Welcome!

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

Sign Up Now!

World Cup 2026 Australia thread

JS96 said:
www.smh.com.au

‘Gut feeling’: Ryan reveals Popovic’s reasons for World Cup axing

The Socceroos skipper, along with teammate Jackson Irvine, have spoken publicly for the first time since Tony Popovic’s decision to demote them to the bench.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

Ryan had revealed Popovic said he had a gut feeling to play Beach. It was certainly correct.

Wonder if he had the same for our wingers yesterday?
Click to expand...
I'm still scarred from Guus's gut feeling to play Kalacic instead of Schwarzer in 2006 WC v Croatia. (But Harry saved us.)
 
JM47 said:
A few different things at play SHOULD Australia draw with or beat Paraguay:

If Egypt beat Iran and Belgium beat NZ, we'd play Belgium.

If Iran win and Belgium win, we'd likely play Iran providing Belgium win by more than what Iran by. Belgium would top the group, Iran 2nd.

If Iran-Egypt draw, we'd play the winner of NZ or Belgium. If that's a draw too, we'd likely play Iran unless the NZ-Belgium results in a score which is more goals scored for Belgium.

I'd say Belgium is most likely should we finish 2nd, all things considered.
Click to expand...
Destiny has been waiting for a very special occasion for us to meet Iran for the first time since the Disastrous Draw of 1997 at the MCG.
 
socceroosmad said:
I'm still scarred from Guus's gut feeling to play Kalacic instead of Schwarzer in 2006 WC v Croatia. (But Harry saved us.)
Click to expand...
Was 20 years ago yesterday. Can't believe it.

Missed the Srna goal due to oversleeping. Went into school a bit late like most but no one cared.
 
Total match minutes so far across the two games (counted as 90 minute games rather than factoring for 1st or 2nd half added time):


Beach
180​
Ryan
0​
Izzo
0​
Souttar
180​
Circati
180​
Burgess
135​
Geria
61​
Herrington
0​
Degenek
0​
O'Neill
180​
Okon-Engstler
162​
Irvine
18​
Devlin
0​
Italiano
164​
Trewin
0​
Bos
174​
Behich
6​
Irankunda
106​
Metcalfe
135​
Vellupilay
74​
Leckie
61​
Volpato
29​
Hrustic
0​
Mabil
0​
Toure
119​
Yengi
16​
 
verrelli said:
Matt Leckie (61 mins) with pretty much as many match minutes as Mat Ryan, Lucas Herrington, Jackson Irvine, Cam Devlin, Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi combined (63 mins)!
Click to expand...
Jason Geria also has as many match minutes as Mathew Leckie and only four players in Patrick Beach, Aiden O'Neill, Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati have managed to play a full 180 minutes across two matchdays.
 
Relevant article about Socceroo selections and fitness.

www.smh.com.au

Why you probably won’t see your dream Socceroos front three against Paraguay

Everyone wants Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Toure to start together. For Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, it’s not that simple.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

Toure shouldn’t be getting subbed if he’s only played 120 mins in 12 days. Maybe it’s time for Okon to take a seat? I think Trewin could help out in midfield.

I don’t know that Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato could all start. Need some firepower off the bench.
 
Pub League Champion said:
Relevant article about Socceroo selections and fitness.

www.smh.com.au

Why you probably won’t see your dream Socceroos front three against Paraguay

Everyone wants Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Toure to start together. For Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, it’s not that simple.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

Toure shouldn’t be getting subbed if he’s only played 120 mins in 12 days. Maybe it’s time for Okon to take a seat? I think Trewin could help out in midfield.

I don’t know that Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato could all start. Need some firepower off the bench.
Click to expand...
Was thinking that - I think nesty and toure start - maybe with Metcalfe back in. Swap one out with Volpato if we need to chase a goal in the second half
 
Random fact: is mitch duke the only striker we have had that has scored in a world cup? (Counting cahill as a midfielder playing high in 2014)
 
Pub League Champion said:
Relevant article about Socceroo selections and fitness.

www.smh.com.au

Why you probably won’t see your dream Socceroos front three against Paraguay

Everyone wants Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Toure to start together. For Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, it’s not that simple.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

Toure shouldn’t be getting subbed if he’s only played 120 mins in 12 days. Maybe it’s time for Okon to take a seat? I think Trewin could help out in midfield.

I don’t know that Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato could all start. Need some firepower off the bench.
Click to expand...
Our schedule is decent with rest time.

We must finish 2nd as it gives us a few more days off. The midfield is the area that needs rotation and it'll work. Irvine should start. Should we advance I think Devlin has to start the KO game to unsettle the opponent.
 
1000068472.jpg

Wonderful accuracy by the person most available to put together the slide.

I can't stand people at Fox Sports or 10 who generate football stuff that is clearly wrong or to get a reaction. Nothing will change until competent football people do this work but 360 is the place to go. The trouble is this stuff gets the mainstream promotion.
 
JS96 said:
View attachment 7894

Wonderful accuracy by the person most available to put together the slide.

I can't stand people at Fox Sports or 10 who generate football stuff that is clearly wrong or to get a reaction. Nothing will change until competent football people do this work but 360 is the place to go. The trouble is this stuff gets the mainstream promotion.
Click to expand...
It’s a textbook error. Swap Paraguay and Turkey around then explain why that’s the case, then it’s correct.
 
grazorblade said:
Random fact: is mitch duke the only striker we have had that has scored in a world cup? (Counting cahill as a midfielder playing high in 2014)
Click to expand...
By striker do you mean CF? Aloisi scored v Japan. Kewell v Croatia. We've had lots of forwards score. Goodwin, Leckie, Irankunda and Metcalfe were in front 3s when they scored.
 
NicCarBel said:
Was thinking that - I think nesty and toure start - maybe with Metcalfe back in. Swap one out with Volpato if we need to chase a goal in the second half
Click to expand...
If we can only start one of Nestor and Volpato I would be leaning towards Volpato for this game. Paraguay will sit back and have a tight defence and I feel Volpato's skillset is more favourable for this scenario. For a game where we will likely have more of the ball I think having Volpato, Metcalfe and Okon on to create opportunities and Toure as a Target man is the best option. I would love to have Irankunda in the mix at the start but if we need to keep one as an impact sub I think his pace would make him more effective in this role.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top