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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

There is a difference between fighting and disagreeing.

Unfortunately Decentric has shown a propensity to make definitive comments about subject matter that he knows little about.
 
Lurker said:
There is a difference between fighting and disagreeing.

Unfortunately Decentric has shown a propensity to make definitive comments about subject matter that he knows little about.
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well anyway I'm not gonna make you two hug I guess
 
I
LFC said:
The WC hosts are in a pickle that doesn't surprise me.......
Afterall it is dominated by MLS players with just 7 players in EU in various leagues.
Poch has got a job to do.
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Hope people get off the MLS's dick. It's a glorified superannuation league. anyone that thinks Australian players over there are in a better league to those in the Aleague gotta have rocks in their heads.
 
I remember all those years ago on the old forum when O'Neill shouldered Matic off the ball in the EPL. He made it for Australia eventually.

I'm just annoyed Balard and Triantis haven't had a chance to show things. Imagine seeing Robertson out there too.

We had it late against Argentina in China with Metcalfe, Robertson and Hrustic stringing so good compact passes together.
 
JS96 said:
Another embellished by an impressive debut. One hit wonder. I personally want someone who'll take the game on like Nisbet. O'Neill is just a sideways passing pawn.
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I believe Nisbet's size counts against him with Popovic.
 
Decentric said:
Two very good goals scored by Aus.

The pinpoint ball from Burgess to Duke, who showed Viduka like skill and vision under pressure to lay off to a well-timed Metcalfe run and finish was exquisite attacking interplay.

Boyle's free kick and Duke's headed finish was also classy.

Socceroos couldn't hit the side of a barn in the first two games against Bahrain and Indo, the first game against Saudi, and the second against Bah.

In the last 4 games the Socceroos have become clinical around goal. A number of players have scored too.
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I'm critical of Duke and his selection but he offers qualities our other strikers don't quite match. He's our best header, our best presser and his best is in big games. At the very least a useful squad player as he's a bit different to other options
 
Quicky said:
I'm critical of Duke and his selection but he offers qualities our other strikers don't quite match. He's our best header, our best presser and his best is in big games. At the very least a useful squad player as he's a bit different to other options
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I disagree he's our best presser. He used to be good but doesn't get near his targets these days.

Compare him with the way Matty Simon used to press. Simon was never a great technical player but he prevented the other team from playing easy balls from the backs into the midfield. So effective. I want to see Toure get a consistent go.
 
Lurker said:
There is a difference between fighting and disagreeing.

Unfortunately Decentric has shown a propensity to make definitive comments about subject matter that he knows little about.
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If you are referring to the Scottish league, I’ve had a pretty good look at Scottish Cup games on Paramount in recent times.

I provided an opinion based on stats previously on Scotland’s inherent value. The opinion hasn’t changed after viewing it live. I’d prefer Aussies not play in it with a view to national team selection, unless used as a brief stepping stone to a more technical league.

The ball movement to support the ball carrier in Scotland is poor. The notable exception is Celtic - a quality football team.

The poor support to the ball carrier results in multiple turnovers in Scotland. This results in low passing stats in Scotland, because teams don’t have adequate off the ball movement to open passing lanes to provide options for the player on the ball.

It is just an opinion posted on an Internet forum - nothing else.

I’d say our last two Socceroo coaches, Arnie and Popa, differ markedly on the quality of Scotland based on their selections for national team duty.
 
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JS96 said:
Another embellished by an impressive debut. One hit wonder. I personally want someone who'll take the game on like Nisbet. O'Neill is just a sideways passing pawn.
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Arie Schans and Ad Derkson, staff KNVB coaches, when taking coaching courses in Aus under then Tech Dir Rob Baan’s jurisdiction, well and truly debunked the myth that pro players sideways and backwards pass as an option.

They imparted that it is dependent on teammates’ movement off the ball as to where a player passes to.

That it is incumbent on teammates to support the ball carrier by opening quality passing lanes. Not to blame the ball carrier as to where s/he passes the ball.

Sometimes a player receives the ball from a teammate, with no option but to pass backwards or sideways, because they aren’t receiving with a viable body shape to play forwards with a number of opponents marking him/her.

IMO O’Neill is one of the tidiest passers in the team. He is very two footed and comfortable playing on both sides of the body.
 
Quicky said:
I'm critical of Duke and his selection but he offers qualities our other strikers don't quite match. He's our best header, our best presser and his best is in big games. At the very least a useful squad player as he's a bit different to other options
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Good to read this!

Duke is under-appreciated!

A tireless worker in off the ball work for the team cause.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
I disagree he's our best presser. He used to be good but doesn't get near his targets these days.

Compare him with the way Matty Simon used to press. Simon was never a great technical player but he prevented the other team from playing easy balls from the backs into the midfield. So effective. I want to see Toure get a consistent go.
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Toure should start. Hard to know if he's a better presser until he's had more chances but I think he could be, he's so quick.

I think Duke is a really effective presser though. He causes panic.
 
Quicky said:
Toure should start. Hard to know if he's a better presser until he's had more chances but I think he could be, he's so quick.

I think Duke is a really effective presser though. He causes panic.
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Definitely needs to get time in friendlies, we have had a dearth of strikers since cahil and kennedy

I think juric and giannou the only to crack a 2nd tier european league at all, with toure the third

The difference is that toure is doing it at such a young age he might hit a bigger height
 
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