Socceroos - Road to 2019 AFC Asian Cup

[Rookie]

I told you already there is no point arguing with u so u win ok

[God is an Englishman]

I told you already there is no point arguing with u so u win ok

why did you answer question one then?

[oneleggedseagull]

Watched the Australian Football team play South Korea last night. The second team for them because a few based in Europe where given a pass, IMO the SK coach was giving his squaddies a go in a friendly before the Asian cup gets going.
Again IMO, Rogic looks comfy playing in the SPFL and doesn't want to pit himself in a stronger, more competitive league. McLaren's had his chance and failed, as he didn't show much desire or aptitude as a striker. Leckie's not much better but at least he runs and harries.
Mabil was a lot better than Kruse and that Scot bloke who plays for Hibs looked lively, although in a competitive, real game he'd be pinged with a card, he definitely looked up for a bit of physicality in the short time he was out there.

Step1 for Australia is to get someone who actually can put the ball in the net, same ol', same ol'

[Old Master]

I thought Risdon, Behic and Milligan were solid right through the game and were probably Australia's most competent performers.
Spiranovic was not bad but didn't appear to be 'match fit', as he was regularly caught out for pace by the Koreans.

I am not too keen on McClaren at this level, as I've said before, but was surprised he wasn't given some time with Boyle to see if their Club form could work at International level.

Awer Mabil was a breath of fresh air, similar to Arzani at the WC, and deserves to get a starting berth, as he is far more effective than Kruse, who in my opinion has never really got back from his injury at the last Asian Championships.

Mooy tried hard all game but was pretty ineffective as most of his passes were either to players tightly marked, directly to an opponent, or just wasted, I think he needs a long rest.

I also reckon Craig Goodwin should be given a run, as at least, if we get a free kick around 30 metres from goal he is more likely to hit the target than anyone else in the squad.

Rogic again failed to make any impression - bring him back when he's established himself in the EPL or another top league.

[God is an Englishman]

Just saw Australia’s goal on the news, looked offside to me.

[thebeautifulgame]

I thought Risdon, Behic and Milligan were solid right through the game and were probably Australia's most competent performers.
Spiranovic was not bad but didn't appear to be 'match fit', as he was regularly caught out for pace by the Koreans.

I am not too keen on McClaren at this level, as I've said before, but was surprised he wasn't given some time with Boyle to see if their Club form could work at International level.

Awer Mabil was a breath of fresh air, similar to Arzani at the WC, and deserves to get a starting berth, as he is far more effective than Kruse, who in my opinion has never really got back from his injury at the last Asian Championships.

Mooy tried hard all game but was pretty ineffective as most of his passes were either to players tightly marked, directly to an opponent, or just wasted, I think he needs a long rest.

I also reckon Craig Goodwin should be given a run, as at least, if we get a free kick around 30 metres from goal he is more likely to hit the target than anyone else in the squad.

Rogic again failed to make any impression - bring him back when he's established himself in the EPL or another top league.

Agree with you OM regarding performance of Risdon (best on ground) and Behic had a strong game also but to suggest Milligan was solid is being a tad generous to say the least. He would have been sent packing in a competitive game and amazing he escaped a yellow on two separate occasions. The one where he 'halved' his man could have been a straight red.
Making excuses for Mooy (average at best) and having a go at Rogic (Australia's most creative player on the night) makes no sense to me. And to cap it all you failed to have a dig at Sainsbury who was the worst player on the park by quite a distance.
A bit of preferential treatment on your behalf I would say.

[blue moon]

Just saw Australia’s goal on the news, looked offside to me.

No, Boyle came from an onside position when he got his foot to it, if it was one of the others then it would have been.

[oneleggedseagull]

Just saw Australia’s goal on the news, looked offside to me.

Clutch of five Australian players off side from initial shot, but they became onside when the Korean keeper punched the ball out to them. If the game was for points the ref may have pinged Boyle, but he may not of. Who knows?

[oneleggedseagull]

I thought Risdon, Behic and Milligan were solid right through the game and were probably Australia's most competent performers.
Spiranovic was not bad but didn't appear to be 'match fit', as he was regularly caught out for pace by the Koreans.

I am not too keen on McClaren at this level, as I've said before, but was surprised he wasn't given some time with Boyle to see if their Club form could work at International level.

Awer Mabil was a breath of fresh air, similar to Arzani at the WC, and deserves to get a starting berth, as he is far more effective than Kruse, who in my opinion has never really got back from his injury at the last Asian Championships.

Mooy tried hard all game but was pretty ineffective as most of his passes were either to players tightly marked, directly to an opponent, or just wasted, I think he needs a long rest.

I also reckon Craig Goodwin should be given a run, as at least, if we get a free kick around 30 metres from goal he is more likely to hit the target than anyone else in the squad.

Rogic again failed to make any impression - bring him back when he's established himself in the EPL or another top league.

Agree with you OM regarding performance of Risdon (best on ground) and Behic had a strong game also but to suggest Milligan was solid is being a tad generous to say the least. He would have been sent packing in a competitive game and amazing he escaped a yellow on two separate occasions. The one where he 'halved' his man could have been a straight red.
Making excuses for Mooy (average at best) and having a go at Rogic (Australia's most creative player on the night) makes no sense to me. And to cap it all you failed to have a dig at Sainsbury who was the worst player on the park by quite a distance.
A bit of preferential treatment on your behalf I would say.

He got Sainsbury mixed up with Spiranovich who wasn't even on the park.

[ozzie owl]

Just saw Australia’s goal on the news, looked offside to me.

No, Boyle came from an onside position when he got his foot to it, if it was one of the others then it would have been.

Correct decision in that case.

[Mr Red]

I was surprised that basically McLaren got no feeds from Rogic considering the amount of possession Rogic had during the game. McLaren may as well not been out there because he hardly touched the ball which is strange considering his team had large amounts of time in possession. Korea did apply numbers/pressure to Rogic once he got in possession that I think contributed to Rogic not having the impact on the game that he may have. Plus he had Kruse on his left and a lot of ball was going down Kruse's wing which came to nothing most times. Arnie has to sort out our front third. ie who we play and how we look to play in the front third to give us better chances on goal.

Kruse has to go surely, he is holding back better players.

Leckie didn't have his usual strong zippy game so I think he may have been carrying an injury or something.

Mooy worked hard but would struggle against better opposition in the role he played.

Luongo - wasn't sighted much.

Both fullbacks were solid.

Both centre backs got caught out of position at key times with one time causing the goal against us.

Ryan didn't have to do to much but if not for the second half free kick save we would have lost this game.

Mabil to start with Goody to the bench Kruse to be given a long rest.

[ozzie owl]

I was surprised that basically McLaren got no feeds from Rogic considering the amount of possession Rogic had during the game. McLaren may as well not been out there because he hardly touched the ball which is strange considering his team had large amounts of time in possession. Korea did apply numbers/pressure to Rogic once he got in possession that I think contributed to Rogic not having the impact on the game that he may have. Plus he had Kruse on his left and a lot of ball was going down Kruse's wing which came to nothing most times. Arnie has to sort out our front third. ie who we play and how we look to play in the front third to give us better chances on goal.

Kruse has to go surely, he is holding back better players.

Leckie didn't have his usual strong zippy game so I think he may have been carrying an injury or something.

Mooy worked hard but would struggle against better opposition in the role he played.

Luongo - wasn't sighted much.

Both fullbacks were solid.

Both centre backs got caught out of position at key times with one time causing the goal against us.

Ryan didn't have to do to much but if not for the second half free kick save we would have lost this game.

Mabil to start with Goody to the bench Kruse to be given a long rest.

I agree Goodwin for Kruse but I would give Leckie and Mabil a half each. As for McLaren I would certainly persist with him as not blessed with strikers.

[God is an Englishman]

Just saw Australia’s goal on the news, looked offside to me.

Clutch of five Australian players off side from initial shot, but they became onside when the Korean keeper punched the ball out to them. If the game was for points the ref may have pinged Boyle, but he may not of. Who knows?

To me, that isn’t 2nd phase. They gained the advantage from being in an offside position. The ball hitting the keeper never put them back onside.

[eagleboy]

I loved the appearance of last nights stadium. With Australia to play at 3:30pm over there I wonder what the temperature will be and impact on the team. With the next WC to be in the near region I would think the world would be looking on in regard the heat Impact.

[eagleboy]

What a poor attacking performance. With all the possession that Australia had , hardly a worthwhile shot on goal. Timmy Cahill carried us for so long.
Arnold picking Kruse started the rot. Kruse should never play for Australia again. Rogic is overrated. Should have been subbed.

[MegaBonus]

I reckon there's a guy called Ange having a bit of a laugh declaring "well, you got what you wished for"...

Where was the tactical flexibility?
Weren't we supposed to play like Liverpool?
Haven't we been knocking in goals for fun during friendliest?

[zzz]

I think your expectations for Australian football are a bit unrealistic.

[Con M]

Didn’t anticipate this result. Mabil was the energetic one of the attackers, but inexperience showed.

As far as I know, the game was not shown on free-to-air TV. How poor is that? Australia is the defending Asian champion, yet the opener was hidden away from the general public on FoxTV.

Viewing time was a friendly 9.30pm Sunday 6th January, just after the crickette bashathon but Channel 10 apparently declined to show the game - even on one of its trashy secondary channels. ‘‘

‘Twas ever thus for the poor relation of Australian sport. 40 years ago they called it the sport for “sheilas, wogs & poofters” and now the TV exec sons of those prejudiced bast.er.d.s continue the tradition..

It will be interesting to see if Australia’s next group game at 9.30pm Friday 11 January will be shown on free-to-air.

[ozzie owl]

What a poor attacking performance. With all the possession that Australia had , hardly a worthwhile shot on goal. Timmy Cahill carried us for so long.
Arnold picking Kruse started the rot. Kruse should never play for Australia again. Rogic is overrated. Should have been subbed.

I agree on Kruse he had his usual shocker however he did improve after the 55th minute :wink:

[Bomber]

Jordan weren't better but played MUCH smarter. Its a tournament though, so still time to rectify. No Leckie, Mooy, Nabbout and Boyle and team looks very thin in attack, so whilst I think we will still make it out of group stage, won't expect much further. As for Kruse and Rogic......sorry, but you've had so many chances to shine for Australia but continually disappoint. Remind me of the Marsh brothers in the cricket!

[zzz]

Jordan were the better side by far. They controlled the game on their terms.
Dominating the game isn't about pointless possession. This is the KNVB trap Aussie football has fallen into since been conned by the Dutch frauds.

The socceroos looked like an A-league team.

[eagleboy]

Didn’t anticipate this result. Mabil was the energetic one of the attackers, but inexperience showed.

As far as I know, the game was not shown on free-to-air TV. How poor is that? Australia is the defending Asian champion, yet the opener was hidden away from the general public on FoxTV.

Viewing time was a friendly 9.30pm Sunday 6th January, just after the crickette bashathon but Channel 10 apparently declined to show the game - even on one of its trashy secondary channels. ‘‘

‘Twas ever thus for the poor relation of Australian sport. 40 years ago they called it the sport for “sheilas, wogs & poofters” and now the TV exec sons of those prejudiced bast.er.d.s continue the tradition..

It will be interesting to see if Australia’s next group game at 9.30pm Friday 11 January will be shown on free-to-air.

So you are suggesting FOX pay for the rights to a AFC tournament and give them away to commercial TV channels so that everyone can watch the games FTA. Interesting concept. Ask your customers to pay for something they can see for nothing at an alternate channel.

Maybe the business you work for can sell its product or if you don't want to pay for it , give it to you for nothing.

[Brian the Postman]

I reckon there's a guy called Ange having a bit of a laugh declaring "well, you got what you wished for"...

Where was the tactical flexibility?
Weren't we supposed to play like Liverpool?
Haven't we been knocking in goals for fun during friendliest?

If Ange was in charge you would have wet yourself with a performance like that.

[Brian the Postman]

Jordan weren't better but played MUCH smarter. Its a tournament though, so still time to rectify. No Leckie, Mooy, Nabbout and Boyle and team looks very thin in attack, so whilst I think we will still make it out of group stage, won't expect much further. As for Kruse and Rogic......sorry, but you've had so many chances to shine for Australia but continually disappoint. Remind me of the Marsh brothers in the cricket!

Our lack of cut through in attack was definitely the issue (and a slip in concentration on a set piece).

It was a heroic performance from Jordan but for anyone to suggest that the Socceroos were outplayed need to wake up to themselves.

[Mr Red]

Jordan played a 6-2-2 formation for large periods of the game- I thought the socceroos played to much backwards and sidewards when they could have dribbled or passed forward with the space they had in the wide pockets - especially in the first half. The forwards should have come off the back six more than they did to create passing options and hopefully open up the Jordan back 6.

Injuries have hurt the socceroos but I think squad and match player selections by Arnold where questionable and Arnold what's with being 1-0 down and you change Risdon for Grant at right back?

Not a good start!

[Wayne Kerr]

And to think, the Soccerros are stuck with Arnold for 3-4 years.........

[Bomber]

And to think, the Soccerros are stuck with Arnold for 3-4 years.........

Not a big Arnie fan, and starting with Kruse and persisting with Rogic certainly had many pondering.

That said, however, losing the likes od Mooy, Leckie, Boyle, Nabbout (mostly attacking players), it wasn't going to be a cakewalk.

Which leaves Ikonomides, Maclaren & Mabil etc, who are inexperienced at this level and probably need more time to gel.

Live and learn and get on with the next game.

[eagleboy]

Noticed last night former AU player Iain Ramsay playing for the Philippines.

[GaylyColouredStumps]

I reckon there's a guy called Ange having a bit of a laugh declaring "well, you got what you wished for"...

Where was the tactical flexibility?
Weren't we supposed to play like Liverpool?
Haven't we been knocking in goals for fun during friendliest?

If Ange was in charge you would have wet yourself with a performance like that.

78% possession, that's a win in my books

[Bomber]

All the rabbis kicking up now saying we should boycott the Palestine game as "they should not be recognized as a country". So much for keeping politics out of sport. Maybe still pissed that they still have to play in UEFA.