Dr. Gonzo Posted January 6, 2022 Posted January 6, 2022 Some Iranian sources saying Taremi is being called back up to the Iran squad. Which is good, he's clearly their better players and if they want to have Iran's best ever world cup performance and actually get out of a group in the tournament they'll need players with quality like him.
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 26, 2022 Posted January 26, 2022 Azmoun (our best player) and Hajsafi (captain) tested positive with lateral flow tests. Their PCR's came back negative though - but Zenit is refusing to release Azmoun, which is a shame because missing a player like him against Iraq is a shame. Hajsafi hasn't been officially ruled out and is joining the team in training.
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 27, 2022 Posted January 27, 2022 Iran-Iraq has been very scrappy in the first half. I hate the Iraq national side. Aside from the rivalry they’re just really dirty on the pitch.
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 27, 2022 Posted January 27, 2022 Huge credit to Skocic for really turning things around after the Wilmots debacle. What a run from this team
Devil-Dick Willie Posted February 1, 2022 Posted February 1, 2022 If Australia lose to japan they can't qualify in 2nd. If they draw, then need to beat group leaders Saudi Arabia in the middle east in the final game. If they beat Japan, they'll still likely need a win in the final game. @Spike @Toinho Looks like Australia finally gonna miss out on one. Not that they can win a fucking game at one anyway.
Spike Posted February 1, 2022 Posted February 1, 2022 4 minutes ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: If Australia lose to japan they can't qualify in 2nd. If they draw, then need to beat group leaders Saudi Arabia in the middle east in the final game. If they beat Japan, they'll still likely need a win in the final game. @Spike @Toinho Looks like Australia finally gonna miss out on one. Not that they can win a fucking game at one anyway. They are pretty shit
Devil-Dick Willie Posted March 20, 2022 Posted March 20, 2022 I'm going to Aus vs Jap on thursday boys @Toinho @Spike I am a true patriot.
Spike Posted March 20, 2022 Posted March 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: I'm going to Aus vs Jap on thursday boys @Toinho @Spike I am a true patriot. Yeah wellI have been drinking half my weight in shitty domestic beer everyday out in the bush for a week
Toinho Posted March 21, 2022 Posted March 21, 2022 4 hours ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: I'm going to Aus vs Jap on thursday boys @Toinho @Spike I am a true patriot. Good lad! I am nervous, definitely think we are not qualifying automatically (obviously), can't see us defeating Japan with our incredibly mediocre squad (no Mooy among a few others but even that won't automatically make us win it), and having to defeat the Saudi's in their hellhole, make me think we are at best off to the qualifiers. Predictions: Australia 1-2 Japan (optimistic) Saudi Arabia 2-2 Australia (optimistic)
Devil-Dick Willie Posted March 21, 2022 Posted March 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Toinho said: Good lad! I am nervous, definitely think we are not qualifying automatically (obviously), can't see us defeating Japan with our incredibly mediocre squad (no Mooy among a few others but even that won't automatically make us win it), and having to defeat the Saudi's in their hellhole, make me think we are at best off to the qualifiers. Predictions: Australia 1-2 Japan (optimistic) Saudi Arabia 2-2 Australia (optimistic) I don't think your predictions are overly optimistic, but I do agree, Australia are bound for 3rd. They'd need a meltdown not too. Either way, I dont think they're going to the world cup.
Toinho Posted March 21, 2022 Posted March 21, 2022 49 minutes ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: I don't think your predictions are overly optimistic, but I do agree, Australia are bound for 3rd. They'd need a meltdown not too. Either way, I dont think they're going to the world cup. Yep, such a shame but I cannot see this group of players coupled with our manager being good enough to get through any playoffs.
Devil-Dick Willie Posted March 21, 2022 Posted March 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Toinho said: Yep, such a shame but I cannot see this group of players coupled with our manager being good enough to get through any playoffs. Let's face it, as much as I think Arnie is bang average, in 2014 WC they only qualified by the skin of their teeth, with a last minute goal to put them through in 2nd. They won 0 games that world cup. Then in 2018, finished 3rd, miraculously beat fucking SYRIA in extra time of play off 1, then beat honduras 0-0 and 3-0, very lucky to play off against such a weak team. Lots had to go right to qualify. Then they won 0 games that world cup This time there probably won't be such luck. And it's been coming. This goes way deeper than Arnold. The A-League has stopped young aussie teens going overseas early. So instead of players like Cahill, Schwarzer, Kewell and Neil learning the game at academy's with good coaches and playing higher level football at a young age, you learn your trade off donkeys in the a- league, ply your trade against donkeys and only the absolute most outstanding young guys are worth a european club picking up.
Toinho Posted March 21, 2022 Posted March 21, 2022 26 minutes ago, Devil-Dick Willie said: Let's face it, as much as I think Arnie is bang average, in 2014 WC they only qualified by the skin of their teeth, with a last minute goal to put them through in 2nd. They won 0 games that world cup. Then in 2018, finished 3rd, miraculously beat fucking SYRIA in extra time of play off 1, then beat honduras 0-0 and 3-0, very lucky to play off against such a weak team. Lots had to go right to qualify. Then they won 0 games that world cup This time there probably won't be such luck. And it's been coming. This goes way deeper than Arnold. The A-League has stopped young aussie teens going overseas early. So instead of players like Cahill, Schwarzer, Kewell and Neil learning the game at academy's with good coaches and playing higher level football at a young age, you learn your trade off donkeys in the a- league, ply your trade against donkeys and only the absolute most outstanding young guys are worth a european club picking up. You're right, It's been a while without much quality and performance on the international stage. I would say the 2014 side was decent though. The qualifying wasn't amazing and 0 points at the WC, but don't forget we were in a group with Netherlands, Chile and Spain. I think the a-league point re: teens is true. There are some decent players and coaches in the a-league at the moment, some of the imports are definitely a higher quality than most of our homegrown players, but yep, I really think we are not creating players who are good enough nor willing to fight and learn in tougher enviroments. Throw in, those like Boyle, Mooy taking the money in bang average leagues (China, Saudi Arabia, etc), it all affects the national team.
Dr. Gonzo Posted March 21, 2022 Posted March 21, 2022 10 hours ago, Toinho said: You're right, It's been a while without much quality and performance on the international stage. I would say the 2014 side was decent though. The qualifying wasn't amazing and 0 points at the WC, but don't forget we were in a group with Netherlands, Chile and Spain. I think the a-league point re: teens is true. There are some decent players and coaches in the a-league at the moment, some of the imports are definitely a higher quality than most of our homegrown players, but yep, I really think we are not creating players who are good enough nor willing to fight and learn in tougher enviroments. Throw in, those like Boyle, Mooy taking the money in bang average leagues (China, Saudi Arabia, etc), it all affects the national team. Seems weird to me when Iran's got more players (or a similar number of players) playing in Europe than Australia does. And the current Iran squad is also missing a lot of the normal starters who do play in Europe.
Toinho Posted March 22, 2022 Posted March 22, 2022 Tom Rogic ruled out now. FFS. We may as well not even turn up.
Administrator Stan Posted March 24, 2022 Administrator Posted March 24, 2022 How the fuck is this game still 0-0 On an absolute bog of a pitch as well, there could have been goals aplenty. Minamino could have realistically had 3 of them - hit the bar twice and just had a shot cleared off the line.
Administrator Stan Posted March 24, 2022 Administrator Posted March 24, 2022 1-0 to Japan!!! Just about squeezed through after neat build up from Japan. Potentially an offside in the build-up...?
Administrator Stan Posted March 24, 2022 Administrator Posted March 24, 2022 And now it's 2-0. Game over! Mat Ryan should have done better to be fair, he's let that one squeeze through to trickle into the net.
Azeem Posted March 24, 2022 Author Posted March 24, 2022 And with that all direct slots are decided Iran, Korea, Saudis and Japan.
Devil-Dick Willie Posted March 24, 2022 Posted March 24, 2022 Pitch was dogshit, and that heavily favored Australia, but right result in the end!
Dr. Gonzo Posted March 24, 2022 Posted March 24, 2022 I didn't wake up early enough to watch the match, but what I'm hearing is that Skocic had us set up with the most defensive XI and tactics of his time as Iran manager, which is fair considering we've got some of our better players missing. But the defense is absolutely the weakest part of the squad. So we had a defensive setup but a bad defensive performance and it was supposed to be Iran's worst performance under Skocic... I didn't see it so I can't verify it. But I think it's his first loss in a competitive match as Iran manager... so that sounds about right. But on the flip side, South Korea's obviously the best opponent there is in the group with some very good players, so a bad performance against good players and only losing 2-0 isn't so shit. And we've already qualified so it doesn't really matter. Iran's defense at this World Cup is gonna be total dogshit though. 2 Qatari league players at CB, a backup player at Dyamo Zagreb at RB, and an IPL player at LB (and tbf... I think he's the best of the 4). Think they'll end up looking dogshit without Carlos Queiroz setting us up to be the ultimate shithousing team - don't get me wrong, I like that Skocic sees that our best players are our strikers and tries to get them as many opportunities as possible. But pretty much anyone we get matched in a group with will be MILES better than our normal opponents.
Guest Posted March 24, 2022 Posted March 24, 2022 Looks like it will be australia v Peru in the play offs. I would expect Australia to beat U.A.E
Devil-Dick Willie Posted March 24, 2022 Posted March 24, 2022 6 hours ago, Gunnersauraus said: Looks like it will be australia v Peru in the play offs. I would expect Australia to beat U.A.E They barely scrapped past Syria last time. Also, will probably be iraq. Not UAE. Could also VERY easily be Uruguay or less likely Chile.
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