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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Some good inclusions but many disappointing omissions. If we're left scratching our heads with wing backs when leaving out Strain and Elder then it's our own fault.

Karacic and Davidson bring in some world cup experience. Popovic once again overloading on defence.

The attacking selections are generally good for the low block opponents but no Irankunda is really frustrating.

Balard is going to be another cast into the wilderness it seems as is Nisbet.
 
Ugh the overload on defenders makes it obvious it'll be a back 3. We're going to see an exhausted midfield. It'll seemingly be a 5221 with narrow or inverted wingers. It's going to appear quite static and the wing backs will another Goodwin and Boyle. Don't like it as it's probably be very flat and predictable.
 
Not as bad of a squad as made out to be given the bleak circumstances tbh

I really hope these fringies and domestic players really step tf up.
 
Ugh the overload on defenders makes it obvious it'll be a back 3. We're going to see an exhausted midfield. It'll seemingly be a 5221 with narrow or inverted wingers. It's going to appear quite static and the wing backs will another Goodwin and Boyle. Don't like it as it's probably be very flat and predictable.
He basically said Ballard was unlucky, just preference for Irvine and O'Neill.

Would you agree the type of fullback we play really impacts the system? Eg if we had Bos and maybe Leckie (like he played for a time in Germany) or Bennie (if he had established himself), that feels a lot more positive than a Behich and Miller type. The system basically played out with 3-2-5 when other teams sat back. So I would feel much more confident about Bos finding the crucial pass/cross in the final third compared to Miller or Degenek say.
 
Anyone watch Ryan Teague ? What his strenghts? Is he any good?

He's a box to box midfielder who just runs all game. Not bad a from a set piece either. In my biased opinion, he should win the Johnny Warren Medal this year (or he should at least be in front right now). He deserves to be picked for mine. May end up being Jackson Irvine's long term replacement.

Arzani's selection is a joke. Velupillay is also very lucky, but he tends to play well under Popa-Ball.
 
Not as bad of a squad as made out to be given the bleak circumstances tbh

I really hope these fringies and domestic players really step tf up.
It would be a lot less bleak with Toure, Irankunda, Balard, Luongo and Nisbet imo.

Iredale also very stiff given his form.

Robertson and Volpato still hold outs?

The biggest positive in this squad is Triantis.
 
I can understand Velupillay. He played very well he other game he came in for Australia.

I don't Understand Arzani and Tilio though. Yes they are creative and at the best of times can be game breakers but they're not at the moment and both are liabilities.

Would much rather they have tried some of the younger guys
 
0-4 Indonesia, Better players, better coach and dicked Saudis last game. I doubt we even make the play offs.
 
0-4 Indonesia, Better players, better coach and dicked Saudis last game. I doubt we even make the play offs.
Rubbish! Australia are at home and while Indo look to have a solid goalkeeper and defenders, they don’t look so strong in other positions.
 
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Plenty of defensive coverage and Trinatis won't be playing in defence. It's so imbalanced. Versatile players like Geria and Davidson could allow for more midfielders to be picked.

Karacic or Trewin might not see a minute. We should've picked more mids and if a player gets injured then add an emergency A League defender.
 
Some of the selections leave a lot to be desired, but there is one positive in the squad - no Duke!
 
Expect to see....

--------------------Ryan
----Geria---Burgess---Rowles
Miller----O'Neill----Irvine----Behich
----Goodwin-----------Tilio or Boyle
-------------Yengi?(fitness) or Borrello

......little to no rotation
 
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