Reading the kit deal with Nike has been extended for another 10 years. Really wish we'd tried someone else. 

At least Nike have learned to go with the winning yellow shirt, green shorts white socks combo. Could be worse.

great interview with Arnie by ESPN. Speaks about Irankunda an Volplato.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDvos45LkU

another thread people are talking about the 2026 squad and it does look very promising

looks like from arnie's perspective qualifying for the olympics is pretty key to realizing that potential

Our Asian Cup game against Uzbekistan has apparently been moved to Al Janoub stadium where we played 3 times at the WC. 

No games until pre tournament friendly vs Bahrain. I think Arnold basically has his list and only an absolute massive form increase will see outsiders have a chance. Waiting on this Borrello injury. It gives Iredale a mini hope of consideration but sadly strengthens Maclaren's grip.

Would much rather Irankunda than Borello in any case.

Miller red carded overnight. What gave I been saying about his red mist issues?

Australia move up to 25th in the world. It appears South Korea have jumped us to 3rd in Asia and 23rd in the world. This brings a slight inconvenience for the next round where it seems the pots for WC qualifying will be in 3s so Pot 1 japan, Iran, SK. Pot 2 Australia, Saudi, Qatar for example. In a way we get another big opponent who'll hopefully batter the others but it would be nice to have Australia in pot 1 and then avoid South Korea.

But then wouldn't that just put South Korea in Pot 2 and we could get them anyways?
I mean.. .yes it's a 1/3 shot at getting a 'big' opponent rather than a guaranteed big opponent

Yes but I mean it'd be nice to draw Saudi Arabia or Qatar instead of South Korea being in pot 2 hypothetically. 

I can't see changing now until the next round. Pot 2 it is. I just want to avoid Japan for a change. We've had them every time. Iran or South Korea.

Saudi at 54 and Nigeria at 42.

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Based on current rankings let's say next round
South Korea 
Australia 
Uzbekistan
China 
Syria 
Kyrgyzstan 

It's just tricky and needs very careful navigation. We keep stuffing it up ourselves with complacency. Hopefully there'll be some draws amongst group opponents for a change. 

Then again, might we see 3 pots of 6? If there were any way for west Asia to give itself a better chance. Imagine Qatar Saudi being the highest ranked in one group then South Korea Japan and Australia Iran another. 

Hopefully not with Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan to me is as strong as Saudi Arabia. They are the quality side (Their football is better than the Socceroos) They should make the next world cup 2026 if nothing goes wrong.

Game against Lebanon will be played in opponent territory, Parramatta. Really curious how packed Lebanon fans will make it.

Thanks a bunch for putting it up, Jas88!

Sone decent questions asked by Joey Lynch towards the end of the interview.

There were a lot of answers provided by Arnie to questions I've had.

I found the Olympic team discussion to be very interesting.

Arnie is using data about the number of Olympic players per cycle progressing to full international senior level. 

ATM I don't think we could have a better coach than Arnie. Ultimately we need an Aussie with insights into our unique scenario. Also, Arnie perceives Olympic players as cattle for the Socceroos. Foreign coaches  probably don't perceive  the inherent value in the Olympic cycle to the same extent.

Arnie threw light on the value of the 10 month foreign season compared to the 5 month A L season. Is the AL  that short? I thought it was 6 months?

After Fornaroli's recent form, I think he has to go to Qatar. There isn't an Aussie striker that is anywhere close to his lethality at the moment 

5mths let alone 6 doesn't make it any better compared to 10.
Its butt average full stop.

Graham Arnold has named his first Socceroos squad for his September training camp:

Goalkeepers:

Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Ryan, Daniel Vukovic, Brad Jones

Defenders:

Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury, Alexsandar Susnjar, Bailey Wright

Midfielders:

Mustafa Amini, Daniel Arzani, Kenneth Dougall, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Aaron Mooy

Forwards:

Mitchell Duke, Denis Genreau, Apostolos Giannou, John Iredale, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Awer Mabil , Jamie Maclaren, Dimi Petratos


Came across this. Interesting look. 

It is always interesting to look at teams from a few years ago.

 Some players  seem to fade out after promising early careers, like  Alex Gersbach, whilst some others come from nowhere late in their careers - like Burgess in recent times. 

Just saw a good article by Arzani, where he stated one has to start from scratch again in Europe, no matter what sort of reputation one has in the A L.

It is likely in a few years the Socceroos could look quite different from the present team.  Even with  some younger players who look promising now,  they could stagnate, whilst others we don't think of as current Socceroos,  will have made great leaps forward in a few years.

tomi juric was a bit of a surprise that he declined so

Arzani finally looks like he is showing glimpses of his best again. Amazingly I still think he used to be way way way better with ball at feet, though now he also defends

Arzani has been defending well but there is no way he should be in a national team discussion, he tracked back well on saturday but has a long way to go

If 4 wingers are needed/selected for ACup squad it’s obviously Goodwin, Boyle, Silvera and who? Irankunda, G Kuol, Tilio?, Arzani? Is Mabil injured?

Said it before but if Fornaroli selected Arzani has a chance due to them playing well together in same team already 

Where will the Asia Cup be shown here? Can someone help out an old fella?

Looks like it will be telecast on Paramount: https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/australias-afc-asian-cup-2023-match-schedule-confirmed

Unsure if 10 Play will get some games on FTA like with the AL. 

Cheers bud, looks like Ill have to join the rest of you and get a Paramount Trial sub for the month :( Ill be on here complaining about the stream in Jan. hahahah

silvera and glover start!

Nice, would be great if all three start soon

Heaven forbid you might even see some more A-League games-oh the horror-the Uniting round is in January

heheheh not really interested in the Aleague mate.... Ill leave that to the "new football" people to enjoy. 

South play Sydney Oympic on the "ISUZU Unite the tribes pty ltd" round weekend in Sydney so there will be at least one match I will be attending.

10 debuts in 2023

🧢 #629 - Aiden O'Neill
🧢 #630 - Alex Robertson
🧢 #631 - Joe Gauci
🧢 #632 - Jordan Bos
🧢 #633 - Cameron Burgess
🧢 #634 - Sam Silvera
🧢 #635 - Lewis Miller
🧢 #636 - Mohamed Toure
🧢 #637 - Alessandro Circati
🧢 #638 - Kusini Yengi