We're gonna go out to a shocking 3-0 lead. However lose that lead for an eventual 3-3 draw with France all over us at the end.

Making the result despite being fucking amazing. feel very bittersweet.

https://keepup.com.au/news/every-generation-renews-what-it-means-to-be-a-socceroos-this-how-we-did-it-in-a-post-covid-world

Maty Ryan captain's column. Ryan joins Wilson, Viduka, Neill and Jedinak. 

I don't think Deng will play at right back, he's looked rubbish there at the Olympics - i think it'll be a toss uo between Karacic and Atkinson 

I don’t think it matters who starts up tbh…..
just pray they all play above themselves, do their job what happens happens.
Importantly I’d like to see Ryan play THE game of his life.
This is made for a GK MOTM game full stop.

I think Irvine is going to be running box to box. No one can afford to hang away from their man. I know Mooy is the best passer but think starting Baccus and having him hunt down their midfield for an hour could work in our favour. I think it's worth trying to press and unsettle their ball play from the back. Of course they need to get by just once then Mbappe will be winding up for a long ball.

Interesting comment.

I was a heavy (and most exuberant) smoker from 17 - 30 and years after quitting still thought of myself as a smoker, even though I knew I'd never do it again. I think the reason for that was that smoking used to seem to me a thing that adults did and not smoking was something children did. Took me a long time to get over that.

So glad I don't smoke these days. Mrs C is a doctor and suspects that vape is even worse than smoking from several perspectives - lots of research being done but you need decades of data to properly compare.

As for the Socceroos...

Logic tells you we'll struggle, but the French can be shaky starters in tournaments. If Arnie picks the right team - with not too many old stagers so that the young brigade can get in French faces and push them - then, with a bit of luck, we can get something.

But I reckon Arnie will rely on his old guard and that will play into French hands. If we do concede early then Kuol and Cummings no later than half time, please Arnie.

Arnie should show the boys the Argie vs Saudi match and show that the Saudis can do it against one of the giants - as we can against France

Are the subs rules still 3 intervals to use all 5? Could be worth telling one player to run it all out on 35 and make a single sub then.

I actually see the Saudi result against us to a degree that the French now are on notice being pointed out, see don’t f about, go out there and really play can’t afford any complacency.
Argies got stunned, the offsides disallowed goals and sucker punched for all to see.

Gonna take a dole bludger effort to at least get a point.

Go you Centrelink Socceroos lol 

Please go three central defenders. That's our strength, whereas fullbacks are our weakness.

I don't reckon Behich has the defensive skills. Atkinson might be more skilfull but isn't fasy enough to track back and help out the defence. The UAE winger ran rings around him.

But three central defenders and i have more confidence in Behich and Atkinson as wingbacks

That's a fair point. I think however the risk is then that France get behind our wing backs and draw out our centre backs who aren't the most mobile.

Also in build up from the back our RCB always walks wide with the ball, miss kicks it central leaving just the one CB all alone while the LCB has drifted way too left.

But what would be wrong with even having Bheich as LW and operating a little central like against Peru? He almost hovered there like a guardsman and it worked. 

Haha with instructions to the wingbacks to imagine there are only two central defenders. They'll get forward but they'll still be compact enough.

Basically allows for a Mourinho 5 man defence when nececessary (à la that dreadful game where Chelsea built a bus depot in 2014 after Stevie G had slipped and Liverpool had conceded a goal).

That's preferable. That way. Remember the back 3 with Ange? Leckie and Smith miles up while Wright would jog to the sideline and miskick it to the middle.

Anyway we'll know more within an hour.

Most apps only have team and hour before but surely it's floating around 90min before. 

Team in

                    Ryan 
Atkinson Souttar Rowles Behich
                Mooy Irvine 
                      McGree
        Leckie Duke  Goodwin

Congrats to Goodwin. A world cup start! Glad McGree gets a go. Kinda concerned he won't be able to thrive when Tunisia and Denmark may be more his game. 

Wish Devlin were there. See what transpires. 
         

Don't know how to feel. Head says we're absolutely stuffed this time around, heart says "ya never know, if we just donk it up to Craig and Lex"...

                        Lloris
Pavard         Konate   Upamecano    Diving Moaning Twat
                       Tchouameni     
                   Griezmann   Rabiot 
         Dembele    Giroud    Mbappe

If Duke and Leckie can just somehow get the ball on the floor to McGree near goal there may be a hope. I just hope we're in it long enough that we're not having Kuol and others chase a three goal deficit.

Didn't realise just 5 have WC experience of the 26. A little meaningless as it more depends on the form and development timing in the cycle. 

Have a feeling this will be GAs last NT gig

Griezmann in behind or as an 8. Hope Irvine can shove him off the ball. This is where I wish Devlin were starting and also have Mabil and maybe even Maclaren instead of Duke to run around the two large centre backs.

Upamecano is good for getting caught out so here's hoping. 

Horrible team. Maty Ryan is going to be new wiggle

Here we go. Enjoy. 

Is this really necessary...? Get on with it.

Oh boy

Very nervous.

CMON BOYS

Only trouble is Konate is a good sweep covering like he does with VVD.
Pace will do him at times - hope our super subs are you know who.
here we go fellas please go you Roos 

Not nervous at all, just like the playoff against Peru.

i'd be happy if we just great defensive unit cos these boys are very green on the gills

Riley had time there for a bit of a touch