By the way how we missed that chance in the end, could have scored 3 times in a space of 5 seconds from three different players.

Geez how unsharp our players are, can imagine if all got reg match fitness in their belts with a national reserve league or just more aleague sides.

The talent in this side is all to see.

Tiebreak is H2H so if Bahrain beat us and  Thailand or Iraq win we'll be out. Not the biggest fan of this as Bahrain were terrible first up and Thailand may not benefit from their big win.

Needs to translate experience and high quality into success in Asia.

I’m concerned at all levels his inability to perform in playoff/finals games. 

I think you would be the first person to ever say that dagastino should play for the Socceroos. I doubt if I’ll ever hear it again.

In hindsight a further 12-18 months in the A-League would have been great before a move overseas.

With a focus to the future does Gersbach become the best player he can be circa 2022-2030 by riding the bench overseas, or by coming back to Australia for a while ?

Me neither, however the plus side is win/draw and they are through and a 1 or 2 goal loss will be OK if the other match is a draw.

Plenty of podcasts have mentioned that there's no shame in coming back. The A League is a good place to play every week.

I think it is agreed by all that a NSD/Reserve League, decent NYL, expanded A-League and/or a properly designed transfer system would all be great for development 19-22 year old Aussies, even if the discussion tends to differ which one of these would be the greatest value add to the current system.

im seeing alot of Viets celebrating our win over Thailand. they must really have it in for them.

https://youtu.be/6A4-EAtL0c8

Highlights

Thanks 

things are looking better now 

Gerbasch yer. These players coming out of the Aleague never can seem to hold themselves accountable performance wise. 

The league just doesn't demand enough out of them.

Is sportsaddict D'aggers mum? Aha

But he only just got to Perth this season and was no way a standout in Brisbane for 2 or 3 years he was there. I'd even put Harold in front of him at Perth...

He does well in gold shirts. Get him to the Mariners. It's an interesting one. 

agree. when watching him play in holland he is a very smart technical footballer 

has that real x factor about him ala kewell or bresciano where he can suddenly do something spectacular out of nothing! 

So after two games we've gotten a fair bit of insight into our stock. I think our best 11 is.

Glover

Deng: He seems better at right back. Is he currently fit? The 2nd half saw improve. Cleur is better for attack but is a mess at the moment.

Ryan: I think he's got decent potential. 

Mourdoukoutas: Don't have anyone else. Stupid passing but he'll have to do. Laws is registered as a CB but surely he's not comfortable there. 

Gersbach

Duncan: Only 19 and does more good than bad. 

O'Neill: He's got a fair bit of match practice for his age. Genreau seems to be a decent impact player. 

Italiano: Shocking half like everyone but he took his man on once or twice. Give another go. He's proven he can do well from club matches. 

Metcalfe: Doing well in A League with goals and firm passes. 

Piscopo: Owns the left wing. 

D'Agostino: Scoring and better as a starter whereas Toure could start or be impact. 

I really wonder how Folami would go. He's quite clinical. Buhagiar would be better at the end with to defend a lead by sprinting when we break. Baccus isn't a bad player.

All in all the group need to improve on those silly errors and prove they're at the level. Bahrain were fairly good today and should've won. 

What a shame Piscopo is the only who needs a promotion to the national team but plays in a position where we are completely full. I'd still have Mabil, Ikon, Boyle, Arzani and probably Leckie ahead of Piscopo. Nevertheless a confident and in form Piscopo gets ahead of Borrello with fewer minutes regardless of the league played in.

With those 2 Mcgree and that striker from germany (forget his name) we'd win every game comfortably this tourny

Actually missing a true 10. How on earth did Kalik not get selected? Atkinson is definitely the best right back and once McGree returns things are looking a bit better. Centre back is the problem area. 

Yes! Iredale. Totally forgot. It's certainly annoying how often our better players can't be selected for certain reasons. 

Just looking at the 2 minute highlights from AFC I see we weren't all that sharp but got the win.

Looking at results, we're on top of the group and should beat Bahrain to keep the spot and avoid the Group B winner, but thanks to that Saudi dive awarded by Chris Beath the runner up might well be Japan.

You'd have been livid at the first half. Atrocious. Thankfully they did better in the 2nd.

Disagree with you on Duncan sorry. He was probably one of the worst players on the pitch last night. Metcalfe a much better midfielder choice than him any day of the week. I know you all rave about him on this forum but he honestly looked like he was lost out there. 

Have woken up to see we won! Amazed!!  The first half was so rubbish, so credit to Arnie and the lads. And reading posts above, Piscopo played really well, and Toure solid as a sub. Great result. 

Thanks heaps! So these guys just need to win there last game to have any chance?.

The boys worked hard for the win but the Thais faded so badly in the second half probably because most of them are in pre-season.

Not the greatest game from Italiano but let's not forget that he's only 18, he's eligible to play in the 2024 Olympics, that's how young he is!

Who? Australia just needs a point to make sure, but they could even go through with a loss depending on the other result. Thailand also only needs a point.

Thank Aussie friends for shutting thai big mouth up yesterday. They barked a lot after matchday 1. Now Socceroo let them know where they are. You have Agostinho and Picollo play very well. They may be future of your country.