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2027 Asian Cup

“We demand an investigation into the replacement of referee Rafshan Irmatov and his departure at a difficult time in such an important match. We ask for an examination of the grassland“
We demand an investigation into the replacement of referee Rafshan Irmatov and his departure at a difficult time in such an important match.
We ask for an examination of the grassland that was not suitable for the Syrian team, while Australian players seem to be wearing shoes that cling to the long grass, so we saw Syrian players fall during the game, while Australia's players are steady.
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نطالب بفتح تحقيق حول تبديل حكم المباراة رافشان ايرماتوف وخروجه في وقت صعب من مباراة مهمة كهذه .
ونطالب بفحص ارضية الملعب العشبية التي لم تكن ملائمة للمنتخب السوري بينما يبدو ان لاعبي استراليا يرتدون احذية تتشبث بالعشب الطويل ، لهذا رأينا لاعبين منتخب سوريا يتساقطون خلال المباراة ،في حين لاعبي استراليا ثابتين.
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We demand an investigation into the replacement of referee Rafshan Irmatov and his departure at a difficult time in such an important match.
We ask for an examination of the grassland that was not suitable for the Syrian team, while Australian players seem to be wearing shoes that cling to the long grass, so we saw Syrian players fall during the game, while Australia's players are steady.
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نطالب بفتح تحقيق حول تبديل حكم المباراة رافشان ايرماتوف وخروجه في وقت صعب من مباراة مهمة كهذه .
ونطالب بفحص ارضية الملعب العشبية التي لم تكن ملائمة للمنتخب السوري بينما يبدو ان لاعبي استراليا يرتدون احذية تتشبث بالعشب الطويل ، لهذا رأينا لاعبين منتخب سوريا يتساقطون خلال المباراة ،في حين لاعبي استراليا ثابتين.
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Welcome to the forum!
 
Even if we get grouped with zero points?
Even if we get grouped with zero points at the World Cup the expectation is that Tony Popovic will immediately bounce back from a disastrous campaign and lead the Socceroos far into the Asian Cup, perhaps going all the way but definitely topping the group at least given how easy our opponents will be.
 
We demand an investigation into the replacement of referee Rafshan Irmatov and his departure at a difficult time in such an important match.
We ask for an examination of the grassland that was not suitable for the Syrian team, while Australian players seem to be wearing shoes that cling to the long grass, so we saw Syrian players fall during the game, while Australia's players are steady.
��
نطالب بفتح تحقيق حول تبديل حكم المباراة رافشان ايرماتوف وخروجه في وقت صعب من مباراة مهمة كهذه .
ونطالب بفحص ارضية الملعب العشبية التي لم تكن ملائمة للمنتخب السوري بينما يبدو ان لاعبي استراليا يرتدون احذية تتشبث بالعشب الطويل ، لهذا رأينا لاعبين منتخب سوريا يتساقطون خلال المباراة ،في حين لاعبي استراليا ثابتين.
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Welcome to the forum!!!
 
With his squad I suspect he is gone after MD3. I like what Muscat has done / is doing - but he tends to work with older players. Morgan or Montgomery would be my pick. Probably Morgan at this stage.

I think Popovic's contract is up for renewal after the World Cup. If we don't at least finish top 2 in our Group I would say he has under-performed. He had much better players available (even if he didn't pick them) than Arnie did in 2022. To perform worse is just not acceptable in what is an easier World Cup and probably the easiest group we have every had.
It does feel like there is a surge of young talent coming through who could push further than the last couple of generations. Is this a Bielsa in Chile moment where someone can take a talented generation, instill a mentality etc? Even if it is I wouldn't really trust anyone other than Bielsa or maybe Ange (no doubt there are others out there who I don't know about) to actually have the confidence to do it.

Morgan has always coached youth teams. Montgomery was limited by finances at CCM. They both had to work with what was available. If you put experienced guys in front of them, would they revert back? In that case you just take Muscat. Maybe the talent has come slightly too soon for Milligan's progression.

Potential talent wise this squad is much better. But in terms of where their progression is the starting 11 is a coin flip compared to four years ago. Bos, Toure, Cicati are better players, but young. Mooy and 2022 Irvine were much better than our current CM options. The rest is a wash.

The group is interesting. It is objectively weaker but not easy. The lack of an obvious powerhouse changes the flow of qualification. Previously you lose to France or Brazil, but expect them to also beat your opponents. I think whatever the results we probably get Popa for at least the Asian Cup. Look at the FA finances. This means more Popa ball until then. If he takes the next cycle I would expect him to progress the team much more through qualifying. God help me watching this style another four years.
 
It is not a huge step forward toward 2030 but I think you need to have a more multi-modal squad that doesn't just defend. None of these selections are really out there and are really just the start towards the Asian Cup and 2030.
Whilst it's nice to have a start towards the next cycle the Asian Cup is an international tournament that we have a chance of actually winning. We should pick our strongest squad in this tournament (although the squad you suggested is a reasonably solid one and I think most of the players you mentioned will be there). I'm hoping that not all the experienced guys you left out will retire after the WC ande some of them will stick around to play a part (provided they maintain their fitness and form).
 
Whilst it's nice to have a start towards the next cycle the Asian Cup is an international tournament that we have a chance of actually winning. We should pick our strongest squad in this tournament (although the squad you suggested is a reasonably solid one and I think most of the players you mentioned will be there). I'm hoping that not all the experienced guys you left out will retire after the WC ande some of them will stick around to play a part (provided they maintain their fitness and form).
We should ideally be choosing the strongest possible Socceroos playing list for our 2027 Asian Cup campaign so we can capitalise on the opportunity we have to be going all the way in that tournament, and heading into the 2030 World Cup cycle we should be building on those foundations to improve the squad following the inevitable retirements of key players between now and then.
 
We should ideally be choosing the strongest possible Socceroos playing list for our 2027 Asian Cup campaign so we can capitalise on the opportunity we have to be going all the way in that tournament, and heading into the 2030 World Cup cycle we should be building on those foundations to improve the squad following the inevitable retirements of key players between now and then.

That's the answer and realistically that is quite different than the World Cup squad.
 
Out of the 26 at the World Cup - 19 are from reasonably high leagues

The other 7 by the time the Asian Cup comes around there are a few that have to perform here or may find themselves on the outer and others may retire. Remember Miller and McGree likely to come in and with retirements Robertson also gets another look in

Beach - in the ALM probably gets no minutes here so can't really impress
Leckie - proven but likely to retire - in the ALM
Behich - proven but may retire here or be pushed out by others - in the ALM
Italiano - some pressure assuming Miller comes back successfully and Bennie pushes
Devlin - some pressure
Mabil - growing pressure and I suspect minimal game time - Second division team and McGree coming back
Okon-Englster - most pressure - only proven at ALM level - will be looking at a big tournament and I would hope a better league
 
Sapsford - will he go to another level in his second year?
QPR boys - Aussies often don’t play in their first year. Will they now get to start regularly?
RBR & Silvera - where will they end up and how will they play?
Leonard - will he get gametime in B1?
Badolato - how will he return from injury?
Younis - what’s next for him?
 
We should ideally be choosing the strongest possible Socceroos playing list for our 2027 Asian Cup campaign so we can capitalise on the opportunity we have to be going all the way in that tournament, and heading into the 2030 World Cup cycle we should be building on those foundations to improve the squad following the inevitable retirements of key players between now and then.
That's the answer and realistically that is quite different than the World Cup squad.

To me this World Cup came a couple of years too soon. In 4 years time the basis of this team plus the talent coming through will make Australia a very strong squad at the 2030 World Cup
 
To me this World Cup came a couple of years too soon. In 4 years time the basis of this team plus the talent coming through will make Australia a very strong squad at the 2030 World Cup
I completely agree but would probably argue this world cup probably came way too soon. 2034 could possibly be the peak for a lot of these guys. If we are assuming prime as a footballer is from 27-32? A lot of water to pass before this of course.

Under 33 in 2034:
Lucas Herrington; 18; 26
Nestory Irankunda; 20; 28
Paul Okon-Engstler; 21; 29
Patrick Beach; 22; 30
Alessandro Circati; 22; 30
Mohamed Toure; 22; 30
Cristian Volpato; 22; 30
Jordan Bos; 23; 31
Jacob Italiano; 24; 32

1780376957517.png

Even if we only produce two average midfielders to slot in, this seems pretty crazy the potential of these cycles.

Edit: I realised that excluding Beach, we could legitimately see this as a starting line up for this world cup. In my lifetime we have never had a situation where the core of the starting side could remain relatively unchanged for three world cups. I doubt this would have occurred many times for any country.
 
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I completely agree but would probably argue this world cup probably came way too soon. 2034 could possibly be the peak for a lot of these guys. If we are assuming prime as a footballer is from 27-32? A lot of water to pass before this of course.

Under 33 in 2034:
Lucas Herrington; 18; 26
Nestory Irankunda; 20; 28
Paul Okon-Engstler; 21; 29
Patrick Beach; 22; 30
Alessandro Circati; 22; 30
Mohamed Toure; 22; 30
Cristian Volpato; 22; 30
Jordan Bos; 23; 31
Jacob Italiano; 24; 32

View attachment 7323

Even if we only produce two average midfielders to slot in, this seems pretty crazy the potential of these cycles.

Edit: I realised that excluding Beach, we could legitimately see this as a starting line up for this world cup. In my lifetime we have never had a situation where the core of the starting side could remain relatively unchanged for three world cups. I doubt this would have occurred many times for any country.
It poses the question who are our next generation midfielders?
 
Robbo’s still only 23! I think it shows how bad losing Nektar and Sega was though.
Having watched Quintal this year at SFC & Segecic a couple of years ago, I think Quintal is the better player.

Yazbek, Neiwenhof, if he gets back to best after injury, younger Okon, Leonard, Balard and many youth players like Eames and Badolato will all have Triantis covered.
 
Having watched Quintal this year at SFC & Segecic a couple of years ago, I think Quintal is the better player.

Yazbek, Neiwenhof, if he gets back to best after injury, younger Okon, Leonard, Balard and many youth players like Eames and Badolato will all have Triantis covered.
Better as in better ceiling? I hope so!
 
I completely agree but would probably argue this world cup probably came way too soon. 2034 could possibly be the peak for a lot of these guys. If we are assuming prime as a footballer is from 27-32? A lot of water to pass before this of course.

Under 33 in 2034:
Lucas Herrington; 18; 26
Nestory Irankunda; 20; 28
Paul Okon-Engstler; 21; 29
Patrick Beach; 22; 30
Alessandro Circati; 22; 30
Mohamed Toure; 22; 30
Cristian Volpato; 22; 30
Jordan Bos; 23; 31
Jacob Italiano; 24; 32

View attachment 7323

Even if we only produce two average midfielders to slot in, this seems pretty crazy the potential of these cycles.

Edit: I realised that excluding Beach, we could legitimately see this as a starting line up for this world cup. In my lifetime we have never had a situation where the core of the starting side could remain relatively unchanged for three world cups. I doubt this would have occurred many times for any country.
Could put Robertson and Leonard in those spots. I have no doubt there will be some new names emerge in that time too to displace some of those listed. We potentially have a very bright period for the national team ahead.
 
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