Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

Socceroos vs Cameroon/ Curaçao March 2026 🇦🇺🇨🇲🇨🇼

How should Australia do March?

  • European based camp

    Votes: 7 38.9%

  • North American based camp

    Votes: 6 33.3%

  • Australian based camp

    Votes: 4 22.2%

  • Middle Eastern based camp

    Votes: 1 5.6%
  • Total voters
    18
Thoughts....
Curacao are a questionable test?
Juric, did enough to warrant more time.
Robertson, looked good on the ball but not sure if he tried to turn? and passed backwards.
Hrustic, have questions over his pace to be suited to wing/inside forward against better opposition but did well.
That one run in behind was not tracked by Herrington but still looks class, do love his quick one touch passes.
Okon, better than many other Popa selections but think we are missing a deep player who can dictate the pace.
O'Neill, from a watchable perspective frustrating in a two man midfield.

Need to watch the replay.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
Metcalfe can't afford to be conservative in terms of chance creation especially with how St. Pauli are running this season but if the approach works in Tony Popovic's system then it'll do on the international stage.
Click to expand...
Also true. I was using a different definition though lol.
 
Decentric said:
Disappointed in the Melbourne crowd last night.

* They weren't very involved in the game and were pretty quiet.

* The crowd seemed small for a Socceroo send off to a WC.

Any thoughts from Melbourne residents who attended the game?

Thoughts from those who didn't attend? Why not?

I would have attended if I lived locally. Would have had tickets months ago.

As Vince Rugari suggests in the SMH, these seem like a nice bunch of blokes with good team spirit, yet the public has little interest in the current Socceroos. I suppose Eurosnobism could be a factor. Few big stars for EPL clubs play for Aus.
Click to expand...
I was there Decentric, and yes, very disappointing crowd.

A couple of thoughts/observations about the crowd:
- beautiful night in Melbourne but it was a 8.10pm kick-off on a Tuesday. Would have scared away a few
- that said, noticed a huge number of young kids there. Asking around seems a lot of junior clubs used the opportunity to get the kids exposure to the national team
- the by-product, the kids were all screaming for Bos and Irankunda all night as they did their warm-ups in front of where I was sitting. The crowd's excitement levels rose significantly when they both came on
- would imagine the die-hards were pleased that we didn't start several of our guns, but disappointed that an opportunity wasn't given to rotate more of the squad

Player specific observations:
- Could see the disappointment on Robbo's face every time he ran past. Really don't understand why he didn't come at half.
- Metcalfe has missed a decent chunk of the season with injury, but he is clearly better suited in a position where he can be more creative. Given the number of DM's we have available, thought that was clear in the first game?
- We missed Mo Toure badly this window. Juric was given ample time to show something, despite the views on this forum, he doesn't seem to be near the level. Which leads to the next point, why didn't Suto get a chance to show if he could be Mo's backup? Irankunda and Toure may both end up in the front line against certain opposition. Duke feels like the safe option for the WC squad
- Thought Rowles, Herrington and Geria were all solid without being spectacular
- Mabil and Hrustic probably edged in front of Boyle over the two games
 
DDAVIES said:
I was there Decentric, and yes, very disappointing crowd.

A couple of thoughts/observations about the crowd:
- beautiful night in Melbourne but it was a 8.10pm kick-off on a Tuesday. Would have scared away a few
- that said, noticed a huge number of young kids there. Asking around seems a lot of junior clubs used the opportunity to get the kids exposure to the national team
- the by-product, the kids were all screaming for Bos and Irankunda all night as they did their warm-ups in front of where I was sitting. The crowd's excitement levels rose significantly when they both came on
- would imagine the die-hards were pleased that we didn't start several of our guns, but disappointed that an opportunity wasn't given to rotate more of the squad

Player specific observations:
- Could see the disappointment on Robbo's face every time he ran past. Really don't understand why he didn't come at half.
- Metcalfe has missed a decent chunk of the season with injury, but he is clearly better suited in a position where he can be more creative. Given the number of DM's we have available, thought that was clear in the first game?
- We missed Mo Toure badly this window. Juric was given ample time to show something, despite the views on this forum, he doesn't seem to be near the level. Which leads to the next point, why didn't Suto get a chance to show if he could be Mo's backup? Irankunda and Toure may both end up in the front line against certain opposition. Duke feels like the safe option for the WC squad
- Thought Rowles, Herrington and Geria were all solid without being spectacular
- Mabil and Hrustic probably edged in front of Boyle over the two games
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response about the crowd, DD.

Interesting to read your thoughts about how much the kids wanted to see Iran and Bos.

Agree with most of your views, but thought Hrustic was mediocre - as usual.

Credit to you attending. Wonder why so many other Melbourne G and G posters failed to attend?

I wonder if Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, Gosford, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth wound get bigger crowds than turned out for the last 2 Socceroo games?

Many in the Aus regions never get a chance to see any Socceroo games. We are envious of capital cities who get so much opportunity to watch the Socceroos and Matildas. If I had access to them playing locally, I would never miss a game. Attend all Shield cricket games my state plays.

It appears as though the Matildas are now easily the most popular team. Fair play to them.
 
Last edited:
I was at the game last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was expecting to win but I wanted to see what options were available to Popa and teh versatility of the players on the pitch. Disappointed that Robertson only got 10 minutes as I would have preferred 45. One thing that struck me, which I am sure @Decentric will correct me when he does his full analysis, is that I felt that Popa changed the game plan. Three at the back with a high press. Hence Behich was way out front and unable to assist the defence when Curacao scored. When JBos relaced Behich, the same thing happened but JBos is faster and just bounces when he is tackled.
 
Ange's high line said:
Curacao qualifies in a 48 team WC yet, the Azzuri did not.
That teaches them for knocking the Socceroos out in the playoffs of 2006, in an unjust set of circumstances (think Lucas Neill late in the match)..
Click to expand...
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.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
I was at the game last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was expecting to win but I wanted to see what options were available to Popa and teh versatility of the players on the pitch. Disappointed that Robertson only got 10 minutes as I would have preferred 45. One thing that struck me, which I am sure @Decentric will correct me when he does his full analysis, is that I felt that Popa changed the game plan. Three at the back with a high press. Hence Behich was way out front and unable to assist the defence when Curacao scored. When JBos relaced Behich, the same thing happened but JBos is faster and just bounces when he is tackled.
Click to expand...
Good on you attending live, WAIW.

Haven’t been able to access the full replay on Paramount yet. They’ve taken the Cameroon game down.

Didn’t notice that Behich and Trewin played a higher line, but the formation did look more like a 3-4-3 flat midfield more this game, with less 5-2-3 and 5-4-1.

They probably did play a higher line in the Press.

I was really disappointed Robbo only played 10 minutes too. I really wanted a better look at him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top