General Football Discussion

The Suba-roos (Australian Men's Team)

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over 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago
SUBWAY SOCCEROOS’ SQUAD l SEPTEMBER FIFA MEN’S INTERNATIONAL WINDOW

Keanu BACCUS Mansfield Town FC, England
Aziz BEHICH Melbourne City FC, Australia
Martin BOYLE Hibernian FC, Scotland
Cameron BURGESS Ipswich Town FC, England
Alessandro CIRCATI Parma Calcio 1913, Italy
Thomas DENG Albirex Niigata, Japan
Cameron DEVLIN Heart of Midlothian FC, Scotland
Mitchell DUKE FC Machida Zelvia, Japan
Joe GAUCI (Gk) Aston Villa FC, England
Craig GOODWIN Al Wehda FC, Saudi Arabia
Nestory IRANKUNDA FC Bayern Munich, Germany
Jackson IRVINE FC St Pauli, Germany
Paul IZZO (Gk) Randers FC, Denmark
Awer MABIL Grasshopper Club Zurich, Switzerland
Connor METCALFE FC St. Pauli, Germany
Lewis MILLER Hibernian FC, Scotland
Josh NISBET Ross County FC, Scotland
Aiden O’NEILL Standard de Liège, Belgium
Kye ROWLES Heart of Midlothian FC, Scotland
Maty RYAN (c) AS Roma, Italy
Sam SILVERA Portsmouth FC, England
Harry SOUTTAR Sheffield United FC, England
Adam TAGGART Perth Glory FC, Australia
Kusini YENGI Portsmouth FC, England

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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
LOL! 🤣



A terrible performance nets the Socceroos a horror result at home to start the 3rd round of AFC World Cup Qualifying.

Not a good start when their pool also contains a rampant Japan (4-0 up v China currently) Saudi Arabia and a rapidly improving Indonesia. That said, they'll still have the 4th and 5th rounds of AFC qualifying to negotiate if they fluff their lines over the next 9 matches (so long as they finish at least 4th in the group...)
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over 1 year ago
That is an awful start. Next game Indonesia in Jakarta, now looking really tricky.

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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Improving Indonesia a creditable 1-1 draw in Jeddah against Saudi.
No easy game in Jakarta for the Socceroos.

4-5 players of the Indonesian starting 11 last night, are Dutch born players at Eredivisie clubs, obviously with some sort of Indonesian heritage. Shades of Mata Hari (lived in Indonesia but 100% Dutch heritage).

Indonesia also have Elkan Baggott (on loan at Blackpool from Ipswich) though he didn't play last night. Sth Korean coach.

https://www.dw.com/en/indonesias-foreign-born-players-improvement-at-a-cost/a-67976075

Japan, Saudi, Indonesia & obviously after last night Bahrain make this a tough pool for Aussie.

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over 1 year ago
To me, it looked like they've underestimated their opposition. Bahrain played competitively and were not too bad at all.
Having said that, the 'roos missed a couple of sitters (one in each half) and the red card did not help.   I do not want to be too harsh on Mat Ryan, but he had a bit of a hand in the Bahraini goal (I think Alex Paulsen would have saved that).

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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over 1 year ago
Mainland FC
To me, it looked like they've underestimated their opposition. Bahrain played competitively and were not too bad at all.
Having said that, the 'roos missed a couple of sitters (one in each half) and the red card did not help.   I do not want to be too harsh on Mat Ryan, but he had a bit of a hand in the Bahraini goal (I think Alex Paulsen would have saved that).

Watched most of the game the other night and it was all very static from a side that should really dominate that Bahraini outfit. But yes Bahrain did have a game plan, were very compact and stifled a lot of what Australia tried to do. Their CB's were excellent on the night cutting out opportunities and keeping them at bay. For their part, Australia needed a game-breaker (Irankunda) from the start to add a different dimension to their play, as it all ended up quite stale & all too predictable from them.

I know they've got 9 more games to get it right and try and qualify directly for the World Cup without needing to go the 4th round of qualifying, which looking at the other groups they'd probably fancy their chances anyway (Imagine the angst if they have to go to the 5th round and go into the intercontinental playoffs!) But a poor result (ie anything but a win!) against Indonesia in a few days might set some serious alarm bells ringing given they'd still have four of their eight remaining matches to be played against the other strongest teams in the group, in the form of Japan & Saudi Arabia.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
I think a draw against Indonesia, will almost be satisfactory for now, in front of 75,000 in Jakarta. KO midnight tonight NZT

This is an Indonesian team loaded with Dutch born guys at Eredivisie clubs, and their keeper Paes is the starting GK with Dallas in the MLS. They managed to draw 1-1 with Saudi in Jeddah. No easy feat.

Could end up a real battle for spots 2nd, 3rd & 4th in this group, between 4 teams Saudi, Socceroos, Bahrain & Indo. 

Japan who thrashed China, 7-0 look like being Group winners already.
1st & 2nd qualify directly for the WC, 3rd & 4th into yes 4th Round AFC qualifying. AFC will have 8 teams qualify directly, and then 9th into the playoff tourney.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/match-preview-indonesia-v-australia-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiertm
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over 1 year ago
coochiee
I think a draw against Indonesia, will almost be satisfactory for now, in front of 75,000 in Jakarta. KO midnight tonight NZT

This is an Indonesian team loaded with Dutch born guys at Eredivisie clubs, and their keeper Paes is the starting GK with Dallas in the MLS. They managed to draw 1-1 with Saudi in Jeddah. No easy feat.

Could end up a real battle for spots 2nd, 3rd & 4th in this group, between 4 teams Saudi, Socceroos, Bahrain & Indo. 

Japan who thrashed China, 7-0 look like being Group winners already.
1st & 2nd qualify directly for the WC, 3rd & 4th into yes 4th Round AFC qualifying. AFC will have 8 teams qualify directly, and then 9th into the playoff tourney.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/match-preview-indonesia-v-australia-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiertm

I think sokkah twitter will explode if Australia take home anything less than the three points tonight.
 
Keeping in mind they did win 4-0 very easily against them in the Asian Cup earlier this year too. Going to see if I have it in me to stay up and watch how this one unfolds. I expect an Aussie reaction, but like you say, Indonesia will be buoyed on by a boisterous home crowd.
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over 1 year ago
Indonesia have unearthed a few more eligible players based overseas since the Asian Cup. That game back in January was 2-0, until the 89th min.

Real test for Arnold tonight, but he's an experienced international coach these days. Was in a few tight corners in the last WC qualifying campaign, and got them to Qatar, where they performed bloody well.
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over 1 year ago
Thought they would've played this at their big new rectangular stadium in Jakarta rather than an athletics stadium.

Socceroos all over Indonesia so far, surely can't be too long before they break the deadlock
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over 1 year ago
0-0 it finishes. 

Australia the far better side overall, missing a couple of gilt edged chances never helps of course. Indonesia scrapped that one right to the final whistle though for a valuable point. 

Pressure on Graham Arnold intensifies...
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over 1 year ago
Japan looking group winners already thrashing Bahrain 5-0 in Manama, after spanking China 7-0

10 man Saudi win 2-1 in China
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over 1 year ago
coochiee
Japan looking group winners already thrashing Bahrain 5-0 in Manama, after spanking China 7-0

10 man Saudi win 2-1 in China

Well they are the Brazil of Asia.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
They do host the Socceroos in October. So that will be a fascinating little watch.

This 4th Round AFC WC qualifying will be completed by June next year. 4 AFC teams will then be through to the WC, their WC qualifying finished, and maybe available for some friendlies. Earlier than most Confeds.

So if NZF want the AWs to really be challenged they should reach out to the Japanese FA for a game next September. Maybe we can borrow Sakai as a guest RB to help us out.

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over 1 year ago
Expanded World Cup means they're still not in too much danger of missing out. 

That's the downside of an expanded World Cup. Less jeopardy in qualifying.

Three for me, and two for them.

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over 1 year ago
Buffon II
Expanded World Cup means they're still not in too much danger of missing out. 

That's the downside of an expanded World Cup. Less jeopardy in qualifying.

More at risk than you'd think. Is currently Third Round qualifying, and is going to be tough for the Socceroos from here to finish top 2 in their pool. Theirs looks the toughest of the 3 pools, from which 6 teams get direct WC qualification.

Early days with 8 games to go, but Japan (6 pts, +12 GD) look a class above, leaving Saudi (4 pts), Bahrain (3 pts), Indonesia (2 pts) & Australia (1 pt) to scrap it out for 2nd in the pool.

If Aussie can only finish 3rd or 4th in their pool they go into the Fourth Round to be played at a 'centralised venue'. Read Qatar! Two pools of 3 teams, so only 2 pool games - no room for an upset loss!!

The Fourth Round becomes a danger zone with potentially lots of capable Middle Eastern teams in the mix. Remember unfancied Jordan made the Asian Cup final this year. Bahrain just beat the Socceroos last week.

It's not hard to see how the Socceroos could end up at the inter-confederation playoff Tourney.

  • Third round: 18 teams which advance from the second round are divided into three groups of six teams. The teams will play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The top two teams of each group qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup (so 6 teams), the third and fourth-placed teams advance to the fourth round.
  • Fourth round: Six third and fourth-placed teams from the third round are divided into two groups of three teams each. The teams will play against each other once in a centralized venue. The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup, and the runners-up of each group advance to the fifth round.
  • Fifth round: The group runners-up in the fourth round will compete home-and-away over two legs to determine the Asian representation at the inter-confederation play-offs.
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over 1 year ago


Damn, they might get their act together for their qualifying campaign now. 🙊
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over 1 year ago
Wow. Who becomes coach now?
Presumably an interim for October & November windows, who with so little time to prepare knows the team and setup.

Then time before the March window to find a permanent gaffer.

René Meulensteen and Luke Wilkshire are the current Assistant Coaches.

Aussie candidates. 
Nick Montomery is an assistant to Ange at Spurs. 
Kevin Muscat with Shanghai Port in the CSL.
Poppa unattached
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over 1 year ago
Give it Marko Rudan till end of qualifiers.

Three for me, and two for them.

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over 1 year ago
Montgomery rising through the ranks. It’d be a backward step at this point you’d think. 

No one mentioned Corica? 😁

Possible that someone like John Aloisi or even Ernie Merrick comes in as a temporary coach? 

Though perhaps it is Poppa time, particularly if he’s unattached and not in hot demand in a league better than the A league. 


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over 1 year ago
With reflection the obvious choice. 58 caps for the Socceroos helps.
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over 1 year ago
coochiee
With reflection the obvious choice. 58 caps for the Socceroos helps.
And also as manager of Crystal Palace

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

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over 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Stensness gets a recall.

How Poppa sets the team up for the game against a red hot Japan in Tokyo will be fascinating. First China in Adelaide is must win. But the Chinese do look the weakest team in the group, so that should be pretty straightforward.

Interesting to see Luongo make himself available again. Had an issue with Arnie?

Bit like the AWs, who creates & scorces the goals?  Especially with Boyle missing.
 
https://sport.optus.com.au/news/world-cup-qualifiers/os81413/tony-popovic-first-socceroos-squad-world-cup-qualifiers-jason-geria-melbourne-victory-defender

Needing nothing less than a win on debut, Popovic has avoided making wholesale squad changes in his first window with a few exceptions.

Melbourne Victory right-back Jason Geria, who was recently coached by Popovic at club level, has been handed a long-awaited call-up having made his sole Socceroos appearance back in 2016.

Ipswich Town midfielder Massimo Luongo has notably ended his recent international retirement to return under Popovic after making his Premier League debut this season.

Melbourne Victory attacker Nishan Velupillay is the newest name in the squad as he eyes a potential Socceroos debut this month.

Elsewhere, the likes of Riley McGree, Jordan Bos and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos have also returned after recovering from injuries that had sidelined them in recent windows.

Nagoya Grampus goalkeeper Mitch Langerak was reportedly approached about ending his international retirement but seemingly opted against a return.

Parma youngster Alessandro Circati, meanwhile, will miss the next nine months after recently rupturing his ACL, with Hibernian attacker Martin Boyle also currently sidelined with a wrist injury.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
And China go 1-0 up with their first real attacking foray into Australian territory after 20 minutes! 😬

Sokkahtwitter going ballistic 😂

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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
YoungHeartHM
And China go 1-0 up with their first real attacking foray into Australian territory after 20 minutes! 😬

Sokkahtwitter going ballistic 😂


Completely forgot this was on tonight. 39th minute, It was around this period where we took the lead against China at the ROF with that own goal.

Sorry my bad, I don't know where I got 39 from.

Socceroos equalise.
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over 1 year ago
Hometown hero Goodwin puts Aussie 2-1 up with a fantastic strike from just outside the penalty area..
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Velupillay seals it on international debut.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
0-0 at HT.

Bold selection by Poppa. 6 changes from the China game, including a Socceroos debut for Luke Brattan. And he's straight into the starting lineup!!

Didn't realise Popovic had already dropped Matt Ryan dropped to the bench with Gauci in goal against China & now Japan.

Jason Geria starts in place of Thomas Deng at the back, and Cam Burgess gets the nod over Kye Rowles.

In midfield, Jordy Bos starts, as does Luke Brattan and Ajdin Hrustic.

Aiden O'Neill is out with illness, meaning 34-year-old Macarthur midfielder Brattan gets his long-awaited debut.

Riley McGree, who was excellent when he came on at half time in Adelaide, also starts this time around, as Nestory Irankunda and Craig Goodwin drop to the bench.



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over 1 year ago
Brattan off at HT for Phil Yazbek, who was Joe Bell's team mate at Viking - now in the MLS with Nashville.

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over 1 year ago
Shades of the Nix at AAMI Park against the VUC start of last season

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-15/live-updates-japan-vs-socceroos-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-saitama/104471582
58' Socceroos score!

Oh my! The Socceroos score out of nothing!
A horor own goal.

Lewis Miller crosses towards Mitch Duke, but it was not Mitch Duke who turned it past Zion Suzuki!

It was Shogo Taniguchi!
It's an own goal!

The Socceroos have still not had a shot on target - but they lead 1-0!
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over 1 year ago
And score a beautiful oggie of their own to tie it up. 

Aussie conceded possession, but defended fairly well. Japan’s slow build up didn’t help them this time. 

And Mitoma is still a great player, but down a bit from his form peaks or he’d have had that lot on toast. 


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over 1 year ago
Yipe 1-1. A great result for the Socceroos. They go to 5 pts.

Now they switch attention to Saudi hosting Bahrain, later tonight - both teams on 4 pts.

Remembering it's finishing top 2 in the pool that brings automatic WC qualification.
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