Socceroos vs Cameroon/ Curaçao March 2026 🇦🇺🇨🇲🇨🇼

[Decentric]

Interesting that Cameroon were very physically strong in the challenge. Most of their players are young and want to put their hands up for ongoing selection.

It will be interesting compiling the 1v1s for the Cameroon game.

 

[Decentric]

Socceroos are no match for NRL and AFL once again.
SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,952,000
FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,528,000
FOOTBALL: SOCCEROOS V CAMEROON 10 666,000

Thanks for your constant positivity, NM.

Hope you attended both the NRL and AFL games live! Both codes would be pleased to know they have passionate fans like you promoting them!

 

[Decentric]

Watching the replay, of all of okons passes only one was back and only one of his forward passes was poor. He consistently started attacking moves

I agree metcalf is on the plane, rate him very highly

Don't forget to appraise where Okon's team-mates were in terms of opening viable passing lanes just before or when he received the ball - and- how closely marked he was by opposition players.

A back pass made under close marking, in limited time and space, can be more difficult than a forward pass made in plenty of time and space to a teammate in a more advanced position in plenty of space.

He provided the assist for Bos's goal.

 

[Decentric]

I've had a look at the replay.

Juric probably played better than I first thought live.

Different Canmeroon players constantly fouled him, or went close to a foul, as he copped a lot of physical treatment just after receiving the ball.

He rarely shook his markers, which is a disadvantage of being a number 9.

 

[Decentric]

I was at both games.It was freezing and very wet for the start of the China Curacao game.Curacao did lots of passing but progressed the ball too slowly to worry China.We should be able to nick a few goals against them.
Tepid first half from the Socceroos.Juric was isolated and well marshalled by the physical Cameroon CBs.Boyle started well but then faded.Italiano did well and was keen to bet forward.He lack the physicality of Miller but has a better first touch.
Herrington is definitely a talent and a back three of Circati,Burgess and Herrington could be our starters at the WC.I feel Souttar will not be ready in time and even though at the last WC he did well following an injury lay off he is four years older and has not really played for nearly two seasons.
Irankunda did well as starting striker but he is still at his most dangerous when coming in from a wide position.Hrustic should have converted the penalty .He does not impress me but he will probably be on the plane as we lack a right sided inside forward.

Good match report from the ground live!

Thanks!

 

[AUFC_Fan]

View attachment 5982

Better than Okon currently. Apparently he plays a 6 role? I've not kept a close on eye on him.

I would argue there are better AL options in the 6 role that are a more natural fit for the role

 

[Decentric]

I would argue there are better AL options in the 6 role that are a more natural fit for the role

I think there are a lot of prospective DMs ATM, AUFC -F.

Similar quality to Okon, but maybe better long term prospectswith as good a potential ceiling.

Who would you suggest?

 

[Alex M]

Others would know better than me, but I'd argue that most countries we have played against in recent times, have better cattle than us - if one looks at the clubs their players play at in Europe or South America, or their domestic leagues?

I agree. My first sentence was meant to be a touch ironic.

 

[AUFC_Fan]

I think there are a lot of prospective DMs ATM, AUFC -F.

Similar quality to Okon, but maybe better long term prospectswith as good a potential ceiling.

Who would you suggest?

Alagich, Scicluna

 

[HonestSpursFan]

We don't have players in the big 2 South American leagues either - Brazil and Argentina.

To be fair they rarely sign non-South American players in South America.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

That would work. Suto is a sub at Hibs so mirrors his club situation where his form is good.

He’s the perfect example of a super sub. He comes on, scores/assists and then Hibs end up winning. Woulda been a good player to put on when it was 0–0 last match.

 

[socceroosmad]

Quite a few England players have left the squad. Other teams are playing tentatively. There have been some intensive practice games too but we should now rest the bigger names at half time.

Yeah that was the worst thing in the Cameroon game watching the brutal tackles. It's a friendly FFS

 

[grazorblade]

Don't forget to appraise where Okon's team-mates were in terms of opening viable passing lanes just before or when he received the ball - and- how closely marked he was by opposition players.

A back pass made under close marking, in limited time and space, can be more difficult than a forward pass made in plenty of time and space to a teammate in a more advanced position in plenty of space.

He provided the assist for Bos's goal.

thats definitely a factor, but metcalf is finding forward passes more frequently than O'Niell and Okon more often again

In okon's case he has three advantages

- able to spot forward runs quicker and more reliably
- More confident turning when recieving the ball even when defenders are near
- Able to shield the ball if there are no forward runs to buy time until there is a passing lane. He will opt to do that rather than pass backwards

 

[Socceroofan4life]

Watching Korea in their game.

Like I know we got a lot to complain and wish for. But MAN. Korea wasting such a talented player roster and getting smacked like that by a very good but not WORLD CLASS side, really puts things into perspective.

At least we suffer the frustration that we can't punch above our weight when we know we have the ability to. Rather than the frustration of wasting away a golden generation with baffling selections and tactics.

 

[Quicky]

He’s the perfect example of a super sub. He comes on, scores/assists and then Hibs end up winning. Woulda been a good player to put on when it was 0–0 last match.

Suto could replace the role I saw for Segecic in this side. I just don't see him performing it at as high a level.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

The question is ‘Do have the players to play a more expansive game and win against our recent opponents?’

I don’t think most of the players aged over 26, who have the requisite experience do?

I think we have a better Gen of younger players who can, but they aren’t experienced enough - yet.

ATM I would rather be more competitive and play the way Popa does with the cattle he has.

I’m also biased because I’ve spent a lot of time in coach education, appreciating a lot of different things now than before.

-Seeing players cover each other in Ball Possession Opposition, as one player closed down a Cam player.

- The number of times McGree, Bos, Iran tracked markers and stifled opposition attacks/runs whilst defending running towards their own goal.

- The movement off the ball to support the ball carrier by players ignored, hence creating a dummy run and drag an opposition defender wider and making their shape less compact in Aus’s Ball Possession.

- An easier thing to see is how many young players Popa has trialed - and seems to have no set starting eleven.

- The number of hard balls O’Neill wins in midfield - and - makes timely intercepts anticipating and reading the play before it unfolds, when they have the ball.

- Metcalfe’s vision and game sense. Plus his ability to get a foot in at the last instance to win a 1v1.

- Ryan’s superb anticipation to intercept tricky balls with his timely runs off his line.

- Popa, Foxe and Okon Sr hugging each other when Bos scored after an Okon Jr assist. How much the Socceroos mean to the coaching staff. All the imported coaches and their assistants mooted by disgruntled G and G posters, won't have it. It is just a job for them, and they won't care about the Aus football milieu in general - like Tony G for the Matildas.

- Even if they aren't top notch players in terms of skill sets on the ball, these Roos are very intelligent and play well as part of a team unit - Behich, Goodwin, Irvine, Ryan, O'Neill, Rowles, Metcalfe, Geria, Degenek.

-Team unit and cohesion - new players Circati, Iran, Herrington, and recently veterans in videos, Degenek, Behich, Ryan - just love the Socceroo team unit. The nationals who've gone elsewhere probably don't have the team spirit and enjoy the Socceroo team unit.

* The second part of this post is that international coaches have limited time with the team on the coaching track compared to club coaches.

It is where Ange lost the plot in away WCQ Socceroo games trying to implement his unusual, and experimental with a few big UEFA clubs at the time, 3- 6 -1. The Socceroo players hadn't played it at club level. The Socceroos were confused. The Socceroos went backwards under Ange at the end. He is a far better club and tournament coach - WC and Asian Cup, when he has time to coach the team new methodology.

Conversely, the Roos ATM have a clear organisational structure under Popa. The 3-4-3 ( flat 4 in midfield ), 5-2-3, 5-4-1, depending on the phase of play and part of the pitch, is an eminently sensible strategy.

The team is improving under Popa, given we are still blooding young players. Teams we've played in the last rounds of games, like Japan A, Japan B, Saudi in Saudi, Indonesia ( filled with Eredivisie and other UEFA players), Canada, USA, Ven, Colombia ( very impressive) and Cameroon ( even if they not qualified, it shows how strong African football is), these are high quality teams and demonstrates the depth in world football.

I like the fact that Popa has had no favourite starting eleven and has rotated players. I'm astonished at how many young players are now almost pushing as starters as part of a best eleven, even if they are inexperienced.

I disagree with his selection of Boyle and Hrustic though. Over a protracted period their numbers are poor in stats, particularly against better teams. They are both very good against weaker teams.
I'd love to pose questions to Popa about where they fall down - compared to he rest the squad I've had a close look at. I also realise they are stars in their club scenarios ATM, but it isn't extrapolating to the Socceroo international scenarios.

As usual, a thoughtful and detailed response. Re your comments on team unity and player commitment, do you have direct knowledge of this?

As for the the other points, to be honest I'm not seeing what your are seeing but accept that you have a more football educated perspective.
Absolutely agree on Hrustic and Boyle.

 

[JS96]

thats definitely a factor, but metcalf is finding forward passes more frequently than O'Niell and Okon more often again

In okon's case he has three advantages

- able to spot forward runs quicker and more reliably
- More confident turning when recieving the ball even when defenders are near
- Able to shield the ball if there are no forward runs to buy time until there is a passing lane. He will opt to do that rather than pass backwards

I'm watching and writing about the second half. While Okon has his plaudits he also benefits from being on during the late second half when players are tiring.

Sometimes the first hour really is dire and you've got little chance to spark something. That's not to say Metcalfe shouldn't seek it himself. Metcalfe was just played too deep to start with. He'd pass back and our centre backs would then go long.

 

[JS96]

I found Boyle was better involved than the comments suggest. Mabil was better. Hrustic was quiet again and is really pushing his luck.

 

[grazorblade]

I'm watching and writing about the second half. While Okon has his plaudits he also benefits from being on during the late second half when players are tiring.

Sometimes the first hour really is dire and you've got little chance to spark something. That's not to say Metcalfe shouldn't seek it himself. Metcalfe was just played too deep to start with. He'd pass back and our centre backs would then go long.

Yeah will be interesting to see if he can do it starting a game

I suspect even tuesdays opponent will be a useful indicater even if the quality of the opponent doesnt look amazing on paper....

 

[patjennings]

Yeah will be interesting to see if he can do it starting a game

I suspect even tuesdays opponent will be a useful indicater even if the quality of the opponent doesnt look amazing on paper....

That's a problem - I want to see him when we are under pressure. If he is partnered with Robertson he will probably look good because of his partner and get another leave pass and walk into the 26.