today I feel Australian do we select them over the guys that pulled the shift to get us qualified?
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Well Robertson and Volpato would never get played, they are true number 10s, Popa doesn't know how to structure teams to attack in the final 3rd.
There is space for Nectar,eg Okon jr, but to be honest Balard and Nectar should be first on the list.
 
SR1968 said:
That's what worries me, sure the likely hood of Saudia Arabia belting the Socceroos is low, but stranger things have happened in football, eg. who expected Germany's 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup?
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Comparing the firepower of that German team with the Saudis? Cmon lol.

We should start the game with 9 men to make it interesting, bet they still wouldnt score 5.
 
Missed first 37 mins thinking the game started at 10pm.

Have to say if that was a second string Japan team, didn't notice any decline from the first eleven.

* We played very well without the ball in BPO. Kept our defensive shape at all times. Our concentration was immense.

* Japan's Squeezing intensity and organisation when we had the ball was superb. We had so little time and space. We just weren't good enough to keep the ball. We also couldn't move the ball quickly enough, as they broke up our play effortlessly.

* When Japan had the ball their movement off the ball, fast handing speed, first touch, dribbling in tight spaces was world powerhouse quality.

* How about Popa's detractors giving him a pat on the back for his superb coaching in Ball Possession Opposition and selection of players who are good off the ball? Borrello, Duke, Metcalfe, Boyle, who are arguably better off the ball than on it.

* Popa needs another pat for recognising the superior qualities of the AL players ( in terms of style, over second ball Scottish league, which Arnie loved too much) unless one plays for Rangers or Celtic.

* Thought Atkinson would have been better at RB than Miller. Geria was better when he came on. Think Miller's future could be as a CB. Too big and cumbersome against nimble Japanese wide players.

* Aus top player is probably Circati - even with all fit. If he doesn't get injured could be Aus' s best ever. Serie A in the past is renowned as having best CBs in world.
 
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Cunningstunt said:
Probably. But I don't see how anyone could see the performance and subsequent interview from Ciccati and still want to pander to guys. Are they available? Select them the same as anyone else. That's it.
I hate seeing talented guys we developed say they want to play for other countries. But not worth sacrificing self-respect when Ciccati shows what it does actually mean.
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Well said!

He could be Aus's greatest ever player. Love his passion for the shirt. Circati is already playing at a very high club level too.
 
grazorblade said:
Someone just pointed out that if we forfeit the next game we lose 3 nil and qualify for the world cup
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My mates and I were joking about that after the game last night. Good old underarm bowling.

We thought we could say that we considered it too dangerous to go there and play at the moment so we would forfeit to get the game moved to a neutral venue too.
 
melbcityguy said:
So a question then if a triantis, Robertson or volpato comes and says actually today I feel Australian do we select them over the guys that pulled the shift to get us qualified?
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IMO no.

Just watching the Aus u23s there are immense talents coming though who are desperate to pull on the senior Socceroo shirt.

Given the vast improvement in skill sets of u 23s and u20s, all this trio of dual nationals, Triantis, Robertson, Volpato, who I've seen little of, are going to have to be incredibly good players to be better. They aren't even interested in playing at a World Cup for Aus. Forget about them.

None are playing in Big Five leagues or in the Big 30 UEFA clubs or so outside the Big Five.

Circati is. He has been a tremendous acquisition.
 
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