Group I - France | Senegal | Iraq | Norway

Discuss

Great to see two former A-League coaches guiding teams in this year's WC - Popovic and Arnold.
And both are very much guys who cut their coaching teeth in the A-League.
It's a very nice redemption story involving Graham Arnold losing the Socceroos job part-way through qualifying but quickly bouncing back with Iraq.
Another former A-League coach, Rob Stanton who used to coach Newcastle Jets, is Arnold's assistant.
A-League players who have played for Iraq in qualifiers for this WC:

Charbel Shamoon: Western United and currently a Perth Glory player.

Quite likely to be selected by Arnold:

Another A-League player who played for Iraq in the past:

Abbas who played under Arnie at SFC, now is part of the staff with Iraq.
He basically acts as an intrepreter, so Arnold can communicate with the players.

https://www.facebook.com/football360au/posts/this-is-amazing-ali-abbas-played-under-graham-arnold-at-sydney-fc-now-hes-workin/1485581103569457/

Gonna be tough for Iraq though. France, Haaland & co, plus AFCON champs Senegal.

Senegal pushing France in a very entertaining game so far, you'd think Mbappe and co would dominate the African nation but not so.
1 v 15 inthe world!

20 minutes later the french strength comes screaming through, second goal 3 points all but guaranteed.

3 mins to go  and Senegal show their quality! 2-1
Norway and Iraq take note!

Oh wow!
Mbappe! Straight after the restart! 25m strike keeper caught flailing! 50th goal of the tournament!

finished 3-1

Anyone else finding the "crowd" noises don't seem to match what we are seeing?
Am I missing something? 🤔

the crowd noise is definately being amplified with mic very close - I suspect for the TV.
but also the crowds are huge compared to anything we'd see here in the aleague.

Haaland scores for Norway - shock horror....
but then Iraq strike back
1-1 42nd min

Haaland doing haaland things, scores another after pressuiring the Iraqi keeper, gets a deflection of his knee to score his second.
2-1

That's a shocker from both the defender and the keeper. 

Quality game so far. Not too dissimilar to our game v Iran yesterday - free flowing end to end stuff.

Could easily be 3-3 already.

Norwegian strenght com,ing through 3-1
could be more!!

Yeah Iraq just couldnt go toe-to-toe with them in the second half. Ran out of puff.

4-1 probably a bit harsh, but Norway are a very dangerous side.

Group of Death. It wouldn't surprise if both the French and Norwegians make the quarters, even both in the semis.

Only saw the last 20 mins of France v Senegal, but Mbappe & co looked pretty awesome in New Jersey. Their passing just so crisp & pinpoint.
Golazo for Mbappe's 2nd.

Is the French football system now the world's best? Massive number of players at this WC born in France.

France's attack is something else.

I love watching Olise play, what a baller he is. Mbappe loves a World Cup, seems to bring out the best in him. Haven't even mentioned the current Ballon d'Or winner yet. Then you've got players like Barcola and Cherki coming off the bench.

Good luck to anyone stopping them.