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There is only one important question to ask in the afterglow of Australia’s T20 World Cup triumph: was it good for you too? There…
It's been too long since Australia last had the opportunity to pick young cricketers that have demanded Test selection through sheer weight of performance.…
Regardless of the current turmoil that has engulfed the short-term future of Australian cricket, there remains the inevitable picture that will supposedly set the…
Match result: A boilover in Bangkok is sealed! No, it’s not a win for Thailand – it doesn’t need to be. We can wax…
There has been many battles this cricket season, even before the Test matches have begun. There has been the tragic battle of the Hughes…
The stakes are raised in this match between Asia's heavyweights, as the Socceroos and Japan meet again in World Cup qualification. Join The Roar…
Match result: It was terse, tense and occasionally intemperate – but nothing could separate these sides, after a seesawing coverage that saw Saudi Arabia…
Match result: The UAE players gave their all, and for the most part, matched the Socceroos, but it is Australia who take three of…
Match result: Australia have kicked off their next phase of qualification for the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Iraq in Perth.…
History is set to be made at the Maracana on Sunday morning, as hosts Brazil face Germany in the men’s football gold medal match…
Football powerhouse Germany battle against surprise packets Sweden in a clash for Olympic gold at Rio's famed Maracana Stadium. Join The Roar for live…
It is the domain in which the gold rush is nominally aplenty for Australia – but can the Dolphins redeem themselves following a dismal…
Match result: Portugal has spoiled the French party, and in doing so they win the European tournament for the first time. It was also…
It is set to be a sea of the tricolour in the Stade de France on Monday morning, after hosts France defeated world champions…
Match result: France have advanced to face Portugal in the final of Euro 2016 after defeating Germany 2-0. France deserve their win for staying…
The scoreline will read a Germany win – their first against Italy in major competition. The scoreline tells of a penalty shootout, which as…
Match result: Germany are through to the semi-finals at Euro 2016 to face either France or Iceland after scoring their first ever win over…
Fairytale, fantasy, fact - call it what you will, Wales are Euro 2016 semi-finallists after a thrilling come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Belgium in Lille…
Match result: Wales have stunned Belgium and the rest of Europe, taking a 3-1 win over the continent's top-ranked team to book a semi-final…
Match result: France have produced a stirring victory after going down via second-minute penalty from Robbie Brady. They pushed, battered and smashed through the…
Very important goal – UAE can’t afford to play men behind the ball now, and could open gaps for Ange’s philosophy to bear proper fruit.
Australia vs UAE highlights: World Cup Qualifier scores, blog
Hi Athos – all the best with the call. With Japan and Saudi Arabia highly fancied to win their games tonight, losing is just not an option for the Socceroos.
Australia vs UAE highlights: World Cup Qualifier scores, blog
There is just so much to critique in that comment that I wouldn’t justify everything in one mere post.
Iraq vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup Qualifier live scores, blog
One thing to note is that out of the four draws, three have come on the road, and the home one was at Japan.
Still, this is going to put Australia in real danger of missing even the playoffs, unless they can beat UAE in Sydney next week.
Aside from winning the remaining home games, Australia cannot afford to lose to Japan now in August. A draw there, plus three home wins should be enough to qualify. But they have really made it hard work now.
Iraq vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup Qualifier live scores, blog
Hey Connor, all the best with the blog! Will be following from my work desk in London 🙂
Iraq vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup Qualifier live scores, blog
Mark, I can’t agree with the parallel that Arsenal are following the same path as Liverpool. Liverpool have never legitimised not winning the title, and on that front, it is where some of their fans are branded delusional.
Liverpool’s fall from their perch (to use an interesting phrase) stemmed from the fallout of the Hillsborough tragedy, poor forward planning to renew their squad after their glory days of the 80s, no European Cup to incentivise players to come there following Heysel, Kenny Dalglish’s unexpected resignation, and also the influx of cash from the new Premier League financially strengthening other teams, bridging the gap.
Since then, LIverpool nearly found themselves bankrupt, and even now, find themselves amongst a pack of teams aspiring for the one prize, and always contrive to fall short.
Arsenal’s setbacks have been entirely self-inflicted, and largely caused by a somewhat despotic regime currently at the Emirates. The fact that Arsene Wenger is so in control of his own destiny is a worry, but moreso is a board that legitimises mediocrity on the field to ensure profitability off it. Arsenal fans are no more than cash cows for a club that prized success as its hallmark under Wenger’s early days. To this end, this author’s sentiments are understandable.
Where to now for Arsenal? Preferably, the board needs to be replaced by one that holds Wenger accountable for on-field performance. Given this is highly unlikely, Wenger should go so that Arsenal can at least move onto a new era where they can solidify an identity that isn’t rooted in accepting mediocrity. Give any Arsenal fan a choice, and I’m sure they would prefer their club to be more like Liverpool – have a few poor seasons here and there, yet have a season or two like Liverpool had where they nearly won the title, only to fall short in April. Arsenal’s seasons for the last 10 years have usually washed up by early February.
Arsenal's mess is now a crisis
Out of the four points, three were well known and widely acknowledged as weaknesses prior to the series starting. They therefore need no further embellishment, even despite India’s loss in Pune.
But Point 2 I think takes due credit away from how well Australia played in Pune. To chalk up poor DRS decisions or even worse close catching on India’s part as luck for Australia is not justified. On that token, would Australia not being able to play spin bowling well in the last 10 years be counted as luck for the likes of Ashwin, Jadeja, Herath, Ajmal, Yasir Shah, and Swann? I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss how well Australia played, even if India made their job easier on the way.
If India needs to win the toss in order to nullify the attributes that Australia may have to win the Test, then that falls down on a 50/50 flip of a coin. Australia didn’t win in Pune solely because they won a toss, but because they batted responsibly on Day 1, bowled full length and fielded well on Day 2, and backed it up with further sound batting followed by cleaning up India on a minefield on Day 3.
Bangalore will be a different challenge, but Australia have so far shown they are not the pushovers everyone deemed them to be.
Four big reasons Australia will struggle in Bangalore
Hey Kishan – I’m at work in London, so not able to see this.
Is the pitch getting any better for batting? Or is it simply India not taking their chances, and that their chase will still be extremely difficult?
Trying to weigh up how merited Australia’s favouritism is with India still to bat possibly on Day 3 of this Test.
India vs Australia highlights: Cricket live scores, blog, 1st Test – Day 2
Fair to say that while excuses can be made for India succumbing to a rank turner, no excuses for the poor fielding. As I say that, they hold onto one. If India lose this Test, their fielding will where they will look back on.
India vs Australia highlights: Cricket live scores, blog, 1st Test – Day 2
Renshaw’s batting has completely changed the complexion of this game thus far. A hard fought 50 first up, and now looking to increase the scoring slightly. You can never rule out India in the last innings, especially if they get momentum and the crowd doing their bit, but Australia can really drive this game from here. Unbelievable.
India vs Australia highlights: Cricket live scores, blog, 1st Test – Day 2
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
Hopefully, I will be permitted this moment of indulgence, but I would like to thank all at The Roar and its wonderful subscribers, as this is my last live blog for The Roar, at least for a little while. It’s been a pleasure to bring many football events (and other sports) to you, with the FIFA World Cup, Euros, the successful Asian Cup campaign notable in my favourites list.
I’ll be heading off to the UK for a couple of years. Hopefully, I’ll get to pen a few pieces for this wonderful site during that time, that brings a great community of sports-lovers together.
So thanks to all of you. Signing off now – at fulltime in Bangkok, it finished Thailand 2-2 Australia.
Good morning!
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
Many thanks for your company, on what has been an otherwise forgettable night for the Socceroos. Australia languish in third spot, and now World Cup qualification is academically out of their hands, should Saudi Arabia and Japan win their remaining games.
Australia will return to World Cup qualification action in March 2017, with two fixtures. First is another tough away sojourn, as they travel to neutral ground in Tehran to face Iran on March 23, followed by a welcome home fixture in Sydney against UAE on March 28. Australia will enjoy three home games in the second half of the campaign, but as has been shown repeatedly, this side is no sure thing for qualification.
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
Questions will be asked of Ange Postecoglou’s tactics here – with such a long preparation time allowed due to no fixtures played last week, there were no excuses for this, not least for Thailand outmatching Australia on desire and skill for large periods of the game. Australia in the end saved further embarassment due to two Thai defensive errors inside their penalty area allowing Mile Jedinak to seal two spot kicks. No glory can be gleaned from this point.
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
A boilover in Bangkok is sealed! No, it’s not a win for Thailand – it doesn’t need to be. We can wax lyrical about the Australian performance, or we can pay tribute on the heart and desire shown by the War Elephants in drawing the Asian champions to a stalemate. It’s their first points of the group after five games, and what a point it is. Deserved on every level.
As for Australia, this can rank as probably their worst effort during the Postecoglou era. They were outplayed on desire, speed and strategy. Three draws on the trot leaves them teetering on the precipice of qualification. They hang in third place behind Saudi Arabia and Japan, and if the UAE defeat Iraq later this morning, it will be one point separating four teams for two automatic qualification spots. Australia’s World Cup dreams hang in the balance, after what you can call a pathetic performance.
FULLTIME: Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’90+4: Last minute of added time to play, and only Thailand look capable. Australia deal with it, but Thailand are still not giving up.
Then Irvine has to boom away the cross and concede a corner. One last chance it seems.
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’90+2: Crucial block by a gold shirt – can’t tell if it was Milligan or Sainsbury, but a shot by Dangda was blocked at the base of the penalty area, after the Socceroos are once again outsped on the flanks. It’s been the story of the night.
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’90+1: Chatthong’s night is done, as he leaves on a stretcher following that challenge by Irvine. On comes Prakit Deeprom.
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’90: Irvine is in the ook for bringing down Chatthong from behind – he then compounds his problem further by trying to lift the player back up.
Four minutes added time confirmed, as Thailand ready their second substitution.
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’89: End to end now, and either team could win it, but neither can get the last pass right.
Jedinak finds a good ball for Kruse, but again, the winger is straying. I can’t keep count how many times Kruse has been called offside, not all of them correctly mind you. But Australia’s chances to avoid embarassment are slipping – a draw would amount to that.
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’85: Irvine clears the free kick, and now Australia can counter. A bit more zest and energy in that attack, but Thailand are able to get their defensive pieces in order.
Then Thailand counter again, and Chathong is denied by a crucial block by Mat Ryan! But Chathong had two blue shirts in support – surely he should have spread it, given the angle of the shot? Corner for Thailand, but it could have been more – so much more. It still might be!
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’84: Another poor challenge, this time Sainsbury, who hacks down on Chatthong. Another setpiece delivery from close range, this time from the right side. Is there late drama?
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’81: Into the final 10 minutes, as Adisom Promrak goes down with cramp. Thailand yet to make any change thus far, but on the bench, Nattapon Malapun, is ready to come on – it’s his international debut, and he’ll slot right into the back.
SUBSTITUTION (THAILAND)
OFF: 5. Promrak
ON: 13. Malapun
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’79: Jackson Irvine replaces Matthew Spiranovic – Milligan to drop into central defence.
SUBSTITUTION (AUSTRALIA)
OFF: 6. Spiranovic
ON: 22. Irvine
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
’77: OFF THE CROSSBAR BY BURNS! First real foray of positive intent all half, and it came from the sub, who manages to force the Thai backline to backtrack. He takes a lovely shot that grazes the crossbar! So close for Australia!
Thailand 2-2 Australia
Thailand vs Socceroos highlights: World Cup qualifier scores, blog, result
On the premise this is a serious article, I can only say that Manchester City Football Club would want to disassociate themselves from this, if they ever happened themselves upon this effort.
Not sure how you can claim City would be better than United, given the success of the two clubs. This from a Liverpool fan.
Ten reasons why City will always be better than United