Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

Kyrgyzstan beat Qatar 3:1.

Indonesia win 1:0. The better side but their conditioning is poor with all subs used and one player off cramping. Bahrain were terrible.

Whole different game come June. Draw was ideal but a 1:0 win for Indonesia is alright as they've got Japan away the final day and winning that is unlikely.

Still, Indonesia probably beat China to reach 12 points meaning we could see them very close.
 
JS96 said:
Kyrgyzstan beat Qatar 3:1.

Indonesia win 1:0. The better side but their conditioning is poor with all subs used and one player off cramping. Bahrain were terrible.

Whole different game come June. Draw was ideal but a 1:0 win for Indonesia is alright as they've got Japan away the final day and winning that is unlikely.

Still, Indonesia probably beat China to reach 12 points meaning we could see them very close.
Click to expand...
If Indonesia persist with playing a high line it could get ugly against Japan.
 
Everyone seems to be forgetting now that japan have qualified there's actually no incentive for them to win their games at all
 
Uzbekistan led in Iran then took the lead quickly after a leveller. Iran are poor if you attack them. They get so many ME opponents in qualifying that they're all scared and submit.
 
Last edited:
Iran level again. Cruel to see Uzbekistan still may not make it given the games to come but hopefully NK can dent UAE later.
 
Will be intersting to see how Japan approach their game in Australia, considering they have qualified already.
Hopefully it is a good time to get them!

Dont really want the stress of heading to Saudi needing a draw
 
Well done to Popa and the boys.Very good first half but scrappy second half.China did come back but apart from Serginho's shot which brought out a good save by Ryan they didn't really threaten.Teague had an excellent game.Borello and Boyle worked hard but their touch let them down.Nearly there for automatic qualification -a win aginst Japan would be great.
 
I'm glad Teague had a good game. At the same time, what's to say Balard or Triantis wouldn't have done just as well? They're excellent players and we've got to use them eventually.

I reckon Irankunda would've loved the space tonight.
 
lukerobinho said:
Everyone seems to be forgetting now that japan have qualified there's actually no incentive for them to win their games at all
Click to expand...
Japan's coach has the incentive to increase depth; the players have the incentive to be selected for the WC, specially those that are marginal. Also, they are a proud team.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LFC
WhatAmIWatching said:
Japan's coach has the incentive to increase depth; the players have the incentive to be selected for the WC, specially those that are marginal. Also, they are a proud team.
Click to expand...
Yep - honour and players wanting to win their places, it won’t be let’s take it easy never seen a Jap NT play that way even though he’s likely to throw in some fringe players.
 
grazorblade said:
crikey looking at poppas record he definitely reach heights and then crashes and burns

Seasonfinishnotes
2012-131st
2013-142ndWon ACL (!)
2014-159th (yikes)
2015-162nd
2016-176th (2nd peak then crash!)
2018-191st
2019-206th (another peak then crash)
2021-222nd
2022-2311th (yikes again)
2023-243rd

Hopefully we peak at the world cup and then move on. We could crash out at the group stage of the asian cup if we keep him too long haha

those who watch him at club football: does he hold onto players too long?
Click to expand...
This has been his pattern but I always wonder is it the AL chalice more than him.
That PG team he put together was good then poof gone.
Much like CCM now compared to last season winning.
This is crap being a coach generally here, winners at times have no chance being true defending champs for the are skinned of their good players who were key players.
 
JS96 said:
I'm glad Teague had a good game. At the same time, what's to say Balard or Triantis wouldn't have done just as well? They're excellent players and we've got to use them eventually.

I reckon Irankunda would've loved the space tonight.
Click to expand...
I would back this team that didn't make the squad or didn't play tonight (not picked or injury) to give Popa's team a good go.

-----------------Gauci
-----Triantis---Circati--Farrell--
Leckie---Nisbet---Balard---Goodwin
------Irankunda---Botic---Kuol
 
China afforded us a lot of space but what I liked about the directness is it'll play into those guys like Bos and Irankunda. Add strikers who face forward and it's good in all areas. Borrello worked hard but I want some flair.
 
Absolutely mental. Palestine have scored two late goals to beat Iraq smashing the group open with Jordan now sitting in 2nd. Oman beat Kuwait putting them back in the mix.
 
JS96 said:
Absolutely mental. Palestine have scored two late goals to beat Iraq smashing the group open with Jordan now sitting in 2nd. Oman beat Kuwait putting them back in the mix.
Click to expand...
They did similar against Kuwait last game too. Thrown away 5 points!
 
JM47 said:
Game management.

With a lot on the line, there was no need to push the envelope. China had one decent shot and that was it.
Click to expand...
We had some very shaky moments - especially from Miller and Degenek in the 2nd half - but China weren't good enough to test us. Both Japan and Saudi will.

We desperately needed an outlet - someone who can hold the ball up the park - and the only players of that type were left on the bench until near the end (Caceres) and the bitter end (Arzani).

Happy with the result but not with the 2nd half performance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LFC
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top