World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[grazorblade]

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.

If he could shoot like irankunda he would play for real madrid

 

[Decentric]

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

Interesting?

 

[Decentric]

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

Welcome to the forum, Ozirekt.

 

[Decentric]

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.

Trewin has good composure on the ball as a young CB.

 

[Decentric]

All this defence talk but the pressing issue is getting players like Nisbet, Irankunda and Toure back in. We need to win and thereby score goals. What a shit season though with Souttar, Circati and Farrell all hurt. Arguably our best ball playing back 3 and defensively sound. Arguably? Probably true to be fair.

Oh no - Farrell injured too?

Geria has done very well as Right CB playing next to Souttar. Hope Burgess can play the same role, with Rowles on as left CB, if Circati is injured long term too. Geria, Souttar and Burgess have worked well as a cohesive back three when they've played together in recent games.

For those who haven't seen Socceroo stats thread, recently I compiled 1v1 stats for the last three Socceroo games. Geria was best 1v1 hard ball winner for the Socceroos and the best on the ground for both teams whenever he played. Souttar was close behind. Geria, Souttar and Burgess won nearly everything against opposition forwards , whilst rarely conceding fouls. They just didn't win heading duels from stoppages and score in the Aus attacking pen box though.

I'm worried about Souttar's injury affecting our qualification chances in the next 4 games.

 

[grazorblade]

F

Oh no - Farrell injured too?

Geria has done very well as Right CB playing next to Souttar. Hope Burgess can play the same role, with Rowles on as left CB, if Circati is injured long term too. Geria, Souttar and Burgess have worked well as a cohesive back three when they've played together in recent games.

For those who haven't seen Socceroo stats thread, recently I compiled 1v1 stats for the last three Socceroo games. Geria was best 1v1 hard ball winner for the Socceroos and the best on the ground for both teams whenever he played. Souttar was close behind. Geria, Souttar and Burgess won nearly everything against opposition forwards , whilst rarely conceding fouls. They just didn't win heading duels from stoppages and score in the Aus attacking pen box though.

I'm worried about Souttar's injury affecting our qualification chances in the next 4 games.

Farrell should be back in a week or 2

 

[Decentric]

Whilst many of us laud some of the Asian opposition's ball skills, I have some good news!

A huge problem for Asian opposition teams, is Australia's rugged ball winning capacity. We dominated Bahrain, easily beat Saudi in 1v1 physical duels, and accounted for Japan winning 57 % of all 1v1 duels, but they were effective in beating us for pace and dribbling around us in 1v1s.

And another real strength of the AL is that almost any Aussie player who plays in it, has to compete against very rugged, fellow Aussies playing in it! Most of the foreign imported attacking players in the AL struggle to hold their own in body on body duels in the AL.

Apart from Hrustic, when you put an entire Socceroo team together, we are tough to beat in physical duels. Except we cop some harsh treatment from some Asian refs, particularly from the Middle East. Some of the opposition defenders seem to be able hack our forwards down, with no sanction, whilst our defenders and tough tackling midfielders ( Cacares, an excellent tackler; Irvine and O'Neill) barely breathe on them and concede fouls or cards.

I've read many articles over the years where some imports in the AL feel they just can't compete physically with rugged Aussie players. This has even extended to Spanish players playing in the AL! It is why the French players do so well in the AL - France is the most physically rugged Big Five league in UEFA.

 

[Decentric]

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.

Haven't seen O'Neill play for Standard Liege, but he has played well for the Socceroos IMO.

He was best on ground in one of the recent WCQs.

Not sure how he would go as single midfield screener, or DM, but working in a twin screening DM combo, he has been successful.

 

[JS96]

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.

Not this again. Behich passes back nearly every time even when there is a forward option. I don't dislike him as such as he had a good time but the last couple of years he's really had the bad habit of slowing any chance to go forward. Basically we'll attack down the right. The cross or passes will end up on the left. Instead if having a go at a cross in the box, a short one-two or passing the a midfielder. He'll just go all the way back. In turn, our centre backs then go back to the keeper.

It's not only that but also the lack of overlapping runs, quality crosses and for his experience, being caught out of position.

 

[JS96]

Haven't seen O'Neill play for Standard Liege, but he has played well for the Socceroos IMO.

He was best on ground in one of the recent WCQs.

Not sure how he would go as single midfield screener, or DM, but working in a twin screening DM combo, he has been successful.

He's great at getting a lot of the work done one may not notice. A bit more venturing and creativity would be good to see. He has a handy lofted cross into the box.

 

[JS96]

Oh no - Farrell injured too?

Geria has done very well as Right CB playing next to Souttar. Hope Burgess can play the same role, with Rowles on as left CB, if Circati is injured long term too. Geria, Souttar and Burgess have worked well as a cohesive back three when they've played together in recent games.

For those who haven't seen Socceroo stats thread, recently I compiled 1v1 stats for the last three Socceroo games. Geria was best 1v1 hard ball winner for the Socceroos and the best on the ground for both teams whenever he played. Souttar was close behind. Geria, Souttar and Burgess won nearly everything against opposition forwards , whilst rarely conceding fouls. They just didn't win heading duels from stoppages and score in the Aus attacking pen box though.

I'm worried about Souttar's injury affecting our qualification chances in the next 4 games.

Not just until June but near definite the next round should we not make it direct. Bloody painful.

 

[grazorblade]

Yeah I don't like recycling possession when you are in transition. The chances are usually much better, even if u have to try something difficult because the runs are mistimed (like a take on or a shot from distance) that chance is usually better than the one you get going back to the keeper and letting the defence set

 

[Decentric]

Not this again. Behich passes back nearly every time even when there is a forward option. I don't dislike him as such as he had a good time but the last couple of years he's really had the bad habit of slowing any chance to go forward. Basically we'll attack down the right. The cross or passes will end up on the left. Instead if having a go at a cross in the box, a short one-two or passing the a midfielder. He'll just go all the way back. In turn, our centre backs then go back to the keeper.

It's not only that but also the lack of overlapping runs, quality crosses and for his experience, being caught out of position.

We must be watching a different player, JS!

I have had the advantage of slowly looking at replays to arrive at the conclusions I have about Behich and other players. Hadn't noted the quality of his crossing. I thought you could be correct, until scrutinising his aerial crossing in the AL in the last game.

Are you surprised all of Ange, Bert, Arnie and Popa, as Socceroo coaches, evaluate Behich in a similar way in having an important role as LB?

It might change in the foreseeable future with so much depth in the position from younger players.

 

[JS96]

I had to find a full game and by no means might this be the best or worst example. Palestine away was our toughest of the of previous round.

Opening 3 mins. 2 Behich backpasses when there is decent space ahead.

8:04. Why does he pass back there? We've got 2 players available and lots of space for running.

9:56. Reasonable back pass there. Goals come from trying to beat the man or crossing it in. Asian goals often come from defensive mix ups.

11:02. Appropriate forward pass and wins foul. Under pressure but that's where counters can start.

12:24. Swift Ryan throw. Behich takes it with his left and goes back to Irvine who nudges to Ryan under pressure. Had he just spun naturally he can nudge it forward past his man to Goodwin who is in ages of space.

13:00. Hallelujah. A nicely nudged ball for Goodwin. Probably positioned appropriately in back play but casually jogging on directly behind meaning he's offering no assistance there. This is another issue with Behich. He doesnt move enough.

20:35. Screaming for it. He gets the ball. Jogs forward. Irvine one option while Baccus marked out. Turns and goes back. The safest and best option there. Rudimentary moment.

23:30. This is the exact type of stuff I'm talking about. Behich on the ball. Baccus right in between 3 opponents, Goodwin hanging about while Irvine is in between their lines. Instead of going for a small jog forward and maybe lobbing the one man or a one-two with Baccus or Goodwin, he goes back.

This scene is something our teams sees too much and doesn't use. Either dribble and go through to Irvine turning their entire midfield or passing to Baccus who can then thread it to Metcalfe. The latter is risky but the reward is high.

26:05. Right idea as Behich starts a sprint from behind Ryan as he catches. Sprints 70m without the ball. He notices the big 9 who'd been lingering on the right is out of position. Such sprints further up the pitch in those moments would be more desirable.

29:07. Just so typical again. Team tries some passing and running. Ball to Behich. Static, goes back. The pass down the line probably wasn't on and retention is good but go for a bit of a run, win a throw or see new opportunities arise.

Opening 20 of second half little to note. 65:10. Holds the ball. Looks forward and back and goes back. Safe but Goodwin is on the sideline available.

This game saw Goodwin head forward a lot while Irvine was also a culprit of backpasses which killed attacking momentum.

76:48. Short run and a nice long ball to Metcalfe.

77:18. Ryan throws to the halfway line to Bos who pins his ears back and can find Borrello on the dome.

80:49. Team in box for a set play. Behich and Bos over ball on left wing. Bos taps ball and starts a run. Behich with a feeble lob. Intercepted and Palestine can play past him to run down the line. With experience like that you need to be much smarter.

This is just one game. This was before the Asian Cup where then the inverted fullbacks was the absolute killjoy. Compound that as a regular behaviour and that's just one of many issues the team has had. This was under Arnold and it was promising to see Japan away, when Behich came on, looking forward and passing or round a man into space. You could see in the body language that he knew Popovic would prefer something like that.

The contrast to how Bos is more attack minded is stark. The outside boot ball against Argentina in China was great. We've seen other promising movements. We've got to move forward with Bos and others.

 

[JS96]

We must be watching a different player, JS!

I have had the advantage of slowly looking at replays to arrive at the conclusions I have about Behich and other players. Hadn't noted the quality of his crossing. I thought you could be correct, until scrutinising his aerial crossing in the AL in the last game.

Are you surprised all of Ange, Bert, Arnie and Popa, as Socceroo coaches, evaluate Behich in a similar way in having an important role as LB?

It might change in the foreseeable future with so much depth in the position from younger players.

Oh no, you're not using the argument of why Ryan was always picked over Langerak, are you? Some can't accept that on here

Indeed Behich had an excellent run and it's interesting to note he replaced the wavering Smith. He was excellent against Honduras and Peru, high stakes stuff and had two decent world cups. My issue only really started post Qatar with Bos coming in and Elder had been in the frame for a good while. I feel the past 2 years has been full of greedy complacency and a bit of negligence in his play given his leadership group status.

Out of curiosity I see he's had 3 assists in 70 caps. The following players have had more but I had to think of some somewhat comparable examples (left back mainstays)

Alaba: 20
Robertson:10
Nagatomo: 28

It's just seeing that and there was a time when Elder had the most dangerous balls into the box in his league, Davidson rediscovering his form and Bos coming through that he's just been blocking the alternatives and it's not always warranted.

 

[grazorblade]

I had to find a full game and by no means might this be the best or worst example. Palestine away was our toughest of the of previous round.

Opening 3 mins. 2 Behich backpasses when there is decent space ahead.

8:04. Why does he pass back there? We've got 2 players available and lots of space for running.

9:56. Reasonable back pass there. Goals come from trying to beat the man or crossing it in. Asian goals often come from defensive mix ups.

11:02. Appropriate forward pass and wins foul. Under pressure but that's where counters can start.

12:24. Swift Ryan throw. Behich takes it with his left and goes back to Irvine who nudges to Ryan under pressure. Had he just spun naturally he can nudge it forward past his man to Goodwin who is in ages of space.

13:00. Hallelujah. A nicely nudged ball for Goodwin. Probably positioned appropriately in back play but casually jogging on directly behind meaning he's offering no assistance there. This is another issue with Behich. He doesnt move enough.

20:35. Screaming for it. He gets the ball. Jogs forward. Irvine one option while Baccus marked out. Turns and goes back. The safest and best option there. Rudimentary moment.

23:30. This is the exact type of stuff I'm talking about. Behich on the ball. Baccus right in between 3 opponents, Goodwin hanging about while Irvine is in between their lines. Instead of going for a small jog forward and maybe lobbing the one man or a one-two with Baccus or Goodwin, he goes back.

This scene is something our teams sees too much and doesn't use. Either dribble and go through to Irvine turning their entire midfield or passing to Baccus who can then thread it to Metcalfe. The latter is risky but the reward is high.

26:05. Right idea as Behich starts a sprint from behind Ryan as he catches. Sprints 70m without the ball. He notices the big 9 who'd been lingering on the right is out of position. Such sprints further up the pitch in those moments would be more desirable.

29:07. Just so typical again. Team tries some passing and running. Ball to Behich. Static, goes back. The pass down the line probably wasn't on and retention is good but go for a bit of a run, win a throw or see new opportunities arise.

Opening 20 of second half little to note. 65:10. Holds the ball. Looks forward and back and goes back. Safe but Goodwin is on the sideline available.

This game saw Goodwin head forward a lot while Irvine was also a culprit of backpasses which killed attacking momentum.

76:48. Short run and a nice long ball to Metcalfe.

77:18. Ryan throws to the halfway line to Bos who pins his ears back and can find Borrello on the dome.

80:49. Team in box for a set play. Behich and Bos over ball on left wing. Bos taps ball and starts a run. Behich with a feeble lob. Intercepted and Palestine can play past him to run down the line. With experience like that you need to be much smarter.

This is just one game. This was before the Asian Cup where then the inverted fullbacks was the absolute killjoy. Compound that as a regular behaviour and that's just one of many issues the team has had. This was under Arnold and it was promising to see Japan away, when Behich came on, looking forward and passing or round a man into space. You could see in the body language that he knew Popovic would prefer something like that.

The contrast to how Bos is more attack minded is stark. The outside boot ball against Argentina in China was great. We've seen other promising movements. We've got to move forward with Bos and others.

Love the detail!

Will rematch sometime, curious if I have the same view

 

[JS96]

Love the detail!

Will rematch sometime, curious if I have the same view

Don't mind quick watches on a certain player or how we decide when static or getting the ball. Rewatches show a lot.

The rewatch of O'Neills debut was amazing. Also how Irvine and Mabil absolutely suffocated them.

Felt in this Palestine game that Metcalfe put himself in good areas in what was a pretty tame match. Watching it with the 5 sec fast forward we actually appear a lot more in control.

 

[JS96]

Yeah I don't like recycling possession when you are in transition. The chances are usually much better, even if u have to try something difficult because the runs are mistimed (like a take on or a shot from distance) that chance is usually better than the one you get going back to the keeper and letting the defence set

Second half against Palestine Australia created a good chance for Borrello with that quick passing and movement.

If you see how our chances and goals come against better opponents then it's from those situations. The penalty against Mexico came from quick movement and McGree taking on his man.

If we take too long to start something we give the opponent too much time to get settled. In Asia it's event trickier. We need to be as greedy like against level A nations and pepper the box with balls as we know in Asia a lot of error and deflection can occur. Remember how many goals we used to score by getting the ball into the box and their defence slipping or deflecting? That's how the others get the goals. We need to emulate it.

 

[grazorblade]

Don't mind quick watches on a certain player or how we decide when static or getting the ball. Rewatches show a lot.

The rewatch of O'Neills debut was amazing. Also how Irvine and Mabil absolutely suffocated them.

Felt in this Palestine game that Metcalfe put himself in good areas in what was a pretty tame match. Watching it with the 5 sec fast forward we actually appear a lot more in control.

Roos performances always look better to me on rematch
The emotion at the time and the tendency to underestimate how hard it is to break down Asian blocks

 

[Decentric]

I had to find a full game and by no means might this be the best or worst example. Palestine away was our toughest of the of previous round.

Opening 3 mins. 2 Behich backpasses when there is decent space ahead.

8:04. Why does he pass back there? We've got 2 players available and lots of space for running.

9:56. Reasonable back pass there. Goals come from trying to beat the man or crossing it in. Asian goals often come from defensive mix ups.

11:02. Appropriate forward pass and wins foul. Under pressure but that's where counters can start.

12:24. Swift Ryan throw. Behich takes it with his left and goes back to Irvine who nudges to Ryan under pressure. Had he just spun naturally he can nudge it forward past his man to Goodwin who is in ages of space.

13:00. Hallelujah. A nicely nudged ball for Goodwin. Probably positioned appropriately in back play but casually jogging on directly behind meaning he's offering no assistance there. This is another issue with Behich. He doesnt move enough.

20:35. Screaming for it. He gets the ball. Jogs forward. Irvine one option while Baccus marked out. Turns and goes back. The safest and best option there. Rudimentary moment.

23:30. This is the exact type of stuff I'm talking about. Behich on the ball. Baccus right in between 3 opponents, Goodwin hanging about while Irvine is in between their lines. Instead of going for a small jog forward and maybe lobbing the one man or a one-two with Baccus or Goodwin, he goes back.

This scene is something our teams sees too much and doesn't use. Either dribble and go through to Irvine turning their entire midfield or passing to Baccus who can then thread it to Metcalfe. The latter is risky but the reward is high.

26:05. Right idea as Behich starts a sprint from behind Ryan as he catches. Sprints 70m without the ball. He notices the big 9 who'd been lingering on the right is out of position. Such sprints further up the pitch in those moments would be more desirable.

29:07. Just so typical again. Team tries some passing and running. Ball to Behich. Static, goes back. The pass down the line probably wasn't on and retention is good but go for a bit of a run, win a throw or see new opportunities arise.

Opening 20 of second half little to note. 65:10. Holds the ball. Looks forward and back and goes back. Safe but Goodwin is on the sideline available.

This game saw Goodwin head forward a lot while Irvine was also a culprit of backpasses which killed attacking momentum.

76:48. Short run and a nice long ball to Metcalfe.

77:18. Ryan throws to the halfway line to Bos who pins his ears back and can find Borrello on the dome.

80:49. Team in box for a set play. Behich and Bos over ball on left wing. Bos taps ball and starts a run. Behich with a feeble lob. Intercepted and Palestine can play past him to run down the line. With experience like that you need to be much smarter.

This is just one game. This was before the Asian Cup where then the inverted fullbacks was the absolute killjoy. Compound that as a regular behaviour and that's just one of many issues the team has had. This was under Arnold and it was promising to see Japan away, when Behich came on, looking forward and passing or round a man into space. You could see in the body language that he knew Popovic would prefer something like that.

The contrast to how Bos is more attack minded is stark. The outside boot ball against Argentina in China was great. We've seen other promising movements. We've got to move forward with Bos and others.

Very, very impressive research, JS!

I'll have a look in the next few days.