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♔ ♕ ♚ ♛ Australia U17/U20/U23 National Team Tournaments & Discussion Thread ♔ ♕ ♚ ♛

This tournament adds an interesting perspective to the East/West Asia split (which I would love to see happen). While we’re only 2-3 games in for each team and there’s a long way to go, all four groups are led by East Asian teams - Viet, SK, Japan, China.

Out of 9 games against West Asian opposition so far, the East Asian record is 7 - 2 - 0. The only losses by East Asian teams have been inflicted by other East Asian teams (we lost to China, Thailand lost to us).

Vietnam - never previously a power, have won all 3 group games. It will be interesting to see if SK can beat Uzbek. Japan will romp home, while China and Thailand face each other.

After years of failure I wonder if China have found an international style that works for them - ultra defensive style with emphasis on discipline in shape and physicality. Seems to be working.

Edit: added a thread under World Football>AFC to continue this discussion, to keep this thread about Aussie teams.
 
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grazorblade said:
Hmm 3 ineligible there

Bos should be replaced with his younger brother

Teague with robbo and yazbek with....probably alagic or valadon?
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Change a few birth certificates and we're sorted! I noticed they'd put a few in there. Not sure they looked so thoroughly. Good young team however.
 
Not a lot of goals in that midfield.

Anyway, Segacic just started against Arsenal, Circati starts against the reigning Serie A champions the same day we play Iraq. None of the players on this list would ever consider missing their Euro club games to be coached by Vidmar in a competition that doesn’t mean anything (what even is u23?).

It’s not like we’re the only team to have a weakened team with numerous players missing. Trevor Morgan should be the coach because the next lot to qualify for the Olympics will basically be last years’ u20 AFC champions.
 
Pub League Champion said:
Not a lot of goals in that midfield.

Anyway, Segacic just started against Arsenal, Circati starts against the reigning Serie A champions the same day we play Iraq. None of the players on this list would ever consider missing their Euro club games to be coached by Vidmar in a competition that doesn’t mean anything (what even is u23?).

It’s not like we’re the only team to have a weakened team with numerous players missing. Trevor Morgan should be the coach because the next lot to qualify for the Olympics will basically be last years’ u20 AFC champions.
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Yeah I'd go a mid of segacic, Okon and Robbo
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
IIRC when Melbourne Hearts joined they had a number of players that were compulsarily taken to the international under 20 (or 23) leaving the side depleted. This led to JVS and the club to protest. Since then, I don't think it is part of the rules or license and even if they are, they are no longer enforced.
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If domestic Aus players over the age of 20 don't go on to Socceroo senior level, or play ACL football, Olympic Asian Cup could be the highlight of their careers in terms of playing international football.

AL football, season after season, as one approaches 30 may be the norm, and nowhere as exciting as when a player is in their early 20s and starting out in their pro career. I'm sure some players blocked by clubs from playing u23 Asian Cup football may feel disappointed in hindsight 3-5 or 8 years down the track.
 
grazorblade said:
football360.com.au

We're watching the conundrum at the heart of Australian football play out in real time

Selection for the Olyroos has summed up another contradiction in Australian football.
football360.com.au football360.com.au
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Thanks, Grazor.

Good article by David Weiner.

So Melb Vic let Jordi V and Rawlins go. Esposito isn't in the Asian Cup though. He has improved a lot this season too.

AU and CCM released their players, but not the others. I think the Asian Cup u23s is more important that a few AL clubs being a few players short for a few weeks. Also, there are some back up AL squad players champing at the bit who've struggled to break into first team line ups this season. AL clubs can also draw on a few train on players from the NPL.

Tate Russell, last season's competent WU RB, is floundering in NPL football ATM where he is far too good. I'm sure he would love a short term AL spot for a few weeks.
 
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patjennings said:
The problem is that with that attitude we don't qualify for the Olympics. That is bad for the sport in 2 ways.

1) Austealians watch the Olympics even if they don't watch football
2) Funding from the Australian Sports Commission is very much tied to the Olympics.
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Good points raised in a Aus context, PJ.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
Even if the Olyroos don't qualify for the Olympics they can still get major tournament experience by going to all these under-23 tournaments, and I think that in addition to these under-23 tournaments the Olyroos should follow suit with the under-23 Matildas and play in senior tournaments like the ASEAN Championship so they have big game experience, which would prepare them for if and when they break into the senior national
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JS96 said:
View attachment 4992

Woof
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This team (ignoring the fact that a couple aren’t eligible for U23) pretty much backs up my point that U23 international tournaments are a waste of time. All but two of these players are full internationals anyway, of those that aren’t (Segacic and Overy) one is a Championship regular and on the verge of Socceroo selection. The other is in the Man Utd system, and is still eligible for youth (U20) internationals, and has also been called up for the Socceroos. So, to my mind, they are almost all beyond getting any value from U23 selection.
Almost all of them are better off staying with their clubs, which is what has happened. Almost all those who have been selected are essentially second and third choices, and are unlikely to be on a pathway to full international status anyway.
 
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