The big visual improvement since about the the June window (so last 4 windows), is the increased chance creation and actually scoring some goals.
Earlier in this cycle against top 50 teams, we looked solid but really created SFA, and if Wood was absent it could be very toothless. But now the AWs are creating genuine chances even with only say 35% possession like yesterday.
You combine that with a tight defence, and there is real room for optimism about the big dance next year. Noting 4-5 starters were out yesterday, none of them with really long term issues.
The draw is going to be so so important. Increasing comment by Baze in the post match, that the AWs are now a hard pressing defensive team, and yes how hard that will be to do for 90 mins if the conditions are really hot next June.
Remembering the team's worst performance of the last almost 2 years was against Mexico (3-0 loss) in hot steamy California last September. Baze would have learnt alot that day, when he didn't get his selections right.
Fingers crossed for San Fran, Seattle, Vancouver or Toronto. The venues maybe as, or more important than the opponents drawn next month.
Earlier in this cycle against top 50 teams, we looked solid but really created SFA, and if Wood was absent it could be very toothless. But now the AWs are creating genuine chances even with only say 35% possession like yesterday.
You combine that with a tight defence, and there is real room for optimism about the big dance next year. Noting 4-5 starters were out yesterday, none of them with really long term issues.
The draw is going to be so so important. Increasing comment by Baze in the post match, that the AWs are now a hard pressing defensive team, and yes how hard that will be to do for 90 mins if the conditions are really hot next June.
Remembering the team's worst performance of the last almost 2 years was against Mexico (3-0 loss) in hot steamy California last September. Baze would have learnt alot that day, when he didn't get his selections right.
Fingers crossed for San Fran, Seattle, Vancouver or Toronto. The venues maybe as, or more important than the opponents drawn next month.