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

[Decentric]

Riley McGree was ruled out of the entire World Cup before the Socceroos' campaign got underway and now both Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie have been ruled out through injury so we have to go without them heading into the round of 32.

McGree has been a big loss. We’ve missed him in the WC. Very good all round skills when they have the ball, and when we have the ball. Terrific player!

Given Rowles who has been highly competent hasn’t been able to gain a berth as a defender, with plenty of tough competition and depth, whilst Hrustic gains an attacking mid position, tends to display the Roos strengths. Also, Mabil isn’t as effective a forward as any of the defenders, despite scoring a cracker against Curacao.

 

[SpongeBobFC]

From what ive seen of clips Toure looks like he's moving ok in training.
Id start this with Volpato off the bench.
That gives us a threat down the left we didnt have last game

 

[Decentric]

From what ive seen of clips Toure looks like he's moving ok in training.
Id start this with Volpato off the bench.
That gives us a threat down the left we didnt have last game
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We need Toure!

It might be different in the imminent future, but he is easily the most effective target striker we have at this point in time, despite Tete Yengi’s recent improvement.

 

[dr. bellows]

McGree has been a big loss. We’ve missed him in the WC. Very good all round skills when they have the ball, and when we have the ball. Terrific player!

Given Rowles who has been highly competent hasn’t been able to gain a berth as a defender, with plenty of tough competition and depth, whilst Hrustic gains an attacking mid position, tends to display the Roos strengths. Also, Mabil isn’t as effective a forward as any of the defenders, despite scoring a cracker against Curacao.

I'd even consider playing Irankunda at LCF and utilising Mabil or Velupillay at RWB. Irankunda provides more threat but probably the better option at rwb. Mabil would worry me at rwb but I think Castellon play on the counter so maybe his defence as a wide midfielder has improved. It wouldn't surprise me if Velupillay was able to do a reasonable job at rwb. Unknown territory.

 

[Decentric]

We've only ever had two knock out matches at WC and against Italy and Argentina, who both went on to win! Great opportunity for us albeit R32 rather than R16. Definitely dodged a bullet by avoiding Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, Lukaku, Tielemans, Courtois and co.!

Belgium have historically been one of the many UEFA teams who underperform outside UEFA.

I was quite keen to have a crack at them.

The Roos are a battle hardened team of plodders used to playing in tough conditions, whilst Belgium have many big stars in UEFA who have underperformed in South A ( if they qualified), Brazil and Qatar, and maybe in USA/Canada/Mexico WC?

 

[SpongeBobFC]

Im ok with Bos on the right again after last game.
We know Behich will do his defensive job on the left and that should allow Nesta to push on a bit more.
I think that would be the best balance with who's available.
I was really happy with Italiano's efforts and i expect Miller to come back in when fit.
Its nice knowing the right side is looking good going forward.

 

[JM47]

I reckon Toure comes in for Irankunda and that may be our only change unless Okon Jnr comes in for Irvine.

 

[Decentric]

I'd even consider playing Irankunda at LCF and utilising Mabil or Velupillay at RWB. Irankunda provides more threat but probably the better option at rwb. Mabil would worry me at rwb but I think Castellon play on the counter so maybe his defence as a wide midfielder has improved. It wouldn't surprise me if Velupillay was able to do a reasonable job at rwb. Unknown territory.

One perplexing decision I’ve been surprised with is Popa not trying Metcalfe at Left or Right Wing Back?

He has all the attributes.

I know it is too late, but Arzani likes compact defence scenarios like Paraguay. Apart from dead balls can’t see what Hrustic has in the locker over Arzani?

 

[Decentric]

Im ok with Bos on the right again after last game.
We know Behich will do his defensive job on the left and that should allow Nesta to push on a bit more.
I think that would be the best balance with who's available.
I was really happy with Italiano's efforts and i expect Miller to come back in when fit.
Its nice knowing the right side is looking good going forward.

I thought our left side offensively was a bit impotent against Paraguay.

Given Popa used Iran has target striker, was surprised he didn’t rotate Volpato, Iran and Metcalfe across the front three?

Bert VM and Arnie used to do this with the Roos on occasions. The younger Leckie was well suited.

I think Italiano has overtaken Miller as best RWB. Although I think Geria does a good job there.

 

[dr. bellows]

One perplexing decision I’ve been surprised with is Popa not trying Metcalfe at Left or Right Wing Back?

He has all the attributes.

I know it is too late, but Arzani likes compact defence scenarios like Paraguay. Apart from dead balls can’t see what Hrustic has in the locker over Arzani?

I guess because he sees Bos and Behich as better options in the wingback positions.

 

[Quicky]

One perplexing decision I’ve been surprised with is Popa not trying Metcalfe at Left or Right Wing Back?

He has all the attributes.

I know it is too late, but Arzani likes compact defence scenarios like Paraguay. Apart from dead balls can’t see what Hrustic has in the locker over Arzani?

Hrustic plays centre mid too so versatility. He plays at a higher club level and his form leading into the world cup was miles ahead. He plays inverted inside forward rather than a wide wing, which better suits Popovic's system. He's had more big games and experience for the national team. I'd have picked someone different to Hrustic in our 26-man squad but it wouldn't have been Arzani.

 

[Decentric]

I guess because he sees Bos and Behich as better options in the wingback positions.

From all the stats I’ve done I think Rowles is almost a better option defensively at Left WB than Behich, whilst Behich is far better going forwards.

Rowles would have outmuscled tough Paraguayan RB, Caceres. He bullied Behich all game.

 

[Decentric]

Hrustic plays centre mid too so versatility. He plays at a higher club level and his form leading into the world cup was miles ahead. He plays inverted inside forward rather than a wide wing, which better suits Popovic's system. He's had more big games and experience for the national team. I'd have picked someone different to Hrustic in our 26-man squad but it wouldn't have been Arzani.

Good point.

Arzani has not been as successful as AM as his skills indicate he should be.

I’ve seen a lot of Arzani in the ACL penetrate tight defences. He also works very well on the left, tucking in, with Behich, plus on the right he plays quality aerial crosses.

 

[Decentric]

I guess because he sees Bos and Behich as better options in the wingback positions.

Bos definitely, but I’m not sure current Behich is superior to Met?

I suppose we won’t find out.

 

[Bbouy]

Im ok with Bos on the right again after last game.
We know Behich will do his defensive job on the left and that should allow Nesta to push on a bit more.
I think that would be the best balance with who's available.
I was really happy with Italiano's efforts and i expect Miller to come back in when fit.
Its nice knowing the right side is looking good going forward.

I agree. I think the Turkey front three is the way to go (Irankunda, Toure, Metcalfe) and then despite what happens with them you can always bring on Volpato and have the Bos, Volpato connection to finish the game. Need to have a crack at Egypt early.

 

[dr. bellows]

We haven't seen the ill-discipline from Irankunda so far in this WC that has marked his club career so credit to him for that. Bringing better self-control under the pressure of the biggest stage is to be applauded.

 

[Decentric]

We haven't seen the ill-discipline from Irankunda so far in this WC that has marked his club career so credit to him for that. Bringing better self-control under the pressure of the biggest stage is to be applauded.

I’ve seen signs of Iran’s ill discipline.

I’ve also seen his older Roo teammates rush to calm him down too!

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

We haven't seen the ill-discipline from Irankunda so far in this WC that has marked his club career so credit to him for that. Bringing better self-control under the pressure of the biggest stage is to be applauded.

It's good to see Nestory Irankunda lock in and keep his head level throughout the Socceroos' World Cup campaign.

 

[Decentric]

I'd even consider playing Irankunda at LCF and utilising Mabil or Velupillay at RWB. Irankunda provides more threat but probably the better option at rwb. Mabil would worry me at rwb but I think Castellon play on the counter so maybe his defence as a wide midfielder has improved. It wouldn't surprise me if Velupillay was able to do a reasonable job at rwb. Unknown territory.

Interesting idea from left field?

Mabil - not good enough when they have the ball and work rate for a Wing Back. He has composure around goal though. When I looked at Mabil’s Curacao goal from all angles, he had a millisecond to see a gap from Juric’s superb assist, in really tight space.

Villupillay - absolutely! Great idea. Tracks back superbly, does a lot of donkey work, like Boyle, in tracking back, but a much tougher hard ball winner. Great engine too. He would have to tackle a bit more, but really like the Nishan WB notion, Dr B. Can also play on both flanks.

 

[RIMB]

I’ve seen signs of Iran’s ill discipline.

I’ve also seen his older Roo teammates rush to calm him down too!

That shoulder slam he put on his opponent late last game was an example.

Late, 'uncontrolled' in that he controlled smashing him, and totally meaningless other than to pay someone back for somethign or out of frustration.

He is still a potential liability in that regard. Circumstances or planning seem to have kept him away from the flashpoints and triggers rather than his level head and maturity.

Better than he was by a long way though.