Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Assuming the current superior GD over Saudi (+7 vs -2) won't realistically be overcome, this is a summary of each of the possible 9 scenarios in the penultimate match day:

AUS win, KSA win = AUS qualify (3 pts ahead plus GD)

AUS win, KSA draw = AUS qualify (5 pts ahead)

AUS win, KSA lose = AUS qualify (6 pts ahead)

AUS draw, KSA win = Comes down to final game (1 pt ahead, draw in last match will be enough)

AUS draw, KSA draw = AUS qualify (3 pts ahead plus GD)

AUS draw, KSA lose = AUS qualify (4 pts ahead)

AUS lose, KSA win = Comes down to final game (equal on pts with superior GD, draw in last game will be enough)

AUS lose, KSA draw = Comes down to final game (2 pts ahead, draw in last match will be enough)

AUS lose, KSA lose = AUS qualify (3 pts ahead plus GD)

So of the 9 possible scenarios, in 6 of them AUS qualify following penultimate match day and in 3 of them we go into final match just needing a draw. I reckon just about any of those results are equal probability. Both matches a real coin toss.
 
Very good 3 points won, and 6 points accrued from the last 2 WCQ games.

Have finished match stats from Indonesian game, and will complete China match stats and post them in match stats thread.

Popa has certainly given debuts to many young players in the squad, and, recalled players from the past.

Hopefully, we can beat Japan in Aus and qualify for the WC before going to the 40 degree plus heat of Riyadh in Saudi.
 
Unlike in the first half we played some football we had to suffer in the second half by a desperate China side but we defended well and overall it was a professional performance in the end.

I would like us to keep the ball a bit better especially in the final third as I thought the likes of Borrello and Boyle weren’t as effective in the second half but that’s something to improve on going into the last couple of games.

Job done and a perfect window in terms of points.
 
Last edited:
Pasquali said:
Always believed Irvine works best as a box to box player. He doesn't have the technical skills to unlock a defence imo
Click to expand...
He’s better off finishing the move with a final shot or pass, we can tell how confident he looks when he’s allowed to push further forward.
 
SR1968 said:
Good result away from, and Japan did us a bit of a favour holding Saudi Arabia to a draw, but the Socceroos have two very, very hard last two games. When I looked at the table, Saudi Arabia have really struggled to score goals, but they defend very well.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum, SR1968.
 
verrelli said:
Assuming the current superior GD over Saudi (+7 vs -2) won't realistically be overcome, this is a summary of each of the possible 9 scenarios in the penultimate match day:

AUS win, KSA win = AUS qualify (3 pts ahead plus GD)

AUS win, KSA draw = AUS qualify (5 pts ahead)

AUS win, KSA lose = AUS qualify (6 pts ahead)

AUS draw, KSA win = Comes down to final game (1 pt ahead, draw in last match will be enough)

AUS draw, KSA draw = AUS qualify (3 pts ahead plus GD)

AUS draw, KSA lose = AUS qualify (4 pts ahead)

AUS lose, KSA win = Comes down to final game (equal on pts with superior GD, draw in last game will be enough)

AUS lose, KSA draw = Comes down to final game (2 pts ahead, draw in last match will be enough)

AUS lose, KSA lose = AUS qualify (3 pts ahead plus GD)

So of the 9 possible scenarios, in 6 of them AUS qualify following penultimate match day and in 3 of them we go into final match just needing a draw. I reckon just about any of those results are equal probability. Both matches a real coin toss.
Click to expand...
Discounting Indonesia and Bahrain here (and a win for either tonight means they’re only 1 point behind Saudi, and could theoretically be in the mix Only worth making these scenarios after their game. Granted, if that ends in a draw, then yes everything here is pretty much spot on.
 
SR1968 said:
Good result away from, and Japan did us a bit of a favour holding Saudi Arabia to a draw, but the Socceroos have two very, very hard last two games. When I looked at the table, Saudi Arabia have really struggled to score goals, but they defend very well.
Click to expand...
Just 4 goals In 8 games for Saudi. The chance they overcome our GD is almost zero.
 
All about results now and the players played well. Velupillay good again. Of course it begs the question how he'll go against better opponents.

It's not like Irankunda has shown this yet himself but there's a big FOMO.

Teague with a positive debut yet I'm concerned about how vindicated Popovic will feel that he won't make the necessary changes or attempt to try our vast array of talent when needed.
 
We'll be motivated to sort ourselves as we play first in Perth time wise. If we win we're through but other results mean an all nighter.

Got Indonesia Bahrain on now. The latter winning is probably not good for Australia as we need their help in June too. Ideally all teams keep dropping points.
 
1:0 Indonesia. Great move. Romeney 2 goals in 2 caps.

Probably better Indonesia win if the game is to have a winner. Bahrain different at home against ME sides.
 
Honestly though Indonesia host China first in June so they may end up on 12 points. Would be pretty nervy to see what they may throw out Japan away hours before Australia's last game. We'll have a lot of clarity before we play our final game.
 
JS96 said:
Honestly though Indonesia host China first in June so they may end up on 12 points. Would be pretty nervy to see what they may throw out Japan away hours before Australia's last game. We'll have a lot of clarity before we play our final game.
Click to expand...
yep we’ll know exactly where things stand before the Saudi game (should it come to that)
 
So here's my question with this Popa trade marked super complicated system he's playing (so I read) is there any chance we'll see Irankunda, Botic, Milanovic, Segacic, Toure any time soon?
 
Muz said:
So here's my question with this Popa trade marked super complicated system he's playing (so I read) is there any chance we'll see Irankunda, Botic, Milanovic, Segacic, Toure any time soon?
Click to expand...
probably not :(

that is unfortunately the tradeoff. We might get a player or 2 from that list. I'm amazed we didnt get toure this window since we are still weak in the striker position, so maybe he will play
 
grazorblade said:
probably not :(

that is unfortunately the tradeoff. We might get a player or 2 from that list. I'm amazed we didnt get toure this window since we are still weak in the striker position, so maybe he will play
Click to expand...

If that's the case that's flat out ridiculous.
 
Muz said:
If that's the case that's flat out ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's going to be interesting long term. If I'm not mistaken, Poppa's club teams have hit really big heights but then crashed because he struggles to regenerate the squad. Maybe if he approached club footy the same as international football, the complexity of his system might make it difficult to regenerate

We will see of course
 
  • Like
Reactions: LFC
crikey looking at poppas record he definitely reach heights and then crashes and burns

Seasonfinishnotes
2012-131st
2013-142ndWon ACL (!)
2014-159th (yikes)
2015-162nd
2016-176th (2nd peak then crash!)
2018-191st
2019-206th (another peak then crash)
2021-222nd
2022-2311th (yikes again)
2023-243rd

Hopefully we peak at the world cup and then move on. We could crash out at the group stage of the asian cup if we keep him too long haha

those who watch him at club football: does he hold onto players too long?
 
  • Like
Reactions: LFC
We're undoubtedly not going to see many talented players under Popovic.

Boyle wasn't really convincing this window but he'll probably keep getting picked.

This makeshift defence is working. Surely Circati and Souttar come back in with ease when fit.

Bos was favoured. Perhaps once we have such assets Popovic can then have us facing forward and bring our strikers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top