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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

You've got think though. Balard gets picked and not played then totally out. It's got to be a personal issue. I don't get these call ups of the most promising only not to play them and then banish them.
 
8:10 in the press conference. Question must have been about Baccus or Yazbek just not being selected. Our press conferences are shameful. Mic not given to journalists so we can hardly hear questions. Cameraman phone vibrating the whole time. Train noise in the background. Idiotic unprofessional stuff.
 
Quicky said:
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These defenders play at higher levels than our attackers. For me it'll come down to poor tactics. Boyle and Goodwin will need to put in a big showing to break it. Indonesia are under pressure however with Aus and Japan away. It's such a tight group that may broaden this window.
 
JS96 said:
These defenders play at higher levels than our attackers. For me it'll come down to poor tactics. Boyle and Goodwin will need to put in a big showing to break it. Indonesia are under pressure however with Aus and Japan away. It's such a tight group that may broaden this window.
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Indonesia are really tough at the back.

It makes the team selection more frustrating. Two of our best offensive threats in Toure and Irankunda left behind. We'll need our other forwards to step up. Only Boyle is good form.

We could dominate midfield to put the defence under pressure, but we went with local picks instead of guys doing it in better leagues overseas.

We're going to need to hope for a scrappy goal, a mistake or a set piece to score - against a good defence. It's a worry.
 
Quicky said:
Indonesia are really tough at the back.

It makes the team selection more frustrating. Two of our best offensive threats in Toure and Irankunda left behind. We'll need our other forwards to step up. Only Boyle is good form.

We could dominate midfield to put the defence under pressure, but we went with local picks instead of guys doing it in better leagues overseas.

We're going to need to hope for a scrappy goal, a mistake or a set piece to score - against a good defence. It's a worry.
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It's not really a time now for any team to say, let's worry about points later. Looking at the table calculator Indonesia must try to get a point here so I don't expect them to attack too much. Japan's remaining games are a worry but their squad are all auditioning for the WC. I suspect one ME will get a point in Japan this window as history has shown.

Last window was on a platter for us yet we failed to win. Every other result went our way.
 
JS96 said:
You've got think though. Balard gets picked and not played then totally out. It's got to be a personal issue. I don't get these call ups of the most promising only not to play them and then banish them.
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Why do you assume it's a personal issue?

It's normal practice for a national manager to pick a player to bring them into a squad on promise/potential to have a look at them. Once they see them in camp and get to know them a bit then they have a better understanding of the players 'profile' as seems to be Popa's buzz word.

There is no indication Balard has been banished and he did say that he was very close to selection, they just chose to go with Triantis and Teague in that position.

Also couldn't agree more on the shithouse press conference. Seriously the FA comms/media team should get a bollocking after that!
 
onedaywinners... said:
Why do you assume it's a personal issue?

It's normal practice for a national manager to pick a player to bring them into a squad on promise/potential to have a look at them. Once they see them in camp and get to know them a bit then they have a better understanding of the players 'profile' as seems to be Popa's buzz word.

There is no indication Balard has been banished and he did say that he was very close to selection, they just chose to go with Triantis and Teague in that position.

Also couldn't agree more on the shithouse press conference. Seriously the FA comms/media team should get a bollocking after that!
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Popovic did say he was very unlucky not to be in the squad. You notice goe defensive Popovic gets when questioned. His body language changes and he says yes quickly many times.

I just don't get how he not include Balard and drop a defender. See him with the others and get a combination going.

A lot of Mariners fans are saying he's got a GF chip on his shoulder. While I don't buy that he's got a way with his preferences.
 
England squad with similar vibes. Henderson picked again and the defend with some newbies. In the end if the best team rather than a bunch of individuals are picked, that'll go closer to success.
 
JS96 said:
Popovic did say he was very unlucky not to be in the squad. You notice goe defensive Popovic gets when questioned. His body language changes and he says yes quickly many times.

I just don't get how he not include Balard and drop a defender. See him with the others and get a combination going.

A lot of Mariners fans are saying he's got a GF chip on his shoulder. While I don't buy that he's got a way with his preferences.
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No Nisbet, one of the most talented and versatile playmakers to come out of the Aleague, is constantly overlooked whilst our national team continues to lack creativity; and no Balard, a player that up until Popa was being touted as a future national captain, his new clubs supporters are calling him the Australian Kanté that's how much they enjoy his performance in the Eredivisie. Yeah the chip is definately there.
 
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Barca4life said:
A line up based on the squad selection and Popa's preferred formation:

Ryan

Trewin Geria Burgess

Boyle Irvine Triantis Behich

Goodwin Borrello

Yengi

For me the back 3, the twos No.10s and maybe up front are up for grabs, I feel some players are selected based on reputation rather than form so they have to perform which will be must win games for the Roos.
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I feel sick looking at that starting lineup
 
huddo said:
No Nisbet, one of the most talented and versatile playmakers to come out of the Aleague, is constantly overlooked whilst our national team continues to lack creativity; and no Balard, a player that up until Popa was being touted as a future national captain, his new clubs supporters are calling him the Australian Kanté that's how much they enjoy his performance in the Eredivisie. Yeah the chip is definately there.
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I don't think Poppa has a chip on his shoulder. That's conspiracy nonsense imo. But he definitely preferences players he's worked closely with before. I don't like that.
 
SocceroosFan said:
I feel sick looking at that starting lineup
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I think this is the best line-up given Popovic's system.

Ryan
Geria - Burgess - Rowles
Karacic --------------------------- Behich
Triantis - Irvine
Vellupillay - Boyle - Goodwin
​
I think this will be close to what happens though I expect Miller at RWB and Boyle RF and Yengi CF.

I'd honestly prefer Yengi CF but don't trust his form atm and I don't like Boyle inverting from wide, so reckon the above 11 offers better balance.

Behich I really dislike in the role but would prefer him over Davidson given Davidsons extended absence from the NT. Though its much of a muchness tbh.

I honestly hate the wing backs and inverted forwards in this system with our playing qualities.

It's designed for defensive robustness rather than the strengths of our team and our players.
 
Quicky said:
It's designed for defensive robustness rather than the strengths of our team and our players.
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Do you think he will change if we confirm qualification? None of our best young prospects are suited to this system.

I think if you could get Kuol/Irankunda/Yengi to press intensely a gegenpress/counter attack 433 system would work well for us.

Really liked Irankundas response on social media -

Maybe this is Poppas plan after all? Push the young kids to keep going.
 
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jas88 said:
Do you think he will change if we confirm qualification? None of our best young prospects are suited to this system.

I think if you could get Kuol/Irankunda/Yengi to press intensely a gegenpress/counter attack 433 system would work well for us.

Really liked Irankundas response on social media -

Maybe this is Poppas plan after all? Push the young kids to keep going.
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I doubt he'll change. I'd love a 4-3-3. I think the pace of Irankunda and Toure would be great pressing and counter attacking. I think we'd get more out of Goodwin too.
 
Popa is a club football coach, so he’s going to put he’s system of play first and see who can fit into it, a lot of he’s selections reflect it heck Arnie was the same too when he’s was coaching the team.

An ideal world there would be a universal style of play for all national teams to follow so when you bring in players that can fit into the system without compromising the players.

Which is why Spain have been very successful by doing this, what is ours I think the Australia u20 side may have given us the blueprint forward for all teams to follow if the processes are there.
What is the the FA going to do about it? Because this is important for the future.
 
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