Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

World Cup 2026 Australia thread

patjennings said:
As a DM/HM Balard or Devlin - I disagree with a lot of Popovic's choices
Click to expand...
One of them paired with Irvine? In that case, I think Okon might be a better choice because he’s better capable of progressing the ball.

However, I also disagree with Popovic’s choices and would far prefer a midfield three, particularly given that’s where a lot of our talent is. Balard and Devlin (subject to the latter’s post-injury form) would certainly be in my World Cup squad, and probably one of them starting.
 
It's hard, especially the front, these are the on plane guys for me.

Ryan, Izzo.
Italiano, Circati, Rowles, Herrington, Burgess, Trewin, Behich, Bos.
Irvine, Metcalf, Okon-whatever, Balard
Irankunda,
 
I remember being a young boy in the 80's I had never even really heard of football, but there was the USA WC. I had a small black and white tv and I started to watch it when I was meant to be sleeping, some nights I would hardly sleep.
I loved Maradona and tbh a lot of the South Americans, it was a really entertaining WC and I fell in love with the sport and never looked back.
I hope we take entertainers, who they are other than Bos and Irankunda, I could suggest, but they weren't given chances.
But I see potential, as I said the movement has improved and I don't feel like our ball control is lacking.
It's a back to the future WC for me.
 
Toebash said:
One of them paired with Irvine? In that case, I think Okon might be a better choice because he’s better capable of progressing the ball.

However, I also disagree with Popovic’s choices and would far prefer a midfield three, particularly given that’s where a lot of our talent is. Balard and Devlin (subject to the latter’s post-injury form) would certainly be in my World Cup squad, and probably one of them starting.
Click to expand...
Okon is ok when he gets the ball but is static when the cbs are looking for an outlet and his decision making when deep is ponderous. he shields the ball very well and can pick a pass but Balards verticality is better. He is performing well in a lower league with a dominant team. Balard is in a struggling side in a higher league.

Okon is exactly like Milligan and Mooy were when they first played as CMs. It took both a while to move from "technically gifted but slow" to being the engine room of the national team.
 
NicCarBel said:
55 players by May 11
26 on May 30
Click to expand...
The final 26-player lists for the World Cup will come from the 55-player preliminary squad list so 29 players will be culled from the final squad, bearing in mind that most European leagues and A-League Men will be in the offseason but the UEFA Champions League final is being played on the final submission deadline day.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
The final 26-player lists for the World Cup will come from the 55-player preliminary squad list so 29 players will be culled from the final squad, bearing in mind that most European leagues and A-League Men will be in the offseason but the UEFA Champions League final is being played on the final submission deadline day.
Click to expand...
Wow that’s a very late champions league final
 
JS96 said:
55 listed but we won't invite all of them to Florida surely?
Click to expand...
The 55-player list is only the preliminary list, and from that list Tony Popovic will have to cull 29 players to reach the final 26-player squad that will represent the Socceroos in the World Cup proper so likely only thirty players at most will be in Florida as the friendly against Mexico is on squad submission deadline day.
 
Not so much in terms of current form, because he's not long back from being out with injury, but in terms of potential I'd add Nishan Vellupilay
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top