World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[RIMB]

And finally for now - I was wondering if Popa might be changing to the defensive, negative mindset because he wants to improve it for when we really need to rely on it.

2 goals up so why not practice closing out a game...

I don't really think that is his mindset because he is as likely to do it in a grand final when there is nothing to practice for as he is in a dead rubber. Just randomly thinking of anything that might justify the negative aspects in my perspective.

 

[LFC]

And finally for now - I was wondering if Popa might be changing to the defensive, negative mindset because he wants to improve it for when we really need to rely on it.

2 goals up so why not practice closing out a game...

I don't really think that is his mindset because he is as likely to do it in a grand final when there is nothing to practice for as he is in a dead rubber. Just randomly thinking of anything that might justify the negative aspects in my perspective.

I would expect he told the guys at HT to stick to their plan and stand firm but when opportunity arised attack on the counter.
Trouble was we lacked the control/ball most of the 2nd and even though they didn't really pepper our goals but for that good shot and brilliant Ryan save and many corners that TSW was saying during the game no matter we know when you keep having more possession something got to give - least it didn't but we were getting outplayed over enthused far more than I liked thats for sure.
Some backline errors we were damn fortunate they didn't capitilise.
We were blessed in some ways.
No way do you practice closing out a quali game thats for sure - especially when our mids went MIA and our frontmen couldn't hang onto the ball much.

 

[Quicky]

I would expect he told the guys at HT to stick to their plan and stand firm but when opportunity arised attack on the counter.
Trouble was we lacked the control/ball most of the 2nd and even though they didn't really pepper our goals but for that good shot and brilliant Ryan save and many corners that TSW was saying during the game no matter we know when you keep having more possession something got to give - least it didn't but we were getting outplayed over enthused far more than I liked thats for sure.
Some backline errors we were damn fortunate they didn't capitilise.
We were blessed in some ways.
No way do you practice closing out a quali game thats for sure - especially when our mids went MIA and our frontmen couldn't hang onto the ball much.

It is Popovic's style to close up shop after a narrow lead. He did it in the AL GF and cost Victory the game. It was some of the worst coaching I can remember, not helped by Brimmer's horrendous game.

 

[Quicky]

My memory is that Grazor noted that the pressing triggers were the LCB getting the ball, a poor first touch, and maybe some other things that are pretty fundamental. Similarly with ball movement when pressed in possession. These sort of things are pretty standard even at a semi-pro level, I can't believe that it is beyond the ability of a pro to understand and implement within one or two training sessions, plus video analysis and presentations that I'm sure Popavic would do quite comprehensively.

That's it + we used long passes to bypass the press on Irvine and O'Neill. I think there's some complexity in that but you'd think any pro would be able to understand and execute. It'd be interesting to hear from coaches about how hard that is to implement with minimal training time.

 

[Barca4life]

Sorry mate wasn't particularly aimed at you.

All good.

All good mate.

 

[Muz]

I think you would be the first person I have seen who thinks Teague's debut was mediocre. There are probably others, but the consensus has been he performed quite well.

You also rate Balard and Nisbet far higher than most other people. Teague was selected because he is there or there about with a number of other young guys with potential. I rated him below Balard, Nisbet and Triantis, Popa rated him above, now he has taken the opportunity and will be harder the those other guys to displace.

The good news for us is that if Balard and Nisbet are the second coming of Bres and Grella, their talent will shine through, they will move to big clubs / leagues this summer, they will demand selection and Popa will pick them.

Unless they don't fit the system.

 

[LFC]

It is Popovic's style to close up shop after a narrow lead. He did it in the AL GF and cost Victory the game. It was some of the worst coaching I can remember, not helped by Brimmer's horrendous game.

yer well I get your grief being its your club but he can't afford being rolling that dice at NT game to game in the end.
For now imo he's lucky for the last 2 opponents are not the calibre of Japan/Saudi etc - lets see if he lives by the sword dies by the sword next 2 games.

 

[Quicky]

yer well I get your grief being its your club but he can't afford being rolling that dice at NT game to game in th end.
For now imo he's lucky for the last 2 opponents aare not the calibre of Japan/Saudi etc - lets see if he lives by the sword dies by the sword next 2 games.

Ah that was exactly my point. I don't want to see it for the NT.

 

[LFC]

Ah that was exactly my point. I don't want to see it for the NT.

well why didn't you say this more simply

Therefore he's afraid of losing doesn't trust his group no matter his instructions - he mustn't have trusted your players and there you go Brimmer had a shocker moment right ?
I recall one good rep level coach when training one of my sons and a gun team he'd say, sometimes you got to let the creaters play, let them when to break the rope/instructions and have a go they know themselves instinctively the moment.

 

[Quicky]

well why didn't you say this more simply

Therefore he's afraid of losing doesn't trust his group no matter his instructions - he mustn't have trusted your players and there you go Brimmer had a shocker moment right ?
I recall one good rep level coach when training one of my sons and a gun team he'd say, sometimes you got to let the creaters play, let them when to break the rope/instructions and have a go they know themselves instinctively the moment.

It was pretty obvious I thought. I said it was the worst coaching I have seen.

 

[Quicky]

Miller loves a good ol' dive!

 

[Pasquali]

It was pretty obvious I thought. I said it was the worst coaching I have seen.

These performances happen all the time. When it works he's a genius and when it doesn't they are a fool. Just like when teams keep attacking when they are 2 up and let the opposition back in the game.

 

[LFC]

It was pretty obvious I thought. I said it was the worst coaching I have seen.

yer though my train of thought is the Roos, sorry, if I had to back a franchise mob obviously sfc or ccm but mv, dgaf glad ccm won.
Saying in respect Q.

 

[Cunningstunt]

Unless they don't fit the system.

An interesting anecdote from Craig Foster's book IIRC. He talks about going to dinner with some of the other socceroos, maybe Tobin, Vidmar, shortly after Venables took over. They discussed the system Venables had brought, which was, by a considerable margin the most advanced they had ever played under. Prior to this is was with Zoran Matic at Adelaide City. But Venables had basically brought the system from his time at Barca (or some approximate equivalent).

This was 30 years ago of course. Aus football has come a long way tactically since that time and you would expect any of the current guys to have a much better tactical experience than we did in the early 90s. Where fit or knowledge of the system would come into play is probably to decide close selection calls. Teague's experience with Popa would have given him a slight selection edge over Triantis when it came time to give a debut.

 

[johnsmith]

Year in year out, Saudi Arabia are consistently lower in the FIFA rankings, but Saudi always somehow manages automatic qualification - whereas we have to go through the tortuous playoffs.

I've lost count of the number of times we won the playoff by the skin of our teeth, meaning it could have gone the other way. These come to mind:

- Josh Kennedy's header securing qualification for 2014
- the Syrian's shot at goal in 2018 that hit the post
- The Wiggles' save against Peru in 2022

Overall, many of our WC qualifications have been by the skin of our teeth, whereas Saudi has gotten automatic qualification most times in recent history. Therefore I'm not the happiest that this year it's coming down to the wire against against Saudi Arabia.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

My concern with Miller is that he is cumbersome. A nimble player can turn him upside down too easily when he is required in the defensive role.

It is not his effort or enthusiasm - just the physics of moving his large frame quickly then trying to reverse that momentum in a split second. Any player can simply be wrong footed to get a similar outcome but with Miller I see it as more pronounced.

Mad Eyes Miller has a short fuse also and is prone to flopping for free kicks that he doesn't always get (left us vulnerable at least once last night). The Hibs fans don't rate him despite the occasional excellent game. Way too inconsistent.

He's good in attack though.

 

[Quicky]

yer though my train of thought is the Roos, sorry, if I had to back a franchise mob obviously sfc or ccm but mv, dgaf glad ccm won.
Saying in respect Q.

I was using it as an example to illustrate how Popovic coaches. He shut up shop before half time in the GF and at HT v China. It's too early. I get it at 70mins with fresh legs but yeah not with over a half to play.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

It is Popovic's style to close up shop after a narrow lead. He did it in the AL GF and cost Victory the game. It was some of the worst coaching I can remember, not helped by Brimmer's horrendous game.

That was a great night!

 

[Quicky]

These performances happen all the time. When it works he's a genius and when it doesn't they are a fool. Just like when teams keep attacking when they are 2 up and let the opposition back in the game.

Perhaps but I think it invites trouble going defensive too early. Stick with what got you in front and time the switch up better. Absorbing pressure for a half, this team is every chance to make a defensive mistake.

 

[Quicky]

That was a great night!

I bet you were stoked when Popovic decided to sit back. You could see it coming.