Spurs would benefit from rekindling with local fans. I get the goal is to be a global brand of an epic scale but you'd be surprised how many lower tier clubs also have foreign fans who make occasional trips to matches. The trouble is a stadium of that scale costs a lot as do player wages so...

So Iredale gets cut of as he's into a new season? The bloke is invisible.

Not Grant Hanley that's for sure.... Souttar is better than every Scottish centre back. The issue is he's been injured but when he's played he's always been stellar and if he were permanently fit would be the best in The Championship and probably in the EPL. Remember the myth about his struggle...

Spurs going down would be big given their achievements the past decade and general following and presence. I think this is actually a good thing for them and the leagues. People forget Villa went down and they have rebuilt. I say this because comparable teams In Germany such as Bremen, Schalke...

Which shows how delusional Scotland is.

Who's that in the commentary box?

35k capacity stadium

We'll be about hitting peak fitness then. Got the camp before and these two games. 2022 was awkward without friendlies but a decent enough training before. 2010 was decent but we looked so bad the first game. 2014 was a long flight over and then that boring Croatia friendly.

Wow what a massive test pre tournament. They're very good. We've had big opponents before like The Netherlands.

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Fresh air?

Neuer weird again

Güler double against Bayern. Can't wait for O'Neill to be metres off behind him.

Neuer has always been overrated. Protected by great defences and playing opponents domestically who submit before the game starts. Pound for pound not that great.

The Singapore affect on Bailey Wright all while playing in rainy Stoke.

Not to mention the security question of the ME and Foster is right Australia should offer emergency hosting.

Getting it set up and can be renamed for Australian games once it gets closer. AFC confirms #AsianCup2027 Final Draw to take place on May 9, 2026, in 🇸🇦 Riyadh at the historic At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah! Annoying they're doing this before a world cup. While we're professional enough to...

AFC confirms #AsianCup2027 Final Draw to take place on May 9, 2026, in 🇸🇦 Riyadh at the historic At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah!

Oh ffs and I've simply chosen the first YouTube result which plays the pokemon song in multiple languages including Croatia. Perfect for the thread!

I simply don't have the energy to create a pic with all those involved with the caption 'gotta cap em all'

I find it ironic that we've actually brought in those with the weaker Australian connection. Souttar, Boyle and Karacic among others with ties you'd say are a long shot at getting them, though within the rules. Meanwhile those born and trained up in Australia chose elsewhere.

I've just had a weekend over to Carlisle and Manchester and it was great being off the phone. Proper football, pubs and people. The train through the Yorkshire Dales was excellent too and you see these little houses dotted around and see how they can't be annoyed by anyone. I wouldn't want that...

Now reports of 100 buck returns to MetLife for world cup train. Honestly just piss off. First it seemed to be only FIFA but now all the rail companies have started this. I get they've got their own deficits and this is a great opportunity to balance the books but this gouging isn't the way. A...

Hope Souttar leaves Leicester when they go down mostly as a big finger for the stupid selections they've made during his time there. His Sheffield United time has everyone in the Championship and some higher convinced.

2 quick Portsmouth goals and they lead Ipswich 2:0. Southampton racing home which is annoying that they might go up automatically. Norwich mathematically still able to make playoffs but hopefully Toure is just not risked now.

Van Egmond will still be with the Matildas in 2030. Needs more practice games.

He had a Christmas photo in Australia and his arm was in a sling. Ridiculous situation in the end and I think Mainz might have been scouring his brother and won't own up to it.

Popovic scoring and Leckie back on pitch. We know what happens next.

Well done to Hungarians for exercising their democratic rights which they had fought for since 1956 when the communists quashed it and murdered them for it. Only getting it back in the 90s they've worked to rebuild their country while having the EU try to meddle in domestic affairs while dealing...

I think it's time you redo your world cup squad AGAIN

I can see a single tweet Bos had a 'moment' in training which I'd say suggests nothing big. Many clubs starting to enter the dead rubber phase so I just wish they'd play their reserves and not do anything stupid.

I was surprised how fit the Sutton players were for the 5th tier 19th placed side. This kid in midfield, Ronny Ruiz looked slick. The mistakes kicked in and Carlisle capitalised. The A League is immensely better but there were a few players out there with smarts.

Yeah but his team lost to Rangers the other week.

Got to check table as Hull lost. Leicester in deep trouble as Oxford won.

I was at Carlisle Sutton today in the 5th tier. Steven Hall needs a loan to at least this level. Senior football and some toughing up.

Nairobi is to be the biggest UN base city so a lot of people from around the world live there. My Australian friend moved there as his German wife teaches at the German school. Lots of Europeans and Australians based there.

I've been told the VVIP area is being occupied by the Australian high commissioner and diplomats.

This is the VVIP area

Do we want to try to break the American Samoa record or something?

Australian friend who lives in Kenya at the game.

Why on earth in Van Egmond playing against Malawi? This is where the rawest should be put there regardless of opposition weakness.

Turned 34 this week and can realistically play until 42 if he wants. A decade of keeper frustration until Preston Ryan comes in.

Almost only right Maty returns home to Brügge. They love him there. Then a season or two at the Mariners.

How it should be. While industry uses a lot of fuel, people should walk, bike and use public transport where possible to see any sort of dent to the petrol stations. I fear it wouldn't be enough given the vast distances a lot of people drive.

How do you live over there and become less tanned? I guess the Queensland sun is harsher.

We're going to suffer immensely with this midfield. They're just too immobile and happy to pass the ball to the side or back. Popovic is banking on their other qualities to win the midfield battle but if we lose that we're in trouble. Okon is 3rd in line with the same dull, casual play. He's too...

Gauci starting. Even with 3 games in hand Port Vale are surely gone.

It's interesting how calendars dictate life. People do so well at one thing and then the next cycle starts and it all crumbles. Was it holiday? bad new ideas? or just the fact that people get this block in their head and things either improve or crumble once the slate is clean? Arnold really...

We're that buggered from all the scouting, dinner meetings and denying we're selling the shirt that we don't have the energy to roll out the red carpet. Once they commit, we play hard to get.

Robertson with another clever instinctive shot to score.

Boro get a 2:2 draw but Ipswich have 2 games in hand. Boro do have 3 home games to come. They also go to Ipswich in a fortnight.

Achilles apparently. World cup done. Gutting.

5 matches to go. Watford and Norwich near the playoffs and their managers will want to hope for a miracle but hopefully reality kicks in and they can rest our players out of consideration. Boro are bound for the playoffs only straining McGree more.

Lincoln were always going up but now they score to make it official. Need some AA there in The Championship next season.

I froze for a second having overlooked that he started.

That Watford forum posted last week didn't have many regular posts if I read the dates right. There must be another with heavy traffic. Anyway, Irankunda probably now a god amongst Watford fans until they sip their coffee to Elton John tomorrow morning upon hearing their manager has changed yet...

Robertson and Irankunda scoring and Toure with 2 assists. I think the government needs to recall these lads for national bubble wrap service as they're a highly valuable yet fragile asset.

Goal Irankunda! Who needs discipline?

Robertson scores!

USA striker Agyemang stretchered off for Derby County. They've got a lot of depth but he was touted for the world cup squad.

What vision and awareness for both Toure assists.

Here's me thinking Schwartau was Swiss not Danish. At 19, he'll be part of the Denmark rebuild and now seeing 4 Danes at Norwich is makes perfect sense that they scouted Toure there too.

Riley can return it against Turkey.

Managing his body is priority but this form and a solid showing at the world cup should see suitors above Championship level within 12 months.

Save some for June, Mo. He's so important for us.

Bubble, meet wrap!

81st min lead for Oxford at Portsmouth while Millwall lead which doesn't help Boro.

No Souttar. Fine by me to keep him safe until the last and build fitness on the background.

It's sodding Easter Monday already and the time has gone cruelly fast. Don't think we'll see Souttar in the squad just yet today. Team news for EFL coming soon. Also, welcome back to the more reasonable kick of times for the Australian based members and I hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep.

https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/ If we make the final this year...

I heard Lost's team drew.

More across the world flights for zero minutes is the only way to reap the rewards of his skills for the national team. Play them Popovic!

It's the same in the UK with domestic places. While I understand the cost of running a place is expensive, compared to what you get elsewhere makes the overseas trip a no brained for many people. The issue is the quality of accommodation is comparatively poor. Hotels in Inverness are run down...

So annoying that Chelsea and City are apart in the semis. Leeds Southampton final!

What on earth? Peter Gwargis at Iraqi club Duhok. Arnie can pay the beers.

Makrillos lives! He and that Irish bloke basked in Sweden made Leckie sweat for a second.

They're that bad though. The Bundesliga has become a French and Dutch apprenticeship league. The locals talents get dumped to the U23 4th tier or they pick one in the hope of being the model German poster boy.

Damn Hearts just crumbling as it's so hard to keep up the form.

Tresoldi being touted by Italy. He's developed a bit better but at Hannover he was still a wasteful player. Very young but I think overhyped.

Yep and given Germany's lack of quality defenders they would be enticed. Germany's defence is a lsughing stock. Tah is a donkey and Schlotterbeck is error prone and overrated. The depth isn't great either.

I agree and their playoff results were to ground out 1:0 wins with Romanian being harmless but also absorbing Kosovo pressure. Their attack isn't exactly lethal. That's not to say some of their players don't have a top shot. I think our defence is good at keeping shooters at bay so hopefully...

Perhaps we shouldn't underestimate our experience in pressure situations but Turkey are coming in a European tournament and tough qualifying campaign themselves. If they score in the first half I fear Popovic's plan of hold and score late will create panic. Indonesia and China don't count as...

Bennie is handy for his versatility and he can also shoot and run across the pitch. I keep forgetting his as I refer to the wiki when looking at our stocks.

Normally by now the patches get rid of the rigidness is that it feels like trying to straighten a plane on a death spiral. I've tweaked all the settings to no avail. Their descriptions are a lie. They reckon one mode gives you the more legacy style of free flowing fifa but it's simply not true.

Only took nearly 40 years.

Something people don't realise. The witch doctor which cursed Australia from qualifying for the world cup had a secondary clause which John Safran reversed in that anyone changing allegiance would also be cursed upon making the decision. We've seen it already with Segecic and Volpato and their form.

Normal for a gatekeeping top 2 closed shop league.

Ah damn 2min in and Chelsea lead already.

If the League Cup has its own thread the certainly the world's most famous cup competition should. City leading Liverpool 4:0. Gauci hopefully facing Chelsea later today.

Is this bloke serious? NRL and AFL teams have folded relocated. They've had mountains of their own controversies yet he highlights some betting scandals in the A League.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15693309/World-Cup-Socceroos-Matildas-soccer-Australia-2026-Aleague.html?ito=social-facebook_Australia&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQ96KJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5yS7XnGdo3qlvkktS5fidDk7iJVCTHjjPnTmON2FGbWBZY4DykzKo6_aFV8w_aem_lktSoNB...

The Levante defenders need to do better too. Like the USA goal against Belgium you can't let crosses drop like that in the box.

Arm across the back and small tug on shirt. Some refs blow even before the ball enters the box when they see that impedement of a keepers movement.

Hmm Sociedad player leaning into Ryan on a corner while another can head it in. No rule against standing in the way. It's just right in the run and catch path of the keeper. Such cases have been blown the other way before.

I'm fond of Portsmouth. The Segecic situation has soured things but we have other players there and the club overall. I'm frustrated at how lethargic they've been for a while. West Brom need to go down for a reset.

The only lemon out there is you. Piss off.

Milligan was terrible for Australia up until the 2015 Asian Cup. It was then that he took a leading role and his fill in at right back late in the final is one of the toughest performances I've seen. The stuff of legend. He was very patchy for Australia in the years building up and got a game...

He shouldn't have walked on on Metz when they wanted him to play at right back in a trial game.

Our group needs to be a bit careful with the 3rd place as many draws and low goals could see them miss out. Ideally some groups with 2 apparent weaker teams draw against each other while the strong ones take care of them. You'd think Spain and Uruguay beat Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde and...

Austria will probably look alright. I think the North African sides get overlooked.

Someone posted it to the Roos official pages to criticise the current away kit. While I really like the away kit, you can see how good alternatives are. This one looks great.

Yeah at least he has good assist numbers. Won a penalty against Mexico too.

Odd. Out 2 games ago then in and scores then out again.

I've had a quick look and 7 out of 9 yellow cards we're 75 mins or late with the majority being in added time which suggests he was slowing the opponent down at the death and refs give cards very lightly at that stage of the match. It would be more concerning if it were in the first half...

Perhaps the regular shoving and reacting to provocation but he's been cooler of late which is probably due to his own positive play meaning he's got less frustration to vent.

On second though the Watford fans are probably tired of using a forum that is clearly older than Irankunda. Can't Elton John fund a site?

He seemed smarter the last window for Australia and he's just got to stop getting involved in shoves. The red card he got recently was silly but comical by the ref late in the game. These moments are specks in a massively long Championship campaign.

They're Watford fans. Probably fatigued by all the manager changes. Irankunda has done plenty of decent things this season even with starting from a lower base with reasonable expectations. He could've done a lot worse.

They're both too timid. Metcalfe had a great shot away Mexico which was parried for a corner and Souttar scored from that. We need to pull the trigger more.

I wouldn't want to have to watch Millwall that long!

Rudoni quickly makes it 3:2 for Coventry. I look forward to seeing Rudoni and hopefully Hackney in the EPL as they've been developing for some years into good local midfielders

Coventry keeper charges out and wins ball well with hand. Striker jumps and is cleaned up. Ref gives a penalty. I just don't think that's a penalty. How's the anti VAR aspect now at the top of The Championship?

So much to happen but Australia vs Iran is a possibility in Arlington in the round of 32. I don't think I'm ready yet...

Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Czech Republic qualifying offers a lot more muscle. South Korea's first game now seems more like a physical battle than perhaps tactical display against Denmark. Seeing Sweden against Tunisia didn't cross my mind at all initially. I wonder how Cape Verde...

Matchday 2 gets a bit better with an early evening game for Europe most nights. Different locations mean game at 7 and the next 11, not 10. I think Japan or India or probably one of the worst places time zone wise but Europe has its fair share in middle of the night stuff too. They've really...

Can't even remember what it was but Germany McDonald's recently had an international selection and they had stuff that made sense the then the Australian think was sunrise onion rings or something. Aussie burger all the way.

Balls lands to McGree at far post and he can side foot it but there there too many bodies. So many touches today. Could do better but tight spaces.

What do you do in your free time? It's complicated.

Popovic's selection criteria is twisted in more knots than a school girl's hair. He doesn't value skill or form and the selections come across as random. No journalist will risk the relationship by laying the facts on the table. It should be shouted how Robertson can be overlooked when...

Ah shit Millwall take the lead with 5 to go. Dumbest midfield pass there.

We'll be able to cross some names off with those not invited to the Florida camp so there'll be some clarity. Probably someone like Matthews. You'd think Baccus is done too. The Abu Dhabi camp had a few more invited so maybe the random name will sneak in one last time. If Leckie gets invited...

So many different WC schedules around based on time zones so you've got to be careful when reading the day and time. Matchday 3 is being expedited with 3 groups ending most days.

McGree still on at 65 as Millwall has pressed really hard the past 10min. He'll surely be coming off soon. Boro have 4 of 6 April games at home.

Chapman starting. Hopefully Gauci starts in FA cup against Chelsea on Sunday.

Burgess starting. Irankunda starting while Bennie and Adamson on bench in same game. No Souttar. Elder potentially on later.

Development comes later but to think McGree got called up by Ange in 2017 and he's only got a solitary goal for Australia is frustrating. That airswing against Curaçao just can't keep happening for the national team.

I just say that Danish cross glides a bit up with my eyes turning the Italian flag into something from the 1930s.

Gattuso has resigned. Ange in?

McGree has a shot on the penalty spot blocked for a corner. He's been heavily involved. I think hell be off at the break due to the travel. If Boro were behind, fans scapegoat this type of missed chance percentage.

McGree in miles of space and a poor cross blocked for a corner. Could've done a lot more there.

Not a 100% but McGree shot well blocked in box and he shoots over a second later but from a tight and impossible space. At least he's shooting

Got older xbox one currently and TV not the clearest so I don't think I'll get GTA 6 with that hardware as it probably won't be the ultimate experience.

Boro lead. McGree passing well today

Leicester managers were also stupid about benching Souttar. Doyle was touted as the next England defender only to end up at Wrexham.

Clearly written by an American. The great Australian and British films missing and the German Stalingrad.

McGree yellow after a raised arm hits his opponent near the throat in a post whistle tussle. A big centre back tries to milk it for as much as he can get. Laughable.

McGree gets it on dome and a dumb first touch bounces to the opponent but they stuff it too for a corner. McGree should've just had a shot there.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/fifa-world-cup-simulator/ Putting this here too. Can't resist a few upsets to see where things go. I had Australia against NZ in the knockouts. Egypt had a goalless draw against Spain. Maybe Algerian will surprise and Austria could be lame. Would love...

Did Max Vieri play?

German sky finally keeping their word and showing Boro. They could've shown a lot more Championship this season.

McGree good for a half at least. He might have gotten one of those 2am flights out of Melbourne. There was an Emirates flight to Singapore so maybe they're doing some routes there.

How's the Australian Turkish community going to go with this? All Turkish games are not on German FTA rather exclusively on Telekom (26 games exclusively) yet they all said they'll be watching Turkish channels anyway. Apparently YouTube will be showing games too which should dent Telekoms...

I had one side of our group winning first games 1:0 then 1:1 draws matchday 2 and then 1:0 wins for those having lost on matchday 1. Everyone on 4 points and dual GD. If my reading is correct it'd then come down to cards.

This game is exactly how I think it'll go. Those 2 early USA chances and then a Metcalfe shot. Not much else until they finally crack us.

Skipped that as I didn't have a concole having moved between Australia and Germany and lived a very minimalist apartment life for a bit. Brought my slim PS2 over in luggage in 2011. Please don't tell me 2010 had Vuvuzelas?

Oh ffs what now? At least they're not called Türkspor Hume. These people will call themselves anything but Australian the moment they want to to have some dig at something Australian they don't like and then moan if people say the club certainly appears associated with a nationality being draped...

Nothing worse than just painting over the badges. Dortmund had one all black. Had the logo been silver, the contrast would've worked.

Aside from spending hours playing WC 98. I remember seeing WC 2006 as a demo clip and Poland scoring against Germany with all the balloons pre game and the roar. Such a hyped game. 2014 version is remember scoring a 90min side volley with Jedinak against Croatia but the realism was the keeper...

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/everest-guides-accused-poisoning-foreign-095304783.html

We need a 130 year anniversary kit. Yeah, just take the current kit and make it ALL red as we've never played in something like that before. Bonus points for the emblem to be harder to see.

Kids today think any word they say made it into the dictionary in 2023.

Popovic speaks so highly of Souttar and has afforded him so much patience. These recent minutes are an excellent sign.

Bubble wrap time. Here's hoping many teams secure the league status and don't overexert our players. Florida will whip everyone into top shape.

All players are hot and cold but it's the way he'll go missing for a few games while we refused to try Toure, Sapsford, Juric, Iredale. When he wasn't available we had wasteful performances by D'Agostino, Boyle and Borello in the role. Credit to Taggart and Yengi for doing well when called...

A couple of articles coming in that Joachim Löw will Coach Ghana at the World cup. If it's true I'd expect more tabloids to be on it tomorrow but a lot of other places don't report until it's official.

I think Popovic might get cold feat and prefer someone who's played a bit more. It depends how much Souttar plays before the tournament.

This predictor takes H2H into account. Not all sites do. Such novelty games now it's complete. Mexico VS Czech Rep seems interesting.

Sure, you're never been? Would you like to see my deep fried Mars bar?

It's interesting as Italy are desperate for any talent but even then would get very pissed off if Arena came to our camp and didn't get selected.

Pictures of Ryan show he had one that said education for all and another with save the planet. The problem with Qatar was it was all lip service. The same people who say everyone should have rights are the same to denounce anyone saying local cultures should be respected. It's the leftist catch...

I don't think we can expect Popovic to change much now. Balard and Devlin are simply ousted and he's probably toying with dropping Robertson too. Who I think Popovic will pick: Ryan, Izzo, Beach Italiano, Karacic, Geria, Circati, Degenek, Burgess Herrington, Trewin, Bos, Behich Irvine...

We have the bargaining chip. Time to make Arena an offer. I think Italy know they've got lots to rebuild on and he knows he'll be part of that.

Fox sports chose what you'd think is the most logical based on Popovic but it's weird how they dismissed Izzo and battling with Beach for third spot. They really have no idea about many players and their situation.

Rename it the Arnie= Legend thread

I remember in the 90s when fans trashed a newsagent after they'd run out of newspapers with state of origin posters.

"His coaching was a little too lax, a little too soft. A more rigorous approach and rigorous training is necessary." Japan axe coach 12 days after winning Asian Cup.

Is this a new law? Lots of countries changing things of late.

The Mexican stadiums are great as actual football stadiums. The USA ones have the weirdest camera heights and angles. I hope they adjust the platforms for filming. I know football stadiums also have high stand walls but these NFL stadiums with the high pitch edge walls just make it feel more...

What is this A beer you speak of? Honestly, I don't know, do they go hard on the beers?

Ugh it just gets distorted. Everyone has friends but in its own cultural way. Like Germans who'll offer jack shit to eat and drink when you visit while Greek friends have you swimming in food.

She takes issue with it but I just refer to her overflowing bookshelf and shoe rack. Opening the door is like letting the sunlight in with a hint of navy and green.

So there's a dhgate coupon valid for the next 24 hours on the 'pay day' part of the app. 17€ off orders of 26€ so I've just got 3 kits for 25€. The England kit has been selling like crazy.

CONCACAF qualifiers earned it but bloody hell I've totally forgotten Haiti. I guess it's just the traditionally bigger ones crashed. Kudos to Cape Verde beating Cameroon to qualify. Some teams that aren't there: Denmark, Poland, Costa Rica, Nigeria among others.

It certainly contributed to it. There was in fighting about whether to do it and the players only got interviewed about that stuff. The coach also had wild team meetings where the players were clearly at odds with his tactics and lamented a lot of non football distractions. Denmark were...

I wonder if Circati will be mentioned by Italy as a loss and just another part of their many problems.

Iredale goal. He's a tidy finisher.

And here we all are. Jordan have been going alright in practice games so who knows? Czech Rep, Bosnia, Sweden weren't really expected so it's changed the group dynamic a lot.

Could argue a 3 team host with the already generous CONCACAF placing only have the rest a bigger chance but interestingly Honduras, Costa Rica and Jamaica didn't get in. Suriname were nailed on but got done at the last in the group stage.

Shots fired. Economically speaking Italy not qualifying isn't good for themselves nor the diaspora. Could be a drop in the ocean though. Germany will benefit from Turkish qualification. They often buy big new TV's. Boston is sorted with two Scottish games and lots of drinking. Czech...

Before the biometric scans etc I knew of twins who'd use one passport.

Germany tried it with a rainbow armband last time and crashed out. That's nearly as embarrassing. Players got too distracted and he documentary on Germany 2022 with filmed player coach meetings were something else. The players thought Flick was off his head with tactics.

Danish press are absolutely livid. Haven't even checked Italian yet.

Iraq are so used to stuffing it up it but they looked really composed. Bolivia lots are basic but very good. All that qualifying over now.

This seller just confirmed only home kit in stock. It's still very new in their factories. Meanwhile people have been ordering and getting the new England kit since January.

Seller said he'd try to get one. Some are on site at factories while others are intermediaries.

I'll check for Iraqi newspapers later but if anyone finds local links, post them.