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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

We don't know our alternative viable combinations because so much time was wasted always starting Irvine, unnecessarily starting Baccus and O'Neill and then stupid experiments with Brattan and Caceres. To think we had some moments late against Argentina in China with Hustic, McGree, Metcalfe and Robertson on the pitch where they had a couple of very good passing combinations.
 
Thinking on this more, and considering Popovic's system, I think my favourite CM combos are the following:

1. Triantis - Robertson
2. Balard - Nisbet
3. Teague - Luongo
4. O'Neill - Caceres

You can chop and change that a lot too. Looking at the options I don't there is a lot to worry about. We'll find something competitive.
 
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Midfield 3 of Triantis/Balard, Teague, Robertson would be ideal. Nisbet if Robertson is still playing hard to get and doesn't accept the call-up
 
Alex M said:
well two 0-0 draws will see us qualify (unless Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain by 9 or more).
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Well yes but less than that actually - Saudi Arabia have to beat us at home full stop in most scenarios I've played out in my head. Realistically for us we get a free hit at an already qualified Japan we beat them great that effectively wraps it up regardless of SA wins in their last 2 [Aus greater GD?] We draw in Perth not enough as it only gives us 2pts adv over SA. (I think we are all assuming SA will win vs BH)

Of course, if SA loose and we get a result in Perth that gives us 4pts so all over.

I still think the most likely scenario is a straight shootout between SA and AU
The final game for them has and always was THEY must beat us in JEDDAH.

For us a Loss vs JP and Draw with SA should be enough*
*Though potentially a pretty limp way to qualify for the in theory easiest WC to qualify for.

Popovic is undefeated I think too much to ask to continue that streak?
 
Quicky said:
Thinking on this more, and considering Popovic's system, I think my favourite CM combos are the following:

1. Triantis - Robertson
2. Balard - Nisbet
3. Teague - Luongo
4. O'Neill - Caceres

You can chop and change that a lot too. Looking at the options I don't there is a lot to worry about. We'll find something competitive.
Click to expand...
-Balard-Nisbet creative
-Triantis-Balard defensive
....Would be my choice from afar.
Robo for Nisbet maybe if available....
 
Ozirekt said:
Midfield 3 of Triantis/Balard, Teague, Robertson would be ideal. Nisbet if Robertson is still playing hard to get and doesn't accept the call-up
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I'd love that but Popovic doesn't really play a midfield 3. He plays 2 DM/CM and 3 forwards. The wide forwards are often midfielders that invert. The 3rd forward and centre of those 3 is the CF. It's a bit awkward in that CM/DM is probably our strongest area but we play 2 not 3.
 
ftbl-newb said:
Well yes but less than that actually - Saudi Arabia have to beat us at home full stop in most scenarios I've played out in my head. Realistically for us we get a free hit at an already qualified Japan we beat them great that effectively wraps it up regardless of SA wins in their last 2 [Aus greater GD?] We draw in Perth not enough as it only gives us 2pts adv over SA. (I think we are all assuming SA will win vs BH)

Of course, if SA loose and we get a result in Perth that gives us 4pts so all over.

I still think the most likely scenario is a straight shootout between SA and AU
The final game for them has and always was THEY must beat us in JEDDAH.

For us a Loss vs JP and Draw with SA should be enough*
*Though potentially a pretty limp way to qualify for the in theory easiest WC to qualify for.

Popovic is undefeated I think too much to ask to continue that streak?
Click to expand...
Yep, looks like it will pretty much boil down to that.
Assuming we finish ahead in Goal Difference:
  • Winning against Japan guarantees qualification.
  • Drawing against Japan and a win/draw against Saudi Arabia guarantees qualification.
  • Drawing against Japan, then losing to Saudi Arabia means Australia qualifies UNLESS Indonesia wins both of their games AND/OR Saudi Arabia defeat Bahrain
  • Losing against Japan means Australia must at least draw against Saudi Arabia - the scenario of us losing to both Japan and Saudi Arabia and still qualifying is possible, if Saudi Arabia have lost to Bahrain, and Indonesia does not win both matches against China and Japan.

I had a bit of downtime, so just wanted to look at outrageous scenarios that could see us fail to qualify on goal difference.
  • A draw with Saudi Arabia, alongside a Saudi Arabia victory over Bahrain, and an Australia loss to Japan by a collective 10 goals would see Saudi Arabia finish ahead on goal difference
  • Draws in both our games against Japan and Saudi Arabia, alongside Indonesia winning both of their games against Bahrain and Japan by a collective 13 goals (this is a tie on goal difference, but Indonesia would have more goals scored)
 
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