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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Somewhat ironic if we have injuries that many of the alternatives are over in Qatar.

We need around 17 players for the 2 games.
 
JS96 said:
Australian U-23s Head Coach, Tony Vidmar has been required to make changes to his squad for the upcoming Doha International U-23 Cup.

Anthony Pavlesic, Jed Drew and Sebastian Esposito all come in, replacing Patrick Beach, Kasey Bos and Mohamed Toure.
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Bos out with injury.
 
Just letting in sink in pot 1 teams have 3 home games and 1 away against pot 2. All 3 pretty much in. Japan will be qualified come Thursday regardless of what happens. I think the calculator needs them to lose heavily in all games and Australia and Saudi to win big. They're in.
 
Puff piece on poppa let's hope it's right


My theory is this

- When he took over his system is clearly a system designed to get the best out of a full strength squad. Having 3 at the back means you can play circati Burgess and souttar, having 2 cdms and no outright 6 means you can play our bundesliga players in metcalf and Irvine as well as our captain oniell. Mcgree is more of a half space specialist and hrustic is player I'd like to have in a position where we can benefit from his brilliance but don't pay a price for his decision making. At the start of the campaign it looked like maybe hrustic was getting his career back on track and he was a key player in the last campaign. Having wingback also minimises the problems of being weak at right back
- now we have an injury crises at cb, and a form crises for hrustic, mcgree is also out to, a 433 probably suits us better. If you stick with 3-4-2-1 it means we have to select 6 centerbacks. This means inevitably selecting a couple of weaker players and means 2 less spots for other positions which will raise eyebrows
- he really values conditioning, experience and knowing his coaching style. So he gives extra points to players he has worked with, players in the same time zone and players who have had more seasons under their belts. If you add that all together and take into account that he is searching for players to fit into his 3 4 2 1 his selections begin to make sense to me even if I disagree with the philosophy that led there
 
grazorblade said:
Puff piece on poppa let's hope it's right


My theory is this

- When he took over his system is clearly a system designed to get the best out of a full strength squad. Having 3 at the back means you can play circati Burgess and souttar, having 2 cdms and no outright 6 means you can play our bundesliga players in metcalf and Irvine as well as our captain oniell. Mcgree is more of a half space specialist and hrustic is player I'd like to have in a position where we can benefit from his brilliance but don't pay a price for his decision making. At the start of the campaign it looked like maybe hrustic was getting his career back on track and he was a key player in the last campaign. Having wingback also minimises the problems of being weak at right back
- now we have an injury crises at cb, and a form crises for hrustic, mcgree is also out to, a 433 probably suits us better. If you stick with 3-4-2-1 it means we have to select 6 centerbacks. This means inevitably selecting a couple of weaker players and means 2 less spots for other positions which will raise eyebrows
- he really values conditioning, experience and knowing his coaching style. So he gives extra points to players he has worked with, players in the same time zone and players who have had more seasons under their belts. If you add that all together and take into account that he is searching for players to fit into his 3 4 2 1 his selections begin to make sense to me even if I disagree with the philosophy that led there
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I agree with much of this. Particularly using our CBs, covering a weak RB and prioritising conditioning and exisiting relationships. It's such a negative place to start from. Where are we weak and how do we patch it. To me it's about being strong defensively to the detriment of anything else.

I don't think it suits our full strength squad. We have no natural RWB. It leaves out our better wide players, creative midfielders and strikers. Using the wing backs for width, having wide midfielders invert and no central creative midfield presence rules out so many quality players, and shoe horns in some awkward fits.
 
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Does anyone know what exactly makes Alex Grant eligible for Australia? Seems like he had youth time in WA. Certainly hasn't shaken the accent though.
 
Quicky said:
I don't think it suits our full strength squad. We have no natural RWB. It leaves out our better wide players, creative midfielders and strikers. Using the wing backs for width, having wide midfielders invert and no central creative midfield presence rules out so many quality players, and shoe horns in some awkward fits.
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Atkinson is a natural RWB, but isn't playing well enough in that position ATM.

I think Metcalfe is a natural RWB. Is he selected and fit?
 
Decentric said:
Atkinson is a natural RWB, but isn't playing well enough in that position ATM.

I think Metcalfe is a natural RWB. Is he selected and fit?
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Atkinson isn't NT level. At least not the level we should aspire to.

Metcalfe has returned to the bench for St Pauli and not selected. Early days in his return. I think Metcalfe could be a good fit at RWB but its hard to say when he doesn't play there. Who knows if he'd even be considered for the role by Popovic.

I'd say Bennie is the best natural fit but he needs to keep getting experience. More potential for the future.

Strain is the best fit for now but Popovic doesn't select him.
 
This is a very funny group - we basically have one good team and the rest is a battle of who is the least worst :ROFLMAO:

Nobody really excited for too much in the squad...Davidson? although maybe he's aged a little. Still better than behich IMO. Lot's of young players ahead of taggert - botic etc
 
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tsf said:
This is a very funny group - we basically have one good team and the rest is a battle of who is the least worst :ROFLMAO:

Nobody really excited for too much in the squad...Davidson? although maybe he's aged a little. Still better than behich IMO. Lot's of young players ahead of taggert - botic etc
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I hear you but many like putting lipstick on a pig as they say......

Nothing much to be excited about but for wishing the fellas best of luck and get those much needed damn points.
Look forward what the starting line up actually will be.
Have hope with Goodwin/Yengi up front - maybe Caceras/ONeill joining Irvine but overall Poppa doesn't inspire my feelings just hope the fellas go hard faster make pass's count and bang a couple in.
 
LFC said:
I hear you but many like putting lipstick on a pig as they say......

Nothing much to be excited about but for wishing the fellas best of luck and get those much needed damn points.
Look forward what the starting line up actually will be.
Have hope with Goodwin/Yengi up front - maybe Caceras/ONeill joining Irvine but overall Poppa doesn't inspire my feelings just hope the fellas go hard faster make pass's count and bang a couple in.
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yeah 100% - the most exciting factor though is probably all the eyeballs on it. Indo are not a good football team, but it would be awesome if they were with the amount of people and passion they have

I have a party to go to so I am hoping I can catch at least a little on the phone
 
tsf said:
This is a very funny group - we basically have one good team and the rest is a battle of who is the least worst :ROFLMAO:

Nobody really excited for too much in the squad...Davidson? although maybe he's aged a little. Still better than behich IMO. Lot's of young players ahead of taggert - botic etc
Click to expand...
I'm really excited to see Triantis. An in form Boyle to see if he lifts on recent efforts.

That's about as good as I can do. All the guys I was excited about are injured or not selected.

I had to watch Popovic at Victory. It's pretty disappointing to be doing it again for the National team tbh. I want to be excited, and i'm normally optimistic, but Popovic sucks the joy from the game.
 
Triantis is in supreme form right now - some observers rate him the best player in the SPL right now.

Mind you, Balard had some of the best stats in all of Europe when last picked, but didn't play.

If he doesn't play Triantis my interest in the Poparoos will nosedive.
 
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