Love this!!

I tend to agree with this. 

From what I understand, the big unqualified teams basically just go to the highest bidder. Whomever forks out the cash, gets the team. 

We tend to go into these things under prepared.

Australia need a minimum of 5 quality games in 2018 to prepare for this. 2 in the autumn international break which Ange must use to test out his fringe players and 3 in the lead up to the WC next May/June.

For the two autumn games I’d like to see us go against Korea and Japan. Home or away doesn’t matter.

An easier side first up in those three final (all at home) games. to test the extended squad members followed by two tougher sides - but I’d pick opponents based on who your facing in the group stage. If theres a South American dude in the group get a South American side over (Chile?) and an African side get say Cameroon over.

This is preparation for the WC not a “farewell”!

Thinking about the 2 Autumn games, I feel like it would make sense to play both in Europe. 

There was talk a while back about Iran already being lined up for one of the March friendlies. That was prior to us going down the play-off route.

Doubt they'd play each other prior to a WC if they are both in it

@ pv4

Putting “sense” aside I think one of the curses on the modern Socceroos is to play games in Europe, especially designated home games - it sends all the wrong messages.

But I think it’s more important who we play than where - I like the idea of facing similar ranked opponents who have qualified for the WC as well and aren’t in a total rebuilding phase but yes, that could be in Europe I guess?

The final three or four games should be at home though - this is as much about building squad unity as it is playing games but they need to get the opponents right. Probably best decided after the December (?) Group stage draw.

This is a good idea.

There's usually another friendly over in the host country before the tournament starts as well. Think we had Croatia last time. Iran would be a good match up for that game.


This all may depend on who we get drawn with too. If we get drawn against a good South American side, Chile or Paraguay (or Peru if NZ fuck em up) would make sense.

An African nation with a couple of 'European league' players - then you'd be sure of  a crowd in Melbourne. Throw in Beckham (either one) to toss the coin and you'd guarantee a crowd in Sydney.

NZ on ANZAC day so 95% of this forum can explode in an orgy of faux patriotism. Imagine JoFFA's face.

You don't play useless friendlies or exhibition matches anymore, as demonstrated throughout Europe countries are gaming the international break to play friendly games which will improve their ranking and therefore their seeding and therefore a more favourable pot for major tournaments.  

It's time that we started this as well so no more games against statistically useless opponents for spurious reasons, farewell game?  Fuck that for a joke.  Don't waste an international break on rubbish like this.  

Chile

if they brought out Italy who would all the third generation Italian/Aussies support ?
The Italians who won't be in Russia or the Aussies  who will be ?
Big decisions...

With the Kiwi's all but out, I'm okay with us playing them in a March friendly as a 'tune up' game, before some heavy hitters closer to the Cup (including, if possible, what would be an incredible match at the MCG against Italy).

Been a while since we had the American Samoans out

It'd be great to see 100k at the MCG against Italy.

Opportunity missed for Archie's testimonial.

lol when hell freezes over...

No thanks. Play against Ireland or Slovakia or someone, preferably in Europe.

Do we know if the quality of the pitches in Russia are even good? Maybe Queesnland isn't such a bad choice after all...

Did you watch the Confederations Cup?

Whole point of a farewell game is to milk the public during the world cup hype. But if we were to play a friendly away then take Slovakia off the list. They're a great team but the national stadium is under construction.

We were the opening act at Slovenia's current national stadium, surely we should go for the set?

Iran in Melbourne .... 

Love the idea of the US double header ...  with both mens n women's teams...

Still too soon. 

We can play them in WCQ or Asian Cup. Better yet WC r16. 

It looks like they could do. The Womens Asian Cup is April 2018 and works as a straight qualifer for their WC. So they arent busy for those match days. 

In FFAland however it just looks like twice the amount of bums on aeorplanes and people staying hotels whilst they can only sell the same match ticket once. 

I thii´nk they could have the Matildas the day before in Melbourne and then the Socceroos play in Sydney against the Americans. Even that risks people flying up to the Sydney match. 

Interesting thought. Going by this article:

https://sport24.pluska.sk/futbal/slovensko/foto-narodny-futbalovy-stadion-dostal-pozehnanie-ako-bude-vyzerat-kolko-bude-stat.html

They started construction in September 2016 with a scheduled build time of 76 weeks. That could put it close to the window for pre world cup.

Of course factor in that they demolished the old stadium in 2013 then copped a 3 year delay so our Slovak mates aren't the most punctual.

Italy would be good for the publicity and money but it's also nice to go off on a win...
Maybe the USA would be the best of both worlds? Or wait and see the draw and choose an opponent similar to one of the teams in our group...

Never mind the third gen what about Matt Canavan?