At a glance I think we're through provided we don't lose by 3.

Meanwhile Peupion gives Australian the lead with something of a wild free kick that loops high and dips into top corner. Body language suggests he meant it too. Excellent. 

1:1. Stupid midfield waltz and pass to opponent and Tajikistan whip a pass forward to a swift striker who can get it past Bilokapic. 

It was Triantis. Triantis, Teague and Bility just rusty. Teague doesn't show up in any of the 4 U23 squads so far this season in Portugal. 

Not a pen but that typical lean in by Bility and the flop by his opponent. Ball kicked by opponent. Ref right there and said no way but you never know. Australia counter and square ball swatted away. Got a real game now.

Think I misread the second place table as some other teams are yet to play. Keep an eye on things. 

Quality surprisingly decent
Step up from a league level.

We are breaking their lines beautifully but lack a bit up front

Hollman looks a player not used to playing this high on the pitch and our front three not generating enough at the moment

Silly mistake again to concede a goal. With only 3 spots no chance to qualify for Paris with this team.

We'll need to and should go all out in the Asian Cup with Bos, Kuol, Irankunda, Tilio, Robertson. With a bit of good fortune Volpato and Toure play. Triantis hopefully has a winter loan by then.

I think we're through unless we lose by 4 which would put us on +2 behind Malaysia who are 4th in 2nd place rankings. Iran through but could end up placing 4th among second placed teams. Once again many associations have ruined it with the points against the lowest ranked team not counting to the total.

A draw will be enough for Tajikistan so they might want to smash and grab a lead but they're more just keeping their shape. Our players simply want to get out of there by the look of things.

Disgusting coward act by the Aussie. Passing the ball backwards and sideway with no attention to attack. They should be banned or get fined by doing this by AFC. Any teams doing this not deserve to go to the next round.

Game ends 1:1 and Tajikistan are overjoyed that they have qualified. Australia clearly had information they'd be through and it was foot off the gas for the final 35min or so. Kinda annoyed at the lack of concentration but it's all for something bigger next year.

Job done. A lot more cohesian compared to previous generations but offered little up front without tillio, Robertson, kuol, irankunda and toure

Not to mention Bos, circati and volpato

Thought we looked good

Why did Tajikistan get to play at home ? 

It's not like Tajikistan were bothered by it. We did it for 20min with South Korea once. I don't agree with it but the flaw in the system is how obvious the equation was to both teams.

One team got to host their group. Don't get why we never seem to host these things.

Definitely some moments where we went a bit harder and turned it on. I think we ran the numbers pre game and knew a loss by 4 would see us out so an early lead then equaliser and the clock ticked away saw our players not run any risks of injuries and they'll be back at their clubs tomorrow. 

The table has been updated and Iran miss out on disciplinary points.

Qualified Teams

Qatar
Australia
Japan
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Vietnam
Uzbekistan
Iraq
United Arab Emirates
Thailand
Jordan
Indonesia
Kuwait
Tajikistan
China
Bahrain

What??!! Within the rules is within the rules. Tajikistan players are allowed to press if they wanted to

I fear we may struggle at the U-23 Asian Cup next year because a lot of European players (there's been a lot more transfers to Europe than previous gens). The tournament does not occur during the international window, so clubs are not obligated to release their players, besides A-league clubs! 

Depends if they are getting game time or not. 

Most of the current crop playing in Europe hardly get any minutes.

There is alike to look about this team, plenty of good players.

They should have won based on the chances they had especially in the first half but gave an easy goal away through a turnover by Triantis who hasn't played much this season for Sunderland.

But most importantly they are through, they wasnt a need to force the play once Hollman and Triantis came off to be fair.

Current Lineup that played this morning:

            Bilokapic

Talbot   Bility   Triantis   Mauragis   

                Teague

          Yazbek       Hollman

Peupion      Botic         Velupillay

The ones that came on: D'Arrigo, JCP, Brook, Francois and A. Kuol


Potential options with all players available:


             Bilokapic 

Talbot     Circati      Triantis     Bos

              Nieuwenhof

        Robertson      Jelacic

Tilio            Mo. Toure           G. Kuol


The depth for this under 23 team is quite remarkable actually, they will push for qualification but who will be available for the actual qualification tournament itself will be interesting given the AFC U23 Cup is in a non FIFA window.

Hollman is more of a No.10 to be fair, hes a more creative player but he needs to work on he's shooting because he gets into some good positions.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/subway-young-socceroos-squad-named-marbella-week-football

How does Bailey O'Neill make this squad?!!! He was literally our worst player at the u17 Asian Cup & a major reason why we didn't go through. 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-05/rale-rasic-joeys-mini-world-cup-football-players-europe/102909304

This sounds like a great initiative. It's given Indigenous kid Legion Walker, a speedy midfielder from Mornington Island wih fantastic ball skills, an expenses paid trip to Germany and opportunity to trial at a German club. I've always thought our best shot at winning the World Cup will be when Indigenous footballers make up over 10% of A League players and Aussies Abroad, which is the proportion of Indigenous players in the NRL and AFL from a population that is only 3% of total Australian population.

So Victoria today won both u15 and u16 national youth championships, maybe outside of NSW is this the first time a state wins both age groups in a long while?

They must be doing some good work with their youth development to achieve this.

https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/football-victoria-wins-under-15-and-under-16-boys-national-youth-championships-2023

Young socceroos defeated France u20 on penalties after drawing 1-1 

Nice!

I tried to find a stream for this and couldn't anywhere.

I also couldn't find anything which is disappointing. Most youth tournaments like this at least have a YouTube stream. 

From Football Australia Twitter (X) account: "The organisers are responsible for any broadcast or stream. Marbella Football Center traditionally does not stream this event."

Thanks for that info.