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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

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.
 
Decentric said:
* How about Popa's detractors giving him a pat on the back for his superb coaching in Ball Possession Opposition and selection of players who are good off the ball? Borrello, Duke, Metcalfe, Boyle, who are arguably better off the ball than on it.

* Popa needs another pat for recognising the superior qualities of the AL players ( in terms of style, over second ball Scottish league, which Arnie loved too much) unless one plays for Rangers or Celtic.
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???

Well.done Popa, you showed everyone with that dominant display. Your recognition of AL players that have tried to move overseas really has promoted the idea of footballers attempting to improve themselves!?!
 
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
 
Decentric said:
IMO no.

Just watching the Aus u23s there are immense talents coming though who are desperate to pull on the senior Socceroo shirt.

Given the vast improvement in skill sets of u 23s and u20s, all this trio of dual nationals, Triantis, Robertson, Volpato, who I've seen little of, are going to have to be incredibly good players to be better. They aren't even interested in playing at a World Cup for Aus. Forget about them.

None are playing in Big Five leagues or in the Big 30 UEFA clubs or so outside the Big Five.

Circati is. He has been a tremendous acquisition.
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So you watched an age restricted match and assumed they were the best option?
 
Decentric said:
* When Japan had the ball their movement off the ball, fast handing speed, first touch, dribbling in tight spaces was world powerhouse quality.
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They were superb at times, Kamada is a top top player The way he was able to drag O'Neill out the midfield by drifting out wide to then play a quick ball back to his CB who would fire a ball centrally through the lines. A better team might cut through us a bit easier.

My big concern is we really have 0 outlets on the counter. Duke gets very lonely up there only so much he can do.

Thought Metcalfe basically as a defensive winger was pretty good he did his job I can see why he gets runs there in germany.
 
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tsf said:
Miller on the right should be behind Geria. Geria has performed well, and holds the ball way better. Also his telling pass set it all up.
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Has Geria been playing regularly in Japan?

I’ve thought he has been one of the Socceroos best since being selected.
 
tsf said:
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.
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They looked potent to me.

I take my hat off to Japanese football.
 
tsf said:
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.
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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.
 
huddo said:
So you watched an age restricted match and assumed they were the best option?
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No.

I’m evaluating improved skill sets - that in national FFA / FA Conferences the likes of Rob Baan, Han Berger, Ali Edwards, were stating we needed to produce players with skill sets very rare in Aus players at the time.

Youlley, Bozinovski, Valadon, Okon Jr, Circati, Farrell , Bos bros, Matthews, Brett Hollman, Segecic, Pearman, Quintal, Deli, et al, all display those skill sets missing, or rare, in previous gens. They are only going to get better too.

We just need less of them going to Scotland.
 
RIMB said:
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.
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Deep defensive line is safer than a high line.
 
melbcityguy said:
So a question then if a triantis, Robertson or volpato comes and says actually today I feel Australian do we select them over the guys that pulled the shift to get us qualified?
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I think Volpato overated no loss for me at all or even Triantis called into the squad doesn't want to do the hardyards and work for his place. Robertson is talented and is not a loss cause we need someone to put his arms around him.
 
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