World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[Monoethnic Social Club]

If he plays for Greece I have no doubt that Mono will be posting "Nectar of the Gods".

Nah mate THIS is "Nectar of the Gods" Triantis is just some kid that might possibly have a decent football career... Whether he plays for Greece or Australia doesn't really bother me too much.. His choice. If Popa and the FA showed him a little more love he wouldn't be exploring other opprotunites... Don't hate the player, hate the game....

 

[JS96]

I would add in that Popa's press conference he made a clear statement of what he expects and then doesn't follow through.

That's what annoys me about many coaches. 'They need to be playing at club level.' Picks people who've not played in weeks.

 

[RIMB]

Nah mate THIS is "Nectar of the Gods" Triantis is just some kid that might possibly have a decent football career... Whether he plays for Greece or Australia doesn't really bother me too much.. His choice. If Popa and the FA showed him a little more love he wouldn't be exploring other opprotunites... Don't hate the player, hate the game....

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How the hell do you get a head like that on Milo?

 

[JS96]

If he plays for Greece I have no doubt that Mono will be posting "Nectar of the Gods".

I fear he'll headline an article called the Greek tragedy for Australia

 

[Cunningstunt]

That's what annoys me about many coaches. 'They need to be playing at club level.' Picks people who've not played in weeks.

This is every international coach ever. And it is true, if they play at club level at a high standard they will get picked.
There will also be exceptions made as well.

 

[huddo]

This is every international coach ever. And it is true, if they play at club level at a high standard they will get picked.
There will also be exceptions made as well.

So mid table, with a newly promoted team, in the 6th best league in the world, isn't high enough for you?

 

[JS96]

So mid table, with a newly promoted team, in the 6th best league in the world, isn't high enough for you?

He needs a dad on the coaching staff while lagging in the Portuguese youth leagues and then won't be playing until September this year.

Hope Okon develops but it was a ridiculous call at the time.

 

[Cunningstunt]

So mid table, with a newly promoted team, in the 6th best league in the world, isn't high enough for you?

He had been in squads and it has been said publicly he has been close to playing. I'll be happy when he does.

Every singly coach in history says you need to be playing. Then they pick Arzani or Okon or Kruse or whoever. Obviously there is more to it, so I don't understand why people get mad about it, other than being upset their guy didn't get picked.

Callum Elder is the one guy I can think of (on paper, I won't pretend i watch him) who is playing at a higher level and missing out. There is zero crying about him missing out. Not flavour of the month or whatever it might be. Fans are just as inconsistent in outrage as coaches are with selections.

Do it for Ajax or a top 5 league. A small club, happy to stay in the top flight, you're in the mix along with the a league guys.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

How the hell do you get a head like that on Milo?

Philistine .... Get your arse down to a Greek cafe immediately and ask for a frape..... sweet with milk for the novices

 

[RIMB]

Philistine .... Get your arse down to a Greek cafe immediately and ask for a frape..... sweet with milk for the novices

I went to my local and said "Bon giorno mon ami. Une frayp por favore" and he looked at me like I had two damn heads.

I just don't get it.

 

[grazorblade]

I went to my local and said "Bon giorno mon ami. Une frayp por favore" and he looked at me like I had two damn heads.

I just don't get it.

I was once running to a conference one morning in italy and it was hot so I needed a glass of water to tie me over

I ran into a cafe at 8:30 in the morning and gestured with my hands I wanted a drink

the guy looks for confused for a moment then goes "oh! Eeepaa! Eeepaa!"

eepa must be the Italian word for water I tell myself

He pours me a big mug of IPA and I am too polite to correct him and awkwardly skull down a beer early in the morning before running the rest of the way with beer swishing round in my belly in the hot sun

 

[verrelli]

He had been in squads and it has been said publicly he has been close to playing. I'll be happy when he does.

Every singly coach in history says you need to be playing. Then they pick Arzani or Okon or Kruse or whoever. Obviously there is more to it, so I don't understand why people get mad about it, other than being upset their guy didn't get picked.

Callum Elder is the one guy I can think of (on paper, I won't pretend i watch him) who is playing at a higher level and missing out. There is zero crying about him missing out. Not flavour of the month or whatever it might be. Fans are just as inconsistent in outrage as coaches are with selections.

Do it for Ajax or a top 5 league. A small club, happy to stay in the top flight, you're in the mix along with the a league guys.

Elder is 30. Triantis is 22. It's as simple as that really.

 

[RIMB]

I was once running to a conference one morning in italy and it was hot so I needed a glass of water to tie me over

I ran into a cafe at 8:30 in the morning and gestured with my hands I wanted a drink

the guy looks for confused for a moment then goes "oh! Eeepaa! Eeepaa!"

eepa must be the Italian word for water I tell myself

He pours me a big mug of IPA and I am too polite to correct him and awkwardly skull down a beer early in the morning before running the rest of the way with beer swishing round in my belly in the hot sun

I have done a similar multi-lingual gaff.

In Paris I asked which selection on the coffee machine was for tea - they pointed to the Chaud button - so I noted that for future use.

Later that day I went into a cafe and asked for tea in english then reinforced it with "cup of chaud".

Checked later and chaud means hot - so the tea option in the coffee machine was just hot water to go with your teabag. Confused the crap out of the waitress.

Ooops - but at least I didn't smell like a brewery.

 

[Hillbilly55]

Elder is 30. Triantis is 22. It's as simple as that really.

And Elder has been ignored for a number of years, not just by Poppa. So the comparison is reasonable.

 

[verrelli]

And Elder has been ignored for a number of years, not just by Poppa. So the comparison is reasonable.

Plenty have questioned Elder not being selected over the years, including me. The other difference is that there were occasions where he was selected but then got injured and needed to withdraw. Cunningstunt was asking why people aren't calling for Elder with as much passion as they are Triantis, at this moment in time, and I'm saying it's largely because one is approaching the end of their career, and the other is just starting.

 

[Cunningstunt]

Plenty have questioned Elder not being selected over the years, including me. The other difference is that there were occasions where he was selected but then got injured and needed to withdraw. Cunningstunt was asking why people aren't calling for Elder with as much passion as they are Triantis, at this moment in time, and I'm saying it's largely because one is approaching the end of their career, and the other is just starting.

I agree with this. Potential being too exciting.
There was never the carry on about Elder as there has been with these others.

 

[JS96]

I can vouch for Elder. I have followed him since his loan to Mansfield. I've watched him live and he's easily the best missed opportunity we've had in the past 8 years or so. Basically he had a niggle EVERY single window. Nothing sinister but just a cork or some stiffening. He got called in once or twice and had to withdraw. I've seen him live and he just glides on the ball and can put in a cross.

Arnold played him once and I think what happened was he wasn't considered one for the playing group. A video was posted during his cap speech and he was handed his cap facing away from the squad. He started talking and Sainsbury said' why are you talking to them?'. All laughs but a tad awkward body language and probably oversimplifying it. He had a very impressive covid period interview with Adam Peacock if I recall or maybe another podcast about his private school background. He came across as very well spoken and educated. I thought then and there he was captain material. I think he may have a bit of arrogance behind him. There were stories of him slating Hull management to fans when out in town which is unprofessional but he wasn't exactly lying about those clowns.

It's the niggles that kept him out. He was short listed many times. Behich has this to thank as the Australia LB narrative since McKay finally left the ad hoc role was Davidson-Behich-Smith-Gersbach-Meredith-King. Remember 2013 when we didn't have a LB? Crazy that some alright options came through. Elder was also kept out by the Arnold preference for King. Meredith deserved the call up at the time and was playing well.

This is the glaring issue we've had at left back, Duke and in Irvine's role. They've been unchallenged due to favouritism and being immune as leadership group members. While they've just redeemed themselves, there was a very long period where they needed a benching or some other in form players to be played ahead to give them a kick up the behind.

 

[JS96]

I agree with this. Potential being too exciting.
There was never the carry on about Elder as there has been with these others.

Elder wasn't in the A League and kept a surprisingly low profile. Triantis has been plastered over numerous platforms. Maybe the Scottish noise too?

 

[Quicky]

I agree with this. Potential being too exciting.
There was never the carry on about Elder as there has been with these others.

I remember heaps of discussion about Elder and how he should be called up. JS summed it up. I think since people have given up, plus he's older now and Bos has come on

 

[Cunningstunt]

Elder wasn't in the A League and kept a surprisingly low profile. Triantis has been plastered over numerous platforms. Maybe the Scottish noise too?

There are some selections where the hype plays a part. Tommy Oar when fans were desperate for any young player. Fornaroli at the Asian cup after he went on that run of goals.
Some players seem to get hyped up while others don't. Everyone wanted Nisbet picked by Arnold, but very little noise about Ballard, who has now progressed further. Botic but not Goodwin who also scored the same number of goals.
James Holland played for years at Austria Wien, won a title, barely anyone cares. Botic will go there, if he plays regularly, will be a must pick.
Kuol and Irankunda are just the most recent over hyped kids with talent. I get the excitement as well. But football is brutal, and eventually you are sorted into your level. Fans only remember when they were right about the hype.