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Socceroos vs Mexico/Switzerland - Pre-World Cup Friendlies 2026 🇦🇺🇲🇽🇨🇭

Keeper66 said:
No, it was a sensible thing to do. Was probably always the plan. Hasn’t played for a couple weeks, only trained this week, no point in pushing too hard in a friendly.
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Agree that there's no point in pushing our players too hard in a friendly especially as we risk them getting injured which is something we can't afford heading into the culmination of a major tournament cycle.
 
Keeper66 said:
No, it was a sensible thing to do. Was probably always the plan. Hasn’t played for a couple weeks, only trained this week, no point in pushing too hard in a friendly.
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It was just after half-time and we had a drinks break, he could've played another 15-20 just to see whether or not he should start or not against Turkey. I feel like we didn't learn much considering he only 17 touches of the ball. It's one of those things, if the team around him were better and more productive he would've been more productive. Though, I do think he was solid for most of his touches and did some good things when others couldn't. I think Popa will punish him and he won't start in any of the games, maybe a 15-20 minute cameo in some of the games is what I'm expecting.
 
Switzerland’s Full Pressing and Intensive Squeezing in the first half was particularly well - organised and cohesive as a team unit.

As soon as the second half started, the Swiss Squeezing intensity dropped off. This enabled Aus to have more time and space on the ball.

Haven’t seen Devlin play for years, but he has improved on the ball. Didn’t see enough of him to evaluate whether he has become more 2 side of the body proficient, but his handling speed and composure on the ball in tight spaces was quite impressive against the Swiss.

Volpato had to chase a lot of ball, with a low level of fitness.
 
In the first half the Socceroos were very young and relatively inexperienced at international level.

Only Souttar, Behich and O’Neill were over the age of 26.

It bodes well for the future.
 
JS96 said:
And there's the unlikely answer. Trewin should probably start next to Irvine. Trewin and Devlin would retain a lot of ball and thread it forward to the front 3.
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Nah.

Trewin is more comfortable as a DM than Wing Back though. Both he and Italiano struggled a bit jockeying against Swiss wide players on their left flank.

O’Neill won his usual good percentage of 1v1s, Intercepts and caused Turnovers.
 
Couple thoughts, Tete Yengi? Pockets of space where he usually does most of his link up work for Machida Zelvia are occupied in Popas system by the inverted wingers. Think one of the inverted positions would suit him and Popas squad is actually one striker short.

Trewin? Still a favoured starter for mine in centre midfield, hopefully Geria will come I to thinking as backup RWB.
 
Agree with everyone, 1st half woeful & Okon & O'neill woeful, cannot start against Turkey.
 
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JS96 said:
And there's the unlikely answer. Trewin should probably start next to Irvine. Trewin and Devlin would retain a lot of ball and thread it forward to the front 3.
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O'Neill isn't himself after injury. At his best it's dubious whether he should start (imo) and off his best he really shouldn't start.

If we're going for defensive solidity in the midfield Trewin gives us that but he also wins duels, which is so important to a counterattack. You want to catch the opposition quickly before they can transition into their defensive shape. Winning the ball in central midfield is the best place to do that. Trewin does that well.
 
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