Socceroos vs Mexico/Switzerland - Pre-World Cup Friendlies 2026 🇦🇺🇲🇽🇨🇭

[SocceroosFan]

Look at Herrington. So raw but just so calm. Experience can be important but this kid is special. Some of our additions feel like new signings. We should start Okon to see how he goes.

I thought Okon Jr was very good when he came on yesterday & Herrington showed why he'll be in the Socceroos squad for the next 3 WCs at a minimum.

 

[Pasquali]

 

[Bbouy]

This is still the best team IMO...

Please just give us this team against Switzerland, try it out. We can't really make judgements on the squad until we actually see the best team play.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

We'll need a translator as well for when the dusty sections of the Oxford dictionary are busted out.

Can I be the French translator?

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Can I be the French translator?

I don't see why not and it'll be good to have someone who can convey the new Socceroos selection policy and associated tactical system to the world's journos.

 

[patjennings]

This is still the best team IMO...

Please just give us this team against Switzerland, try it out. We can't really make judgements on the squad until we actually see the best team play.


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I can't agree with that - we tend to play with a box midfield. The problem here is the front two will want to get forward and Irvine is always the one looking for the late run into the box. Okon really does not play as a HM either - very similar to Irvine as he is always looking forward. I think O'Neill (I thought he was still injured yesterday) or Devlin need to be matched with Irvine. Okon-Englster is the sub for Irvine.

Quite happy with Herrington in the squad, and getting serious minutes, but I think Burgess probably has runs on the board and the accurate long ball release (which we will use) that will see him start in the first game.

 

[DDAVIES]

This is still the best team IMO...

Please just give us this team against Switzerland, try it out. We can't really make judgements on the squad until we actually see the best team play.


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Like to see this in practice as well. The more time the back three get together, the better. The dynamic between Toure, Irankunda and Volpato needs to be tried to see if that is an option in certain game situations. I view Devlin, and Yengi as the most important players to get 45 minutes into so that we can get a glimpse of what they can provide when called upon. Most of these guys have been in camp or recently playing, don't want to see the Switzerland game as an opportunity to improve fitness or to see guys that we know exactly what they can offer unless we are protecting our senior players in the second half.

 

[socceroosmad]

@ian_vic​

1 hour ago
Why does Popovich continually and deliberately always start overly defensively and wait till we are being dominated before becoming more attacking



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@johnvecchio2252​

1 hour ago
World Cup Fever has hit me in the first half even though it wasn't impressive by the Aussies



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@DDod19​

2 hours ago (edited)
If irunkunda doesnt play every possible second of the world cup I'm done. Popovic tactics worry me.



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Agree that Nestory Irankunda should be starting for the Socceroos in the group stage as opposed to being used as a super-sub to either close out a game or chase a result.

In their ch 10 commentary show, Eric Paartalu and Alex Wilkinson, who I really respect, both said Irankunda should start at the WC

 

[socceroosmad]

The first half tactic of absorbing pressure sets us up for a panic rush to catch up. The second half was better and for a friendly a pretty normal hitout.

I don't think we should be setting up this way as we're wasting time not using our best assets. Popovic giving us a small window to score only makes it harder.

SPOT. ON.

 

[socceroosmad]

Just watched highlights of Switzerland v Jordan friendly. Jordan were finalists in last Asian Cup, having beaten South Korea 2-0 in the semi. As commentator said, the Swiss have been a settled team for a while giving them great cohesion. Switzerland (who we play next Monday) won 4-1. The Swiss made the Q-Fs three times in the 1930s and 50s. This century they have made the round of 16 four times. So they have improved a lot. Partly or mainly because 17 out of their 26 squad have non-Swiss ethnic backgrounds. (Not making any points, just stating an interesting fact.) They will be a good test for us next week.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Just watched highlights of Switzerland v Jordan friendly. Jordan were finalists in last Asian Cup, having beaten South Korea 2-0 in the semi. As commentator said, the Swiss have been a settled team for a while giving them great cohesion. Switzerland (who we play next Monday) won 4-1. The Swiss made the Q-Fs three times in the 1930s and 50s. This century they have made the round of 16 four times. So they have improved a lot. Partly or mainly because 17 out of their 26 squad have non-Swiss ethnic backgrounds. (Not making any points, just stating an interesting fact.) They will be a good test for us next week.

How Jordan beat Korea and we didn’t is beyond me.

 

[Quicky]

How Jordan beat Korea and we didn’t is beyond me.

Jordan are tricky. They're a good counter attacking team. They'll pinch games especially if you have a down game.

 

[patjennings]

The other thing that was different in the Mexico game was the World Cup ball. It seemed to ping around quicker than most balls and it's movement from long distant strikes was quite marked. Love to see what Irankunda could do with it from distance.

 

[grazorblade]

Jordan are tricky. They're a good counter attacking team. They'll pinch games especially if you have a down game.

Middle eastern teams have a big home ground advantage too

 

[socceroosmad]

Jordan are tricky. They're a good counter attacking team. They'll pinch games especially if you have a down game.

And they have talent in the front third

 

[highkick05]

Mexico highlights. 10min for 1st half and 4 for 2nd half. It shows how much more we did in the second and Mexico did nothing. They dedicated 10min to the first half of a 14min video.

This whole game was played to a textbook MLS pace. Slow ball play , build up, but surgical balls in the box. Nothing fast or flashy.
We have USA in our group so expect similar. Probably want a 4 man backline with Soutar in the middle with Degenek.
Hard to see us getting anything out of it without being able to deal with those crosses.

 

[highkick05]

Pffff bs

 

[mkxx]

How Jordan beat Korea and we didn’t is beyond me.

If Miller didn't commit to that stupid foul to give SK a penalty the last few minutes of the game we would have won that game. SK were toothless until extra time.


In the 90 minute
SK 0 shot only possession and scored from the pen

 

[highkick05]

It's all exciting for us as fans to see the rotation and trial squads but I think this has come back to bite us.

We've had too many introductions and changes that we're still not settled. We have something of a core bunch but it got too big where some players were straight in starting then never to return.

And Behich

 

[hogie]

Does anyone know if the Socceroos v Switzerland match will be broadcast outside of Australia? I’m particularly interested in coverage in the UK.