The Suba-roos (Australian Men's Team)

Saudi and Bahrain draw 0-0. Perfect result for the Aussies 

So you now have 3 teams on 5 pts

Socceroos 2 huge games in the Nov window. Hosting Saudi then away to Bahrain. October was a very good window for Poppa’s Australia

Popovic has made eight changes to that final squad from October with three players called up for the very first time - Max Balard, Anthony Caceres and Hayden Matthews - while five Socceroos have been recalled - Milos Degenek, Rhyan Grant, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle and Kusini Yengi.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/socceroos-squad-confirmed-november-saudi-arabia-bahrain

📋 Tony Popovic’s second Subway #Socceroos squad is locked in for our @FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain! 🔒

📰 Read more: https://t.co/VSh4zg2fqi #DifferentBreed #VisitMelbourne #VisitVictoria pic.twitter.com/ciXIpyDkAA

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 8, 2024

Balard seems to have done very well since arriving at Breda. Wondering if he is living with fellow ANZAC Garbett.

Huge game tomorrow for the Socceroos (5pts) hosting Saudi (5 pts), in Melbourne. Australia win and they could be a clear 2nd behind Japan (10 pts). Bahrain also on 5 pts, host China. The 2nd in the window, Socceroos in Bahrain will also be big.

Remembering the top 2 teams in each pool qualify for Nth America 2026. Other teams have to go through further qualifying games.in the pool.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/balard-quality-subway-socceroos-squad-unbelievable

On his nickname ‘the Aussie Kante’
I'm very flattered by it. I think it's the supporters from Breda in the Netherlands have given me that name. [N'Golo] Kante is a top player, I must say, but I'm very flattered.

Match Details
Subway Socceroos v Saudi Arabia
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+

Bahrain v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 19 November 2024
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Kick-off: 9:15pm local Tuesday, 19 November 2024 (5:15am AEDT – Wednesday, 20 November)
Broadcast: Paramount+

I read that Saudi are without Salem Al-Dawsari - who is apparently their best and most important player - for both matches this window, after injuring himself in his club match last weekend. 

So that should give the Aussies a bit of a boost going into tonight's match. But in saying that it also probably means it will be less obvious what Saudi Arabia's game plan will be.

Sit deep, and play on the counter is likely not a silly guess. Flop over and roll around the ground like you've been shot at the merest contact. These sort of tactics have frustrated the Socceroos against Middle Eastern teams, since Australia moved to the AFC post 2006.

I imagine the Saudis will be happy to take a draw. They have Indonesia in Jakarta next week. Socceroos with the long flight to Bahrain for their 2nd game this window. Remembering the Bahrainis beat them on the Gold Coast back in September, basically the result that saw Arnie resign.

https://youtube.com/live/2ZlZRfVBBL4?si=_RnLPBOgixS3Jimq

Available on YouTube for those in NZ

Thought it was a pretty timid first half from Aussie tbh. Saudi look the more slick of the two, but have hardly created much for the Aussies to be worried about until that final few moments of the half.

Saudi clearly trying to sucker the socceroos in to over commiting on the press, looking to break the line into midfield, have their midfield players turn and run with their forward/wide players springing forward with speed in behind.

Nothing really clear cut, but I would have laughed had the Saudi's conceded after having an attacking free kick which they inexplicably played back towards their goal, only to turn the ball over deep in their half. Ultimately Hrustic hitting a limp effort from a promising position though.

In the end the Socceroos lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw in Melbs. Saudi with a late disallowed goal. Still not sure if was a tight offside call (he looked on) or a slight hand ball in the preceding play.

Game in a few days in Manama now huge, especially if as expected the Bahrainis beat China tonight. Still haven't been to a WC, Bahrain.

Bahrain with potentially a very costly 0-1 home loss last night, to what had been prior been group easy beats China.

China (6 pts) suddenly in the mix, after 2 consecutive wins. They beat Indonesia 2-1 in Sept.

Bahrain (5 pts) play Socceroos (6 pts) in a few days. They upset the Aussies on the Gold Coast in Sept. Saudi Arabia the 3rd team in the pool on 6 pts.

Indonesia (3 pts) host Japan (10 pts) tonight.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2026/3rd-round/group-c/g23348/

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Group C, very tight. 3 teams on 6 points. Do the top 2 go through to the next stage or is it top 3?
Never mind, complex little process to qualify for the world cup.

image.png 34.02 KB

As much as I'd love to see us playing in a pool like this, I'd also not be happy to miss out on a WC spot and see New Caledonia being smashed by Brazil at a WC.

Yeah as in the above small print the top 2 teams from each pool, qualify automatically for the 2026 WC. The 3rd & 4th placed pool teams into another round of qualifying.

Note this current AFC qualifying stage will finish June next year. So the top 2 teams in Australia's pool (Group C) - likely Japan & one other - will be looking for some games in the leadup to June 2026.

This current stage of AFC qualifying is 3 AFC pools, so by next June, six AFC teams will have qualified for 2026 WC. Top 2 teams from each pool.
On current standings these 6 AFC teams are -
Japan, Australia (2nd on GD), Iran, Uzbekistan, Sth Korea, Jordan (2nd on GD).

So possible options for friendlies for the All Whites in the Sept/Oct/Nov windows next year. Most other Confeds will still be deep into their WC qualifying, so these already qualified 6 AFC teams will have limited options for friendlies.

Japan in Japan, a scary several levels above playing our OFC friends. NZF might even be able to get the Blue Samurai to travel to NZ. That would be awesome if so. 

Aussie and NZ to cohost Sth Korea and Japan over a window, and then switch it around for the next window with All Whites and Socceroos travelling to East Asia??

theprof

image.png 28.45 KB

Group C, very tight. 3 teams on 6 points. Do the top 2 go through to the next stage or is it top 3?
Never mind, complex little process to qualify for the world cup.

image.png 34.02 KB

As much as I'd love to see us playing in a pool like this, I'd also not be happy to miss out on a WC spot and see New Caledonia being smashed by Brazil at a WC.

Japan crushed Indonesia 4-0 in Jakarta. Blue Samurai 7 points clear of the 3 teams immediately below them, all on 6 points.

Indonesia who started qualifying so well with a draw in Saudi, now look a bit off the pace. You think the Saudis will fancy their chances for revenge in Jakarta in a few days.

So some pressure on the Socceroos to get their own revenge on Bahrain with a win in Manama.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2026/3rd-round/group-c/g23348/

Tuesday 19/11/2024
China PR verus Japan 
Indonesia verus Saudi Arabia 
Bahrain verus Australia

Big game tonight for the Socceroos.
https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/match-preview-bahrain-v-australia-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiertm

Bahrain vs Aussie stream, kick off at 7:15am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MccByNb2g6s

Yengi scores after 39 seconds!

Bahrain chips the Aussie keeper from 45m out. Wow.

And Bahrain take the lead a few minutes later. Two absolute sucker punchers of goals.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED 🫨

Mahdi Abduljabbar from downtown evens it up!

Catch all the action of #BHRvAUS live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/CBvMyDA9u2

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) November 19, 2024

What is going on!?!? 👀

Just like that and the @Socceroos trail with 12 minutes to go. Can they strike back late?

Catch all the action of #BHRvAUS live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/7dGIwc9NbT

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) November 19, 2024

Outstanding goal. 

Yengi saves a point late. He had two great chances at 0-1, so a little bit of redemption.

Hardly recognised some of those Australians. I think the All Whites could give them a serious run for their money. They looked disinterested to be honest. 

Yengi saves Australia late on, from dropping all 3 points. He got 9 goals for Portsmouth in League One last season, but yet to score for them this campaign in The Championship. How the Socceroos would love to have our Wood.

Surprised Ryan started ahead of Gauci in goal.
Highlights - https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/australia-fight-back-rescue-a-point-bahrain

Thankfully for the Roos, Saudi lost 2-0 in Indonesia. The unbeaten Japan juggernaut rolls on with a 3-1 win in China.

With 4 pool games left the Blue Samurai (1st, 16 pts) are a whopping 9 pts clear of Australia (2nd, 7 pts). Japan with 2 wins next March will lock in qualification with 2 games to spare. 1 win will likely be enough. Pragnell should already be picking up the phone, re trying to arrange a friendly(ies) in either Sept/Oct/Nov windows next year.

But the race for the 2nd qualifying spot is very very tight.
Australia (2nd, 7 pts).
Then Indonesia, Saudi, Bahrain & China in that order on GD, all on 6 pts.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2026/3rd-round/group-c/g23348/

Poppa hasn't done too bad since coming in at short notice, 3D & 1W. He now has 4 months to properly prepare and plan for the next 2 matches in March. Two very winnable games, hosting Indonesia and then China away. Two wins, and the Soccceroos with 1 foot in 2026 World Cup. The final 2 games in the June window are tough though, Japan in Oz and Saudi away.

Poppa might also have the likes of Irankunda, Hrustić, Massimo Luongo and Connor Metcalfe available again by March. Not sure whether recently Melb City injury returnee Matthew Leckie is still Socceroos standard these days.

If I was a betting man, I'd pick the Socceroos to clinch 2nd spot in the pool and WC qualification next June.

It's not as cut & dried yet in the other 2 pools yet re 1st spot.

But Group A leaders Iran (16 pts) & Group B leaders Sth Korea (14 pts) could also like Japan have qualification locked in by the end of next year's March window.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2026/3rd-round/r70808/

Leckie’s surely still a handy player to have, especially if they’re struggling to score. I was sure he was going to be a special player but never really made it out of Bundesliga 2 for long.

That qualifying schedule is confusing! Several group stages. 

What happened to Juric? Got old or average or injured? 

He seemed another guy with a decent chance of making a creditable career who we just haven’t heard from recently. 

Maybe both. Last decent season was 2020–2021 with Adelaide United, 9 goals in 18 games. Hasn't played for the Socceroos (41 caps) since 2018.

Nowadays runs around in the Slovenian league after a short stint in the ISL. Still only 33.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomi_Juric

LG

Hardly recognised some of those Australians. I think the All Whites could give them a serious run for their money. They looked disinterested to be honest. 

Yeah one of the weakest Aussie teams in years. Calling up old Melbourne players from the a-league.. 

Taking my mind of last nights game, thought I'd take in some of the U20 Asian Cup in China.

Australia v Iraq in the quarter final. Make it to the semis and book your ticket to Chile later on this year for the U20 World Cup.

Iraq just gone 2-1 up before the half hour mark. Cracking game, albeit with some dubious decision making affecting the Aussies - Goal from Toure that was called offside (looked on) But otherwise, all goals have been absolute bangers. 

The Iraqi's look bloody class too. Their #9 (Mustafa I think is his name) is phenomenal! Running rings around the Aussie CB's at the moment. Biggest and most important challenge of the tournament so far for the A-League laden Aussies.

ABSOLUTE SCENES AT THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE! 🎉

WE'RE OFF TO CHILE! 🥳#YoungSocceroos #AFCU20 #AUSvIRQ pic.twitter.com/hz3u8r3BMw

— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) February 22, 2025

The Aussies qualify for the U20 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Iraq. 

First time since 2013 they've managed to do so.

Function maybe of the ALM now being a younger comp, ie U20 players getting increased mins??

Hopefully means FA & NZF can now organise a couple of pre WC friendlies.

NZ U20s went into last WC in Argentina ill prepared. Be nice to go to Chile, after some games against the Aussies.

Especially as sense this year's U20 team has more promise than the 2023 cohort.

Aussie u20's into the Asian Cup Final, beating Japan. They face Saudi Arabia in the Final.

No idea if it will end up being geo-blocked but the AFC u20 Final is on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiWqbTKoFvk

2025 #AFCU20 CHAMPIONS 🏆

Congratulations to the Subway #YoungSocceroos! 👏

What an achievement 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iJfHCqmG4Z

— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) March 1, 2025

The A League might be doing something right after all. 17 ALM players in the Young Socceroos 23 man squad.

The financial crisis that hit the A League has a silver lining after all. Less expensive import hacks that nobody had heard of and more chance for local youngsters. Great win for the young Aussies. Wouldnt have happened if they had not got exposure and game time in A League

Australia: We don’t have a youth league. Is that a problem? 

Australia 2.0:  Nah, we’ll just almost bankrupt the A league and turn it into a youth development league. Sorted!

Popa with alot of injuries to deal with. In comparison Bazeley has virtually a full strength squad.

https://aleagues.com.au/news/socceroos-squad-world-cup-qualifiers-popovic-names-ten-aleague-players/

Subway Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has named TEN Isuzu UTE A-League stars in his latest squad for the crucial upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.

Sydney FC defender Alex Grant, Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague and Melbourne City’s Kai Trewin are all in line to win their first senior caps for the national team whilst Isuzu UTE A-League Champion and former Central Coast defender Nectarios Triantis has also been selected for the first time.

Perth Glory captain Adam Taggart makes a welcome return to the squad as does Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio, who has hit the ground running since returning from a hamstring injury.

Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello and Sydney FC’s Anthony Caceres have also been named as have Melbourne Victory duo Nishan Velupillay and Daniel Arzani.

Meanwhile Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich has been included in the squad as has young City teammate Patrick Beach, however the 21-year-old goalkeeper will join the camp as part of a development opportunity as opposed to being named in the full senior squad.

CONFIRMED: Tony Popovic’s Subway #Socceroos squad is locked in for our @FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Indonesia and China PR! 📋🔒

📰 Read more: https://t.co/qgbqNd8nm2#FeelNewSydney pic.twitter.com/YwN1gqpQmq

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 14, 2025

Only time Indonesia have beaten Australia was August 1981 (1-0). That must have been part of 1982 WC qualifying when we won that phase ahead of both those teams.

KO tonight 9.10pm NZT
https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/afc-asian-qualifiers/

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

Indonesia are a footballing nation on the rise. Their ambitions go far behind just reaching the Third Round of Asian Qualifiers – they want to see themselves on the biggest stage in world football for the first time since 1938.

Thursday night will be the team’s first game under new coach Patrick Kluivert. Kluivert played 79 times for the Netherlands between 1994 and 2004 and has an Australian connection, having been part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff at the Brisbane Roar in 2010.