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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

JS96 said:
Annoying how Popovic takes the wind out of many players' sails.
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Impressive how Arzani has gone from only being selected because he played under Popa, to Popa deliberately railroading him. All within the space of six months.
 
I thought both O’Neill and Teague were poor this window. I think I said during the last window that I thought the hype about Teague was premature, he needs to show that March window form consistently before he can be lauded.
 
Keeper66 said:
I thought both O’Neill and Teague were poor this window. I think I said during the last window that I thought the hype about Teague was premature, he needs to show that March window form consistently before he can be lauded.
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That China game was so easy. They afforded us too much room. I'm bothered we've not seen Triantis or Balard yet.
 
JM47 said:
Burgess and Geria have been so nervy.

Degenek has been great these two games. Good on him. Shades of Bailey Wright 3 years ago.
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Totally agree, Degenek easily our best defender across both games (Circati probably would've been, had he not been benched)
 
The World Cup qualification process is very hard. The travel and short turn arounds are tough and severely underappreciated by many outside of the game. To qualify is always an incredible and taxing achievement.

Hard to believe where we ended up in the end, with 19 points, and no losses to either Japan or Saudi Arabia. In reflection, there was only really one stumbling block for the third phase, the first game against Bahrain.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is bizzare to think that after our World Cup performance and ease in which he guided the team through the second phase, Arnold was let go based on one game. I am not saying it was right or wrong, and I am sure no one will question it given the outcome, but on reflection (and in my opinion) it was really one game / one loss that cost him the position. Tough world being a national team coach.

Staying on Arnold, and to a lesser extent the coaches prior to him (ignoring Arnold's first stint), the Socceroos team for a while now has something unique. They have incredible belief in themselves, well beyond that of most other teams. They come across as a very close knit unit that work hard, are well structured and hard to break down. I always sense we will deliver more than most expect of us.
 
Song said:
The World Cup qualification process is very hard. The travel and short turn arounds are tough and severely underappreciated by many outside of the game. To qualify is always an incredible and taxing achievement.

Hard to believe where we ended up in the end, with 19 points, and no losses to either Japan or Saudi Arabia. In reflection, there was only really one stumbling block for the third phase, the first game against Bahrain.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is bizzare to think that after our World Cup performance and ease in which he guided the team through the second phase, Arnold was let go based on one game. I am not saying it was right or wrong, and I am sure no one will question it given the outcome, but on reflection (and in my opinion) it was really one game / one loss that cost him the position. Tough world being a national team coach.

Staying on Arnold, and to a lesser extent the coaches prior to him (ignoring Arnold's first stint), the Socceroos team for a while now has something unique. They have incredible belief in themselves, well beyond that of most other teams. They come across as a very close knit unit that work hard, are well structured and hard to break down. I always sense we will deliver more than most expect of us.
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It wasn’t just one game for Arnold. The Asian Championship after the World Cup was poor. The weak opponents in the second phase of WC qualifying masked the deficiencies.
 
Good pro performance by Aus!

6 World Cups in a row! Fantastic!

19 points from 8 games since Popa’ s coaching team and direct qualification is fantastic!

Duke just elucidates silencing a few keyboard warriors! Hear hear!

8 points in 4 games, 2 wins and 2 draws, against Japan and Saudi is astonishing!

We might have few stars playing in big UEFA leagues, or big club stars in lower status UEFA leagues, but as a team unit, with a sound NC, Aus punches above its weight.
 
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Song said:
The World Cup qualification process is very hard. The travel and short turn arounds are tough and severely underappreciated by many outside of the game. To qualify is always an incredible and taxing achievement.

Hard to believe where we ended up in the end, with 19 points, and no losses to either Japan or Saudi Arabia. In reflection, there was only really one stumbling block for the third phase, the first game against Bahrain.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is bizzare to think that after our World Cup performance and ease in which he guided the team through the second phase, Arnold was let go based on one game. I am not saying it was right or wrong, and I am sure no one will question it given the outcome, but on reflection (and in my opinion) it was really one game / one loss that cost him the position. Tough world being a national team coach.

Staying on Arnold, and to a lesser extent the coaches prior to him (ignoring Arnold's first stint), the Socceroos team for a while now has something unique. They have incredible belief in themselves, well beyond that of most other teams. They come across as a very close knit unit that work hard, are well structured and hard to break down. I always sense we will deliver more than most expect of us.
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I think the timing of the change is right because it's revitalised many in the group and put them on notice. Arnold said there was no more juice to squeeze. We should have won Indonesia away given the chances.

I think the team have unity and belief but they need to start showing it with smarter, more cohesive play. There are many lapses in all areas that will see WC games easily lost. They've got to bring their best club form with them.
 
Many of us eating humble pie including myself.
Duke scores.
Popa's weird decisions all working.
Which means we qualify for our 6th World cup.
Good to see young Toure on today.
Let's hope we get build on this.
 
So Duke the matchwinner/playmaker, Metcalfe with a questionable first touch and scuffed shot... Popa the miracle man?

Now to watch the replay
 
Also glad to see a few Socceroo scapegoats, Metcalfe and Duke, score goals from clinical finishes.

Brilliant indiv skill from both for first goal against Saudi.

Both were superb defensively from the front off the ball in Ball Possession Opposition.

30 percent possession is cause for concern. I’ll see if I record the same when I do stats and 1v1s after World Test Cricket Final.

Mental strength as a team unit is very good from the Poparoos!

Yazbek has improved too. Solid all round midfielder without the quality on the ball of the younger Valadon, Youlley, Okon Jr, Pearman, Quintal and Deli.
 
As a few mentioned there are plenty of fans on this forum, and elsewhere on forums and social media in Aus, who need to eat some humble pie!

Many have been critical of Popa, his tactics, his selections, etc.

18 points from 8 games, 5 wins and 3 draws, against the toughest Asian opposition we’ve ever played in WCQs, is astonishing!

We now have a year where hopefully more of the younger whiz kids with more technical prowess can kick on, and enable the current team to play better with the ball by the next WC.
 
Robbos said:
Very weird, Bahrain came last on 6 pts, 4 of which they got from Australia.
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From my stats and analysis, Bahrain were very lucky against us and should have lost both games.

However, we were even luckier against a vastly superior Japan in both WCQ games too!
 
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