Very keen to see boyle and Irvine in the same team. They could be massive for us in the first game. 

Yes best sporting event too for me was 16th Nov 2005, closely followed by Australia (beating, still not sure why that 3rd goal was disallowed in the last second) qualifying for next round in 2006 WC against Croatia, both times I was there.
Worst sporting event 1997 against Iran, aptly in Melbourne (self named world's sporting capital).
Loved Socceroos since 1974 World cup, yes I'm old.

Not bad mate, pretty close to mine except I'd have Kenny Dougall starting instead of Holland

wrong thread. please delete.

Well that Olyroos game was a nice entree but the Socceroos first game is now not far away. Can’t wait. Hoping to see Hrustic and Boyle start, and each score!

Bumping to get ahead of the spam articles.

Monday seems a big day for other groups. Iran Bahrain and UAE Thailand. 

Just respond to any points raised in a spam article, in this thread!

So keen to see the Roos in action again! Been far too long!

Gonna be hard to get to sleep tonight! 🤩
Prediction 1-2 win for Roos

I also am one of those whose first team is the Socceroos, and second team...any team the individuals may play for.

Also Arsenal, Celtic and the Mariners...

The team picked in this article is pretty much the team I'd pick.

https://www.ftbl.com.au/analysis/picked-the-best-socceroos-starting-11-565108

Also dying to see Arzani back playing serious football.

Keen to see something like this:

Ryan
Karacic - Souttar - Degenek - Smith
Holland
Irvine - Hrustic
Boyle - Maclaren - Leckie

Looks good, the only problem I see is Mabil is very light to command the middle of the pitch. If he can assert himself, that's great, but I have my doubts. Fortunate that Rukavystya won't figure in the first game, so maybe push Mabil to the wing and bring in McGree (he seems to be an Arnie favourite).

Watching Football Australia's official pre-game show on YouTube alongside a whopping 122 other viewers.

I think you’re spot on

I really hope you're wrong mate! Why would you consider starting a bloke as our Striker, who has scored 1 goal for his club team in the last two seasons? You've got 2 golden boot winners in your squad, USE THEM!!! The rest of the team you can't argue with too much, apart from Degenek missing out 

For sure. Giannou just lucky to be in squad! JMac, Ruka and even Taggart much better options 

Both JMac and Ruka arrived late into camp, and wont be ready to start. 

Im pretty sure Arnold said in his press conference that Giannou will start. 

Personally wouldnt have him in the squad

I agree, would love to see Ruka up top instead of Giannou....  but  maybe squad rotation??

I don't want to see Giannou starting

For the first game it will be players who arrived early into camp that play as they have been able to acclimatise to the 45 degree heat.

I guess the theory is that Giannou at 100% will perform better than a JMac or Ruka at 20%. 

The only reason Giannou would start is because of his size over the other 3. I think Arnold is hoping for some set play goals. Just annoying how stop start Giannou's Roo career has been as he would offer value at his sharpest.

Giannou isn't there to bang in a hattrick against an opponent that sits back. His link-up play around the box is very useful. I'll be slightly surprised if he starts but it would make plenty of sense. Curious to see how Leckie fits in here. Boyle is at his best on the right and he's in great form, and Karacic is capable of whipping in dangerous crosses.

Honestly it’s going to be hard work to get this team to a very strong level if they do get to the WC next year. The next round will be a huge challenge just to qualify, as the quality of teams is improving and the condensed qualifying process will add pressure.

GAME DAY GAME DAY

Thailand drew with Indonesia while UAE won. FFS

Slater’s comments about the next round of qualifying was quite the reality check. No home games for Australia is going to make it so good damn hard for us to qualify especially if we draw Middle East teams while playing in middle east hub. But I guess that’s the collateral damage of having such a strict border policy 

If I’m picking a Socceroos side I’m having Jackson Irvine in it every single day of the week.  

Yeah I thought Irvine was immense also.... MOM for me was Hrustic though.
Im not trying to bash the Aleague on purpose but you all must agree how much "sharper" players playing in decent leagues seem to be on the ball.

Yea agreed. However I thought McGowan out performed degenek quite comfortably.