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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Mr Cleansheets said:
Absolutely. We should have known that was our grand final and been totally up for it.

Now there's every likelihood the GF will be played in Riyadh. Two points ahead won't be enough.
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That's why I'm somewhat indifferent to the points tally as it'll inevitably come down to that game. Equal 1 or 2 points is OK in that a draw away will suffice but I'd much rather have the 3 point buffer because the goal turnaround would then be massive.

Really hope we beat China and Saudi lose. 4 points. As NicCarBel said about 2014, maybe Saudi don't beat Bahrain which means we qualify in the middle of the night.

Should the above situation occur and we draw against Japan. 5 points to KSA until they then beat Bahrain brings it back to 2 anyway.

Trust Channel 9 etc to frame the Japan game as a must win. Winning it would be great though and could happen.
 
JS96 said:
That's why I'm somewhat indifferent to the points tally as it'll inevitably come down to that game. Equal 1 or 2 points is OK in that a draw away will suffice but I'd much rather have the 3 point buffer because the goal turnaround would then be massive.

Really hope we beat China and Saudi lose. 4 points. As NicCarBel said about 2014, maybe Saudi don't beat Bahrain which means we qualify in the middle of the night.

Should the above situation occur and we draw against Japan. 5 points to KSA until they then beat Bahrain brings it back to 2 anyway.

Trust Channel 9 etc to frame the Japan game as a must win. Winning it would be great though and could happen.
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Thing is - won’t our game be the middle of the night game? There’s no “all final games at the same time” requirement for WCQ games to be follow this. Generally the games in Saudi kick off at 3-4am AEST
 
NicCarBel said:
Thing is - won’t our game be the middle of the night game? There’s no “all final games at the same time” requirement for WCQ games to be follow this. Generally the games in Saudi kick off at 3-4am AEST
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Yes, I'm pretty sure Saudi away will be 4 or 6 am Sydney time.

I'm referring to the Bahrain Saudi game post Japan on Perth where we may have a 3-5 point lead and Saudi fail to win which probably secures of spot on GD at the absolute worst.

Indonesia Bahrain next week will certainly add to the whole plot not to mention China Bahrain on the last day should things go awry.
 
The narrative is far from complete so expect Saudi to draw in Japan while e lose in China. Australia then lose to Japan and Saudi best Bahrain meaning we must win Saudi away which will be a sickening prospect.
 
The thing with England in my opinion is Kane... he is always coming deep meaning in transition they can never really create good chances. He doesn't even need to really that midfield 3 is pretty close to world class. It also puts alot more pressure on Bellingham to make good runs in behind but you need a forward who will sit on the shoulder at times to get in the wingers in the box. Everyone knows he coming deep so defenders rarely get drawn out now. I think they much more dangerous with Watkins but Kane is just undroppable really.
 
According to FotMob, Duke played a combined 88 minutes across 3 matches in the >4 months since our previous game against Saudi on 14Nov. The last time he scored a goal was more than 8 months ago on 20Jul. He started just 6 games for his club across all of last season. Ridiculous that he's being brought on with such minimal game time and no scoring form when someone like Botic is on fire in comparison. Since Saudi match, Botic has 11 goals and 4 assists (versus 0 goals and 0 assists for Duke in the same period).
 
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verrelli said:
According to FotMob, Duke played a combined 88 minutes across 3 matches in the >4 months since our previous game against Saudi on 14Nov. The last time he scored a goal was more than 8 months ago on 20Jul. He started just 6 games for his club across all of last season. Ridiculous that he's being brought on with such minimal game time and no scoring form when someone like Botic is on fire in comparison. Since Saudi match, Botic has 11 goals and 4 assists (versus 0 goals and 0 assists for Duke in the same period).
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One thing I've learnt is poppa has pretty complicated game plans. So he has earnt my faith to look past weird squad selections at least till the end of the 3rd round of quals
 
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grazorblade said:
One thing I've learnt is poppa has pretty complicated game plans. So he has learnt my faith to look past weird squad selections at least till the end of the 3rd round of quals
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Yep - I'm yet to be convinced - but I am certainly open to change my mind. I just hope we wrap up qualification soon and use the windows after to get a settled squad (preferably younger).
 
grazorblade said:
One thing I've learnt is poppa has pretty complicated game plans. So he has earnt my faith to look past weird squad selections at least till the end of the 3rd round of quals
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My concern is that Popa's complicated system only works if strikers can score goals. We have a heavily defensive line up so the few attacking players we have must be creative and efficient scorers to make a difference on the scoreboard where it matters.

If we continue to use 'chasing' forwards who put pressure on opponents without scoring, instead of using in form and reliable scorers, we are asking for more 1 goal deciders that can go either way.

I hope Duke is brought in as a possible bench option who understand the system and not a starter. It is a very small hope. Duke does not make opposition centrebacks decide anything other than what they will have for breakfast the next day.

The good thing is I still feel optimistic for my 3 wins from these 3 games (Indonesia, China, Japan). I'm counting my chickens as I speak, having gotten up earlier to put my cart before my horse.
 
I think this is the right pick for a replacement. If it were to be a new striker they needed to come in at the start of camp.

Toure is the only new guy who might have merited consideration but he is injured I think?
 
verrelli said:
According to FotMob, Duke played a combined 88 minutes across 3 matches in the >4 months since our previous game against Saudi on 14Nov. The last time he scored a goal was more than 8 months ago on 20Jul. He started just 6 games for his club across all of last season. Ridiculous that he's being brought on with such minimal game time and no scoring form when someone like Botic is on fire in comparison. Since Saudi match, Botic has 11 goals and 4 assists (versus 0 goals and 0 assists for Duke in the same period).
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I have watched him last season in J league and Duke has been just horrible at scoring and even in the air now.. He probably gonna miss an open goal at this current form.
 
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JS96 said:
Should call Iredale over. It's close. Had him fly from Denmark to Indonesia.

Let me guess, Duke starts so it's back to the same stuff....

The rest aren't out and out strikers in a game we need to win.
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Would be a better option than Duke
 
RIMB said:
My concern is that Popa's complicated system only works if strikers can score goals. We have a heavily defensive line up so the few attacking players we have must be creative and efficient scorers to make a difference on the scoreboard where it matters.

If we continue to use 'chasing' forwards who put pressure on opponents without scoring, instead of using in form and reliable scorers, we are asking for more 1 goal deciders that can go either way.

I hope Duke is brought in as a possible bench option who understand the system and not a starter. It is a very small hope. Duke does not make opposition centrebacks decide anything other than what they will have for breakfast the next day.

The good thing is I still feel optimistic for my 3 wins from these 3 games (Indonesia, China, Japan). I'm counting my chickens as I speak, having gotten up earlier to put my cart before my horse.
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Agree with most of your points except winning against Japan, even at home.
 
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