World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[RIMB]

Deep defensive line is safer than a high line.

I may be using the wrong terms. I am talking about defending deep but still having a credible threat of attack that stops opposition teams from building at their leisure and forces them to keep players back to defend against that threat.

Edit: Duke stays high but he is not a credible attack from halfway with his lack of pace and guile.

When we stop attacking to put everyone deep and invite the best our opponents can bring down on us.

 

[Villa Dan]

This is exactly the heart of the problem, exacerbated by a coach who has an ultradefensive style that bores and frustrates the enemy into occasional late error.

We do have attacking players who can keep the ball but Popa doesn;t know how to use them, so he doesn't pick them.

Triantis (I know, I know), Balard, Nisbet, Irankunda would walk into any other team (at our level).

Triantis sounds like a sook doesn't want to work for his position. Nestory is injured and Ballard more like a DM isn't he love to see him. Robertson is the one for me. I don't agree with Poppa style all time , but we we're in trouble before he took over he just had to get wins to qualify. If we qualify he has a good 12 months to implement a more attacking brand an experiment with players.

 

[Villa Dan]

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.

spot on mate
The only one we should get our hands around is Robertson

 

[Villa Dan]

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.

Don't agree with that had WSW attack force playing some beautiful football.

 

[JS96]

Come on JS96, give a pat on the back to your favourite player!

His misfiring right foot worked when we needed it most!

It's like the nuisance child in class having a good day because you let him feed the class fish. Was still a woeful performer by Behich but for the goal. Can't wait for Bos to return.

 

[JS96]

It wasn’t pretty but popa did what he had to do. Was anyone really worried Japan could score any moment? For me they had chances but seemed largely toothless when going forward. They weren’t cutting us to pieces like their first team squad obviously would.

Their first squad didn't penetrate either in the away game. They've got issues with killer blows. This is something they'll need to work on. They've got to get greedy. Watching the replay we shielded our area well. One Japanese player commented our size shrinks their space and view.

 

[Keeper66]

Just because I like posting the outrageous scenarios: Saudi Arabia can still get past us with a 4 goal victory, but this would mean a 9-5 scoreline as

Just because I like posting the outrageous scenarios: Saudi Arabia can still get past us with a 4 goal victory, but this would mean a 9-5 scoreline as the minimum

No, even with a 9-5 win, or even 19-15, Australia will go through, as if GD is equal the next tiebreaker is goals scored. Any 4 goal victory margin by Saudi will still have Australia having higher goals scored.

 

[tsf]

I was constantly worried that we would concede a late goal like we have many times in the past.

We have struggled for so long keeping a clean sheet for the full game when we are geared defensively and don't have a high line attack to keep the opposition back.

I thought they were much more physical than us.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

Well, given how Saudi A have to absolutely go for it in the next game, could be interesting watching.

 

[Keeper66]

Actually at the time both were actually decent, India made the semis of the Olympics that years NK made the WC in 66.

And NK made the quarter finals in their group, including beating Italy in a group game and being 3-0 up against Portugal in the quarter final before losing 5-3.

 

[JS96]

Slightly concerned we sit back the opening 20 and Saudi snag something. Then they go and get another. They'd need 3 more but it'd get shaky.

I wouldn't change the back 3. Start Geria who was a massive upgrade on Miller.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

To be frank, which is my remit, I thought that game was one of the worst performances by the Roos that I have seen for a long time. The team may have snatched the winning goal in a smash and grab, but they were completely dominated by a second string Japanese team to the point of embarrassment. To be dominated by Germany or Argentina or Brasil's first team is one thing, but this, at home, against a Japanese B side?

That result has not changed my view of Popovic. I'm dreading a World Cup where Popovic picks teams like this, relies on the fact that arguably our only first class players are our goalkeeper and two central defenders, and plays every game with a parked bus.

 

[JS96]

Annoying Paramount games won't play live on TV app while replays have a lock or shopping bag symbol. On phone however, live works fine but replays have error 3304.

 

[JS96]

To be frank, which is my remit, I thought that game was one of the worst performances by the Roos that I have seen for a long time. The team may have snatched the winning goal in a smash and grab, but they were completely dominated by a second string Japanese team to the point of embarrassment. To be dominated by Germany or Argentina or Brasil's first team is one thing, but this, at home, against a Japanese B side?

That result has not changed my view of Popovic. I'm dreading a World Cup where Popovic picks teams like this, relies on the fact that arguably our only first class players are our goalkeeper and two central defenders, and plays every game with a parked bus.

A range of issues. The selections and set up with our backs to goal against a pressing team was woeful. For me it's more the set up than the players. A change in selections and a more face forward set up should work wonders.

The players selected last night have conservative play ingrained in them. Constantly passing it back to the defensive line. There were moments of space where often we took too many touches and didn't pass it into the space. Balard, Triantis, Goodwin, Segecic and Nisbet would be much better here.

 

[Cunningstunt]

Slightly concerned we sit back the opening 20 and Saudi snag something. Then they go and get another. They'd need 3 more but it'd get shaky.

I wouldn't change the back 3. Start Geria who was a massive upgrade on Miller.

Yes JS! This is the pessimism I come here for haha

 

[Barca4life]

We need all the best players available if we want to make this team stronger, the fact that a Japanese B side pinned us back for majority of the game tells me that we got some ways to go if we want to make an impact at the World Cup because the quality will go up a notch after this.

Popa needs to stop playing around and look at the likes of Volpato, Robertson, Triantis etc regardless how people feel you judge players on the quality they bring not on how they sing the national anthem because it would be naive to think we can make an impact at the World Cup with this current squad.

 

[Barca4life]

It wasn’t pretty but popa did what he had to do. Was anyone really worried Japan could score any moment? For me they had chances but seemed largely toothless when going forward. They weren’t cutting us to pieces like their first team squad obviously would.

They didn’t need to play with the same urgency if it was a meaningful game, given they were trying different players I don’t they will be losing sleep over this.

However if they lack a killer instinct at the World Cup it might prove costly.

 

[JS96]

Over the moon with scenes. Glad at the defensive shape and keeping Japan at bay but certain vindications now leave a sour taste. Popovic must not be seen as a master here.

I suppose we'd look better against nearly anyone who doesn't press as much. I'm just so worried about the selections.

Miller has done well but we saw again he's more a wrestler than a footballer. We've got to trim in so many areas.

 

[JS96]

They didn’t need to play with the same urgency if it was a meaningful game, given they were trying different players I don’t they will be losing sleep over this.

However if they lack a killer instinct at the World Cup it might prove costly.

Like against Costa Rica last time. It's a typical Japan thing. If they get bogged down they do get confused.

The players who got chances to impress last night will be annoyed they weren't more greedy. While some impressed, the bloke down the left with numerous wayward crosses and shots won't be selected.

 

[ashtongate]

Actually at the time both were actually decent, India made the semis of the Olympics that years NK made the WC in 66.

NK beat Italy at the 66 World Cup finals!!