As i said in another thread i think Jedinak's time for the national team needs to be limited for when we play opposition that we expect to dominate us with their possession. The big fella doesn't offer enough going forward for a possession based style like Ange wants to play.

I fear the confeds may have been his last big tournament as i really have my doubts he was going to make it to Russia with his legs failing him.

This also makes Milligan's next move really important for the national team. We're going to need him at his best if he is to play in either the holding role or ideally replace either Degenek or McGowan from that abysmal defensive performance the other night

He's out of the whole Confed Cup

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/mile-jedinak-ruled-out-of-confederations-cup-20170612-gwps4d.html

Despite his limitations, losing your captain on the eve of a tournament is a massive blow. Surely a three man midfield now.

Jedinak ruled out of the next set of matches with a groin complaint. Not the worst thing to happen. Excited to see how we play in attack without him. We will miss his leadership though. I hope this doesn't mean Cahill gets more time though. 

Good point. Iran would have done more of the work as SK haven't been too good. I think China would be tough in general. Syria away was waterlogged for Iran for a 0:0. Qatar would have been easy enough while we might, but I hope not, play Uzbekistan and put the theory to the test. 

I think we would have been in the second pot for that to happen.

So us and Iran and Japan and Korea in the other. I think it would have been easier for us because you can pretty much rely on Iran beating everyone else in the group but beat them at home.

I think we would be second outright if we substituted with Korea in that group. Those teams aren't much chop.

Iran have qualified for Russia. They haven't conceded a goal all campaign. I wonder how we'd have gone in this group? We blown too many opportunities. 

Good to see we're getting some insight. I suppose we might have always done this bur this seems very proactive. 

Ipswich club official on World Cup mission for Australia

sport
Western Pride technical director Gabor Ganczer Western Pride technical director Gabor Ganczer
WESTERN Pride technical director Gabor Ganczer has received an international call-up by the Socceroos to scout World Cup opponents Japan ahead of August's crunch World Cup qualifier.

Ganczer is in Tehran, Iran, to analyse Japan's performance in Tuesday's football match against Iraq.

Australia sits third on the World Cup qualifying ladder behind Japan and second placed Saudi Arabia with only goal difference separating the three rival nations.

With the Socceroos still to play away in Japan, the FFA's national technical director Eric Abrams and technical analyst Peter Cklamovski have called upon Ganczer to provide intelligence on their upcoming opponents.

Ganczer said it was an honour to assist the national team.

"I've held Eric and Peter in high esteem since we have spent a lot of time together in 2015 and 2016 at the AFC Pro Diploma coaching course," Ganczer said.

"I am glad they recognised that my skills can be utilised at the highest level of football."

Ganczer is no stranger to World Cup qualifying having previously worked with then Hungary coach Lothar Matthaus - a World Cup winning player with Germany - during qualifiers between 2004 and 2006.

The Australian-Hungarian dual national also scouted for Debrecen during their 2009 UEFA Champions League campaign.

He most recently served as the Brisbane Roar's technical analyst during the latest A-League season.

Ganczer said he loved the pressure of international football and couldn't wait for the challenge of helping Australia qualify for their fourth successive World Cup finals.

"It is needless to say how crucial August's game against Japan will be for the Socceroos to secure our place at the World Cup in Russia," Ganzcer said.

"I will do my best to dissect Japan's game to find any possible vulnerability to provide the most accurate information to Ange Postecoglou's staff."

The Springfield Lake's resident has been Pride's technical director for almost two years since moving from rivals Brisbane Olympic.

Ganczer holds a UEFA A Licence.

He will face his final assessment in July to secure the highest possible coaching qualification, the AFC Pro Diploma.

As technical director, Ganczer oversees all facets of junior coaching at Pride.

Last year, he coached the club's under-16 boys team to a best third-place finish on the National Premier Leagues table.

Graduates from Ganczer's under-16 team have moved to the senior program with the under-18s this season.

The Pride under 18s currently top the table at the halfway stage of the season.
https://m.qt.com.au/news/ipswich-club-official-on-world-cup-mission-for-aus/3188306/

yes fantastic writeup thankyou

Excellent write up. Thanks!

I posted this in the AA thread give some insight into the season our players have had.

End of season stats for AA in contention for the socceroos:
Europe
* Gol-Gol Mebrahtu (Czeck Dv1): 26 GP 10 Goals 1 Assists - Half of his games played seem to be as a CF with the other half at SS or RW could provide solid versatility in Anges new 3-2-4-1 formation
*Tomi Juric (Swiss Super League): 35 GP 11 Goals 5 Assists + a penalty won but not converted - Appeared to be playing as a SS in a few of the matches with the CF contributing most of the teams goals this season team was playing the same formation as Anges 3-2-4-1 for much of the season. Team qualified for Europa league qualifiers
*Tom Rogic (SPL): 37 GP 12 Goals 6 Assists - Missed 10 or so games through injury but back in form with the Cup winner on the weekend
*Craig Goodwin (Eredevise): 30GP 4 Goals 6 Assists- Started only 1/4 of all games he played in so a decent return considering.
*Mat Leckie (Bundesliga) 32 GP 0 Goals 3 Assists - Statistically rated one of the best in his teams despite a lack of goals RWB for the Roos is easily his best position
*Aaron Mooy (ELC) 50 GP 4 Goals 10 Assists - Very impressive considering he was a DM for roughly 40 of his games over 100 chances created also
*Jackson Irvine (ELC) 44 GP 10 Goals 0 Assists - Player of the year for his club appeared to play a lot of box to box midfield often with the team playing 3 at the back in an Ange type formation. Swansea had some reported interest in him I feel he could start there and would only take a contract as a starter or their about anyway
*Mass Luongo (ELC) 38 GP 1 Goal 3 Assists - Half of his games spent as a DM often in a 3 at the back set up.
* Jedi (ELC) 35 GP 0 Goals 2 Assists - Villas winning % triples when he is in the team 
*James Jeggo (Austrian Bundesliga) 35 GP 0 goals 2 Assists - Playing as a CM in a 4-2-3-1 formation team has made Europa qualifiers 
*Amini (Danish Super Liga) 39 GP 5 goals 3 Assists - Playing box to Box in a 4-1-4-1 set up for the most part
*Milos Degenek (Bundesliga 2 and J league) 22 GP Combined 0 goals 1 Assist - Seems to be doing well in Japan with 12 consecutive starts at CB could see him dominating with his height of the smaller players as Kennedy did
*Kenny Doughall (Erdedevise) 22 GP 1 Goal 1 Assist - Moved from playing left back all of last year to splitting his time between DM and CM this season. Appears to have decent passing accuracy around 80% from who scored could make a good left sided stopper in our back 3 midfield depth I think is to strong for him to break into.
*Jason Davidson (Eredevise) 22 GP 0 Goals 3 Assists - Now at EPL club Huddersfield after the end of his loan will be interesting to see what they do with him had a decent loan season in Holland but Hudders starting Fullback racked up 40 odd games and had half a dozen assists. His versatility capable of playing DM/CB/LB will likely see him get a regular bench spot at the least if he stays at Hudders.  
*Aziz Behich (Turkish Super Lig) 33 GP 0 Goals 2 Assists - Gets a decent rating on who scored in the top 3 in his team. New formation for the National team would suite him. Hard to ignore the level he is at and the minutes he is getting. Could overtake other contenders next season purely on game time in a position which places high importance on match fitness.
*Brad Smith (EPL) 8 GP 0 Goals 0 Assists - No starts since February no full games either crazy selection given the high number of alternatives getting game time. Him on the bench as a back up is great for his club but terrible for himself. Would be great on the continent imo not sure he will be allowed to be loaned out though.
*Alex Gerbasch (Norway 1st Division) 10 GP 0 Goals 0 Assists- Season started only this year but he has missed 6 out of the last 7 as Rosenberg has got a new LB similar age who appears to be the new nm 1. 
*Mitch Langerack (Bundesliga 2) 36 GP 9 Clean Sheets- 
*Mat Ryan (Belgium) 26 GP 11 clean Sheets
Asian Based Players
*Korean K league: Couldn't get accurate information but it seems after starting the first few games Jovanovic, Mercela and Jurman are playing most games for their respective clubs
*J- League: - Nathan Burns: 7GP 0 Goals 1 Assist. Was good last season when given minutes 2 goals and 5 Assists but almost completely frozen out now. 
-Oliver Bozanic: 11 GP 1 Goal 0 Assists 
-Mitchelll Duke: 17 GP 1 Goal 1 Assist. Most full 90 minute games in coming in the cup 
*China: - Robbie Kruse 3 GP 0 Goals 3 Assists. 3 assists in as many game suggest he still has ability although next to no fitness hopefully back to Germany ASAP 
-Gianou: 2 GP 0 Goals 0 Assits. Over 10 games not even in the squad a return to Greece would be his best bet
-Ryan Mcgowan: 10 GP 0 Goals 0 Assists 
-James Holland 1 GP 0 Goals 0 Assists. Was playing in the champions league just a few seasons back massive waste.
- Spira 0GP Still out injured not sure on the ETA but his team could get relegated again has spent near a decade now chasing fat pay cheque after pay cheque his position does not have much depth but we really need one season out of him where he puts football before money. 
*UAE - Milligan 22 GP 2 Goals 1 Assist. If he played any other position he may be able to get away with such a poor quality league. But with Irvine (Player of the year for his club), Luongo (who scored MOM regularly), Jeggo (playing in Europe next season), Amini (Danish regular), Doughall, Captain Jedi plus the talent at AM in Rogic, Troisi, Mooy its hard to see him lasting much longer in a heavily inferior competition.

A league players going abroad next season or likely too: 
*James Troisi  26GP 6 Goals 7 Assists: - Stand out Aussie A league player linked to the EPL with Brighton a good move if it happens
*Rhyan Grant 27GP 3 Goals 6 Assists - Best fullback in the league by far may get some offers over the next month
*Dylan McGowan 32 GP 5 Goals 0 assists - His new team in Portugal heavily favors ball playing defenders he seems to have a decent all round skill set and was solid for Adelaide his passing was above 80% completion
*J Mac 34 GP 23 Goals 2 Assists - Excellent season almost average a goal or assist per game in the A league best record all time in that regard behind only Bes and Fanarolli

Aus plays Brazil next Tuesday at the MCG i think, lets just hope they take it easy on us and beat us by 2 3 goals instead of 5-6 LOL

Win against Japan and Thailand  = 22 points and guaranteed qualification. That should be the only aim of the team, all other scenarios should not be considered. The team now plays 4 games which can be used to get them working well together and the performance should improve.

The table still looks a bit worrying. 
Assuming Japan win to Iraq it'll be 19,16,16. Hopefully UAE beat Thailand so they'll be playing for everything in the next game. 

JPN-AUS
UAE-KSA

AUS-THA
KSA-JPN 
If we defeat Japan we'll be fine by hosting Thailand on the last day. The main thing is we at least match the KSA result in Dubai. Shall Saudi defeat Japan after we've matched their result on the previous matchday, we'll need to beat Thailand convincingly to jump with GD. H2H sees us the winner.

If we lose in Japan and KSA draw, a very likely scenario, we'll be in a bit if trouble as then KSA must not win their last game. I can't imagine Japan not trying. Their players know they'll need to impress to make the WC 23 and they'd like to end in style no doubt. It's going to be a few more stressful months.

I thought that second goal was soft from ryan didnt attack the ball early enough and spread himself. As a couple of people have said he doesn't do anything wrong but he never ever makes world class saves that you think 'wow that was a goal'. With Schwarzer it was almost every game or 2nd game that you'd say that. Almost every clear one on one ryan has he concedes. Langerak please 

Ryan is a good keeper but he's had a pretty bad run of shot stopping. Langerak did well against Iraq but had poor timing for their goal.

A keeper is only good as their defence and hindsight is a beautiful thing. I think Langerak would be the one to play against Japan. He's best 1 on 1 and has decent distribution. 

ABC NewsRadio at lunch time Sports report:

NBA
AFL on tonight
League on tonight
Crucial World Cup qualifier on tonight.

Re the Brazil game, I know I live in Adelaide not Melbourne, but honest to God if it wasn't for reading it on this forum I would literally have no idea it was on. I repeat, I mean that literally.

Ran into someone who was going to the Brazil Argie game, I said 'I think we are playing Brazil' - none of us knew if they were or not. 

Just saw a brief video from the GO! Twitter account just before but agree, has been largely silent.

Is the aus brazil game on? Literaly heard nothing about it 

Wright is pretty slow. He'll need to train sprints and positioning. 

Perhaps but I hope we find some better CBs than him in the next couple of years. If Good gets fit, Spiranovic finds a better club or a couple of younger players emerge he could easily be relegated to a fringe player.

Sainsbury is very intelligent and more of an extrovert than the likes of Mooy and Rogic. It'll be either Sains or Irvine for next captain.


Probably Sains as he (I gather) is very popular and well liked among the group.

What about Bailey Wright? - he has been captain before at his various clubs

It seems Wade was answering a question and really had no choice but to say that he thought Rogic could become captain sometime in the future. Notice though he did say it would have to be in a few years so not a massive endorsement.
The captain needs to be a starter in every match and I am not sure who will be in that position after the World Cup or failure to qualify. Jedinak will be captain until at least then and quite possibly until the next Asian Cup. Sainsbury is probably one of the most likely to be playing every game but I am not sure he is captain material. 

I think Sainsbury is likely to be the next captain.

He seems like he will be Jedi and MiIligan's successor.

Moreover, he plays in a very good position to organise teammates.

He would seem the logical choice, and he's a certain starter for many years to come, all things being equal.

Personally I'd be picking Sains as next captain, assuming at the time he's playing at the highest level.

I think the main problem isn't the fact that our players are mildly autistic.

They're just shit.