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World Cup 2026 Australia thread

Forgot GWS vs Richmond...

A lot on which is a fun distraction from everything else. Good weather in Europe and a spring in our step. WC is priority but before you know it Bundesliga 2 comes rolling around.
To be fair the Matildas are also in action at the same time as the Socceroos as the women's June international window is running concurrently with the pre-World Cup window so we've essentially got a full slate of Australian senior national team football before the World Cup proper gets underway.
 
I updated a list I made that has tracked all the players that have featured under Popovic. I've done my best to make it accurate but there are likely some errors.

It includes detail on game played, starts, sub (Games Played) (Starts-Subs).

I think it highlights some clear patterns and preferences for squad selection.

GK
[ ] Gauci (3) (3-0)
[ ] Ryan (9) (9-0)
[ ] Izzo (3) (3-0)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach (1) (1-0)

RWB
[ ] Miller (14) (11-3)
[ ] Karacic (2) (0-2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1) (1-0)
[ ] Italiano (3) (3-0)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1) (1-0)
[ ] Rowles (6) (6-0)
[ ] Souttar (4) (4-0)
[ ] Geria (12) (8-4)
[ ] Burgess (15) (12-3)
[ ] Mathews (1) (1-0)
[ ] Degenek (9) (8-1)
[ ] Trewin (4) (3-1)
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (6) (6-0)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (9) (7-2)
[ ] Bos (10) (5-5)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder (2) (0-2)

CM
[ ] O'Neill (15) (12-3)
[ ] Irvine (8) (7-1)
[ ] Baccus (1) (0-1)
[ ] Brattan (1) (1-0)
[ ] Yazbek (7) (2-5)
[ ] Caceres (4) (1-3)
[ ] Balard (5) (4-1)
[ ] Teague (4) (3-1)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler (1) (1-3)
[ ] Robertson (1) (0-1)
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (5) (3-2)
[ ] Irankunda (9) (5-4)
[ ] McGree (10) (5-5)
[ ] Vellupillay (6) (2-4)
[ ] Hrustic (8) (4-4)
[ ] Boyle (10) (8-2)
[ ] Arzani (3) (0-3)
[ ] Metcalfe (10) (10-0)
[ ] Tilio (1) (0-1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1) (0-1)
[ ] A. Toure (1) (0-1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8) (4-4)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5) (2-3)
[ ] K. Yengi (2) (1-1)
[ ] Taggart (1) (1-0)
[ ] M. Toure (7) (4-3)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1) (1-0)
[ ] D. Juric (2) (2-0)
 
I updated a list I made that has tracked all the players that have featured under Popovic. I've done my best to make it accurate but there are likely some errors.

It includes detail on game played, starts, sub (Games Played) (Starts-Subs).

I think it highlights some clear patterns and preferences for squad selection.

GK
[ ] Gauci (3) (3-0)
[ ] Ryan (9) (9-0)
[ ] Izzo (3) (3-0)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach (1) (1-0)

RWB
[ ] Miller (14) (11-3)
[ ] Karacic (2) (0-2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1) (1-0)
[ ] Italiano (3) (3-0)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1) (1-0)
[ ] Rowles (6) (6-0)
[ ] Souttar (4) (4-0)
[ ] Geria (12) (8-4)
[ ] Burgess (15) (12-3)
[ ] Mathews (1) (1-0)
[ ] Degenek (9) (8-1)
[ ] Trewin (4) (3-1)
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (6) (6-0)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (9) (7-2)
[ ] Bos (10) (5-5)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder (2) (0-2)

CM
[ ] O'Neill (15) (12-3)
[ ] Irvine (8) (7-1)
[ ] Baccus (1) (0-1)
[ ] Brattan (1) (1-0)
[ ] Yazbek (7) (2-5)
[ ] Caceres (4) (1-3)
[ ] Balard (5) (4-1)
[ ] Teague (4) (3-1)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler (1) (1-3)
[ ] Robertson (1) (0-1)
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (5) (3-2)
[ ] Irankunda (9) (5-4)
[ ] McGree (10) (5-5)
[ ] Vellupillay (6) (2-4)
[ ] Hrustic (8) (4-4)
[ ] Boyle (10) (8-2)
[ ] Arzani (3) (0-3)
[ ] Metcalfe (10) (10-0)
[ ] Tilio (1) (0-1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1) (0-1)
[ ] A. Toure (1) (0-1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8) (4-4)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5) (2-3)
[ ] K. Yengi (2) (1-1)
[ ] Taggart (1) (1-0)
[ ] M. Toure (7) (4-3)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1) (1-0)
[ ] D. Juric (2) (2-0)
Stama? Even after his mediocre loan spell at Sydney that’ll probably cause him to be sold?
 
I updated a list I made that has tracked all the players that have featured under Popovic. I've done my best to make it accurate but there are likely some errors.

It includes detail on game played, starts, sub (Games Played) (Starts-Subs).

I think it highlights some clear patterns and preferences for squad selection.

GK
[ ] Gauci (3) (3-0)
[ ] Ryan (9) (9-0)
[ ] Izzo (3) (3-0)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach (1) (1-0)

RWB
[ ] Miller (14) (11-3)
[ ] Karacic (2) (0-2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1) (1-0)
[ ] Italiano (3) (3-0)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1) (1-0)
[ ] Rowles (6) (6-0)
[ ] Souttar (4) (4-0)
[ ] Geria (12) (8-4)
[ ] Burgess (15) (12-3)
[ ] Mathews (1) (1-0)
[ ] Degenek (9) (8-1)
[ ] Trewin (4) (3-1)
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (6) (6-0)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (9) (7-2)
[ ] Bos (10) (5-5)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder (2) (0-2)

CM
[ ] O'Neill (15) (12-3)
[ ] Irvine (8) (7-1)
[ ] Baccus (1) (0-1)
[ ] Brattan (1) (1-0)
[ ] Yazbek (7) (2-5)
[ ] Caceres (4) (1-3)
[ ] Balard (5) (4-1)
[ ] Teague (4) (3-1)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler (1) (1-3)
[ ] Robertson (1) (0-1)
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (5) (3-2)
[ ] Irankunda (9) (5-4)
[ ] McGree (10) (5-5)
[ ] Vellupillay (6) (2-4)
[ ] Hrustic (8) (4-4)
[ ] Boyle (10) (8-2)
[ ] Arzani (3) (0-3)
[ ] Metcalfe (10) (10-0)
[ ] Tilio (1) (0-1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1) (0-1)
[ ] A. Toure (1) (0-1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8) (4-4)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5) (2-3)
[ ] K. Yengi (2) (1-1)
[ ] Taggart (1) (1-0)
[ ] M. Toure (7) (4-3)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1) (1-0)
[ ] D. Juric (2) (2-0)

Makes for pretty depressing reading.
 
Degenek, Geria, Behich and O'Neill aren't everyones cup of tea but look good odds to make the squad.
Professionals but also stale. Adding Trewin or Stensness over Degebek helps with coverage while Strain, Elder and Balard adds a lot more skill and standard.

Watch Balard get shafted for Okon.
 
I updated a list I made that has tracked all the players that have featured under Popovic. I've done my best to make it accurate but there are likely some errors.

It includes detail on game played, starts, sub (Games Played) (Starts-Subs).

I think it highlights some clear patterns and preferences for squad selection.

GK
[ ] Gauci (3) (3-0)
[ ] Ryan (9) (9-0)
[ ] Izzo (3) (3-0)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach (1) (1-0)

RWB
[ ] Miller (14) (11-3)
[ ] Karacic (2) (0-2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1) (1-0)
[ ] Italiano (3) (3-0)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1) (1-0)
[ ] Rowles (6) (6-0)
[ ] Souttar (4) (4-0)
[ ] Geria (12) (8-4)
[ ] Burgess (15) (12-3)
[ ] Mathews (1) (1-0)
[ ] Degenek (9) (8-1)
[ ] Trewin (4) (3-1)
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (6) (6-0)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (9) (7-2)
[ ] Bos (10) (5-5)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder (2) (0-2)

CM
[ ] O'Neill (15) (12-3)
[ ] Irvine (8) (7-1)
[ ] Baccus (1) (0-1)
[ ] Brattan (1) (1-0)
[ ] Yazbek (7) (2-5)
[ ] Caceres (4) (1-3)
[ ] Balard (5) (4-1)
[ ] Teague (4) (3-1)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler (1) (1-3)
[ ] Robertson (1) (0-1)
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (5) (3-2)
[ ] Irankunda (9) (5-4)
[ ] McGree (10) (5-5)
[ ] Vellupillay (6) (2-4)
[ ] Hrustic (8) (4-4)
[ ] Boyle (10) (8-2)
[ ] Arzani (3) (0-3)
[ ] Metcalfe (10) (10-0)
[ ] Tilio (1) (0-1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1) (0-1)
[ ] A. Toure (1) (0-1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8) (4-4)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5) (2-3)
[ ] K. Yengi (2) (1-1)
[ ] Taggart (1) (1-0)
[ ] M. Toure (7) (4-3)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1) (1-0)
[ ] D. Juric (2) (2-0)
The minutes for Milanovic, A Toure, Arzani, Tilio were all missed opportunities for Segecic. Even Borello.

O'Neill got a lot of faith. Some of his game time could been used on Triantis. That's not counting Teague, Brattan, Caceres minutes.
 
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The minutes for Milanovic, A Toure, Arzani, Tilio were all missed opportunities for Segecic. Even Borello.

O'Neill got a lot of faith. Some of his game time could been used on Triantis. That's not cpunting Teague, Brattan, Caceres minutes.
Spot on. And these decisions are only looking worse and worse as time goes on as Triantis and Segecic stocks keep rising and many of the others disappear into obscurity. It shows you the complete lack of forward thinking. It would be bad enough if those two weren't dual nationals but the fact that they are and we've lost them due to these terrible decisions is unforgivable.
 
Spot on. And these decisions are only looking worse and worse as time goes on as Triantis and Segecic stocks keep rising and many of the others disappear into obscurity. It shows you the complete lack of forward thinking. It would be bad enough if those two weren't dual nationals but the fact that they are and we've lost them due to these terrible decisions is unforgivable.

Not only that - it shows a lack of an ability to pick the right players without relying on your own pre-conceived ideas. The job requires work - something that Popovic is lauded for in press but too often he tales the lazy option. And I include Okon-Englster in that - many better CM playing better at a higher level.
 
Oh well thats one less player allowed entry to the US this year... Good on him for sacrificing his career for his principles like that.
It's not the first time Irvine has spoken up but it's another selective time when in fact regimes have been oppressing their people for years. While obviously happening, there's a lot of silence the majority of the time.
 
Both. FIFA is worse because they can rig elections though, while America can’t yet despite MAGAts attempting on doing so.
I was referring to places like Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and many African states but we can't care about every case. Invariably the ones that peak in the news cycle are picked. Are we still praying for worker's rights in Qatar? The biggest journalists and politicians in the nation all came swarming in giving their two cents but once the event was over it's all forgotten.
 
I was referring to places like Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and many African states but we can't care about every case. Invariably the ones that peak in the news cycle are picked. Are we still praying for worker's rights in Qatar? The biggest journalists and politicians in the nation all came swarming in giving their two cents but once the event was over it's all forgotten.
The Western left is full of hypocrisy and it’s why I just can’t support them. I don’t care for either side of Israel/Palestine but the UN condemns Israel all the time but never condemns anyone else, not even Russia for genociding Ukrainians.
 
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