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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

JS96 said:
Bos, Burgess, Souttar, Rowles, Baccus and Silvera one card away from suspension. Just find 2 yellows brutal given how the refs are in Asia.

Inevitable suspensions so I guess we should try and avoid them as long as possible.
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Ouch, if any of Bos, Souttar, Burgess or Rowles get a yellow they'll miss Bahrain then. I'm sure Souttar would want redemption against them after the own goal last time.
 
Wonder if its worth having Bos, Burgess, Souttar taking a tactical yellow against Bahrain? Maybe miss the Indonesia game at home? (depends on if they surprise SA/Japan and get points in this window)

We will really need them against SA/Japan.
 
I think with Rhyan Grant Popa is clearly showing he wants his defence solid first and foremost. I expect the front half/third of the team to be where he plays with more constructive attacking players (over time) and wants the defensive side something he can just put in there and not worry about. Must be a pain to have to try and build/strengthen a defensive group again every game.

Grant can certainly hold down a RB position with skill, commitment and experience if Popa does not require him to run up and back all game as well. How Popa plays the unexpected/unusual players will determine how similar or different he is from Arnie.

Still excited to see how we play on Thursday without viewing Popa through a worry lens.

I expect Popa to do more than just tread water with existing players during his tenure.
 
Hi guys, just wondering what the predicted starting 11 for saudi game looks like, also what some of the substitutes may look like as the game progresses, would love to see a yengi mcgree and balard all starting. (y)
 
RIMB said:
I think with Rhyan Grant Popa is clearly showing he wants his defence solid first and foremost. I expect the front half/third of the team to be where he plays with more constructive attacking players (over time) and wants the defensive side something he can just put in there and not worry about. Must be a pain to have to try and build/strengthen a defensive group again every game.

Grant can certainly hold down a RB position with skill, commitment and experience if Popa does not require him to run up and back all game as well. How Popa plays the unexpected/unusual players will determine how similar or different he is from Arnie.

Still excited to see how we play on Thursday without viewing Popa through a worry lens.

I expect Popa to do more than just tread water with existing players during his tenure.
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You seriously rate Rhyan Grant?

Oh my.
 
RIMB said:
I think with Rhyan Grant Popa is clearly showing he wants his defence solid first and foremost. I expect the front half/third of the team to be where he plays with more constructive attacking players (over time) and wants the defensive side something he can just put in there and not worry about. Must be a pain to have to try and build/strengthen a defensive group again every game.

Grant can certainly hold down a RB position with skill, commitment and experience if Popa does not require him to run up and back all game as well. How Popa plays the unexpected/unusual players will determine how similar or different he is from Arnie.

Still excited to see how we play on Thursday without viewing Popa through a worry lens.

I expect Popa to do more than just tread water with existing players during his tenure.
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Based on this season's A League games I have seen, Grant is well past it. Even his mate Arnie dropped him a couple years ago. His and Degenek's selection in this squad are astounding.
 
one venue already ruled out and unavailable as Marvel Stadium is now out of contention to host Socceroos key FIFA World Cup qualifier against Japan on Thursday June 5th due to AFL has scheduled Dogs-Hawks round 13 clash on the same night as per Mitch Cleary confirmed Thursday Night footy schedule up til mid June via X this afternoon.
 

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footballnoob said:
Hi guys, just wondering what the predicted starting 11 for saudi game looks like, also what some of the substitutes may look like as the game progresses, would love to see a yengi mcgree and balard all starting. (y)
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My guess Poppa will go:

--------------------Gauci----------------------
-------Geria---Souttar---Burgess-----
--Miller-‐--‐---------------------------Bos--
--‐-----------O'Neill---Irvine---------------
------Boyle--------------------McGree----
----------------------Duke‐--‐------------------

If we go with that formation I'd like to see:

--------------------Gauci----------------------
-------Geria---Souttar---Burgess-----
--Miller-‐--‐---------------------------Bos--
--‐-----------Balard---Irvine---------------
--Vellupillay------------------McGree---
---------------------Yengi‐--‐-----------------
 
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Keeper66 said:
Based on this season's A League games I have seen, Grant is well past it. Even his mate Arnie dropped him a couple years ago. His and Degenek's selection in this squad are astounding.
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Well past what?

He's only ever been a moderate player at A League level.
 
Keeper66 said:
Based on this season's A League games I have seen, Grant is well past it. Even his mate Arnie dropped him a couple years ago. His and Degenek's selection in this squad are astounding.
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In his current aleagues role he is still trying to continue with his runs up the wing and into the box. He does not have the legs for that anymore.

To put him back in the Socceroos, Popa has to be aware of that limitation but needs the defensive role as his top priority. I think Grant can still play an excellent role in the back half with his experience and strength. I would still trust him at RB if I did not need him coming forward as such. I am imagining that Popa is deliberately sacrificing the flexibility of other players with runs forward for someone he knows can defend well and can be a set and forget player.
 
RIMB said:
In his current aleagues role he is still trying to continue with his runs up the wing and into the box. He does not have the legs for that anymore.

To put him back in the Socceroos, Popa has to be aware of that limitation but needs the defensive role as his top priority. I think Grant can still play an excellent role in the back half with his experience and strength. I would still trust him at RB if I did not need him coming forward as such. I am imagining that Popa is deliberately sacrificing the flexibility of other players with runs forward for someone he knows can defend well and can be a set and forget player.
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Wow!

Grant is not even a good player in the AL these days. He's at least a year past his AL use by date so the idea of selecting him for a far tougher assignment is just ludicrous.

Frankly, when you look at the recent selection of Brattan, Grant and Degenek, on top of the ongoing selection of Duke, Behich and Boyle... and remembering also the non-selection of Nisbet, Irankunda and (perhaps) Toure... it's as though Popa has been employed by the Saudis to make sure we drop points.

We are screwed with no avenue to goal at all.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Wow!

Grant is not even a good player in the AL these days. He's at least a year past his AL use by date so the idea of selecting him for a far tougher assignment is just ludicrous.

Frankly, when you look at the recent selection of Brattan, Grant and Degenek, on top of the ongoing selection of Duke, Behich and Boyle... and remembering also the non-selection of Nisbet, Irankunda and (perhaps) Toure... it's as though Popa has been employed by the Saudis to make sure we drop points.

We are screwed with no avenue to goal at all.
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I think Grant is less prone to errors than our younger players. I would count on him to be solid still. Tomorrow will tell whether Popa has lost his marbles or had a specific plan.

He can still run onto a well delivered diagonal ball in the box - but I don't want to see him trying that because I don't think he is up to getting back in time.

I did not understand picking Brattan last game and still don't.
 
I will always remember that Grant scored in a 1 - nil win against Vietnam when I was not happy he was in the squad, so he (and Poppa) get the benefit of the doubt for now. Hopefully he's proved right again.
 
I just want to be surprised that Grant can play one final, thorough, professional performance. Concerned if he does play he'll do something silly. Team way too similar to the last debacle Saudi home.
 
JS96 said:
I just want to be surprised that Grant can play one final, thorough, professional performance. Concerned if he does play he'll do something silly. Team way too similar to the last debacle Saudi home.
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I think he's just back-up for Miller. I hope we don't need one final pro performance from him.
 
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