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Socceroos vs Paraguay 2026 World Cup match thread 🇦🇺🇵🇾

HonestSpursFan said:
How is that possible? How is it more likely that we go through with less points and/or a worse GD?
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For some groups it's possible for teams to make the eight best third-placed sides with less points and/or inferior for and against but this isn't always the case and may not apply to the Socceroos.
 
Bunch_of_hacks said:
Other way round.. USA were coming onto to us meaning ww could stay in a deep block and then counter them. Speed wasnt needed for this gane style. Meanwhile paraguay will sit deep like we do then try counter. As such herringtons recovery pace to defend the counter is much more important likewise his ball playing ability. Fast defenders and skillful attackers need this game .. the opposite of the 2 matche
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grazorblade said:
poppa-ball relies on speed a lot actually. Obviously in the counter attack, but also in transitioning from the midblock to a deep block as well as trying to quickly change our shape from our compact block when we regain the ball
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Both are probably true.

That's the trap for me here. Both Australia and Paraguay have plenty to gain from winning this one. Paraguay will fancy their chances of getting on top of us. I don't see them setting themselves up as they did against Turkey or the US. I don't think either team intends to come out as they have done in the previous two games. This is where we find out if Poppa is the victim of his own dogma or if he has another mode.

Paying Paraguay too much respect would be a mistake.
 
grazorblade said:
poppa-ball relies on speed a lot actually. Obviously in the counter attack, but also in transitioning from the midblock to a deep block as well as trying to quickly change our shape from our compact block when we regain the ball
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If youre already in a deep line, do you really need much pace vs a team that plays in a high line?
 
Bunch_of_hacks said:
If youre already in a deep line, do you really need much pace vs a team that plays in a high line?
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at the same time regards to transitioning from block to mid and forward attack is having the skill set to implement the plan.
IF only it was as easy in theory.
 
LFC said:
at the same time regards to transitioning from block to mid and forward attack is having the skill set to implement the plan.
IF only it was as easy in theory.
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Of course speed always helps but the point being made about popaball needing speed in the CBs i dont agree with.. its a nice to have sure, but defensive nous, physicality, heading, blocking all more important in a low block system.. think Maguire.

The higher the line you play the more centre backs require speed and one on one defending, think angeball.

Popaball requires speed in the final third.
 
Bunch_of_hacks said:
Of course speed always helps but the point being made about popaball needing speed in the CBs i dont agree with.. its a nice to have sure, but defensive nous, physicality, heading, blocking all more important in a low block system.. think Maguire.

The higher the line you play the more centre backs require speed and one on one defending, think angeball.

Popaball requires speed in the final third.
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no disagreement from me re to have fast CB's, yep Macquire one though a avg one but throw in the stealth one VVD !
He hardly ever needs his speed per say, aerial ability, and composure, he reads the game incredibly well to snuff out opposition attacks before they develop and having the striker in your pocket !
Ruben Dias.
The pesky manc pairing, Vidic/Ferdinand - Chiellini/Puyol/Cannavaro - could name more, no pace setters.

My comment before was correct, moving forward need the pace but first you got to have the players with the ability to impose the offense and make it stick.
 
TimmyCole said:
Do you play Irakunda first half or second half?
Coaches seem to believe he can't play a full 90 minutes.
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well upon Popa's session of a number of cones pre game, he starts him up - we're ahead 2/3 come 65th min pull another cone he subs him for Yengi and its beers and shots all round not just for Q :)

Welcome TC - familiar ring to those initials ah
 
I would presume Sosa from Palmeiras will play on the left. People want to match him up with Italiano?

We dead set cooked.
 
TimmyCole said:
Do you play Irakunda first half or second half?
Coaches seem to believe he can't play a full 90 minutes.
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Gee, I don’t know. How about we look at our last two games?
Alternatively, let’s see if we can identify any successful teams that hoped to draw the first half and then bring on their best team?
Is he injured? If not how can he be unfit? He’s played 90 minutes in the Championship.
 
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ClockworkOrange said:
Gee, I don’t know. How about we look at our last two games?
Alternatively, let’s see if we can identify any successful teams that hoped to draw the first half and then bring on their best team?
Is he injured? If not how can he be unfit? He’s played 90 minutes in the Championship.
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Apparently he was cramping up by the end of the last game despite only playing 45 minutes and was cooked by the start of the second half in the first game. Shouldn't be an issue for a 20 year old but apparently it is?
Only thing I can think of is that playing a whole season in an English Winter at 5 Celsius is not great preparation for playing games at
25 Celsius.
 
I can tell you if we lose we are in danger of missing out on goal difference to a bunch of teams who draw all 3 matches.
 
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