TBH this is the most optimistic i've been about an Australian Squad in the past decade

Even more so than the Asian Cup squad in 2015. That was a very pleasant surprise, but before the tournament started it looked like a disaster about to happen. Hell even a good bit into the Kuwait game it looked like things were in dire straights. 

Agreed. The one player that I just groaned when I saw him on the squad list. 

This is the game I am most worried about. China is the dark horse in our group, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the top 3 at the end of qualifying.

I don't know which team is most disadvantaged by it being the first game. I am hopeful of our run in the ME to stand us in good stead on Friday morning.

kina worried about Arzani finally has a team that plays himm.. wonder if he would better just staying there and working on cementing his spot..

Arzani lucky to make squad - helped by no Leckie and any other Aus based players. Borello must be pissed

He only has himself to be pissed at. He’s been given a decent amount of chances with the national team but his performances have consistently been hot garbage.

Playing Borello feels like playing with 10 men because it feels like he goes missing.

Hope he doesn't, shouldn't be in the team, extremely overrated player, Adelaide defence was horrid last year, and as a possible deep lying attacker well 0 from 82 games in the aleague speaks for itself, to add he dove more than Mauk, which in itself isn't the problem, the problem is he was terrible at it.

To add would have preferred Atkinson, the bloke killed it in the Olympics against solid competition, he will be in the national team soon enough, may aswell blood him at this standard.

Just checked this game is on at 4am..... dafaq 

🤣🤣🤣🤣

This.

Sydney time. 9pm in Qatar.

Getting sick of these games being played in these middle east dog tracks.  

Hope we can get those later games played here in Australia.   

Link to host broadcaster for those outside Australia - 

https://gtly.to/ALjiLJDOH

From the FFA

How international fans can tune in to Socceroos v China

Just wish we could play this game in Australia...

nothing like living way way down under EZ :)
Makes it special getting up early AM lol, I'm used to it so look forward seeing how we go.

https://www.sporttotal.tv/ev6fcd1e3d

Looks like this German channel has finally uploaded things. Would be very surprised if it were free but it seems to be the case.

🎥 Catch all the #AsianQualifiers Final Round matches LIVE with us on AFC Asian Cup Youtube 🔴

*only available in Syria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Yemen, Poland, Romania, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Ireland & Andorra.

Got Romanian and Spain vpn. 

Would love to see a starting XI of

Ryan; Grant, Souttar, Sainsbury, Elder; Dougall, Mooy, Hrustić, Mabil, Boyle, Rogic (in a withdrawn 9/10 role as an attacking fulcrum) 

Yeah that'd be something. Dougall and Jeggo have a massive tank so I think one of them probably should start. I'd prefer Hrustic in the advanced role. Boyle has striker tendencies so he'd compensate well.

I think we're likely to see Taggart get the start but maybe Boyle and Mabil will be played as a front two. 

My tips

Australia 2 China 0
Japan 3 Oman
Saudi 3 Vietnam 1


South Korea 3 Iraq 0
UAE 1 Lebanon 0
Iran 2 Syria 1

Less than 24 hours to go. Come on you Roos!

Couple of current surprises on UEFA always makes me nervous and wary. 

I came here to say the exact same thing lol 
have to say I’m extremely worried about this WCQ campaign. The glaring issue for me is up front. Defensively we’re decent, midfield is our strength it’s just our attack. 

I checked the Portugal-Ireland score it’s 1-0 to Ireland 90th thinking what an upset then an hour later hearing Portugal won

Real banana skin this one.  Anything but a win to start of with and we could be on the back foot immediately. 

Scotland lol, that coach needs to be fired ASAP. Poor selection by them yet again.
we got lucky with Souttar and boyle but still would have liked dykes.

To be fair to Scotland, Denmark are pretty good- bet they probably could have benefited from having Souttar and Boyle though 😉 

Currently doing mental gymnastics on whether to ruin my sleep for this

i hope 10 release a minimatch