FIFA World Cup thread

A remarkable result.
Didn't expect a draw so a win (which it turns out it had to be) was just great for this team and what football needed in this country to lift it from its current gloomy following.
Well we are definitely underdogs in the last 16 so nothing to loose ….. just go for it!
Well done Arnie and co.
 
momo_amp_medo said:
A remarkable result.
Didn't expect a draw so a win (which it turns out it had to be) was just great for this team and what football needed in this country to lift it from its current gloomy following.
Well we are definitely underdogs in the last 16 so nothing to loose ….. just go for it!
Well done Arnie and co.
Click to expand...
hopefully this is the start of something special for football in this country
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
hopefully this is the start of something special for football in this country
Click to expand...
You should have low expectations - football in Australia has always been struggling to compete with the other codes, and probably that will continue.

Although this particular team is fighting hard in a tournament that appears to have levelled the playing field with its timing and temperature, there is a distinct lack of quality in Australian football, which has been slightly patched-over by raids on Scottish football. Obviously Australia barely qualified for the tournament, because Asian qualifiers are now long and difficult (but fair) journeys for our squads.

The development strategy of the past 20 years, and investment in the A-League is not producing sufficient quality of young footballers. I don't know the intricate details, but they didn't choose the current approach for fun; the FFA must have believed they were pursuing a decent strategy. And the money available pales in comparison to the other football codes.
 
Watching them play Denmark reminds me of the way most Middle East countries play against us: very defensive structure and playing for the counter attack. It's ugly but it frustrates the opposition and has worked again. We really conceded no sustained chances and were tactically superior to Denmark, who needed to win and had the superior squad. Same goes for Tunisia, and even Peru in qualifiers. I think it shows a bit of maturity and sophistication in our play that we can win this way, and we've obviously learnt something from our Asian football experience and grown from it.

Arnold has gotten results playing very defensive football and I think this goes against what Craig Foster and critics have argued for, which is attacking aggressive football. It's funny to hear them laud the coaching now when they are so critical when we don't win (ala France match). I tended to agree with the critics too, I don't like sitting back like we do, but there's no way this group of players should have made it even to the world cup, let alone the final 16 from that group, so great effort by Arnold against all the noise and criticism. It's also a victory for the A-League, despite the sloppiness of it, in that you can build a successful squad around A-League players.

It's interesting watching the level of confidence and ownership players like Mooy, Duke and Behich have. Beside Mooy, these are not very well credentialed players, and the technical quality is not that high, but there's strong belief and they execute their roles well. With the exception of Atkinson in the first match, the players have looked composed and competitive. This really highlights the positive impact of coaching imo, players playing well beyond themselves.

We performed very well against Italy 16 years ago in the round of 16, and I'm thrilled we get to play Messi and Argentina. Others wanting lesser opponents miss the great opportunity of the world cup, which is to see our plodders face the best in the world, and perhaps some of the best all time. It's magnificent and a rare privilege to see.
 
watersider said:
Watching them play Denmark reminds me of the way most Middle East countries play against us: very defensive structure and playing for the counter attack. It's ugly but it frustrates the opposition and has worked again. We really conceded no sustained chances and were tactically superior to Denmark, who needed to win and had the superior squad. Same goes for Tunisia, and even Peru in qualifiers. I think it shows a bit of maturity and sophistication in our play that we can win this way, and we've obviously learnt something from our Asian football experience and grown from it.

Arnold has gotten results playing very defensive football and I think this goes against what Craig Foster and critics have argued for, which is attacking aggressive football. It's funny to hear them laud the coaching now when they are so critical when we don't win (ala France match). I tended to agree with the critics too, I don't like sitting back like we do, but there's no way this group of players should have made it even to the world cup, let alone the final 16 from that group, so great effort by Arnold against all the noise and criticism. It's also a victory for the A-League, despite the sloppiness of it, in that you can build a successful squad around A-League players.

It's interesting watching the level of confidence and ownership players like Mooy, Duke and Behich have. Beside Mooy, these are not very well credentialed players, and the technical quality is not that high, but there's strong belief and they execute their roles well. With the exception of Atkinson in the first match, the players have looked composed and competitive. This really highlights the positive impact of coaching imo, players playing well beyond themselves.

We performed very well against Italy 16 years ago in the round of 16, and I'm thrilled we get to play Messi and Argentina. Others wanting lesser opponents miss the great opportunity of the world cup, which is to see our plodders face the best in the world, and perhaps some of the best all time. It's magnificent and a rare privilege to see.
Click to expand...
Totally agree ..and lots of EPL sides rely on the counter to match it with the Top 6 sides
 
Halbrowne61 said:
Yes, terrific win. Who was that idiot, I think his name was Hal something, who predicted Aussies out in straight sets.
I believe he’s trying to wipe the egg off his face!
Good luck Roos v the Argies.
Click to expand...
You weren't the only one .....I think we might find the French are far better than we initially thought ....but so are the Socceroos
 
watersider said:
Watching them play Denmark reminds me of the way most Middle East countries play against us: very defensive structure and playing for the counter attack. It's ugly but it frustrates the opposition and has worked again. We really conceded no sustained chances and were tactically superior to Denmark, who needed to win and had the superior squad. Same goes for Tunisia, and even Peru in qualifiers. I think it shows a bit of maturity and sophistication in our play that we can win this way, and we've obviously learnt something from our Asian football experience and grown from it.

Arnold has gotten results playing very defensive football and I think this goes against what Craig Foster and critics have argued for, which is attacking aggressive football. It's funny to hear them laud the coaching now when they are so critical when we don't win (ala France match). I tended to agree with the critics too, I don't like sitting back like we do, but there's no way this group of players should have made it even to the world cup, let alone the final 16 from that group, so great effort by Arnold against all the noise and criticism. It's also a victory for the A-League, despite the sloppiness of it, in that you can build a successful squad around A-League players.

It's interesting watching the level of confidence and ownership players like Mooy, Duke and Behich have. Beside Mooy, these are not very well credentialed players, and the technical quality is not that high, but there's strong belief and they execute their roles well. With the exception of Atkinson in the first match, the players have looked composed and competitive. This really highlights the positive impact of coaching imo, players playing well beyond themselves.

We performed very well against Italy 16 years ago in the round of 16, and I'm thrilled we get to play Messi and Argentina. Others wanting lesser opponents miss the great opportunity of the world cup, which is to see our plodders face the best in the world, and perhaps some of the best all time. It's magnificent and a rare privilege to see.
Click to expand...
Very good summary (y)
I would also prefer that we play "joga bonito" Johnny Warren promoted⚽
 
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