Ange Postecoglou names 30-man Socceroos squad for critical World Cup qualifiers

DI ETERNO BAMBINO RACCHIUDE IN sè E NELLE SUE COMPOSIZIONI POETICHE E TEATRALI L'INFANZIA L'AMORE "COMPLESSO DI EDIPO" IL SESSO DA SEMPRE CONCETTI ESSENZIALI DEL PENSIERO DELLA CULTURA E DELLA SAGGEZZA MILLENARIA DEL UOMO CONTINUAMENTE ALLA RICERCA DEL SENSO E DELLO SCOPO DELLA PROPRIA ESISTENZA PARLANDO DELLA VITA E DELLA MORTE COME DUE FACCE DELLA STESSA MEDAGLIA E CONCETTI STRETTAMENTE LEGATI L' UNO AL ALTRO. R.I.P. MITO DEL ROCK ED ULTIMO SUBLIME POETA MALEDETTO.

WEll you would be an expert when it comes to nonsense.

UAE host Saudi Arabia 2 days prior to this match. The Emiratis still have a chance for the 4th round if they defeat Saudi, so hopefully they go into the match all guns blazing. Anything less than a win will change the complextion of our match as it will take significant pressure off the Japanese (somewhat less for us as we need a point in Japan game to keep our destiny in our own hands regardless of the UAE-Saudi result).

Australia is the only nation in this Group that hasn't yet lost a match. We are 1 point behind Top spot. Last 2 matches AUS: JPN, THA JPN: AUS, KSA KSA: UAE, JPN If each team wins at home & loses away, AUS just needs to have better Goal Difference than KSA. It'll be a tense night in Saitama but that's how it should be. This is WC Qualification.

South Korea has a home match against Iran and an away match against the Uzbeks to finish. I think it's more likely South Korea will drop into the playoffs.

On the AFC side of the play-off, if your forecast were to materialise, we would be up against the Uzbekis on current standings.

Such 30 man squads are typically temporary, and are whittled down to a smaller squad (usually a squad of 23). It's a necessary part of the planning process since it's common for two or three of the larger squad to still be getting over injuries, so Ange will leave it as late as practically possible to name the final squad. It's not really a big deal, and I've never known any football fan to be too concerned about it.

Ange managed in Tasmania for a short period but quickly returned to the mainland as "he couldn't hack it!". It always seems to be that the timing of our fixtures come at the wrong time to give others an opportunity and on the other hand exclude players. I think Kruse and Jedi are very lucky as the other players who played in the Confederations Cup should be in front of them for next 2 games and beyond, whether we qualify for the cup or not! Ange played a few different combinations in those 3 games, so there is some depth in all 3 lines. Plenty of opportunity in this forum for posers etc to discuss squad selections without resorting to Trump like hysterics!

A cap is given when you make an appearance for the Australian National Football Team in an official A-Grade match (not a practice match). So, what you've said is nonsense.

Another 30 man squad and another group to add to the couple of hundred players who can call themselves Socceroos. It is really starting to demean the players who have played in the past. I'm actually expecting a call from big Ange soon, and to my friends I will be another Socceroo. Every kiddie gets a Trophy.

JB - not surprised; some managers will persevere and some will abandon the system. I think Ange will do it his way regardless what we pundits think and he'll be judged at the end of the qualification process if he was a success or a failure. Cheers

Caltex -Don't know if you watched the recent Arsenal v Leicester match where once again it became obvious that a top manager was having trouble with the back 3 concept,,so obvious that in fact just after half time Wenger made substitutions that were so evident that he was dumping the concept and reverting back to a back 4 line up. Didn't catch who the commentator was but he had it all worked out in the first 45 minutes as Leicester exploited the vast spaces out wide with their speed and aggression,getting behind the back three with annoying regularity. This guy, (the commentator) didn't mince his words,he stated that if Wenger didn't make changes in the system his team was on a hiding to nothing. As you know Arsenal turned that scenario into a come from behind victory. cheers jb.

I highly doubt that any 1st division club in Europe wants him. Perhaps 2nd or 3rd division. I think he will be back in the non-competitive A-League

Good points Chris. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what Ange plans for on the day.

Cal I was thinking the same things. Mooy has looked tired and off the pace but maybe he is now re-energised? Milligan and Troisi did a great job against Chile and I think the high pressing/high intensity game suits Milligan and Troisi more than say Mooy and Rogic. Ange usually gets it right so I'm confident he'll put the right team out there. Jedinak is a real concern with his lack of mobility and pace but he does offer strength and aggression that the Japanese traditionally struggle with.

The Japanese will be under intense pressure because they know what the Socceroos are capable of ie beating the odds. As they did in the 1-1 draw against Chile in the Confederations Cup two months ago; now that Ange's team is more settled and organised after that match with Chile. The question remains; will he send out the same starting eleven without Mooy, Rogic and Jedinak or will he make changes from that inspiring performance against Chile and tweet the system? I personally would like to see the same starting XI he used against Chile.

Why would he be sacked? It's been reported he'll be stepping down following the World Cup, irrespective of results. You don't sack someone like this, who's been a very good servant, just for one game. Most likely we'll see him managing in Europe either next year (if we don't qualify) or 2019.

It seems there are a lot of people quietly (and some not so quietly) hoping he won't be fit. We're a better side without him.

Will Postecoglou get sacked if the Socceroos lose in Japan?

Milligan, Spiranovic & Sainsbury across the back gives me some comfort, especially if it allows Mooy & Luongo to sit deeper where they are more effective. We need only a point here to keep our destiny in our hands.