Clicking around a bit with our Indonesia history. I remember the goalless draw in Asian Cup qualifying but can't remember the home leg as much. Shannon Cole played in that.

Came across John McKain on Transfermarkt, which has a good list of national team games. I forgot he made both the 2005 Confed and 2011 Asian Cup squads. Handy career in Romania. 

I can vaguely remember the 2010 Paraguay friendly. The Nigeria 2007 friendly isn't on Transfermarkt but who could forget Carney's goal? 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JSMzBhfZy-k

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MhQqazRswcU

We collected a lot of flags when you look at it. That Slovenia new stadium opening night. I remember playing really well Poland away and going alright in Switzerland. Egypt away was a farce and Romania in Spain where we took corners put of shot put concrete circles or something? 

So the 23-26 are a clear step up from the 27-30 year old roos

The 18-22 look a step up again

Ive heard the u17 are even better

Can anyone give me some players to look out for?

The u23 side are the first generation to go through the NC in full, and technically look better than the current Roos side.

The u20 look technically very good in those games against England and Portugal and match them through their football so they might be even better.

The u17s I wasnt that impressed given how direct they played in the AFC U17 Cup although they got some interesting prospects like Irankunda, Di Pizio etc

Maybe @bbouy could elaborate on the new Joeys cohort as we dont know much about them?

Looking at WC qualifying, I wonder how much the Asian Cup can buoy on some teams?

Group A[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Qatar	2	2	0	0	11	1	+10	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	21 Mar	11 Jun	8–1
2	Kuwait	2	1	0	1	4	1	+3	3			26 Mar	—	0–1	11 Jun
3	India	2	1	0	1	1	3	−2	3	Asian Cup qualifying third round		0–3	6 Jun	—	26 Mar
4	Afghanistan	2	0	0	2	1	12	−11	0			6 Jun	0–4	21 Mar	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group B[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Japan	2	2	0	0	10	0	+10	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	21 Mar	11 Jun	5–0
2	North Korea	2	1	0	1	6	2	+4	3			26 Mar	—	6 Jun	11 Jun
3	Syria	2	1	0	1	1	5	−4	3	Asian Cup qualifying third round		0–5	1–0	—	26 Mar
4	Myanmar	2	0	0	2	1	11	−10	0			6 Jun	1–6	21 Mar	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group C[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	South Korea	2	2	0	0	8	0	+8	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	21 Mar	11 Jun	5–0
2	Thailand	2	1	0	1	4	3	+1	3			26 Mar	—	1–2	11 Jun
3	China	2	1	0	1	2	4	−2	3	Asian Cup qualifying third round		0–3	6 Jun	—	26 Mar
4	Singapore	2	0	0	2	1	8	−7	0			6 Jun	1–3	21 Mar	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group D[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Malaysia	2	2	0	0	5	3	+2	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	26 Mar	4–3	11 Jun
2	Oman	2	1	0	1	3	1	+2	3			21 Mar	—	11 Jun	3–0
3	Kyrgyzstan	2	1	0	1	4	4	0	3	Asian Cup qualifying third round		6 Jun	1–0	—	26 Mar
4	Chinese Taipei	2	0	0	2	0	4	−4	0			0–1	6 Jun	21 Mar	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group E[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Iran	2	1	1	0	6	2	+4	4	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	11 Jun	21 Mar	4–0
2	Uzbekistan	2	1	1	0	5	3	+2	4			2–2	—	6 Jun	26 Mar
3	Turkmenistan	2	0	1	1	3	5	−2	1	Asian Cup qualifying third round		26 Mar	1–3	—	11 Jun
4	Hong Kong	2	0	1	1	2	6	−4	1			6 Jun	21 Mar	2–2	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group F[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Iraq	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	11 Jun	21 Mar	5–1
2	Vietnam	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1	3			0–1	—	6 Jun	26 Mar
3	Philippines	2	0	1	1	1	3	−2	1	Asian Cup qualifying third round		26 Mar	0–2	—	1–1
4	Indonesia	2	0	1	1	2	6	−4	1			6 Jun	21 Mar	11 Jun	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group G[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Saudi Arabia[a]	2	2	0	0	6	0	+6	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	21 Mar	11 Jun	4–0
2	Tajikistan	2	1	1	0	7	2	+5	4			26 Mar	—	1–1	11 Jun
3	Jordan	2	0	1	1	1	3	−2	1	Asian Cup qualifying third round		0–2	6 Jun	—	26 Mar
4	Pakistan	2	0	0	2	1	10	−9	0			6 Jun	1–6	21 Mar	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:

1. ^ Saudi Arabia has already qualified for the Asian Cup as the host nation.

Group H[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	United Arab Emirates	2	2	0	0	6	0	+6	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	11 Jun	21 Mar	4–0
2	Bahrain	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3[a]			0–2	—	6 Jun	26 Mar
3	Yemen	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3[a]	Asian Cup qualifying third round		26 Mar	0–2	—	11 Jun
4	Nepal	2	0	0	2	0	6	−6	0			6 Jun	21 Mar	0–2	—

Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:

1. ^ Jump up to:^a b Head-to-head points: Bahrain 3, Yemen 0.

Group I[edit]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Australia	2	2	0	0	8	0	+8	6	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	21 Mar	11 Jun	7–0
2	Lebanon	2	0	2	0	1	1	0	2			26 Mar	—	0–0	11 Jun
3	Palestine	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1	1	Asian Cup qualifying third round		0–1	6 Jun	—	26 Mar
4	Bangladesh	2	0	1	1	1	8	−7	1			6 Jun	1–1	21 Mar	—

It's pretty crazy now seeing Saudi, Tajikistan and Jordan in one group. Also interesting how many teams from the Asian Cup are in the same WC groups. Kyrgyzstan actually beat Oman and were leading in Malaysia only to lose.

I really hope Thailand can continue their form and beat China. We're going to see some pretty good groups of 6 in the next round. Iran Australia Iraq Uzbekistan Vietnam Thailand is possible. 

How we all wish Goodwin had been introduced earlier. He was always of the grade. There are others who are of the international level. The issue is they get brought in and it's hard to get past the fixed hierarchy and it's criminal that players like Leckie and Irvine have hindered this when their own chips were down. Nisbet is one who I think would really shake up the squad. I swear Kalik would be technically excellent compared to others. Elder was always out with niggles every windows and I can't help but think what an asset he would've been with his form and play.

Stamatalopoulos is only 24 yo, is second highest on the scoring  charts in the AL playing for the Jets, but hasn't been called into a Socceroo camp.

I've never seen him play.

Others off forum are impressed. 

He isn’t mates with Arnold yet obviously 

I  don't subscribe to the myth  that Arnie  only plays favourites.

I think Arnie would select any player likely to enhance the team he coaches.

I think his scoring record is 11 goals  from 14 AL games played this season. Impressive!

Why else would Mitch Duke still be starting 
games? Yengi did more in his 1 appearance than Duke all tournament. Yengi and Fornaroli would have scored at least 1 of Dukes 2 chances v SKorea.

Duke scores 1 freakish goal v Tunisia and gets ‘free pass’ from Arnold now

Hindsight is 20/20 mate. Duke was immense at the WC. 

I mean.. you could say the same about Kerr at the Women's World Cup if you really wanted to laugh...

I have seen him play 3 times this season.He has a striker's instinct for being in the box at the right time so he is definitely worth a look at by Arnie.He looks more composed than the young strikers-Botic,Alou Kuol and Waddingham -as he is 24.

Kerr has consistently been a world class striker for years - both for Matildas and Chelsea/previous clubs.
No comparison.

No - Souttar was immense. Duke worked hard and scored great goal v Tunisia but his 2 recent misses proves he shouldn’t be starting striker anymore. 

Yeah after this Asian Cup won't be looking at any team as easybeats. And that's a good thing for us and the AFC. Lots of upsets in the AFCON tournament too - top 5 nations in FIFA rankings at time of draw were Morocco (13) Senegal (20) Tunisia (29) Algeria (34) and Egypt (35). None of them made the quarter-finals. Not a good tournament for the North Africans, especially after their first WC semi-finalists in Qatar last year. 

Not a Newie fan but one player whom I am surprised at both the last transfer move and not getting a look in with G. Arnold is Angus Thurgate. Probably one of the most complete box to box midfielders we have, good defensive game, decent pace and technique and makes great runs forward.

Could be a Jackson Irvine apprentice.

Won't happen unfortunately but throwing Thurgate in for O'Neill and bringing in Nisbet if, say, Baccus got injured would surely get everyone working hard and concentrate. Omit Duke and pick the new strikers again. I honestly fear Maclaren and Leckie will come back even with lack of form of fitness. I really do.

Arnold does seem to select the familiar, maybe time to bring back Australia B or find funds for a localroos team.

          Bratten
Thurgate    Nisbet

Vs Australia A mid could be interesting.

Decentric mentioned him too as a standout. Have to admit i havent beem following him much

A socceroos b team from a league players would be fantastic

Surely we can organize mini tournaments with south east asian teams and new zealand?

Jacob farrel is apparently worth half a million euros

https://twitter.com/JoostvanderLeij/status/1755595292777566261

Irankunda who supposedly has set the A-League transfer fee record is sitting in Farrell's back pocket.

Cap Stamatelopoulos

So I'm at peace with the Asian Cup now finally lol, time to look forward.

We got two games against Lebanon home and away next. Two wins and we're through to the next stage of qualification.

Who do you all want to see lineup for the first game?

Really wanna see Goodwin on the left with Bos starting over Behich in behind him. 

Behich proved me wrong again and had a great game against South Korea. However the dude is 33. He's not gonna be at the next world cup and if he is something has seriously gone wrong. Need to start giving Bos competitive international experience at left back to give him time to grow and get comfortable in the role. No better chance than to do that here. Otherwise we're gonna be in a world of hurt later down in qualifying.

Get Yengi another start. He grew into his role against Uzbekistan had good passages of play. 

Also kinda want us to start phasing out Boyle as a starting role. Dude was really off his game and I think the injuries are catching up to him. He's not as quick, his finishing was woeful. Dribbled into defenders constantly. 

I would have liked to see Irakunda get a role off the bench as well. But the guy's form has not been good at all for Adelaide for a while now. Hasn't shown enough to warrant a spot in the next squad imo.

Hopefully Volpato can finally be called up here as well. If it doesn't happen here then I don't think it's ever gonna happen.

https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men

Australia up two spots to 23rd while South Korea in 22nd. 27 spots gained by Qatar and Sth Africa 8.

I don't have much hope for newbies just yet. This window is still somewhat tricky so Arnold will use the old guard. We're essentially through if we beat Lebanon first up.  

Would love Volpato on the right instead of Boyle. Bos definitely to start no question, probably the most in form Aussie and one of the best when he has the ball. 
Also, I watch every Irankunda game and to say "a while now" is quite the stretch, he hasn't played his best for the last two games but was good for the few games before that and earlier in early Jan 2024 was very very good. Hasn't been scoring and clearly living and dying with every possession because he feels the pressure of needing to score goals and the Bayern move but his attacking output in the right formation, system and good players around him would be unreal and would almost be enough to warrant a call-up on that alone. Sometimes watching him I feel like he is too good for Adelaide and that's what hinders him because it's hard for them to keep up and play the supporting roles he needs and the passing, setup and through balls are honestly terrible. He definitely needs to find new ways to score and really just hunt in the box a bit more because the team isn't supporting his runs as often as they use to. 
In summary, I wouldn't call him up because there isn't any point. He won't get minutes anyways so I'd just leave it for a while and let him make the transition to Bayern and he can focus on the Olyroos for this first half of 2024.

Yep almost no hope of new young blood. Arnold becoming so predictable & boring as cardboard 🙁
 but if up to me, squad clear out - with plenty of WCQ’s to ready the younger players for Wcup.
out: Duke, Leckie, Behich, Irvine, Ryan
in: Yengi, Iredale, g Kuol, Irankunda, O’Neill, Gauci, Nisbet

old formula not working since WCup success.