There is definitely a culture of negativity that surrounds everything to do with Australian football which ALMOST makes this debate a redundant exercise.

In order to mature though, this article and the proceeding debates will form part of that maturation process.

So I’ll give this my best effort.

Is Graham Arnold the best coach?
No.

Is Graham Arnold the best coach, for Australia?

Is Graham Arnold the best Australian coach, for Australia?

Does Graham Arnold have abilities as a coach that make him stand out above others that benefit the Australian playing group?

Is Graham Arnold going to lead the Socceroos beyond the group stage again, into the round of 16 and for the first time in our history, achieve a quarter final place?

Do we have the calibre of players available, to play a different style of football that another coach could implement?

If not, is it worth keeping things as they are?

If we do, who are they, where are they and who should coach them?

What are our expectations of the Socceroos for major tournaments like the Asian Cup and World Cup?

Should our expectations be affected by results of other nations we would expect to achieve better than us? For example, Japan.

Should our expectations be affected by how our governing body performs?

Does our expectations go beyond that of the Socceroos then and the more broader question become, what are our expectations of football in this country?

Expectations are a feeling based on what is currently occurring now.

Those feelings are shaped by all that’s occurred, prior to the now.

Our expectations are either realistic or unrealistic and therefore are primarily shaped on emotion and feeling.

If you’re being realistic, you would not expect the Socceroos to win the world cup and yet there is such a fine margin between what’s realistic and unrealistic.

What exactly was expected of the Asian Cup?

I didn’t expect to win it.

I expected a quarter final berth at worst.

My expectations were met and were realistic.

Anything beyond that, given the results produced by many nations throughout the tournament and ourselves included, would have been unrealistic.

Now that was reasonable was my expectation that if we could score a goal and hold out, this would be enough.

I was not wrong, but I was also realistic in knowing exactly what South Korea would throw our way.

The fine margin was a tackle in the extra minutes of normal time and the subsequent penalty.

This was the difference between what I expected could happen, which bleeds into hope really.

Most of the topics here in the past have been rather negative and centred around governance of the Socceroos or domestic game.

If you want to change the culture, be honest and strike a balance between that highlights both the positives and the negatives.

Unfortunately we also live in a time in which social media has greatly impacted the psyche of all and not for the better.

We have a generation in which criticism is a fine line between one drastic decision and the next.

The results based agenda and the impacts on the mental and physical health have recently been highlighted by two prominent coaches and a very well known player recently.

You must strike a balance. With all the harsh criticism, it must be balanced with a just and fair approach that warrants such harsh criticism but allows for improvement.

Opinions are like… everyone has one. Opinions mean nothing really, but constructive, well thought, well mannered and meaningful opinions can be the difference.

I could go on, ask a lot more questions, make a lot more statements, but I feel like I’ve made my point.

Perhaps it’s not just football culture that needs to change, but culture itself.

I’m learning as I get older to be more in the moment. This isn’t a matter of looking forward or looking back, but trying to consistently remain in the present.

I can let my mood be affected or I can just be with it.

My weekend of football consisted of Brisbane Roar scoring a stoppage time equaliser. Everton scoring a late goal against Tottenham who I thoroughly enjoy watching due to Ange Postecoglou. My Liverpool being smacked around by Arsenal. And Socceroos being knocked out of the Asian Cup.

If I expected wins for all my teams, I would be a miserable man today.

To add to my weekend, I had family come up to my house and helped out in preparation for the coming of my third child. The assistance was given due stuffing up my knee.

What they did well help tremendously.

Seems the results of my football teams was balanced by other aspects of my life.

People just need to stop being so negative.

We are all part of the problem or solution.

These articles and the commentary added are all part of every day life. These comments matter to us and we hope they lead us forward.

So have the mature conversation. However try to be objective as possible. Your feelings won’t change the past, but your feelings now can change the future. So be in the now.

Ask the right questions, think of the possible answers, but let’s change the culture! Let’s balance it out to be just but fair.

I hope my efforts prove that despite the negative culture that exists, that there is still hope and this isn’t a redundant exercise.

All we had to do was hold out in those extra minutes.

If anyone here honestly expected Australia to dominate, they were kidding themselves.

South Korea were always going to dominate pretty much every aspect of the game and they did.

All we needed was that one goal, which we got, and then we needed to just hold out, which we came to within a whisker of doing.

South Korea were always going to fight to the end, all you have to do is look at their results throughout the tournament.

They’re battle hardened and I hope this bodes well for success in Qatar. It would be well deserved.

Here’s hoping for a South Korea vs Japan final.

I’m proud of our Socceroos. I don’t see that our playing style will change, but I do believe it is capable of holding up against quality opposition.

We don’t have the players to play much of a different style, even Ange was saying this 8-9 years ago and nothing has really changed, yet!

But what we are seeing is continual interest in A-League players going overseas.

This bodes well for our national team.

We aren’t world cup winners, but we’re now at a level of maturity in which we cannot expect anything less than Round of 16 from now on.

Depending on how the next world cup is formatted, I fear round of 16 will be made harder by the rules set and this will be where the challenge lies.

We were literally minutes away from winning this one, let’s not forget that. We lost I accept that, but I’m really driving home the point of just how close we were despite all the naysayers. I can’t argue with anyone with respect to playing the full 90 + some, but they can’t argue the approach taken, with “quality” or lack thereof, didn’t get us to within minutes of a semi final.

Anyways onto a night of hopefully great A-League action. Perth vs City was a cracker last night as well and I’m so happy Perth won. A-League, get behind it! Loving how congested the ladder is!

Daughters tips:
Roar
Perth
Sydney
Newcastle
Adelaide
Macarthur
Mariners

My tips:
Wellington
Perth
Sydney
Newcastle
Adelaide
Macarthur
Wellington

Sons tips:
Brisbane
City
Sydney
Victory
Mariners
Wanderers
Mariners

I gotta do the ladder and see where we’re all at.

Hi Chris, I’ve heard so many stories about how common this injury is and yet so many did not elect to have surgery!

I find this very comforting. Thank you for sharing. It’s very much been a topic of conversation today within the family and social circles.

No Mates,

I’m not in a hospital bed, yet, but it could be in by future.

Found out today I have a grade 3 ACL tear.

Now it’s a matter of do I get surgery? And ask the other if, buts and maybes.

I hope you’re OK! When you’re health is affected, it puts life back into perspective.

The difference between Garang and Irankunda in terms of maturity and knowing when to OR what type of play to make, are chalk and cheese.
I would go nowhere near Irankunda yet. He requires much more in terms of playing, guidance etc before he gets called up to the Socceroos.
He has skill level and capable but he lacks consistency, proficiency, composure and so much more. That’s the beauty of football and in particular, sport. There is so much more to sport than just kicking a football.
Just thought I’d comment on the Irankunda x factor suggestion. Love watching the kid play!

Firstly!

As you state, “When you lose at home unexpectedly people tend to give you a pass if you’ve just won the World Cup.”

I pretty much said that when I said this, “However, the Socceroos have never tasted the continual success the Australia cricket team has.

So one loss in 27 years, whilst being the champs in every form of cricket? Can be forgiven.”

Lastly, what’s wrong with talking about cricket? I like Cricket. It’s relevant to current discussions this day as Socceroos are subject to a mistreatment that most of our international teams are not.

Cricket was brought up as an example by Grem. I continued in response, which is rather relevant, in its context.

Not sure what you’re reading, but it appears as though Grem’s plane is still very much grounded. That or I missed take off?!

Better yet, a West Indies side with no less than:

• Four debutants in the test series.
• One player playing his 2nd and 3rd international test match.
• One player playing his 3rd and 4th international test match.
• One player playing his 5th international test match.

If that ever occurred in football, we would let them have it!

The biggest difference I can see is the state of the game.

Prior to Pakistan and West Indies, every man and his dog was deriding test match cricket as a dying sport.

So, any success our opposition was going to have would be lauded from all the cricketing world.

And so it should, I love test match cricket!

However, the Socceroos have never tasted the continual success the Australia cricket team has.

So one loss in 27 years, whilst being the champs in every form of cricket? Can be forgiven.

The Socceroos on the other hand, success is a dream. The Socceroos I feel are at times the literal embodiment of hope, but in Australian form.

The Matildas recently became that. Perhaps that’s what our sport is?

It’s this hope that never goes away cause there are these moments of magic that only give further cause to hope even more.

I feel like Australians are also a fair mob. They’ll give everyone a go. Look at how multicultural we are.

However, if the Australian cricket team were to participate in a tri nations one day cricket format, like they used to back in the day, no would care for the trophy.

Based on cultural norms, they’ll always make the back page, but no one would really care.

But comparatively, Australians know the importance of a men’s FIFA World Cup and that’s why whenever the Socceroos do good there, it generates the hype and hope once again.

Psychologically speaking, and putting it on paper, I can not see how this will ever correlate to renewed success domestically.

The only way that would occur is we go beyond the round of 16.

That’s then going to the next level.

For us to build, it has to be generational.

The success of the Socceroos and Matildas may not be seen domestically in the form of attendance, but I put my money on it, I am but guarantee it. The success of the Socceroos and Matildas will shine through in the participation numbers of junior football.

That is where the work needs to be done!! That’s where the engagement needs to happen. The problem with this, and in particular for Brisbane, is that my football club isn’t the only one experiencing such a boom in registration of players.

How does one football club service both North and South Brisbane? Which club does it visit, and when? And it’s not like the players coming to visit are known, they’re not stalwarts of the club like a Darren Lockyer of yesteryears, in the NRL, where everyone knew his name.

Instead, the kids know the footballers they know. It’s the Ronaldo’s, the Messi’s, Mbappe’s and Neymar’s.

Now these players aren’t possible to bring here, but they are possibly going to also aid in the inspiring of youth and that can correlate to finding Australia first Ronaldo or Messi etc. That’s pretty much what we’ve done with Sam Kerr and the Matildas.

Those players and team are a grand within themselves.

Who of the Socceroos can you market?

No one!

The way forward is to be in present. Ride the waves, be involved, educate yourself, watch the game, listen to Ange, utilise Arnold’s love and passion for the Socceroos despite his clear and obvious deficiencies.

This is football, this is part of our journey in the beautiful game.

We are fighting against decades of cultural ways that go against the every day Aussies very being, to be a devout Socceroos and Australian football supporter.

That’s the reality. So success is a must despite what little hope there is at times.

We’re Australian and in order to be taken seriously, Australians want success! So let’s go and give it to them!

I’ve not even had a coffee, and yet I’m pumped. 😂

I digress.

We’re far from a dying sport, unlike what many cricket fans fear for test cricket.

So our football posters here and on other platforms, will be critical, and will want success, but we also aren’t stupid and we’re well aware of all that gets in the way!

However, this only creates further frustration and a cacophony of sounds from the stands given the endless possibilities of our game and the hope that if only we could get our stuff together, just truly, what we could achieve!

I genuinely believe our midfield is where we are struggling the most.

Our footballers at present are very basic and just stick to it and are very good at being basic. Basic can win you games though. So you’re not wrong, but who else is there. I’m hopeful this will be the last we see of a few of these players, but I also won’t hold my breath.

I would say Bos is the only real exception to basic football. Fornaroli as well, but he’s 36.

Thinking about it, I would then go Tilio and Silvera just a step behind Bos and Fornaroli.

It’s that creative element, the flair.

Bos is by far the best player in our team, in my opinion.

And the sad reality is he’s naturally been a defender and we have him playing as a winger. I feel that does not bode well long term.

If only Leckie was fit. Bos playing in behind him would have been a joy to watch, as it was when the pair played for City.

This is the exact point I’ve been making, game after game.

I just watched Saudi Arabia vs South Korea and they went to penalties in which South Korea prevailed.

So it’s Australia vs South Korea.

South Korea have not tasted Asian Cup success since 1960!

And they’ll be highly motivated considering the last time we faced one another in the Asian Cup was 2015.

Both teams were knocked out in the Quater finals in the last edition, so only one is guaranteed to improve on the last Cups outing.

South Korea have been far from convincing, but despite this, they’ve always had the potency in attack and on the counter, to really hit teams hard.

They’ve dominated every game they’ve played in, in terms of possession, shots, passes and yet results wise, Socceroos have the better showing.

Socceroos also have the fresher legs.

South Korea will want payback for 2015 final loss.

We have something to prove following the world cup.

My prediction is as follows:

South Korea to create more chances, have more possession and be quicker in almost all aspects of the game, however the longer we’re in the contest, the better for us! An early goal will help us tremendously.

The advantages we have all become less about the physical, but more about the psychological if we play to our strengths and jag an early goal.

It’s also worth noting and this one is particularly important. Never underestimate an underdog side and one named Australia. We seem to thrive off that and Arnold will have the boys ready.

Will it be disappointing if we lose, yes!

However, I have a feeling most won’t expect us to win, so let it be the Quater Finals result that gets the news talking about the Socceroos again.

It’s what the Socceroos do.

If we win this, we face Tajikistan or Jordan and the expectation then goes back to, we should win.

So let’s utilise the lack of external pressure and harness the internal desire to believe and push for this title! Just, one game at a time though! It’s the Asian Cup and it’s been one great tournament!

Appears to be a great acquisition by Wellington Phoenix.

As for Marco Rojas, he appears to be a journey man. He’s A-League quality at best and should accept that fact now.

Each time he’s made a move after a successful stint here with Victory, he moves.

Yet despite his moves, he is then consistently relegated to loan moves and bench warming.

This project works cause he’s guaranteed playing minutes. He won’t be a 90 minute player either.

At least not immediately. All you have to do it’s look at his lack of playing time.

It’s good recruitment for the Roar. Hope it works for both parties involved. Would be nice to snap our losing streak. It’s a miracle we’re still in touching distance of making top 6.

I wasn’t aware of this (Japan).

Now you’ve gone and undone all my hard work in ranting (re aligning with Asia) haha. Well…

August to April I’ll take. Can we have 16 teams, 30 games, Australia Cup? Ill let you schedule the fixtures.

J-League is February to December
K-League is March to October
CSL is April to November
However, upon review of Saudi Pro League, Indian league, Thai league, they run similar to us.
So Asia is split then. We’re both correct. So shall I say, let’s align with just our own Winter or Japan’s calendar?

Just to really drive home our point!

Last group stage game in Asia had the following results:

South Korea 3 v MALAYSIA 3
Iraq 3 v VIETNAM 2
Jordan 0 v BAHRAIN 1
Saudi Arabia 0 v THAILAND 0
KYRGYZSTAN 1 v Oman 1
Japan 3 v INDONESIA 1

Those are very surprising results.

Remember as well, Qatar are the current Asian Champions and are hosting.

Australia have kept now 3 clean sheets out of four games.

Qatar and Thailand have yet to concede a goal this tournament!

I will not be surprised if the results continue to fall the way of the apparent underdog.

I look forward to the remainder of the Asian Cup. Bring in Saudi Arabia/South Korea.

Can we just move from Summer to Winter already?

The weather has been hot! Even Brisbane residents could barely turnout for the day/night test at the Gabba despite enthralling Cricket.

Players are struggling in football and yet we expect them to run around, unfazed, taking the occasional drinks break.

It’s honestly a farce.

The commentators in the cricket would not shut up about the heat and yet I don’t blame them, but ironically, cricket is a Summer sport. You’re expected to stand out in the blazing hot sun and just suck it up.

That’s test cricket.

Football players running around in the heat for 90 minutes, non stop, I think not.

The sooner we move to winter, the better for everyone.

Newcastle can easily share their stadium between Jets and Knights.
Central Coast don’t have an issue.
Perth Glory don’t have an issue.
Adelaide United don’t have an issue.
Western United eventually won’t have an issue.
Macarthur will barely have an issue or they might have to share occasionally with Wests Tigers.
Wellington Phoenix will share with what, one rugby team? So they won’t have an issue.
Wanderers will only share with Eels. That’s not and issue.
Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City can share with Melbourne Storm and Rebels.
Sydney FC can share with Waratahs and Sydney Roosters.
Brisbane Roar will 100% be the most aggrieved, having to share with Brisbane Broncos, Redcliffe Dolphins and Queensland Reds, Magic Round, State of Origin!

Have I missed anyone?

If Tasmania get a team, they’re good.
If Canberra get a team, only the Raiders.
A new NZ team will be fine to share.

These are tax payer/funded football stadiums. We have as much right to utilise these and have certain expectations.

I would much rather go to Winter games.

Less affected by weather in the sense of heat, rain, flood, electrical storms.

Better quality product is being produced.
Will ground quality be affected yes! But who cares?! It already is and we are still playing in Summer.

Imagine weekend, after weekend at the end of the season for AFL, NRL and A-League, Grand Final after Grand Final after Grand Final, 3 weeks in a row. That would be amazing.

We also align with Asia.

We would align with what will soon be our second division.

We will align with all of Australian football.

Optus Sport can acquire us and then we have A-league in winter, EPL in Summer. What a wonderful idea.

Maybe we can go back to Foxtel and Foxsports and actually be looked after, even if you don’t like the commentators.

Football has never been the same since it left the home of football, Foxsports.

We can build to 16 teams. Have 30 rounds. Have the Australia Cup scheduled as midweek fixtures.

People are already turning off the game, so may as well really do something so football minded and profound you might actually turn some heads.

We don’t even get the coverage in the media and we’re not even competing with NRL and AFL, so why not compete with them!!

Just my thoughts, not sure what it has to do with VAR, but I know it has everything to do with football!

Another Asian Cupset overnight! Tajikistan beat UAE on penalties 1 (5) v 1 (3).

Tajikistan are also competing in their first Asian Cup and they’re in the Quater finals.

This follows, if what I heard correct in the telecast, Indonesia making their first ever Round of 16.

Football is improving and what were typically minnow Asian nations, are now quickly waking up and taking the game seriously.

So long as we continue to improve, we should stay ahead of the game, however, we need to improve our domestic game and there’s a lot to work on there!

Sons tips:
Adelaide
Victory
Western
Wellington
Brisbane
Macarthur

Daughters tips:
Adelaide
Sydney
Western
Newcastle
Brisbane
Perth

My tips:
Adelaide
Victory
Western
Newcastle
Mariners
Macarthur

Grem, thanks for pointing this out. I had a read and I have no problem with what was said. I am still glass half full with respect football in Australia.

Phoenix vs Victory was a cracker of a game and I’m sure the 9k that turned up, will turn up again. When Rufer scored, the noise that was made in that stadium was deafening! Made me smile!

Good to see that since the new NZ team was announced, the impression I get is Phoenix mean business. Good for them, good for NZ and good got the A-League.

Good to see Glory finally get a win.

What a game between Mariners vs City. Shame it boiled over into what somewhat of a push and shove brawl but glad to see the passion of both sides.

The Mariners faithful would have really enjoyed that result.

Sydney FC winning again, damn! I like Talay but not Sydney, so a little conflict.

How’s about the quality of Asian football people?

I watched Japan vs Iraq, WHAT A GAME! And even better thantsar was Jordan vs South Korea.

Both Japan and South Korea threw literally everything at Iraq and Jordan, respectively. Bring in socceroos 3rd clash against Uzbekistan.

Also looking forward to City vs Adelaide, Sydney vs Victory.

Given its Australia Day weekend, I hope good crowds turn up and the politics is kept out of it, but we live in a day and age where this weekend of fixtures could soon become a thing of the past, so if you enjoy Australia Day around this time of the year, enjoy the football to accompany it, cause who knows how much longer it’ll be this way.

Oh yeah, look how close the A-League ladder is! What a tight, “hotly” 😛 contested season it is!

It’s the Mariners and Adelaide team!

An error on my part. 👍

I personally think the loss of Mooy has really affected the cohesion of the team coming out of defence into attack.

I remember at times our R and L backs would get involved in the play more. This tournament it seems like obvious to me and I put that down to the loss in Mooy and his ability to be that player to drop into the open pockets around half way and our own back line. He was instrumental in being able to bring players into the play, even with his passing as well.

So far, no one has come close to replacing him.

That’s why I would like to see Baccus be given a go. I feel he is the most competent of the midfielders in a CDM role.

Back to Duke though. I feel as though Duke is the one most affected by the loss of Mooy.

It’s not a matter of dropping, Ryan.

After our game with Uzbekistan, Ryan will walk straight back in.

We have secured a place in the knock out stage. I would like us to adopt a similar approach as to what France did in 2022 against Tunisia.

Get some minutes into your subs, those players who would benefit from the experience that due to the performances of the playing group, those that come in, get a taste of tournament football at the highest level.

I would do this irrespective of the result.

It also provides more food for thought for the remainder of the tournament and players like Goodwin, Yengi, McGree, might really put their hand up and say, “Hey, I’m good to start, I can get the job done.”

Competition for places is healthy and in the back of everyone’s minds, they’re not resting on their laurels, thinking GA will just put them in automatically.

That’s where my thinking lies with respect to the team, tournament and Ryan.

Ryan will definitely be number 1, but give Gauci a run. Give him that taste when there isn’t the pressure to win, but instead to impress.

If GA sticks with the same starting line-up, I would bet, and I’m out a betting man, that it will ruin our tournament.

Rotation is key throughout the group stage. Both the Socceroos and Matildas suffered from a lack of rotation as their respective World Cup tournaments progressed, none more so than the Matildas.

So let’s have fun this third game and just go on the attack.

According to wikipedia, unnamed.

However, as I’m sure you probably came across, the gaffer specifically mentioned the Mariners.

https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2024/january/contract-ryan-edmondson-leaves-by-mutual-consent/