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The Australian National Football Team General Discussion*OFFICIAL*

This is an updated list of all players selected under Popovic to the best of my knowledge. Games played in brackets will be close but may be a little out.

I'm trying to think who are the unluckiest not to get called up can think of: Luongo, Nisbet, Sapsford, Strain. If you count injury Farrell and Stensness. I really wanted to see Bennie but hard to fault it.

Credit Popovic he's done a great job getting eyes on so many players.

AUSTRALIA SELECTIONS UNDER POPOVIC:

GK
[ ] Gauci (2)
[ ] Ryan (8)
[ ] Izzo (2)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach

RWB
[ ] Miller (12)
[ ] Karacic (2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1)
[ ] Italiano (2)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1)
[ ] Rowles (5)
[ ] Souttar (4)
[ ] Geria (8)
[ ] Burgess (11)
[ ] Mathews (1
[ ] Degenek (7)
[ ] Trewin
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (4)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (7)
[ ] Bos (7)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder

CM
[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (4)
[ ] Irankunda (5)
[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Vellupillay (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Boyle (7)
[ ] Arzani (3)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
[ ] Tilio (1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1)
[ ] A. Toure

CF
[ ] Duke (8)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5)
[ ] K. Yengi (2)
[ ] Taggart (1)
[ ] M. Toure (6)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1)
[ ] D. Juric
 
Last edited:
Quicky said:
This is an updated list of all players selected under Popovic to the best of my knowledge. Games played in brackets will be close but may be a little out.

I'm trying to think who are the unluckiest not to get called up can think of: Luongo, Nisbet, Sapsford, Strain. If you count injury Farrell and Stensness. I really wanted to see Bennie but hard to fault it.

Credit Popovic he's done a great job getting eyes on so many players.

AUSTRALIA SELECTIONS UNDER POPOVIC:

GK
[ ] Gauci (2)
[ ] Ryan (8)
[ ] Izzo (2)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach

RWB
[ ] Miller (12)
[ ] Karacic (2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1)
[ ] Italiano (2)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1)
[ ] Rowles (5)
[ ] Souttar (4)
[ ] Geria (8)
[ ] Burgess (11)
[ ] Mathews (1
[ ] Degenek (7)
[ ] Trewin
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (4)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (7)
[ ] Bos (7)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder

CM
[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler

WF
[ ] Goodwin (4)
[ ] Irankunda (5)
[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Vellupillay (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Boyle (7)
[ ] Arzani (3)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
[ ] Tilio (1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1)
[ ] A. Toure

CF
[ ] Duke (8)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5)
[ ] K. Yengi (2)
[ ] Taggart (1)
[ ] M. Toure (6)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1)
[ ] D. Juric
Click to expand...
Popa has given a lot of players a chance - to his credit.
 


41:45 Bresciano goal. Such a tense Radio call. Imagine driving your taxi shift hearing this.

I had the Greece friendly on radio while delivering pizzas which pales in comparison.
 


Wow never heard this one! Of course this is the absolute sporting pinnacle for me.

Given my own life experience the Men's 4x100 freestyle relay was something else at Sydney 2000 where we were jumping around trying to understand we'd won gold. Freeman's race was one of relief and over in a flash. Watching later over the years the mid part of the race was concerning but over 400m she smashed them.
 
JS96 said:
Wow the SEN call goes for hours with post game chat too. What a night. Getting to school the next day there were just fist pumps everywhere seeing your mates arrive.
Click to expand...
will have to listen to the half time and postmatch shows
 
Quicky said:
This is an updated list of all players selected under Popovic to the best of my knowledge. Games played in brackets will be close but may be a little out.

I'm trying to think who are the unluckiest not to get called up can think of: Luongo, Nisbet, Sapsford, Strain. If you count injury Farrell and Stensness. I really wanted to see Bennie but hard to fault it.

Credit Popovic he's done a great job getting eyes on so many players.

AUSTRALIA SELECTIONS UNDER POPOVIC:

GK
[ ] Gauci (2)
[ ] Ryan (8)
[ ] Izzo (2)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach

RWB
[ ] Miller (12)
[ ] Karacic (2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1)
[ ] Italiano (2)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1)
[ ] Rowles (5)
[ ] Souttar (4)
[ ] Geria (8)
[ ] Burgess (11)
[ ] Mathews (1
[ ] Degenek (7)
[ ] Trewin
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (4)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (7)
[ ] Bos (7)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder

CM
[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler

WF
[ ] Goodwin (4)
[ ] Irankunda (5)
[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Vellupillay (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Boyle (7)
[ ] Arzani (3)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
[ ] Tilio (1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1)
[ ] A. Toure

CF
[ ] Duke (8)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5)
[ ] K. Yengi (2)
[ ] Taggart (1)
[ ] M. Toure (6)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1)
[ ] D. Juric
Click to expand...
I would say Popa has given opportunity to more players than any other manager since I've been watching and it isn't even close.
 
Quicky said:
This is an updated list of all players selected under Popovic to the best of my knowledge. Games played in brackets will be close but may be a little out.

I'm trying to think who are the unluckiest not to get called up can think of: Luongo, Nisbet, Sapsford, Strain. If you count injury Farrell and Stensness. I really wanted to see Bennie but hard to fault it.

Credit Popovic he's done a great job getting eyes on so many players.

AUSTRALIA SELECTIONS UNDER POPOVIC:

GK
[ ] Gauci (2)
[ ] Ryan (8)
[ ] Izzo (2)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach

RWB
[ ] Miller (12)
[ ] Karacic (2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1)
[ ] Italiano (2)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1)
[ ] Rowles (5)
[ ] Souttar (4)
[ ] Geria (8)
[ ] Burgess (11)
[ ] Mathews (1
[ ] Degenek (7)
[ ] Trewin
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (4)
[ ] Ja. Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (7)
[ ] Bos (7)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder

CM
[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler

WF
[ ] Goodwin (4)
[ ] Irankunda (5)
[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Vellupillay (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Boyle (7)
[ ] Arzani (3)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
[ ] Tilio (1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1)
[ ] A. Toure

CF
[ ] Duke (8)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5)
[ ] K. Yengi (2)
[ ] Taggart (1)
[ ] M. Toure (6)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1)
[ ] D. Juric
Click to expand...
That's a fine midfield spread. Duke and Borrello numbers are out of all proportion. Taggart and Yengi with respective injuries and suspensions.
 
JS96 said:
That's a fine midfield spread. Duke and Borrello numbers are out of all proportion. Taggart and Yengi with respective injuries and suspensions.
Click to expand...
I forgot Triantis in midfield. He didn't play but made the squad. I've updated the list. So a lot of midfielders. I think Luongo real stiff though.

Caceres and Yazbek surprised me. I didn't realise Caceres played so much. Yazbek was a go to bench option with some starts.

Borrelo really stood out for numbers. But I don't think has made a squad for awhile. Essentially been replaced by Toure.

Considering favouritism was a concern when appointed, Popovic has been remarkably open minded. He's looked at almost everyone.

I reckon he could have handled the Triantis situation better. Reading between the lines I feel like maybe he didn't manage expectations right. Triantis had his feelings hurt and reacted heavily. And we got what we got.

Can also safely assume Volpato never put his hand up for selection.
 
Quicky said:
I forgot Triantis in midfield. He didn't play but made the squad. I've updated the list. So a lot of midfielders. I think Luongo real stiff though.

Caceres and Yazbek surprised me. I didn't realise Caceres played so much. Yazbek was a go to bench option with some starts.

Borrelo really stood out for numbers. But I don't think has made a squad for awhile. Essentially been replaced by Toure.

Considering favouritism was a concern when appointed, Popovic has been remarkably open minded. He's looked at almost everyone.

I reckon he could have handled the Triantis situation better. Reading between the lines I feel like maybe he didn't manage expectations right. Triantis had his feelings hurt and reacted heavily. And we got what we got.

Can also safely assume Volpato never put his hand up for selection.
Click to expand...
He definitely hasnt been about favouritism since qualifying has he?

I expect him to settle on a team for the next 2 tournaments mind u

Volpato is injured so will know one way or another next window
 
It’s clear to me now that Popa was legit just choosing players that he knew could fulfil his instructions and knew what he was getting when he was first appointed. I guess the situation called for it as qualification was on the line.

Watching all his pressers including the latest one last night he definitely is open to taking whoever on the plane to the WC if they are fit and in form.

Going to be some very hard decisions and a few hearts broken that’s for sure.
 
onedaywinners... said:
It’s clear to me now that Popa was legit just choosing players that he knew could fulfil his instructions and knew what he was getting when he was first appointed. I guess the situation called for it as qualification was on the line.

Watching all his pressers including the latest one last night he definitely is open to taking whoever on the plane to the WC if they are fit and in form.

Going to be some very hard decisions and a few hearts broken that’s for sure.
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It's become much clearer now ad these lengthy interviews have been vital for s to get clarity. It's worked out well. The spread of players is so large now that is seemingly more consistent. However, the immediate starting debuts vs keeping regular call ups on the bench is contradictory.

We must remember his hand has been forced with injuries to his preferred Teague, Velupillay and Irvine. Other injuries have also meant he's given other worthy contenders a go. Had Teague not gotten injured we may have seen him as a starter the past windows.
 
grazorblade said:
November 16th right?
Click to expand...
Absolutely. My nephew still thanks me for taking him to that game. The most electrifying atmosphere: full crowd at Stadium Australia, a huge tifo of Johnny Warren "I Told You So", booing the Uruguayan anthem (for the purists, there were good reasons to do so), nailbiting game, PENALTIES!, Schwarzer, and then mobs of us went to the pub made it green and gold and watched the replay singing "Que sera sera, we're going to Germany, que sera sera". Awesome. I was hoarse for days. Still got my ticket, . GateO, Row 46. Anyone else on here in the stadium that night?
 
Cunningstunt said:
I would say Popa has given opportunity to more players than any other manager since I've been watching and it isn't even close.
Click to expand...
Haven't done stats but Pim cast a pretty wide net as well although he was forced to because a few of the Asian Cup qualifiers were outside FIFA windows. Popovic has probably tried more in a shorter timeframe than anyone else I can think of.
 
Quicky said:
I reckon he could have handled the Triantis situation better. Reading between the lines I feel like maybe he didn't manage expectations right. Triantis had his feelings hurt and reacted heavily. And we got what we got.
Click to expand...
To be honest I reckon that reflects more on Triantis than Popovic.
 
socceroosmad said:
Absolutely. My nephew still thanks me for taking him to that game. The most electrifying atmosphere: full crowd at Stadium Australia, a huge tifo of Johnny Warren "I Told You So", booing the Uruguayan anthem (for the purists, there were good reasons to do so), nailbiting game, PENALTIES!, Schwarzer, and then mobs of us went to the pub made it green and gold and watched the replay singing "Que sera sera, we're going to Germany, que sera sera". Awesome. I was hoarse for days. Still got my ticket, . GateO, Row 46. Anyone else on here in the stadium that night?
Click to expand...
I was there sitting about twenty rows back from the families of the players. I didn't know until later on why they all ran to the fence where I was.

I was also there for the home match against South Korea the previous time we qualified in 1973. We could thank Jim Fraser for that 0-0 draw.
 
Alex M said:
To be honest I reckon that reflects more on Triantis than Popovic.
Click to expand...
Neither of us knows the full story. I'm speculalting. My reading is Popovic mucked up the people management part of it. Triantis overeacted.

I think it was shitty Triantis didn't make the matchday squad, when my view was he deserved to start based on club form at the time. But yeah it seems it generated a pretty heavy reaction from Triantis, in the scheme of the things given what followed.
 
Quicky said:
Neither of us knows the full story. I'm speculalting. My reading is Popovic mucked up the people management part of it. Triantis overeacted.

I think it was shitty Triantis didn't make the matchday squad, when my view was he deserved to start based on club form at the time. But yeah it seems it generated a pretty heavy reaction from Triantis, in the scheme of the things given what followed.
Click to expand...
A decision that has backfired - at least until 2029/30…….
 
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