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Socceroos vs Egypt - 2026 World Cup R32 - Sat 4th of July 4am AEST

Bbouy said:
I like the possession lineup for sure. I'd consider an Okon-Engstler in there but I really think Metcalfe can be super useful in that LWB/RWB position. Some of his best contributions are usually defensive in nature and he offers more going forward than Behich who was ordinary today. I believe Italiano will be back though.

If we are playing Iran or NZ, I hope we go full-out attack, we can sustain a strong amount of attack and defence for 90 minutes. Get Irankunda on the wing where he is dangerous, have his partner in crime (Toure) making runs in behind and we will be a lot more dangerous than we were today, and with Bos and Volpato causing all sorts of problems respectively. Belgium, would be a more tactical game whether we park the bus and find a late winner similar to Turkey or perhaps we try to score early and hold.

I don't think we've found that balance yet in the starting lineup. Feels like we are still yet to see our best XI. Herrington is a must-start for me.
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Paraguay were always going to sit back and it wasn't the game to do it but I feel there is defensive value in Irankunda's speed in our low block. Not that Toure is a slouch. We lose out on presence in the box if Popa doesn't start Toure or Yengi hence my hybrid thinking.

Popa won't but I feel a front two of Toure/Irankunda with Volpato in behind would rip.

With Metcalfe you'd think his game would suit a wingback role, starting as a winger we miss out on "flair" and attacking x factor although do gain some defensive solidarity. Does he start at centre mid? Didn't work in the friendlies.

Herrington looked great against Paraguay and must start I agree.
 
Italiano had a strong World Cup across his two games. Turkey, he was really good defensively and withheld the Turkish attack with help from others. As everyone did, he struggled against the US in the first-half but was excellent in the second-half as we started being aggressive. A shame he won't play again. I think there's a real argument between who starts at the Asian Cup out of Miller and Italiano.
 
Bbouy said:
Italiano had a strong World Cup across his two games. Turkey, he was really good defensively and withheld the Turkish attack with help from others. As everyone did, he struggled against the US in the first-half but was excellent in the second-half as we started being aggressive. A shame he won't play again. I think there's a real argument between who starts at the Asian Cup out of Miller and Italiano.
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Pretty short argument if you ask me
 
Irankunda needs to learn to look up when he has space to assess options. He sometimes makes a wayward pass or makes a horrid decision because he has his head down when running with the ball and just assumes a teammate is there when they are not.
 
Glad we got the draw now. With results going the way they have this morning, if we did qualify as third, we would now be confirmed against Germany (which is now confirmed for Paraguay)
 
NicCarBel said:
Pretty short argument if you ask me
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I think Italiano clears easily but I think the general sentiment up until Miller got injured was that there was no equal replacement and even up until recently Italiano for most felt like a downgrade but I think he's clearly better and has been since his debut. Once he moves to a bigger club, I think there will be no argument.
 
Bbouy said:
I think Italiano clears easily but I think the general sentiment up until Miller got injured was that there was no equal replacement and even up until recently Italiano for most felt like a downgrade but I think he's clearly better and has been since his debut. Once he moves to a bigger club, I think there will be no argument.
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Pretty much explains why I think it's a short argument
 
So - as things stand at kickoffs:

Scotland will be eliminated, with Belgium finishing 3rd in the group, Egypt on top, and Iran in 2nd (and facing Australia in the Ro32)
 
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