I do think there are still those legitimate minnow sides, but you’re right in saying we should treat every opponent with respect. I believe our players do. It’s us as fans that this at times seems lost on.

In order to get Hrustic back, he needs to play for his club or look for a move to get minutes under his belt.

I would not select him based on the last year.

Would I want him back and firing on all cylinders? YES, but he’s not ready to come back, yet.

Re Duke, he is just a workhorse and does a lot for the Socceroos team.

He’s not really OUR goal scorer. There are plenty better than him in that regard, but his work rate off the ball is usually second to none.

I would like to see Yengi be started next game though and see how this goes. I would rest Duke completely.

A win is the first objective in our next game, however, I would personally like to see the following line-up against Uzbekistan:

———————–Gauci———————–
—-Atkinson—-Rowles—-Souttar—-Bos—-
———————Baccus———————–
————–McGree——Irvine—————-
——Goodwin——-Yengi———-Tilio——-

A good mix of experience, youth and attacking flair with reliable defenders who are capable and with a left back and right back who can transition in and out of attack whilst affording more space and creativity to our attackers and midfielders.

I genuinely believe Baccus can do the job well in CDM.

Socceroos 2022 World Cup group stage opponents, Tunisia, lost their opening fixture to Namibia. Namibia people!!

We were hopeful we could beat Tunisia at the world cup, and we did, but we worked hard for that result and comparatively many would have thought the teams were relatively even.

Yet, despite this, they lost their opening Africa Cup of Nations game to, NAMIBIA!!

They’re ranked 115 in the world.

India are 102 and many complained about our result.

People, football is the world game and the world is playing. They’re forever growing and improving.

We say this all the time with respect to how we view our domestic game and what we are doing or not doing and then compare it to other Asian leagues and say “look at what they’re doing, they’re improving.”

Well that carries over to the Asian Cup.

Do not underestimate your opponents.

Be humble and resolute in your game plan and know your roles. Prepare according to your opponent and go out thinking they’re going to want to knock off a top 16 world cup opponent.

All this talk of where people think we should be etc. Look around people, the world beaters are no longer the world beaters. On any given day, anything is clearly possible.

I’m sure you and everyone else would also be happy if I win round two as well 😁

Japan vs Vietnam
Shots 15
On target 7
Goals 4
Possession 59%
Passes 741
Pass accuracy 86%
Fouls 13
Goals conceded 2
Australia vs India
Shots 28
On target 6
Goals 2
Possession 71%
Passes 693
Pass accuracy 88%
Fouls 7
Goals conceded 0
Statistically, our result against India is better than Japan’s result against Vietnam.
Not only did we hold the ball more, Pass more accurately, and create more chances, our dominance showed even more when we were drawn into less fouls, conceding less Shots, less Shots On target, no Goals conceded, and worse Pass accuracy. We just wanted it more.
Are we less clinical than Japan? Yes. But clearly based on a statistical analysis, have our own strengths we can depend on.
We just played our second game, against opposition we would all regard as stronger than India.
Japan now face, Iraq, who are also stronger opposition and comparatively the same as Syria. Let’s see how Japan fair tonight.
To be honest though, I’m not buying into this theory or view that Iran, Japan and South Korea are absolutely dominating the other teams.

Chris1,
Many would have thought the Socceroos side of the 2022 World Cup was vastly inferior to the 2006 group, yet results wise we did the best we ever have and faced a team that possesses one of, if not the greatest players of all time and also faced the defending world cup champions.
I think we can all agree this current squad of Socceroos are vastly inexperienced in comparison to the World Cup squad as well.
O’Neill, Metcalfe, Fornaroli, Burgess, Jones, Bos, Yengi, Silvera.
That goes without mentioning how underdone players like Duke, McGree, Boyle, Souttar and Ryan are coming into the tournament in terms of match fitness and injuries.
If you compare it to our starting line-up against France in the World Cup, the two are extremely different. We were comparatively firing on all cylinders heading into that world cup.
Whilst I want us to win this tournament, I’m also very realistic. I think anything less than semi finals is a failure of a tournament, but I’ve already got one eye on the next World Cup and this tournament is just as much about development as it is about trying to win.
If we want to be taken seriously, it’s at the world cup where you make a name for yourself. We must continue on the path to improvement and I’m very much approaching this in a glass half full manner.

Hmm, how would Argentina have gone against, Oman?

Reason I ask is because Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in the World Cup and were the only team to do so, yet Oman had a good account for themselves against Saudi Arabia and a narrow 2-1 loss in the opening fixture of the 2023 Asian Cup.

Also 2019, Saudi Arabia lost 2 nil to Qatar in the group stage and only beat Lebanon 2 nil.

I’ve reviewed the results in this tournament and the last one and so far I can identify a walk in the park is far from guaranteed most of the time.

Argentina did not dominate in the world cup and definitely found it difficult in majority of games.

The only game they really had their opponents in, was against Croatia.

I’m just not easily convinced they would annihilate them. They’d win, but so are we.

The commentator made clear the previous results against Syria and the point made was one that Syria always step up against us and we’re always in a dog fight and whenever Australia has won, there has never been more than a goal between them.
The record now stands:
Australia 3 wins
Draws 1
Syria 0 wins
A wins a win. So that’s a start.
The game against India, that couldn’t do anything but defend.
There are instances where we’ve been made to sit back and play like India against much better opposition and we’ve managed results similar in which we held opposition to only 2 goals.
This is football and it’s a regular theme. For some reason so many are disillusioned and think we should be smashing India 4 nil and Syria by more, but Asia is improving people. This isn’t meant to be a walk in the park.
The positive to this is you see the gradual improvement by Asian teams in the world cups.
Australia never looked like losing against either opposition and controlled the game.
What I will say is we miss Mooy. He was instrumental in the midfield and allowed for us to more than now, work our way through midfield and utilise a bit more creativity.
This is sadly where we will be let down in the later stages of the tournament.
Our defence will have to be what wins us the tournament.
So far we’ve got 2 clean sheets out of 2.
In 2019, we lost our first game to Jordan
1 nil and against Syria we just managed a 3-2 win.
I would like at least 3 nil result against Uzbekistan and this will mean we have improved significantly on the 2019 group stage games.
In hopes of addressing our midfield issue, Irvine needs to do a bit more work communicating to get his other midfielders dropping into pockets of space like a CDM and seeking the other midfielders or wingers.
We spend too much time moving the ball between centre backs and really need to move the play quicker.
I hope to see an improvement next game.

As it stands, I’ll pay myself $20.00. 😁

Home ladder as it stands heading into round 13.

1st. Myself 28 points
2nd. Son 20 points
3rd. Daughter 19 points

Sons tips:
Brisbane
Victory
Sydney
Wanderers
City
Brisbane

Daughters tips:
Draw
Victory
Newcastle
Perth
Mariners
Brisbane

My tips:
Brisbane
Wellington
Sydney
Wanderers
Mariners
Newcastle

This issue doesn’t just plague Sydney FC, but all other teams that utilise this space.

In terms of the quality of a playing surface for the beautiful game, this where things differ to other sports, but playing surface being compromised is still a playing surface being compromised and it affects all teams using it.

The only answer to this issue for football is to go through a revolution similar to that America (MLS) experienced and that is to find the money and space to build our own. Until then, we have to stop complaining. Governments will not change their ways. They’re in the business of making money.

So are we, so if it’s a conflict, we need to seriously consider changing and not expecting everyone else to change for us.

$1! Is this legitimate?

Forgive me, I completely forgot there would be double headers as a result of the women’s games.

I like this paragraph cause it was positive.

There was a terrific atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night as well, with The Den turning up in big numbers to watch Brisbane Roar turn in a battling display in their 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC.

Thanks for the positive paragraph.

I hear reports that Victory fans will behave cause if they don’t, it will turn into a negative.

I’ve brought out my positive calculator and it predicts 15k for Friday night across two games. It also predicts 20k minimum for Saturday night across two games would be a positive. And two Sunday night games 5k at each game would be a positive. So 45k all up across 6 games would give us a positive 7.5k Avg for a round that many think and predict to be negative.

If my positive calculator turns out to be negative, then I’ll put it down to maybe both batteries having been facing in the negative direction. Maybe I’ll turn them both now to face positive.

I wonder if people in NSW of all places, will even decide to be positive as well and help those attendance figures, by going to the first game and watching the second?

I’m sure the costs appear to be positive.

We did well without her during the world cup and then overly relied on her when she started playing.
We’ve shown we can get results without her.
Just let’s not play the way we did against Canada recently, and we’ll be fine.
Time for Mary Fowler to shine!

Finally achieved my first ever perfect round after many unsuccessful attempts and enjoyed pitting myself against NoMates in the attendance tipping competition. I just signed up last week and did well!
My children are struggling big time and my daughter seems to think I’m some tipping master after just deciding to pick all home teams last week. So, I’m gonna stick with it and now she’s gone with a similar formula for this week, except for the last game. I’m quietly confident, though when I read your article Stuart and then Waz comment, you give me doubt. However, I’ll stay strong in my conviction! I’m taking some calculated risks for this weekend or could backfire and be really stupid!
As things stand:
1st. Myself 26 points
2nd. Son 16 points
3rd. Daughter 16 points
Tips for round 11:
Daughters
Adelaide
Macarthur
Western Sydney
Brisbane
Perth
Melbourne
Adelaide
My tips
Adelaide
Macarthur
Western Sydney
Brisbane
Perth
Western
Adelaide
Sons
Wellington
Macarthur
Western Sydney
Brisbane
Melbourne Victory
City
Adelaide
Fingers crossed ????

How did you go in your tips, NoMates?

NYE for at least the Mariners is always a winner. I would like to remain optimistic, but Jets crowds haven’t picked up. Western United can’t attract a fly. Roar are teetering on the edge. Perth don’t have an owner (same with Jets). No matter how good Wanderers do, only 9k turn up in a good stadium. Maybe we will see a tick up for today’s Western Sydney derby?

Sydney FC despite how inconsistent poor they have been, are the leaders of the league in terms of attendance, but they’re a large city.

Adelaide always do well.

With Victory’s form, will we see a gradual return of 20k crowds? Give or take.

Wellington used to be criticised, even by me, yet I’ll take their attendances any day, currently.

Macarthur could/should do better, but I have a quiet confidence their owners mean business and are really committed.

Have I missed anyone.

Attendances are definitely hit and miss.

This weekend was definitely aided by the holiday and NYE period.

I wonder how a league fans and Sydneysiders will turn up for unite round. That’ll be an interesting case study and article to read.

Still enjoying my football though.

Love watching the following:.
Mariners.
Adelaide (though very much inconsistent this season)
Fornaroli
Arslan
Jay O’Shea – feel for him.
Wellington.

I find Wanderers brand of football unattractive. Perth are hit and miss but they’ve been involved in plenty of entertaining games.

Sydney are hit and miss as well,but they appear to be coming good and I like Talay.

I can’t stand watching Western – boring.

Macarthur are hit and miss.

Crowds or lack there of definitely have an impact as a viewer on TV.

Anyways, I digress.

New year, new problems, new hopes. Bring on 2024 and all that life has to throw at it.

Happy new year all.

That’s never good news for anyone, even if it’s not our news. Shame to hear from Western United.

Adding too that, they also said in the commentary, that their alleged move to their new 5,000 seat home ground doesn’t look any closer despite promises by western United the club would make the move.

They are currently homeless for a fixture up and coming. That’s a rather concerning issue I don’t think I’ve seen before.

I’ve seen numbers fall off jerseys and non payments, water not being paid, change in facilities, but never do I recall being completely homeless for a seasonal fixture. I feel like that’s rather damning.

Lionheart, you’re one of the positive lights to the Brisbane Roar debate, and I thoroughly enjoy your read. However, if you need to cut back as a result of spending too much time or finding it too negative in a world that is very testing at times, I completely understand.

Have a great year, Lionheart. Fingers crossed football in Queensland, as a whole, has a wonderful year.

I’ve watched majority of Tottenham’s games and they’ve been hot and cold, but what postecoglou is asking of his team, will have them challenging for the title. The fact they are only 3 points behind leader, Liverpool and you look at how Tottenham have played with all they’ve had to face in terms of new coach, injury, suspension, what they’ve achieved has been remarkable! May it continue for Ange Postecoglou.

When? I see us falling very fast now. All the apparent good work done, has now been undone in two performances and a coach leaving.

Attendances have also been terrible, but weather is at least a large factor there. Again I ask, when?

city vs Roar 7k
Sfc vs Nix 10k
Jets vs wu 5k
Mv v Adelaide 15k
Ccm v Glory 8k
Wsw vs Bulls 10k