Few more games up tonight. Doubt the results will mean much though.

I don't see how playing Brazil will help Saudi Arabia

Japan 3 Panama 0
South Korea 2 Uruguay 1

Wow the Asian Dynasty begins.

This is from goal.com - How Brexit will affect Premier League football (written by Ryan Kelly on 12 October, 2018)

After Brexit, it is possible that footballers from EU countries - Germany, France or Spain, say - who are wanted by the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal may be treated in the same way as non-EU or (European Economic Area (EEA) footballers currently are.

That means they will have to satisfy certain criteria or receive an exemption in order obtain a work permit, which would then allow them to work in the UK as employees of a football club.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/how-brexit-will-affect-premier-league-football/cwp6p3hhmuxx119cm1syhwyi2

Fancy that! Imagine having to jump through the same hoops as footballers from the rest of the world. Imagine not getting carte blanche to play without a work permit purely because you've got one of the 30 or so correct passports. Now, they'll understand how a lot of the Aussies feel.

Bitter though my post is and although I don't think Brexit's a good idea for the UK, there's a lot of discriminatory and unfair aspects about the EU that this stupid saga really does expose. Although it may not make things any better for an Aussie footballer with, say an Italian passport, wanting to play in the UK.


This was meant to be in AA, sorry.

how many prominent brits in europe anyway?

On balance, not so many. Although I think Chelsea and a few big clubs loan their guys out to continental sides.

But this is more a problem for non-Brits wanting to play in England and for the stability of the Premier League. The wealth and stability of the Premier League is so enmeshed in frictionless movement of people and capital into the UK from the continent.

Sancho at Dortmund is one of few. Younger English players starting to dip their toes in the bundesliga. 

Of all players in the current English NT, and all call ups in the last year, Sancho is literally the only player that is playing outside of England.

Qatar beat Ecuador 4:3

Will be good for Aussie players this particularly if ties with the commonwealth countries are sought after by the uk post brexit. Aussie players will no longer be at a disadvantage to European players in getting a contract in UK 

Brazil beat Saudi 2:0. It was amazing how Brazil would do a back pass from the penalty spot with 2 Saudi players essentially on the keeper. The gulf in class was massive and I'm sad to say we'd have had similar issues in some areas. Despite the result, Saudi seemed technically sound and should do well at the Asian Cup. I wish we had a couple more practice games. I know ours are coming and our sessions must be good but i want that proof we can do it in match conditions.

So Saudi hoping to prove something @ UAE more than likely, after being smashed by Russia in the opening game @ Russia. I'd love to know why they thoguht a friendly against Brazil would help there cause. Perhaps the nation is whinging they aren't playing tough enough opposition to improve.

Iran have qualified for the last 2 consecutive WC's as well as 2006. Iraq performed almsot equally well in the group stages of Russia. 2 teams that fight like a dog, even against quality opponents.

Japan , South Korea again will be very tough. Hoping Arnie will bring some sort of (defensive) resiliance to our team and that we look assured against these teams, despite sometimes looking outmatched technically and tactically. 

UAE no doubt like every home country, will come out of the traps winning games. I think our group is where we need to impose our quality, we need to finish top and look confident doing it. 

So Arnie brings in Mabil and Boyle.
Ange ball will be gone and play on the counter.

Willock at Benfica.
Reiss Nelson out on loan at Hoffenheim.
Ronaldo Vieira at Sampdoria
Patrick Roberts at Girona
Jonathan Panzo at Monaco.
Sheyi Ojo at Stade Reims
Marcus McGuane at Barcelona.
Marcus Edwards at Excelsior.
Dan Crowley at Willem II
Jake Clarke Salter at Vitesse.
Chuba Akpom at PAOK.

Was thinking these were our kids in European youth teams for a sec. Nice list of English players abroad. 

They've set up a mini tournament with Saudi, Iraq, Brazil and Argentina. Argentina beat Iraq 4:0.

It appears if we and Japan win our groups we'll face off upon winning each of the first k.o games. Quarters vs Japan it seems. We'll make the next round regardless. If we stuff it big time we should still have enough for a best 3rd placed spot in the group to get through, which may in turn give us an easier path. 

It was a massive relief avoiding Japan in 2015. I'd like to face them and try to finally get a win again but also wouldn't mind playing Iran or South Korea. 

Anyone but Iran for me, great team and in those conditions will be so difficult to beat.

Japan might find it tough against Uzbeks. There group is potentially easier than ours, so perhaps finishing second will help us avoid them.

I would not lose to any one team on purpose. Perhaps if we've won all games and in the last game , cough up some goals. 

If we lose one game to another team based on them genuinely performing better, make that the 1 loss.

I would not lose the opening game. That would smash our confidence into a space where I think we wouldn't recover. 

It appears Japans last group game is against Uzbekz, that makes it tough. However, they should be winning that.

China draw 0:0 with India. 

Looks like China is still shit, some things never change. 

GA press conference w/ Tom Rogic on now.

I expect they'll start naturalising Africans and Brazilians at some point. 

Well that's what Hong Kong has be doing recently to reasonably effect - got two draws against China in the 2018 WC qualifiers with Nigerian blokes

Japan 4 Uruguay 3

South Korea 2 Panama 2

Iraq Saudi 1:1

Croatia 2 Jordan 1. Croatia were still a strong 11 but were very much in control. Barely lifted a finger. 

China leading Syria 2:0

Japan dang. 

UAE 0 Venezuela 2. Game was played in Barcelona. 

Humbled. UAE are great when they're on song. I like their style, usually entertaining games when we paly them. 

Iran 2 Bolivia 1 bloody long way for an away friendly for the South Americans. 

Oman 0 Ecuador 0

There were some interesting things happening in the HAL regarding club selections and Socceroos.

At City there are five Aussies battling for midfield positions.

Brattan
McGree
Caceres
Kieryn Bacchus
Rostyn Griffiths


Brattan and Mcgree have previously been selected for Socceroo camps. Griffiths had a full season in the Eredivisie.

Yet Brattan, Caceres and Bacchus, were the trio selected for starting duties by coach Joyce.




At Victory  Nick Ansell was selected as a starting CB over recent Socceroo, Thomas Deng.