Many UEFA teams struggle in Azerbaijan and Armenia now. They'd have a tough time handling the logistics of going to China and then back home. Playing on terrible pitches would also see them perform poorly. It's seen enough in Georgia and Kazakhstan away trips.

Yes and no.

I wager there would be a few upsets if those sides had to play in Iran, the UAE and so on.

But we have seen such a sustained run of mediocrity from our NT that I'm not quite sure those sides would be quite so average. The AFC nations genuinely are shockingly bad at the minute.

High five.

Here's another chance for me to bang on about world qualification groups for the World Cup.

I would like to see how your aforementioned European teams would go away in Iran in the same conditions.

If it just meant exclusively only Euro and South American teams qualifying, then so be it, as it would purely be on merit, but I bet there would be more than a few upsets to the world order.

There is a tournament called the Euros.

World qualifying is the only way to fix things.

If Australia qualify for Russia playing at this standard, while nations such as Sweden, Czech Republic, Wales, Turkey and potentially even some of Serbia, Portugal, Holland and Italy do not qualify...

that is just wowwwww

Those 12 points as we were leading looked very nice. We're still undefeated on 10. The issue is the other games aren't being drawn. The good news is our last 4 games should be on good pitches. I think matches against Japan are always close and different against wild opponents like Iraq. We need to get 6 points and the next 2 game sand hope that Iraq or someone else can harass the others.

The crunch day will be in Japan with UAE hosting Saudi on the same day. UAE will probably need to win to stay alive so hopefully they get a win and we stay equal or just ahead of Saudi. Saudi host Japan on the last day. Provided we beat Thailand, a draw in that game should see us though. A win for Saudi could see them jump us and Japan will likely go to Russia directly.

http://ultra.zone/2018-FIFA-World-Cup-qualification-AFC-Third-Round#group=b

correct !

A spot at the 2018 World Cup not enough for Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou

March 22 2017 - 5:29PM
If you think Australia's precarious World Cup qualifying position might curb the gambler's instinct in Ange Postecoglou, think again.

The Socceroos coach remains as confident as ever in his methods and insists he won't take any easy options simply to ensure a smoother road to Russia.

Plays of the Week

Outrageous ball playing skills, incredible comebacks and record breaking feats, these are the plays of the week. Surf vision courtesy www.worldsurfleague.com

Just getting there, for Postecoglou, is not enough.

That means being bold in Thursday night's (AEDT) clash in Tehran against Iraq, a match that will kick off a huge year of international soccer for the Socceroos.

Ange Postecoglou wants more than just a ticket to the World Cup.
Ange Postecoglou wants more than just a ticket to the World Cup. Photo: Getty Images
"Everything we do, every decision we make - about selection, the way we play - is designed so that if we do get to a World Cup, we can make an impact," Postecoglou said.

"Whether that happens or not, time will show all that, but in the meantime I'm not going to try to sit in a place of consolidation or try to sort of reel it back in.

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"I just don't think that serves any purpose for anyone.

"I know people feel good about qualification, I understand that - I certainly want to qualify for a World Cup.

"But just qualifying for a World Cup has proven in the past (to be) not as fulfilling as maybe people think it is when you're in the middle of it."

Australia sit third in Group B after three consecutive draws and will face a desperate Iraq, who need to win to keep their faint World Cup hopes alive.

The surface at the 8250-capacity PAS Stadium is well below par but, for once, the climate will suit the Socceroos - the cold, wind and rain in Tehran are a lot like what most players in the squad are accustomed to in Europe.

There are no fitness concerns except for a minor cloud over skipper Mile Jedinak, who has been carefully managed due to muscle soreness and has barely trained but is said to be in no danger of missing out.

Jedinak has recently been used as a centre-back by Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce but Postecoglou said he was keen to keep the captain in the thick of the midfield action, mindful the match will likely descend into a slog.

"We want him right in the middle of the park where he kind of gives confidence around him, especially the ball-players we've got," Postecoglou said.

"He's going to win the ball and be imposing.

"For us that's his most effective part of our game and that's where we'll keep him."

Possible Socceroos team: Mathew Ryan; Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith; Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Massimo Luongo, Aaron Mooy; Mathew Leckie, Tomi Juric.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/a-spot-at-the-2018-world-cup-not-enough-for-socceroos-coach-ange-postecoglou-20170322-gv42tk.html


I feel we make the WC we really need to draw Russia in pot 1. I would love to play them in the first match of the tournament when they have all that pressure on them.

With the Saudi's playing away to Thailand and the UAE at home to Japan this week, we could go from 4th to first in one step. It will be an interesting week with the second game potentially giving us the chance to put some points between us and our rivals. I would guess, though, that Japan would love to beat the UAE after their slip up in the first game. That wouldn't hurt our chances as, if we then also beat them, they'd have lost touch with the top two (if both Japan and us have the two wins).

23 March

UAE v Japan
Thailand v Saudi Arabia
Iraq v Australia

28 March

Australia v UAE
Saudi Arabia v Iraq
Japan v Thailand

5 games need to be played.

12 points is 4 wins and 1 loss

11 points is 3 wins and 2 draws.

10 points is 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Whenever I've seen Amini play, it is his work, or lack of, when the ball is not at his feet that has been the issue.

Welcome to the forum.

you could say the same for most CB's - not a position typically loaded with pace. in fact bruce points to it being a suitable position for someone slowing down a bit with age because those kind of demands are less of an issue.  

CB's with good positional sense and game awareness dont get caught out as often. jedi is always going to have a howler here and there in any position.  i dont know if its his attention span or what but he does 1 or 2 every couple games.  he is under a good coach to make the transition at club.  if it had still been with pardew it would be a different story.

Amini ready to prove his worth for Socceroos

Dave Lewis 20 March 2017 5:57 AM
Amini cropped
Finally rewarded for five years of assiduously absorbing Europe's football philosophy, first at German giant Borussia Dortmund, then in the Danish Super Liga, the 23 year old midfielder now has the chance to prove he is worthy.

The fresh face remains as cherubic as ever, but AminI's game is underpinned by a newly forged maturity as he prepares to push for game time against the Iraqis in Tehran on Thursday night (AEDT) and the UAE in Sydney five days later.

The AGF live-wire never doubted that a call would eventually come if he kept delivering for his club, and he will fly to Iran brimming with confidence and a belief that he can offer a compelling option for Ange Postecoglou in a midfield bristling with established stars like Mile Jedinak, Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo and Mark Milligan - not to mention the injured Tom Rogic and in-form Jackson Irvine.

"For me, the main reason for coming overseas was to crack the national team," said Amini, who has represented Australia at all levels except senior.

"It's taken time to get a call and it's been a long journey.

"They see I am ready now and hopefully I can prove to Ange that I deserve to be in the squad.

"Having been a part of the 17's, 20's and 23's, I always had hope (of being selected).

"Every time I missed out or was part of the extended squad I always kept working and waiting for that call.

"It's been a reward for all the work."

Asked if he might bring something extra to the mix, Amini - who has played right across the midfield during his two years in Denmark - said: "Every player has their strengths and weaknesses.

"I am going into camp full of confidence, and seeing what I can bring to the team.

"This camp will show where I am at ... to get this call for a World Cup qualifier is massive.

"Every player wants to play and I am just looking forward to meeting up again with players like Mat Ryan and Trent Sainsbury, from our time at Central Coast, and Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine and Brad Smith from the Olyroos.

"Now it's time prove that I am worthy of the call and if I am given my debut I will make sure I take my chance."

With Australia a point adrift of Saudi Arabia and Japan, who top Group B with 10 points apiece, at the halfway point in the race to Russia, Amini described the games against Iraq and UAE as "must-win" matches.

"I've watched all our qualifiers so far and I know for sure that while it won't be easy we have the squad to successful in both these games," he said.

Amini will be one of the later arrivals in Tehran after playing in his side's 2-1 home loss to AaB Aalborg on Monday morning (AEDT).
http://www.beinsports.com/au/football/news/amini-ready-to-prove-his-worth-for-socceroos/487550

Thanks for sharing this, IB.

Jedi's biggest issue will be turning and chasing if beaten. He could do a similar to job to Milligan as CB.

In winter it cools down a lot in the ME.

Thailand will be hotter at this time of the year.

This definitely needs to be tested now. Jedi has all the qualities of a CB and now he's proven he can do it at club level, it's time to do it for the national team.
An extra advantage of this is that it frees up room in midfield for someone like Milligan, Irvine, Luongo, or any future defensive midfielder to slot in.

well well well.  for those who scoffed at my long held stance that our mighty captain should consider slipping back into central defence (where i think he would step up a level from where he is now)



also http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/aston-villa/news/bruce-jedinak-could-become-a-defender_294049.html

the gods be salty

His in the off season sp hasnt been playing games yet

Would personally prefer Gersbach at LB to Smith/Behich. His close control and dribbling are very good and he often beats players 1v1. Kids practically a winger.

Can't. Doesn't fit the narrative, apparently. Three central defenders is anathema, it will antagonise the gods, apparently.

This. And hell yes for Smith as a winger and not a fucking left back....seriously Ange, I don't wanna see that shit anymore.

That team, playing on the counter, fap fap fap

That 5-4-1 would be beautiful IMO

              Ryan
     Sains, Jedi, Spira
Leckie, Mooy, Luongo, Smith/behich
           Rogic, Irvine
                 Juric

I was thinking about some untested lineups that I'd like to see us try later this year in friendlies and the Confederations Cup and I'm guessing this is the best place for these, so I'll post them here. I'm not sure if I can post the images directly here so I'll post the links to Imgur.

A 5-4-1 Diamond Formation, using three centrebacks and two wingbacks, giving us the option to switch between five at the back and three at the back depending on the game. Having Luongo and Mooy play in the roles they've been used at a club level (with the option to move forward when given the opportunity), with Irvine playing in an advanced role and Juric as the centre-forward.

A 4-2-3-1 Formation that I'd like to see tested in a friendly, testing out Irvine as a centreforward (since he's been a better goalscorer at club level than anyone else in the national team setup), Mooy partnering Jedinak in a deeper role, Goodwin and Mabil tearing it up on the wings, and Behich and Grant as wingbacks, while also testing out Elder and Jones (if he finally chooses Australia) since I'm not sure how well Behich and Grant's club forms will translate to the national team. A lineup like this would be nice to see during a friendly against European opposition.

Finally, a ballsy experimental lineup with Jedi as a centreback, the Championship trio (Irvine, Luongo, Mooy) in midfield, and Juric and Rogic up top as strikers, with Rogic playing in more of a free-roaming role and sometimes as a false-nine depending on what the game demands, while Goodwin and Leckie can play as versatile wingers and drop back in defence if needed. Obviously this sort of team would be tested in a friendly when there isn't much else on the agenda...so probably not in the near future.

I've watched highlights of all games. Saudi had so much luck in the first 2 games with dodgy penalties. 

Thailand really hassled the Middle Eastern teams away so I hope they'll be firing at home. 

Will Saudi and UAE also suffer from the Thai heat? 

The game is Japan is something I never expect to do well in but we have had 2 draws there in qualifying and seem to be really focused. 

If we get 12 points from the last 5 games we are pretty much through, 10 should be enough but 9 or less and we could be in trouble.

While 6 points in March would be the obvious aim we should be on track as long as we are in the top 3 (rather than 4th at present) and within a point or 2 of 2nd in a week and a halfs time.

Burns has been called in to replace Jeggo,  at least that balances things a bit better from the initial 23