FIFA World Cup 22

[Ridley]

Phenomenal effort from the lads! Glad I got up to watch it; history in the making. Not the first time we have qualified out of the group stage but the first time we have won 2 games (in a row as well) at the World Cup finals.

Quite an unbelievable effort to come back after the France loss which I thought was very disappointing. The Danes were all over us in the first 30 minutes but the defence held up strong. Then we came out in attack mode and reaped the reward. Outstanding goal from Leckie; world class control and finish. He had another great game. Our defence was outstanding; especially Souttar and Degenek. Behic was great; he is so quick and works tirelessly up and down the pitch. Also thought Baccus gave a great spark when he came on.

Hats off to Arnold. I have been a strident critic but he made all of his critics eat our words. Congratulations to him and the team.

It will be really interesting to see how we approach the Argies. We will be rank underdogs but have nothing to lose. Go for it boys!

 

[craig]

Wow great news on the Sokkah Roos sneaking through.
Worst team ever just equaled our best ever team making the knockouts.
Good on ‘‘em they seem to have a good spirit amongst them.
Living their dreams as world game footballers, won’t harm the chances of some to opportunities in higher leagues around the globe!
Cheers to them another win would be dynamite if they could manage to pull it off!
Well worth the shift put in for those that watched it

 

[TigerForce]

Woke up and checked the score again to make sure it wasn't a dream.

Result aside, the best part of the game was the lack of theatrics from the players.

Danes aren't happy at all, but from the contacts I have, they are glad it was us rather than Tunisia that went through. They love their Crown Princess.

Quick question, do you need to shave the area before you get a tattoo?

As our nearly-sacked coach once said:

 

[Ridley]

Result aside, the best part of the game was the lack of theatrics from the players.

Totally agree with this. Can not recall one player from either side rolling around like he'd been shot in the leg with a shot gun from point blank range. Only 2 minutes was added to the first half which seemed right but then the bloody ref somehow decides he needs to add 6 minutes to the second half when we are defending for our lives! Torturous!

 

[Baloo]

Totally agree with this. Can not recall one player from either side rolling around like he'd been shot in the leg with a shot gun from point blank range. Only 2 minutes was added to the first half which seemed right but then the bloody ref somehow decides he needs to add 6 minutes to the second half when we are defending for our lives! Torturous!

A goal was scored in the second half and plenty of subs. That will add time especially now with the more aggressive stoppage tracking (4th official does that, not the game ref). 6mins is a lot traditionally but these days it seems quick.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Totally agree with this. Can not recall one player from either side rolling around like he'd been shot in the leg with a shot gun from point blank range. Only 2 minutes was added to the first half which seemed right but then the bloody ref somehow decides he needs to add 6 minutes to the second half when we are defending for our lives! Torturous!

I think that is one element highly influenced by the culture of sport in a particular country. It's not generally something you see in Australian sport and hence extends to soccer (football). And never has really seemed a feature of the Scandi sides either. So you get a good, honest contest.

On that note. I remember watching a few games in Scotland - both in Premier League and the next division down. Not part of accepted culture there either. Refs were very quickly onto players they didn't think were genuinely in serious pain. Red and yellow cards given out quite quickly to make sure it doesn't become accepted culture. The crowds quite abusive to players they felt weren't being genuine too.

 

[spook]

Sledgehammer Leckie finally found his soft touch at the moment it was needed. Great goal.

Mitch Duke is having a great tournament. Is he our best #9 since the last 'Duke? His touch and lay-offs receiving in midfield from defence have set up both our goals.

Souttar. What a wall.

Credit to Arnold. Two clean sheets in a row after only one in our entire World Cup history, 48 years ago. Solid defence. Hard-working mids and forwards. Good, timely substitutions.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Mooy going unnoticed here.

He is putting in a very solid performance as our key link in the midfield.

For the next game I think Arnold needs to start Hrustic and give that support next to Mooy.

 

[tigerman]

Not sure who we gave to Scotland in the trade for Souttar but we've made out like bandits.

He’s a gun isn’t he, so reliable.
I wonder what trade we can give the Socceroos for Souttar.
I’m only have joking when I say that he would be the perfect replacement for Grimes.
He would really Soutt-our defence.

 

[Ridley]

Mooy going unnoticed here.

He is putting in a very solid performance as our key link in the midfield.

For the next game I think Arnold needs to start Hrustic and give that support next to Mooy.

I was actually thinking last night that he was looking a bit slow and also that his touch was a bit off. That said some of those Danish players were liked greased lightning and Mooy seemed to have to do the lion's share of the midfield work on his own. He would have been stuffed.

Some additional support to him would help no doubt. But I guess it's all about how Arnold wants to structure the team.

 

[jb03]

Mooy going unnoticed here.

He is putting in a very solid performance as our key link in the midfield.

For the next game I think Arnold needs to start Hrustic and give that support next to Mooy.

IT is a real pity that Mooy doesn't have pace. If he did, he would be world class.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

He’s a gun isn’t he, so reliable.
I wonder what trade we can give the Socceroos for Souttar.
I’m only have joking when I say that he would be the perfect replacement for Grimes.
He would really Soutt-our defence.

He'd have to set foot in Australia first.

 

[MD Jazz]

Sledgehammer Leckie finally found his soft touch at the moment it was needed. Great goal.

Mitch Duke is having a great tournament. Is he our best #9 since the last 'Duke? His touch and lay-offs receiving in midfield from defence have set up both our goals.

Souttar. What a wall.

Credit to Arnold. Two clean sheets in a row after only one in our entire World Cup history, 48 years ago. Solid defence. Hard-working mids and forwards. Good, timely substitutions.

Yeh, such a deserved goal for the hardest working player in Aust football. He butchered a similar opportunity in the first half with a poor first touch but didn't miss this one. He turns it over a bit but he just never ever stops trying. That moment when he sees the ball has beaten Schmichael must have been euphoric for him. I could watch that over and over. I get goosebumps thinking about it.

The knockers can say what they like about him but the players clearly love playing for Arnold and each other. The only thing that matters is the score.

I have no doubt he came into the Group stage conceeding to France and focusing on the next 2 games. A brilliant strategy in hindsight.

And I liked his interview after the game. He is focused and has the players focused and believing.

 

[MD Jazz]

Its almost inarguable the Socceroos are the one side that unites more of Australia than any other national team.

 

[Brodders17]

The knockers can say what they like about him but the players clearly love playing for Arnold and each other.

It is profound the difference an inch or 2 can make. We were a little lucky against Tunisia- first with our goal, and then that they butchered a few chances- we lose that, and Arnold is still in everyone's bad books.

We scored about a minute after Tunisia did last night. I was always a bit concerned France would be far from their best and might lose.
Just as well we won in the end, if we had of drawn and been through thanks to the late France goal, then had it taken away by that VAR against France it would have been the cruellest sporting moment imaginable.

 

[Brodders17]

Its almost inarguable the Socceroos are the one side that unites more of Australia than any other national team.

true, but a lot of the commentary- from both media and fans is very negative. (especially after we lose.)
a few ex players commentate, or give media, like South Americans play- constant whinging. then when we win everything is rosy again.

 

[MD Jazz]

true, but a lot of the commentary- from both media and fans is very negative. (especially after we lose.)
a few ex players commentate, or give media, like South Americans play- constant whinging. then when we win everything is rosy again.

But they still unite a country. I know 2 x rabid NRL fans (basically Syd bogans) that say the single best sporting event they ever attended was the Aust-Uruguay KO game in Sydney. They've seen their teams win NRL flags but say that night was the single best sporting event they ever attended.

I remember watching it at a pub and won't forget that feeling when Aloisi's penalty delivered. Then the Japan game, the Croatia game, just magic memories.

The Redmayne sub and crazy antics to qualify us sum up Arnold and this current squad. They keep defying the odds.

 

[MD Jazz]

It is profound the difference an inch or 2 can make. We were a little lucky against Tunisia- first with our goal, and then that they butchered a few chances- we lose that, and Arnold is still in everyone's bad books.

We scored about a minute after Tunisia did last night. I was always a bit concerned France would be far from their best and might lose.
Just as well we won in the end, if we had of drawn and been through thanks to the late France goal, then had it taken away by that VAR against France it would have been the cruellest sporting moment imaginable.

Don't soften, you called it early. I expect nothing short of a finals berth against France.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Its almost inarguable the Socceroos are the one side that unites more of Australia than any other national team.

This we can definitely agree on.

Something about following this national team.

 

[mrposhman]

I'm glad I got up to watch that, was a terrific performance. Arnold knows that this team isn't the best technically, but he has got a system that is working perfectly, the players have bought into it and are delivering on it. You can see the pride, and the will to win (pretty much at any personal cost) shining through the team. Souttar is also a colossus at the back. How did the Scots let him slip and play for Australia.

I expect Australia will give Argentina a good game in the next stage. I expect them to play a bit higher up the field than they did against France for 2 reasons. 1 its a knock out game, and 2 because Argentina are better through the middle than the flanks (opposite of France) so they have the luxury of keeping the wingers further forwards.

I wouldn't expect any changes from that starting lineup for the Argentina game.