Japan has a strong national league too.

There is considerable depth in the J League. 

Best playing squads don't always win tournaments though.

Just watching the replays of the Socceroo  games against England, Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador x2, despite some of best players in the world playing for them, nobody tore us to pieces in those friendlies in 2012.

I expected it though.

I thought  Japan comprehensively outclassed us in the second WCQ in Aus in March 2022.

Arnie was in COVID quarantine for the game, which supposedly adversely affected the team.

We definitely have a strong team pressing game which was really effective in these games. Introducing Bos also allowed us to have an outlet out from the back but in the end the chances and few and far between and definitely not sustainable. But Japan have been one of the best teams in 2023, arguably better than most on that list last year. And also play a much more team orientated style even with such talents on their team. I definitely think we have a chance and I believe a few of the players that we've brought in in the past 2 years have allowed us to have a chance. We are bridging closer and closer. 

Champion: Hoping for Australia but i cant go past Japan.
Australia result: Semis.
Top scorer: Son.
Top Australian scorer: Fornaroli (if he gets enough game time).
Australian top performer: Goodwin.
Australian best tournament newcomer: Bos.
Australian you particularly want to do well: Silvera.
Underwhelming team: Qatar.
Surprise packet: Thailand.

The issue with Fornaroli scoring goals is that he gets great service in and around the box for MVFC. Australia does not have the technical ability in tight spaces to provided him with the same service in the same areas.
 

Champion: Hoping for Australia
Australia result: Final/Winner
Top scorer: Fornaroli
Top Australian scorer: Fornaroli
Australian top performer: Goodwin/Fornaroli
Australian best tournament newcomer: Tilio
Australian you particularly want to do well: Silvera.
Underwhelming team: Qatar.
Surprise packet: Vietnam

Agreed this is a problem for us, but with Goodwin, Silvera and Tilio in the squad I am hoping that we can produce enough scoring opportunities for Fornaroli to shine. We are fortunate to have India first up, and I would hope that Arnie should put our most attacking formation out to make a statement. This may not be Arnie's strong suit, but it would enable some "fringe" squaddies to play and let him manage the squad better than he has previously.

Japan have Vietnam as the fourth pot team in their group and they are my dark horse for a run in the tournament.

And maeda - is he in? An absolute work horse

Long Gethin Jones interview

https://youtu.be/xejUyXG6z-E?si=OfYevQd4lKKjaWci

Yes he got in. Kamada is absent. I'm not entirely sure why. Injured? Bad form? Better options? 

Kamada is in bad form with Lazio

Our draw really looks like something from a tennis grand slam. Gradually harder. It's going to be very interesting how the knockout gets set up and the 3rd placing combinations.

Group of death? I think F because Saudi Arabia, Oman, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan just appears the tightest amongst the teams. Potentially group A Qatar China Lebanon Tajikistan too. 

This is exactly the reason Maclaren doesn't do well for the NT against the better teams. We're not set up like City to provide chances for him.

Didn't really want Fornaroli picked. Arzani and Irankunda instead of Fornaroli and Tilio would've given me much more confidence.

Australia's results: Semi's
Top scorer: Takefusa Kubo 
Top Australian scorer: Souttar
Australian Player of the Tournament: Bos
Best newcomer: Bos
Australian you particularly want to do well: Fornaroli
Underwhelming team: Saudi Arabia
Surprise: Tajikistan 

Ange talking about the asian cup

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1X8meBN-Ol

can hardly wait. Two to Three huge tournaments in a year

Asian cup, olyroos qualifiers and (hope and against hope) the olympics

Squad numbers

1 Ryan
2 Deng
3 Atkinson 
4 Rowles
6 Boyle
7 Silvera
8 Metcalfe 
9 Fornaroli 
10 Yengi
11 Tilio
12 Thomas
13 O'Neill
14 McGree 
15 Duke
16 Behich
17 Baccus
18 Gauci 
19 Souttar
20 Miller 
21 Burgess 
22 Irvine 
23 Goodwin
24 Yazbek
25 Jones
26 Iredale 

Match Details

Bahrain v Subway Socceroos
Saturday, 6 January
Baniyas Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Kick-off: 6.00pm local/1.00am AEDT (Sunday, 7 January)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+

Can we not use Group of Death for this tournament unless it refers to war? The groups all have one goodish, some (japan or korean, maybe Iran strong) - the rest are nothing much

Obviously Jmac is better at tapping in and score but Fornaroli is clearly a better player as a striker he got a good first touch with ability to dribble just like typical South American strikers.  However, if we playing the minnows like Bangladesh, Taipei  type then Jmac is a perfect striker for us.

I hope Arnie will focus on the set piece delivery from Goodwin.  We got 3 best deadly headers with Duke, Irvine and Souttar. Should really work on cuz everyone just gonna focus on marking Souttar.

11 for Bahrain friendly is in

                 Gauci 
Jones Souttar Burgess Bos
           Irvine O'Neill
Silvera Metcalfe Goodwin 
              Duke

https://www.youtube.com/live/xkI06Gxp1F8?si=QLi1jRkO7us_-HPT

Steam for viewers outside Australia 

First 5min in and it's European handball by Australia so far. Just moving the ball (swifter than 2019 at least) in a semi circle as Bahrain sit deep. Silvera very central. Bös high up. Bahrain with one moment with lone man roaming through the centre where a diagonal pass would see him 30m free on goal. 

Positive is players are changing positions and roles at will. Bos high and inverted. Silvera central and wide. Lots of loose balls however. Irvine scrappy. Can't wait for Robertson. 

O'Neill is technically miles ahead of Irvine. Ball roles to Irvine where a swift touch would create space but he stumbles and it rolls under his foot. 

We're way too casual where we run away from the ball allowing Bahrain to cut the line each time. Not enough firm passing. Irvine with a trademark press and interception but the run sees no pass or shot.

Finally a low hard shot for Australia by Metcalfe. We're definitely unsettling their build up play which creates so's opportunities. 

Good run by Bos, him and Goodwin clash a lot on the left side but it's worsened against a low block and defensive side. Especially without a creative midfielder.

Wouldn't mind seeing Metcalfe wander over there to form a triangle. Irvine incredibly off pace so far not being in the right spot to allow for link ups. Bos rounding his man was good. Shame it wasn't squared to Silvera