World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[onedaywinners...]

I just shake my head at the mismanagement of Triantis, Balard, Nisbet, Irankunda...

What the fuck is Popa doing?

He'll pick Okon's kid before any of the above. And yes, Okon's kid is a decent player but he's not played against men and he's way behind all of those above.

Exactly this.

 

[Cunningstunt]

I'll make the same contribution to the same discussion I did last time. None of the guys being talked about are that much different to the guys selected. Except now, the guys selected dug us out of a massive hole so they have extra credit.

There have been a few potentially good transfers. If we can get two or three of those guys starting for their new sides that would give us some good competition for places.

 

[grazorblade]

I'll make the same contribution to the same discussion I did last time. None of the guys being talked about are that much different to the guys selected. Except now, the guys selected dug us out of a massive hole so they have extra credit.

There have been a few potentially good transfers. If we can get two or three of those guys starting for their new sides that would give us some good competition for places.

same in ability, different in ceiling imo

of course not everyone reaches their ceiling but its nice to give 10-15 here and there to promising players of the next generation, particularly when games are sealed

 

[Cunningstunt]

same in ability, different in ceiling imo

of course not everyone reaches their ceiling but its nice to give 10-15 here and there to promising players of the next generation, particularly when games are sealed

I would agree with that. But other than Indonesia, were any games sealed?

 

[grazorblade]

I would agree with that. But other than Indonesia, were any games sealed?

last ten minutes v china would've been ok. They aren't minnows and would do just as good as those on field imo. But yeah indonesia was a really important game to cap a couple. Would give players a good feeling too debuting in a flogging in front of home fans

 

[Cunningstunt]

last ten minutes v china would've been ok. They aren't minnows and would do just as good as those on field imo. But yeah indonesia was a really important game to cap a couple. Would give players a good feeling too debuting in a flogging in front of home fans

Maybe China away. Up two is maybe okay, although Iran 97.


Half time was tactical from memory.

Karacic and Arzani, while not new players, was working guys back in who had been out for a while. So not like he was bringing on Duke. I don't think it isa massive error, but I would agree those last three subs could have been different.

 

[Alex M]

Earned like Brattan for 45min Japan away? Triantis will be much more the player he has been. The cap ceremony alone would be enough to probably make Triantis feel very much at home. It should have been done against Indonesia. Then a bench cameo in China then one more last window. Sorted.

If he doesn't want to play for us then he is no use to us. If he is a dual citizen then that short cameo you talk about makes no difference. I don't want players who try to weasel their way into the team by playing one country off against the other. If he wants to play for Greece he will be no loss to us. If he wanted to play for us he would have turned up when picked.

 

[Alex M]

I just shake my head at the mismanagement of Triantis, Balard, Nisbet, Irankunda...

What the fuck is Popa doing?

He'll pick Okon's kid before any of the above. And yes, Okon's kid is a decent player but he's not played against men and he's way behind all of those above.

He is picking the players he thinks will get him the results. He has done OK so far, even though he is a touch too negative in his approach for my liking.

 

[JS96]

If he doesn't want to play for us then he is no use to us. If he is a dual citizen then that short cameo you talk about makes no difference. I don't want players who try to weasel their way into the team by playing one country off against the other. If he wants to play for Greece he will be no loss to us. If he wanted to play for us he would have turned up when picked.

Your final sentence is a fair point. It doesn't take much for these dual nationals when someone gets in their ear. They're impressionable. I imagine the shiny lights of the EPL and the allure of easy UEFA travel is there.

In saying that Triantis was a youth team mainstay for Australia. He had to be more professional and not look dejected when Teague got his cap. He was filmed sitting in the room emotionless. Partly he was right to be annoyed as he'd certainly earned a chance to play. I think a mix of working really hard to earn and chance, mixed messages from Popovic and his family and agent probably telling him to stuff Popovic for now was the catalyst for taking a break in June.

I don't think Popovic has man managed well here but he won't care as he has his preferences anyway. While they've just scraped through, I don't look forward to the world cup as I think we're still very fallible in midfield.

 

[JS96]

It's well pointed out that Triantis isn't the only example of Popovic stuffing up the mood. No one is entitled to a place but the merit and ceilings of these omitted players makes it frustrating.

Yes, the selected bunch did deliver albeit barely. Velupillay is a good fine but I rue the missed chance to see him against better opposition. He's got very good runs on the board.

Caceres and Borrello have become annoyances. Hard workers but not the guys we'll have in a year or so. At least Mo Toure is featuring.

 

[huddo]

There is always two sides to any story and it’s no different here.

Popa should have capped him early there were plenty of chances to do so but obliged.

Then with Triantis, the country has given him plenty to have a career in the game from coming through the pathways to getting the opportunity to play in the aleague and playing for the junior national teams.

So this is very disappointing to turn us down in the last window given the country have given him everything here.

However things can change so let see what happens in the future, but it’s a scenario where it could have been avoided if planned better.

Overall we can’t play games with duel nationals, this is a global sport and a competitive one and we need all the talent we can get if we want to move up the food chain.

Maybe it's not a game. Maybe nectar just wants to go to a WC, and if Australia doesn't want him he has to put out feelers for other opportunities

 

[huddo]

He is picking the players he thinks will get him the results. He has done OK so far, even though he is a touch too negative in his approach for my liking.

Okon jr?

 

[Alex M]

Okon jr?

He has also had other young guys in his squad. Some of them seem to get the shits though when they get picked as part of a 26 man squad and find their around the 20th pick rather the 1st. Just about all the fringe players mentioned have found themselves as a part of a Popovic national team squad. That shows he has been interested in them. Some of them don't seem to show the same interest.

 

[huddo]

He has also had other young guys in his squad. Some of them seem to get the shits though when they get picked as part of a 26 man squad and find their around the 20th pick rather the 1st. Just about all the fringe players mentioned have found themselves as a part of a Popovic national team squad. That shows he has been interested in them. Some of them don't seem to show the same interest.

The bloke is unsigned and was a fringe player in Portugal 2nd division. Do what what you will to delude yourself but he had no reason to be near that team.

 

[jas88]

I just shake my head at the mismanagement of Triantis, Balard, Nisbet, Irankunda...

What the fuck is Popa doing?

He'll pick Okon's kid before any of the above. And yes, Okon's kid is a decent player but he's not played against men and he's way behind all of those above.

What's crazy is he's not even the best Okon, I think Gianluca will be better imo, he has already played with the italy u16s. Just signed new deal with Brugge.

 

[onedaywinners...]

last ten minutes v china would've been ok. They aren't minnows and would do just as good as those on field imo. But yeah indonesia was a really important game to cap a couple. Would give players a good feeling too debuting in a flogging in front of home fans

Clearly Popa just doesn't value or have a keen eye for the importance of squad togetherness that flows in to building belief. There is always a bigger picture than what you see right in front of you and blooding youth and talent is key.

I guess when you know you were the second choice and if you don't qualify for the World Cup its back to job seeker you go..

Maybe this is why Popa is running out of fingers to count his finals losses hehe

 

[Alex M]

The bloke is unsigned and was a fringe player in Portugal 2nd division. Do what what you will to delude yourself but he had no reason to be near that team.

He was part of an extended squad and didn't appear on a team sheet. You don't think it's a good idea to bring a youngster who has played at youth level in to be a part of a squad? I think they gain some valuable experience and get a chance to show the senior team manager what they are made of. Maybe some of these guys don't measure up, but at least they turn up when called.

 

[SocceroosFan]

He is picking the players he thinks will get him the results. He has done OK so far, even though he is a touch too negative in his approach for my liking.

A touch too negative is a massive understatement. He got us to the WC & that was the priority. The main issue that everyone here has, is that he didn't pick & play the most inform players available and pissed off some of them in the process. Triantis was one of the best players in the SPFL last season & his form demanded a debut, but for some unknown fucking reason he wasn't even selected on the bench for either game against Indo & China, which was an absolute travesty.

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

A touch too negative is a massive understatement. He got us to the WC & that was the priority. The main issue that everyone here has, is that he didn't pick & play the most inform players available and pissed off some of them in the process. Triantis was one of the best players in the SPFL last season & his form demanded a debut, but for some unknown fucking reason he wasn't even selected on the bench for either game against Indo & China, which was an absolute travesty.

I would add in that Popa's press conference he made a clear statement of what he expects and then doesn't follow through.

 

[RIMB]

Is that where the Honey is?

If he plays for Greece I have no doubt that Mono will be posting "Nectar of the Gods".