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

B
Quicky said:
I was thinking who I'd be most devastated if they got injured and it was Toure, Bos, Ryan, Circati as the big four. I'd be so nervous with 3 of those guys in that XI.
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Bos. If he goes does we become a purely long ball team. With Irvine and O’Neill destined to start and Behich instead, we have no way to progress the ball.
 
Pub League Champion said:
We’re not going to be able to snatch 1-0 wins. All three group stage teams have the ability to score goals on us. We need to find a way to put the ball in the net and we have none.

We haven’t been able to score against Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. Only one goal against Cameroon, USA and Canada. Curacao are too far beneath our group opponents to count.

I’ve seen nothing to think we’re going to start scoring 1-2 goals a game now and our defense won’t be able to keep these teams out. I’m feeling pretty negative now, but I see us going out with 0-1 points.
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Tbh I think you're generally right about the sentiment of the team.

I do think with the best attacking lineup and that requires subbing a few of the "regulars", then if things connect they can score. Especially dangerous on the counter-attack. But there's no in-between. The counter attack option really relies on a few individual players to make it happen, otherwise the rest of the side is set up to not concede.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
We have to get used to Popovic's tactical system especially since this is the style of play the Socceroos will be implementing throughout the World Cup proper.
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Popovic only has in mind one thing: winning. In his mind this is best achieved (given the playing stock available) by ceding the ball and no-risk defending to frustrate the opponent, and then when legs and minds tire and the field opens up, bringing on speedy attackers. If the strategy were consistently successful, fans would put up with the lack of excitement.Trouble is when it doesn't work, such as conceding a set-piece goal in the first half, there's no guarantee we'll get back on even terms, and even less likely to get a win. And this is against an average Mexico team. It's not only tedious to watch first half haram ball but there is no win to compensate. We have now lost the last 4 games in a row. Not good form going into a World Cup.
 
socceroosmad said:
Popovic only has in mind one thing: winning. In his mind this is best achieved (given the playing stock available) by ceding the ball and no-risk defending to frustrate the opponent, and then when legs and minds tire and the field opens up, bringing on speedy attackers. If the strategy were consistently successful, fans would put up with the lack of excitement.Trouble is when it doesn't work, such as conceding a set-piece goal in the first half, there's no guarantee we'll get back on even terms, and even less likely to get a win. And this is against an average Mexico team. It's not only tedious to watch first half haram ball but there is no win to compensate. We have now lost the last 4 games in a row. Not good form going into a World Cup.
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We beat Cameroon 1-0 and Curacao 5-1, whilst previously losing to Colombia 0-3.

Colombia was fine with the starting line up, till Popa made subs.

Colombia are ranked 13th, Mexico 16th, USA 15th. When we played them they all looked a step up from us - like Japan, who are ranked in the teens too.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
If anyone played himself out of the squad surely it was Hrustic - absolute garbage.

Notable that Devlin looked pissed off when he got off the bus (as opposed to his usual smile)... suspect he'll be dropped.

Popa's an idiot.
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Everyone should be given some minutes to show what they got so if they don't make it they 'll understand.

If Devlin /Yengi got cut I'd feel sorry for them. I don't know what Popa is thinking? He gave some players all the chances to play but some didn't even get 1 minute.
 
Ryan was his usual reliable self but couldn't do much about the goal.Both Italiano and Bos had good games with the latter making some strong runs.Trewin looked very good when he came on and put a smart pass through to Hrustic .Souttar was very good though he did lose the player who had his header well saved by Ryan.Herrington was a bit shaky at the start but grew into the game.Circati was strong but some of his passes in the first half were easily picked off.
Irvine had a mixed game.He puts himself about but is not a good passer of the ball.O'Neill also had a mixed game.He put in some good free kicks and did his defensive duties well apart from misjudging his header from the corner which gave the Mexican player a free header.He had taken position in front of him but did not pick up the flight of the ball.Maybe Herrington could have got his big body closer to the Mexican but TBF it was a cracker of a header.O'Neill looked more positive in the second half as did Metcalfe who had an anonymous first half.I do feel that Popa gets players to rein in their attacking instincts in these sort of games so that he can test out his methods of blunting opponents.
Okon -Engstler did look positive when he came on though some of his passes were ordinary.Velupillay also looked positive and made one smart run through the middle of the park.It must be be taken into account that with all the subs in the second half the Mexicans did lack some cohesion.
Leckie worked hard but his lack of pace and inability to control the ball in tight situations did not make him look like he is still able to play at this level.Toure used his pace well to get behind the defence but should have scored with an open goal.Italiano did well to force the turnover leading up to this chance.
Irankunda did not have enough time on the pitch to work his magic and needs to start.Behich was lucky not to give way a penalty late in the game though he did start the foul outside the box.Mabil had very limited time so difficult to give an opinion on his performance.Hrustic got into great position to run onto Trewin's pass but could not finish with his right foot.I have never been a fan of him and with Volpato's late inclusion he might find himself on the outer.Burgess also had little time but will definitely be in the squad.
It will be interesting to see who gets on the field against Switzerland.Volpato has to be given lots of game time and if Devlin is still in the squad he also needs to get a run.However I think he will go tomorrow and maybe joined by Borrello,Leckie and sadly Rowles.I think Yengi might stay as his height and strength gives Popa another attacking outlet especially late in the game.
 
Quicky said:
I thought the line-up was close to full strength but Leckie was way left field.

I still hate our 5-2-2-1 formation.
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As I’ve said before, the formation tends to change depending on the part of the pitch and the phase of play.

3-4-3, 5-2-3, 5-4-1.

Our results have been better with this system under Popa, than Arnie’s 4-3-3 attacking and defensive midfield triangle, and the change to the flat midfield 4-4-2 when the other team had the ball. Although it worked in the Qatar WC.
 
booney52 said:
Ryan was his usual reliable self but couldn't do much about the goal.Both Italiano and Bos had good games with the latter making some strong runs.Trewin looked very good when he came on and put a smart pass through to Hrustic .Souttar was very good though he did lose the player who had his header well saved by Ryan.Herrington was a bit shaky at the start but grew into the game.Circati was strong but some of his passes in the first half were easily picked off.
Irvine had a mixed game.He puts himself about but is not a good passer of the ball.O'Neill also had a mixed game.He put in some good free kicks and did his defensive duties well apart from misjudging his header from the corner which gave the Mexican player a free header.He had taken position in front of him but did not pick up the flight of the ball.Maybe Herrington could have got his big body closer to the Mexican but TBF it was a cracker of a header.O'Neill looked more positive in the second half as did Metcalfe who had an anonymous first half.I do feel that Popa gets players to rein in their attacking instincts in these sort of games so that he can test out his methods of blunting opponents.
Okon -Engstler did look positive when he came on though some of his passes were ordinary.Velupillay also looked positive and made one smart run through the middle of the park.It must be be taken into account that with all the subs in the second half the Mexicans did lack some cohesion.
Leckie worked hard but his lack of pace and inability to control the ball in tight situations did not make him look like he is still able to play at this level.Toure used his pace well to get behind the defence but should have scored with an open goal.Italiano did well to force the turnover leading up to this chance.
Irankunda did not have enough time on the pitch to work his magic and needs to start.Behich was lucky not to give way a penalty late in the game though he did start the foul outside the box.Mabil had very limited time so difficult to give an opinion on his performance.Hrustic got into great position to run onto Trewin's pass but could not finish with his right foot.I have never been a fan of him and with Volpato's late inclusion he might find himself on the outer.Burgess also had little time but will definitely be in the squad.
It will be interesting to see who gets on the field against Switzerland.Volpato has to be given lots of game time and if Devlin is still in the squad he also needs to get a run.However I think he will go tomorrow and maybe joined by Borrello,Leckie and sadly Rowles.I think Yengi might stay as his height and strength gives Popa another attacking outlet especially late in the game.
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Good round up, Booney!

Nice to see someone note some positives!
 
Decentric said:
As I’ve said before, the formation tends to change depending on the part of the pitch and the phase of play.

3-4-3, 5-2-3, 5-4-1.

Our results have been better with this system under Popa, than Arnie’s 4-3-3 attacking and defensive midfield triangle, and the change to the flat midfield 4-4-2 when the other team had the ball. Although it worked in the Qatar WC.
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We often play 5-2-2-1 with a box midfield.
 
Decentric said:
We beat Cameroon 1-0 and Curacao 5-1, whilst previously losing to Colombia 0-3.

Colombia was fine with the starting line up, till Popa made subs.

Colombia are ranked 13th, Mexico 16th, USA 15th. When we played them they all looked a step up from us - like Japan, who are ranked in the teens too.
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Sorry should have said our last 4 games in America. The issue is: is Popa's defence-first policy really the best strategy? Thirty minutes into the first half and we were on 16% possession. Maybe we're better than that. The contrast between the Socceroos' first and second halves is huge. Ange might be the extreme on the go for it end of the strategy scale, but boy when it worked it was great to watch. I do actually believe that it is in Australia's sporting DNA to be aggressive, not pull our neck into a catenaccio tortoise shell.At the sam time, losing with glory isn't great fun either but it's certainly not boring like haram football.
 
Quicky said:
We often play 5-2-2-1 with a box midfield.
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The front 3 isn’t always in a line, so yes when the two wider players are less advanced, it looks like 5-2-2-1.

If the opposition build up further into the Aus defensive half, or even third, those two wide Roos drop into a line with the 2 Socceroo DMs to make a line of 4 in a 5-4-1.
 
booney52 said:
Ryan was his usual reliable self but couldn't do much about the goal.Both Italiano and Bos had good games with the latter making some strong runs.Trewin looked very good when he came on and put a smart pass through to Hrustic .Souttar was very good though he did lose the player who had his header well saved by Ryan.Herrington was a bit shaky at the start but grew into the game.Circati was strong but some of his passes in the first half were easily picked off.
Irvine had a mixed game.He puts himself about but is not a good passer of the ball.O'Neill also had a mixed game.He put in some good free kicks and did his defensive duties well apart from misjudging his header from the corner which gave the Mexican player a free header.He had taken position in front of him but did not pick up the flight of the ball.Maybe Herrington could have got his big body closer to the Mexican but TBF it was a cracker of a header.O'Neill looked more positive in the second half as did Metcalfe who had an anonymous first half.I do feel that Popa gets players to rein in their attacking instincts in these sort of games so that he can test out his methods of blunting opponents.
Okon -Engstler did look positive when he came on though some of his passes were ordinary.Velupillay also looked positive and made one smart run through the middle of the park.It must be be taken into account that with all the subs in the second half the Mexicans did lack some cohesion.
Leckie worked hard but his lack of pace and inability to control the ball in tight situations did not make him look like he is still able to play at this level.Toure used his pace well to get behind the defence but should have scored with an open goal.Italiano did well to force the turnover leading up to this chance.
Irankunda did not have enough time on the pitch to work his magic and needs to start.Behich was lucky not to give way a penalty late in the game though he did start the foul outside the box.Mabil had very limited time so difficult to give an opinion on his performance.Hrustic got into great position to run onto Trewin's pass but could not finish with his right foot.I have never been a fan of him and with Volpato's late inclusion he might find himself on the outer.Burgess also had little time but will definitely be in the squad.
It will be interesting to see who gets on the field against Switzerland.Volpato has to be given lots of game time and if Devlin is still in the squad he also needs to get a run.However I think he will go tomorrow and maybe joined by Borrello,Leckie and sadly Rowles.I think Yengi might stay as his height and strength gives Popa another attacking outlet especially late in the game.
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Good match report
 
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