World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[grazorblade]

If this score stands, Saudi Arabia would need to beat us by at least five goals to take 2nd spot.

could happen if we are too hung over celebrating...

 

[HappyGuus]

This would knock out Bahrain, with Indonesia going through to the next round.

 

[HappyGuus]

 

[grazorblade]

Curious what the xg was

 

[CharlieYankosFanClub]

Ok ends 2 0 to Saudi

Saudi need to win by 5 next week to go past us...

If they only beat is by 4 then goal difference is equal but we still finish ahead due to more goals scored.

 

[southmelb]

Absolutely no way we are losing by that margin, has an Asian team ever even scored 5 against us before?

 

[HappyGuus]

Curious what the xg was

Aus 0.33
Jap 0.47

 

[grazorblade]

Absolutely no way we are losing by that margin, has an Asian team ever even scored 5 against us before?

How heavy are the boys drinking after the Japan game tho?

 

[grazorblade]

Aus 0.33
Jap 0.47

Lucky but not outrageously so then

 

[Villa Dan]

One thing Poppa will have them switched on , no celebrations job still not done. We need to be switched on and take the crowd out of the game to pressure is all on them.

 

[JS96]

Suspect at the back when playing out. Heart in mouth nearly every time.

And just for LOLs booted one straight over the sideline tonight

I remember the scuff. Quite a few long goal kicks tonight. The coach needs to have them avoid playing at the back and unnecessary backpassing.

 

[JS96]

Massive congratulations to Uzbekistan qualifying for the world cup.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

what's an expansive team?

A team inflated by helium...

 

[melbcityguy]

 

[grazorblade]

Someone just pointed out that if we forfeit the next game we lose 3 nil and qualify for the world cup

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

I also don't agree we aren't good enough to play more positively. We don't pick the players to do it.

This is exactly the heart of the problem, exacerbated by a coach who has an ultradefensive style that bores and frustrates the enemy into occasional late error.

We do have attacking players who can keep the ball but Popa doesn;t know how to use them, so he doesn't pick them.

Triantis (I know, I know), Balard, Nisbet, Irankunda would walk into any other team (at our level).

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

This is exactly the heart of the problem, exacerbated by a coach who has an ultradefensive style that bores and frustrates the enemy into occasional late error.

We do have attacking players who can keep the ball but Popa doesn;t know how to use them, so he doesn't pick them.

Triantis (I know, I know), Balard, Nisbet, Irankunda would walk into any other team (at our level).

Popa is redefining ultradefensive. Australia does have players that can be proactive but it is just not in Popa's nature to consider playing that way. Even if Popa had all players available (no one injured) the team would still play the same way.
After next week's game, he has 12 months to create a game plan that will entice fans.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Just heard Andy Harper on the ABC saying Saudi had to beat us by more than 8 goals...

How does a person of such media stature become so ignorant?

Every goal they score reduces our GD so the answer is more than four goals. Ie... 5

 

[dr. bellows]

If this score stands, Saudi Arabia would need to beat us by at least five goals to take 2nd spot.

The only scenario I could foresee that result is if Asian ref sends off one or two of our players. Plus awards dodgy penalty. Especially if ref is from the Middle East.

 

[Beretta]

Popa keeps getting the results, even if they are not pretty or a second string Japan team.