World Cup 2026 Australia thread

[JS96]

If the earlier groups start getting some solid 3rd places the pressure really starts to kick in. Stuff your 93%...

 

[socceroosmad]

‘Gut feeling’: Ryan reveals Popovic’s reasons for World Cup axing

The Socceroos skipper, along with teammate Jackson Irvine, have spoken publicly for the first time since Tony Popovic’s decision to demote them to the bench.

www.smh.com.au

Ryan had revealed Popovic said he had a gut feeling to play Beach. It was certainly correct.

Wonder if he had the same for our wingers yesterday?

I'm still scarred from Guus's gut feeling to play Kalacic instead of Schwarzer in 2006 WC v Croatia. (But Harry saved us.)

 

[socceroosmad]

A few different things at play SHOULD Australia draw with or beat Paraguay:

If Egypt beat Iran and Belgium beat NZ, we'd play Belgium.

If Iran win and Belgium win, we'd likely play Iran providing Belgium win by more than what Iran by. Belgium would top the group, Iran 2nd.

If Iran-Egypt draw, we'd play the winner of NZ or Belgium. If that's a draw too, we'd likely play Iran unless the NZ-Belgium results in a score which is more goals scored for Belgium.

I'd say Belgium is most likely should we finish 2nd, all things considered.

Destiny has been waiting for a very special occasion for us to meet Iran for the first time since the Disastrous Draw of 1997 at the MCG.

 

[JS96]

I'm still scarred from Guus's gut feeling to play Kalacic instead of Schwarzer in 2006 WC v Croatia. (But Harry saved us.)

Was 20 years ago yesterday. Can't believe it.

Missed the Srna goal due to oversleeping. Went into school a bit late like most but no one cared.

 

[verrelli]

Total match minutes so far across the two games (counted as 90 minute games rather than factoring for 1st or 2nd half added time):

Beach	180​
Ryan	0​
Izzo	0​
Souttar	180​
Circati	180​
Burgess	135​
Geria	61​
Herrington	0​
Degenek	0​
O'Neill	180​
Okon-Engstler	162​
Irvine	18​
Devlin	0​
Italiano	164​
Trewin	0​
Bos	174​
Behich	6​
Irankunda	106​
Metcalfe	135​
Vellupilay	74​
Leckie	61​
Volpato	29​
Hrustic	0​
Mabil	0​
Toure	119​
Yengi	16​

 

[verrelli]

Matt Leckie (61 mins) with pretty much as many match minutes as Mat Ryan, Lucas Herrington, Jackson Irvine, Cam Devlin, Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi combined (63 mins)!

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Matt Leckie (61 mins) with pretty much as many match minutes as Mat Ryan, Lucas Herrington, Jackson Irvine, Cam Devlin, Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi combined (63 mins)!

Jason Geria also has as many match minutes as Mathew Leckie and only four players in Patrick Beach, Aiden O'Neill, Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati have managed to play a full 180 minutes across two matchdays.

 

[Pub League Champion]

Relevant article about Socceroo selections and fitness.

Why you probably won’t see your dream Socceroos front three against Paraguay

Everyone wants Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Toure to start together. For Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, it’s not that simple.

www.smh.com.au

Toure shouldn’t be getting subbed if he’s only played 120 mins in 12 days. Maybe it’s time for Okon to take a seat? I think Trewin could help out in midfield.

I don’t know that Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato could all start. Need some firepower off the bench.

 

[NicCarBel]

Relevant article about Socceroo selections and fitness.

Why you probably won’t see your dream Socceroos front three against Paraguay

Everyone wants Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Toure to start together. For Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, it’s not that simple.

www.smh.com.au

Toure shouldn’t be getting subbed if he’s only played 120 mins in 12 days. Maybe it’s time for Okon to take a seat? I think Trewin could help out in midfield.

I don’t know that Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato could all start. Need some firepower off the bench.

Was thinking that - I think nesty and toure start - maybe with Metcalfe back in. Swap one out with Volpato if we need to chase a goal in the second half

 

[grazorblade]

Random fact: is mitch duke the only striker we have had that has scored in a world cup? (Counting cahill as a midfielder playing high in 2014)

 

[patjennings]

Random fact: is mitch duke the only striker we have had that has scored in a world cup? (Counting cahill as a midfielder playing high in 2014)

Aloisi in Japan match - came on for Wilkshire as an extra striker

 

[JS96]

Keepers aside it was only King, Deng, Tilio and Devlin who didn't play at the 2022 world cup.

 

[grazorblade]

Aloisi in Japan match - came on for Wilkshire as an extra striker

Ah good point

 

[JS96]

Random fact: is mitch duke the only striker we have had that has scored in a world cup? (Counting cahill as a midfielder playing high in 2014)

Aloisi scored.

 

[JS96]

Relevant article about Socceroo selections and fitness.

Why you probably won’t see your dream Socceroos front three against Paraguay

Everyone wants Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Toure to start together. For Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, it’s not that simple.

www.smh.com.au

Toure shouldn’t be getting subbed if he’s only played 120 mins in 12 days. Maybe it’s time for Okon to take a seat? I think Trewin could help out in midfield.

I don’t know that Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato could all start. Need some firepower off the bench.

Our schedule is decent with rest time.

We must finish 2nd as it gives us a few more days off. The midfield is the area that needs rotation and it'll work. Irvine should start. Should we advance I think Devlin has to start the KO game to unsettle the opponent.

 

[JS96]

Wonderful accuracy by the person most available to put together the slide.

I can't stand people at Fox Sports or 10 who generate football stuff that is clearly wrong or to get a reaction. Nothing will change until competent football people do this work but 360 is the place to go. The trouble is this stuff gets the mainstream promotion.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

View attachment 7894

Wonderful accuracy by the person most available to put together the slide.

I can't stand people at Fox Sports or 10 who generate football stuff that is clearly wrong or to get a reaction. Nothing will change until competent football people do this work but 360 is the place to go. The trouble is this stuff gets the mainstream promotion.

It’s a textbook error. Swap Paraguay and Turkey around then explain why that’s the case, then it’s correct.

 

[Quicky]

Random fact: is mitch duke the only striker we have had that has scored in a world cup? (Counting cahill as a midfielder playing high in 2014)

By striker do you mean CF? Aloisi scored v Japan. Kewell v Croatia. We've had lots of forwards score. Goodwin, Leckie, Irankunda and Metcalfe were in front 3s when they scored.

 

[grazorblade]

By striker do you mean CF? Aloisi scored v Japan. Kewell v Croatia. We've had lots of forwards score. Goodwin, Leckie, Irankunda and Metcalfe were in front 3s when they scored.

yeah cf

 

[CG90]

Was thinking that - I think nesty and toure start - maybe with Metcalfe back in. Swap one out with Volpato if we need to chase a goal in the second half

If we can only start one of Nestor and Volpato I would be leaning towards Volpato for this game. Paraguay will sit back and have a tight defence and I feel Volpato's skillset is more favourable for this scenario. For a game where we will likely have more of the ball I think having Volpato, Metcalfe and Okon on to create opportunities and Toure as a Target man is the best option. I would love to have Irankunda in the mix at the start but if we need to keep one as an impact sub I think his pace would make him more effective in this role.