Socceroos Thread

[jeemak]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Hows the shithousery from Redmayne, tossing the opposition keepers water bottle into the crowd at the start of the shootout. The water bottle had all the penalty tips written on it. Haha.

Send macaroons.

[EasternWest]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Send macaroons.

Get in line.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Australia are through to the quarter finals of the Asian Cup after defeating Indonesia 4-0. The score line flattered the Socceroos a little but they got the job done nevertheless. It gets tougher from here though with South Korea or Saudi Arabia our next opponents. The defence has been reasonably solid but they have struggled to create scoring opportunities in most games.

Some of the South East Asian countries are becoming more competitive, with Indonesia much improved by some Dutch imports, and Thailand and Malaysia managing draws with the Saudis and South Korea respectively.

[Eastdog]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Be really good if we can go all the way and win it. The last time was in 2015.

[SonofScray]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Big chance to jump Korea on a short turn around.

Its also a huge jump in competition to go from mediocre/par performances to a quarter final against a side who would be expecting to go very deep.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Should be a great match but the game time for watching is just horrendous for us. 2:30am!!!!!!

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Get past South Korea and we meet Tajikistan or Jordan in the semis and would have to strongly fancy our fancy our chances against either.

The Koreans were very fortunate to proceed, equalising in the 99th minute to force penalties.

Crazy scenes in the Iraq v Jordan game with an Iraqi player sent off for over celebrating after a goal resulting in Jordan scoring 2 goals deep in stoppage time to get the win.

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

That was a disappointing exit. I think it’s time for Arnold to go, been there too long and we aren’t developing. Development isn’t checking the Scottish league or English lower leagues for players with some Australian heritage. Might as well put your money into the a-league. Goodwin one of better players didn’t start every game. Leckie even half fit was worth the trip. Sure the wc results were good but it was a strange WC where possibly fitness and familiarity with the environment meant more than class and skill. Fear that it was a glitch in the matrix.

[GVGjr]

Re: Socceroos Thread

That was a disappointing exit. I think it’s time for Arnold to go, been there too long and we aren’t developing. Development isn’t checking the Scottish league or English lower leagues for players with some Australian heritage. Might as well put your money into the a-league. Goodwin one of better players didn’t start every game. Leckie even half fit was worth the trip. Sure the wc results were good but it was a strange WC where possibly fitness and familiarity with the environment meant more than class and skill. Fear that it was a glitch in the matrix.

For years we've typically had a couple of excellent players to got us through games and now we have a very even squad without that top tier players to fall back on. I probably agree that it's time for GA to be moved on but he's done a good job with what he has available.

[soupman]

Re: Socceroos Thread

I'm not a big Arnold fan but not sure what more he could've done.

He's done a great job of trying to build up that next generation coming through, adding to our depth by convincing nearly every player in the world with some Australian link to choose us, and giving good gametime to the next lot like McGree, Bos, Metcalfe etc.

Yes we have maybe gotten a bit lucky with some of the results but realistically the Socceroos are the inverse of the Bulldogs and have been greater than the sum of all parts for the past two years to excellent effect.

We have some very good talent coming through but it's largely speculative at this stage hence picking a 36 year old Uruguayan as our starting striker.

From the outside it looks like a fairly strong and united playing group and the moves players are making atm is as exciting as we have had in a while.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Was a shame to go out like that. Duke had 2 golden opportunities to put us 2-0 up but couldn't hit the target. South Korea hadn't seriously put Ryan to work all game so it was a really unnecessary penalty by Miller who then also committed the foul that led to their second goal.

Koreans got lucky for the second game in a row yet will probably beat Jordan and make the final.

[Twodogs]

Re: Socceroos Thread

That was as disappointing as the WC qualifier v Iran at the MCG

[Twodogs]

Re: Socceroos Thread

I'm not a big Arnold fan but not sure what more he could've done.

He's done a great job of trying to build up that next generation coming through, adding to our depth by convincing nearly every player in the world with some Australian link to choose us, and giving good gametime to the next lot like McGree, Bos, Metcalfe etc.

Yes we have maybe gotten a bit lucky with some of the results but realistically the Socceroos are the inverse of the Bulldogs and have been greater than the sum of all parts for the past two years to excellent effect.

We have some very good talent coming through but it's largely speculative at this stage hence picking a 36 year old Uruguayan as our starting striker.

From the outside it looks like a fairly strong and united playing group and the moves players are making atm is as exciting as we have had in a while.

I've always been a big critic of Arnold in his various iterations as the Socceroo coach but I agree with what you say. It's difficult to see anyone else doing a better job then he has with the players he's had

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

South Korea beaten by Jordan. Shows how poor we were. There is a time for development and then there are tournaments. We should have won this tournament.

[soupman]

Re: Socceroos Thread

There is a time for development and then there are tournaments.

Who were we omitted in favour of using the tournament as development?

Leckie should probably have been in, but has been injured and is 33. Maclaren has been a regular but has never really clicked at international level.

Arnold has done great at introducing depth to the squad, bringing in guys who can perform to a certain level and make us competitive, as well as giving the younger guys coming through (many of whom have good potential) a taste. We have a pretty level squad in terms of ability, but I fail to see who we could've picked that would've made us better, and the main guys that have the ceiling to do so are clearly in the developing camp (ie. Kuol, Irrankunda)