The Socceroos thread.

[Ironbark]

I only watched the first half but it was a refreshingly fluid and forward moving performance for what I've been used to from the NT of late.

Suspect with nothing on the line Arnie took the opportunity to take some risks that he wouldn't when everything is on the line. The opportunity, hopefully, will lead to more entertaining football in the future.

Was keen as for Niz. His chances should only improve if he gets a decent overseas move

 

[Allreet?]

Socceroos played well on a good pitch at home with some friendly officiating.

Circati looks like an outstanding player. Yengi far better than I remember him. Irankunda will be huge.

That said, Arnie should be building the team around Nizz - the best at keeping the ball in Australian football.

 

[Allreet?]

Predicted! The Socceroos' 2026 World Cup starting XI

That was much better.

www.ftbl.com.au

 

[FFC Mariner]

Pots for the next round - we will play 1 team drawn from pots 1,3,4,5 and 6

 

[sydmariner]

Pots for the next round - we will play 1 team drawn from pots 1,3,4,5 and 6


View attachment 3376

North Korea away ftw

 

[Allreet?]

North Korea away ftw

But not according to their papers...

 

[Allreet?]

Best result would be: Iran, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait.

Worst result would be: Japan, Saudi, UAE, China, Indonesia (who are improving rapidly).

Mind you, if managed correctly, we have the cattle to beat any of them.

 

[pjennings]

Best result would be: Iran, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait.

Worst result would be: Japan, Saudi, UAE, China, Indonesia (who are improving rapidly).

Mind you, if managed correctly, we have the cattle to beat any of them.

Simply put - if we don't qualify directly I would be disappointed. I know the AFC as a whole is improving - but that is more that the lesser teams are improving. The top teams really are not improving. But there is no longer an easy game in the AFC.

We need to be disciplined against the lower pots and take maximum points. The pot 3 teams are likely to drop points against the lower pots. That needs to be our point of difference together with taking points of Pot 1.

 

[Allreet?]

Simply put - if we don't qualify directly I would be disappointed. I know the AFC as a whole is improving - but that is more that the lesser teams are improving. The top teams really are not improving. But there is no longer an easy game in the AFC.

We need to be disciplined against the lower pots and take maximum points. The pot 3 teams are likely to drop points against the lower pots. That needs to be our point of difference together with taking points of Pot 1.

I think we will qualify directly this time.

The competition for places is immense - so many good options - when you consider the number of good uns who didn't play last night (like Silvera, McGree, G Kuol) and the youngsters coming through (esp Farrell, Balard, Brook, Teague, Nieuwenhof).

We're in the best shape we've probably been ... ever.

Now you watch FA f**k it up somehow.

 

[Wombat]

Refs and linesmen had a shocker. Annoyed that Niz didn't get some minutes.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Refs and linesmen had a shocker. Annoyed that Niz didn't get some minutes.

He was at least in the camp, that means something to Arnie. Even in dead rubbers Arnie seems to value the commitment, why Vuka went to the World Cup instead of Langerak and Behich and King have some how managed caps this cycle.

 

[sydmariner]

 

[booney]

That 1974 team gave their all and were competitive in all three games .It was a tough group and to get a point was a top result.

 

[pjennings]

And then you have to consider they were without Ray Baartz.

 

[sydmariner]

We still had Johnny Warren though.

 

[Ozhammer]

We still had Johnny Warren though.

Yeah but he wasn’t 100% fit either, just imagine what might have been if he and Baartz were firing on all cylinders?

 

[pjennings]

Next round

Thursday, 5 September 2024	Bahrain	H
Tuesday, 10 September 2024	Indonesia	A
Thursday, 10 October 2024	China	H
Tuesday, 15 October 2024	Japan	A
Thursday, 14 November 2024	Saudi Arabia	H
Tuesday, 19 November 2024	Bahrain	A
Thursday, 20 March 2025	Indonesia	H
Tuesday, 25 March 2025	China	A
Thursday, 5 June 2025	Japan	H
Tuesday, 10 June 2025	Saudi Arabia	A

 

[Stuartmcateer]

We can look forward to the 4th round of qualifying.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Us and Japan will go through

 

[Melange]

Don't forget Arnie is at the helm, anything can happen.

I think our record against the Saudis isn't that great. Is it just the top 2 going through?