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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Mr Cleansheets said:
There are some decent players there but Popa hasn't been picking them. Irvine is usually there and while he works hard in defence his touch and passing are dreadful.
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I honestly can't wait until Irvine, Behuch and Duke retire. Inevitably we'll have the problems by then but these 3 are blocking out the next gen and their selections aren't warranted. I'd have Irvine in the squad but he doesn't need to start all the time. To think we had times when Grella would be an impact sub...
 
I don't mind Trewin. Certainly should make the short list. That's around 50 players. March window is going to be mental. ME teams firing and Japan really can afford to not win. In turn Japanese players are going toe to toe to make the 26 squad.
 
JS96 said:
I honestly can't wait until Irvine, Behuch and Duke retire. Inevitably we'll have the problems by then but these 3 are blocking out the next gen and their selections aren't warranted. I'd have Irvine in the squad but he doesn't need to start all the time. To think we had times when Grella would be an impact sub...
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Blocking? Behich is behind JBos and if a younger player wants to replace Behich then they have to earn it. In yesterday's game, in the second half he was the only one creating opportunities for City. So far, the evidence does not indicate that these players will be replaced soon. Another one to add to the list is Craig Goodwin.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
Blocking? Behich is behind JBos and if a younger player wants to replace Behich then they have to earn it. In yesterday's game, in the second half he was the only one creating opportunities for City. So far, the evidence does not indicate that these players will be replaced soon. Another one to add to the list is Craig Goodwin.
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Thankfully Bos has stsrted ahead of Behich. Behich is still an indictment on our attack. The constant backpassing hinders any potential attack.

Goodwin ages like fine wine. I think he'll retire before being dropped.
 
Triantis should be selected, but as a DM. A proper holding 6 that's also smooth on the ball is probably the most important component to a modern team. We have plenty of "good-enough" depth at centreback. As others have already pointed out, our issue is purposeful possession and scoring goals - Triantis would provide a strong foundation
 
Ozirekt said:
Triantis should be selected, but as a DM. A proper holding 6 that's also smooth on the ball is probably the most important component to a modern team. We have plenty of "good-enough" depth at centreback. As others have already pointed out, our issue is purposeful possession and scoring goals - Triantis would provide a strong foundation
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Welcome 🫡
 
Ozirekt said:
Triantis should be selected, but as a DM. A proper holding 6 that's also smooth on the ball is probably the most important component to a modern team. We have plenty of "good-enough" depth at centreback. As others have already pointed out, our issue is purposeful possession and scoring goals - Triantis would provide a strong foundation
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Popovic plays with two centre pivots/DM's. I really want to see any combination of Luongo, Balard and Triantis tried in the role to see how it performs.

For whatever reason O'Neill hasn't found his club mojo with the national team. Irvine i'd prefer off the bench or higher up the pitch.
 
Very tough spot right now but I think Milanovic has to be given a chance. Drew also to put pressure on the slackers.
 
JS96 said:
Very tough spot right now but I think Milanovic has to be given a chance. Drew also to put pressure on the slackers.
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he had a scathing scouting report which makes me nervous. Said he was a high volume player that tries lots of dribbles and long shots and occasionally one comes off, but at a higher level he would get found out by better defenders and keepers and what looks good at this level would look like poor decision making the next level up
 
grazorblade said:
he had a scathing scouting report which makes me nervous. Said he was a high volume player that tries lots of dribbles and long shots and occasionally one comes off, but at a higher level he would get found out by better defenders and keepers and what looks good at this level would look like poor decision making the next level up
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Copy + Paste of the Arzani scouting report
 
MoorePark said:
Nah but you could just use Milanovic's scouting report for pretty much every Australian winger for last 20 years bar Kewell and Emerton
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Maybe, I'm definitely curious if they turn their noses up at flair. In arzani's case he has tight control that would be good at any level I would think
 
I am a big fan of irunkunda move to grasshoppers, big chance for him to play against senior players in good comp and come back to National team as a proper weapon, as long as Popovic uses him properly, not a fan of popovic Use of players and selections so far but only early in his tenure, plenty of time to figure things out
 
JS96 said:
Thankfully Bos has stsrted ahead of Behich. Behich is still an indictment on our attack. The constant backpassing hinders any potential attack.

Goodwin ages like fine wine. I think he'll retire before being dropped.
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As I've said before, the KNVB dispelled the notion about players preferring to pass backwards and sideways 16 years ago when in Aus, training A L coaches. It really depends on the movement of the players off the ball where a player passes to.

You seem to dislike Behich, JS.

Based on possibly you and others suggesting he is a poor aerial crosser, I had a good look at him in the AL in one of the most recent games. His aerial crossing had nice shape, but given the striking targets weren't top headers of the ball, the quality aerial crosses didn't reap many benefits.

Also, from watching Behich at City and with the Socceroos, he doesn't pass backwards and sideways discernibly more than anybody else. He tends to have a pretty good idea of where to play the ball before he receives it.

I have also thought a strength of his is as part of the team build up moving forwards.
 
footballnoob said:
I am a big fan of irunkunda move to grasshoppers, big chance for him to play against senior players in good comp and come back to National team as a proper weapon, as long as Popovic uses him properly, not a fan of popovic Use of players and selections so far but only early in his tenure, plenty of time to figure things out
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Welcome to the forum, Football Noob.

I'd love to see Irankunda at Grasshoppers, where he might get a chance to play regular football in a decent league. The Swiss league is in the next ranking category after the Big Five, along with Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal. I think the Swiss league has 4 big clubs, Grasshoppers being one, similar quality to Big Five UEFA league clubs.They probably play a lot of intra-continental UEFA football too.
 
grazorblade said:
Maybe, I'm definitely curious if they turn their noses up at flair. In arzani's case he has tight control that would be good at any level I would think
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Arzani's close ball control has to be one of the best Aussies of all time in this facet of play.

I think a problem is lack of his goal output as a winger.

I feel bad criticising Hrustic again, after his mediocre 1v1 performances in recent Socceroo games, but I think Arzani is better than Hrustic in almost every aspect of football. Hrustic might be more two footed, possibly a better shooter for goal. Hrustic might have more stamina too.

I know others have suggested Arzani can't last for more than 60 -70 mins on a pitch either. Even if it is the case, coming off the bench for the Socceroos, Arzani can cause havoc just by himself. We just don't produce this sort of player in Aus, although his two Victory teammates Piscopo and Valadon are very skilful in different ways too.
 
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Decentric said:
Welcome to the forum, Football Noob.

I'd love to see Irankunda at Grasshoppers, where he might get a chance to play regular football in a decent league. The Swiss league is in the next ranking category after the Big Five, along with Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal. I think the Swiss league has 4 big clubs, Grasshoppers being one, similar quality to Big Five UEFA league clubs.They probably play a lot of intra-continental UEFA football too.
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Yeah I reckon it's a brilliant move and historically more likely to give our youth a go than similar quality leagues (hence it being part of the old trinity of buli 2 eredivisie and swiss)
 
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