Tricky calculations as we play both in the next window the stronger at home and the weaker away (arguably). 

Bahrain would be less likely to go the distance this campaign so I'd say it's better they take all 3 points here. In turn Bahrain could then beat China next and heaven for big Australia and they're then sitting in a strong position. At the same time Saudi can't be allowed points as they're less likely to lose games.

Tonight I'll hope Bahrain wins and then draws against China and we beat them. 

Just running the numbers and I think Bahrain winning poses a risk. A draw would probably be preferable. Goalless at HT.

Bahrain winning this then beating China and Australia would spell doom for our campaign as I feel we're going to hit a banana skin against Saudi and just draw. 

When putting their results from the last 2 years into perspective it really shows how precious it is to get a point out of Japan in Japan.

Watching the replay our shape and defence was solid. There were about 5 moments of bouncing balls in the area where it could go anywhere and Japan hit it and maybe score. Our attack was near non-existent with a few glimpses of cohesion. As we needed a result it's really ok how things went. I'd like to see much more attack against Saudi.

bahrain pull of the draw! We are top of the group!

Saudi Bahrain ends goalless. A scrappy affair with lively Saudi play more so from overhitting the ball. Bahrain with some disgusting time wasting and cheating. One player ran at his man and kicked out in the box to then fall and try and claim a penalty.

That's 3 home games for Saudi now. Fortunate late win with 10 men in China too. Game in Australia is so big and they're still not to be underestimated. Swings and roundabouts but Bahrain losing to Indonesia last would've been the better result as Indonesia still have to play Japan twice. Australia doesn't have an insurance policy but they've cleaned up the mess this window.

Japan don't count haha.

sha-la-la-la-la-la-la
get lost east asia
sha la la la la la la
we rule the afc

great night boys!

haha top of the rest of the group

did you see that moment where saudi kneeed the goal keeper in the face and appealed for a penalty? haha

seems to be their main attacking outlet

A really good window,  both our own results and the other results in our group.

Qualification is back in our own hands now. 

It disgusts me. Issue is a lot of that ME crap gets given. Also they're good at sprinting into the box and the defenders are dumb to stick out and arm. We'll have to be smart the next window.

Geria should be that RB if we move to 4 at the back.

https://ultra.zone/2026-FIFA-World-Cup-qualification-AFC-Third-Round#group=c

Seems like Japan beating Saudi will be the time they secure their qualification. China are away to Bahrain next and will be buoyed so hopefully they can prevent Bahrain from winning. Saudi have a fortunate travel window with Australia and Indonesia away. Both tough games but it'll be less draining.

Dreamland next window is winning both games while China hold Bahrain and Indonesia hold Saudi( which they've already done). The March window is favourable and hopefully doesn't need to be a fallback position with Japan hosting Bahrain, Australia- Indonesia and Saudi- China. It's then Japan- Saudi, China- Australia, Indonesia- Bahrain. Beat Indonesia and draw China with other favourable and likely results and it's 6 points ahead going into final 2 games with a GD buffer.

It'll be interesting to see if Poppa sticks to a 5-2-2-1. It gives us nothing offensively. I feel like it was developed to right the ship and target a result in Japan. We need a more progressive system.

I think we need to shift to 4 at the back. I'm hoping to see some new midfielders too. Those not picked or fit include Luongo, Robertson, Balard and Nisbet who all offer a lot. They'll help us play a more progressive system. 

There are some good options for the deep lying play maker. Luongo back will be big. Robertson and Balard also good options. Yazbek's quality surprised me too.

Numerous changes between the two games means hopefully a slight shift for the next squad too. 

Irvine on verge of tears in interview. Have him in the squad but don't always start him. 

Yazbek was so much more alert and smooth on the ball. We actually left ourselves thin on midfielders and nearly paid for it. 

A League back too so maybe a few people will put their case forward. I think the defensive group is set.

Did Popovic manage Aiden Simmons at all? I'm a fan. 

To think this window we still didn't utilise Arzani, Apo and others. Options aplenty case by case. 

Popa didn't manage Simmons. They missed each other by 4-5 years. I like Simmons too. Just 21. I'd like to see an o/s move soon.

1st point in Japan in like 13 years? 

To be honest good on him for picking Brattan. I actually think it’s a good message even if he was useless lol. 

What has Arzani done to warrant selection?

Nothing last year, now showing discipline issues.

Sure if he's in Europe or had a blinder select him. But he's done neither.

To be honest he’s probably one of our only players who can get in behind players 

Have only watched the live game - which was tense. Great result!

Looking forward to watching a replay, which always show up interesting things after watching a game live. I might have a different opinion looking at a replay. However, Popa, like all new coaches Aus have had, has made sone selections few would have thought to do - and they've come off.

Geria - in one and a half Socceroo games in this WCQ phase, he has been close to the best player we have had! How the heck didn't Arnie recognise his  quality as a Right CB in a back three, and general defensive qualities? He has been immense.
When I watched Victory a lot in the last season, after subscribing to Paramount in January, MV have  dominated possession and  territory in most games. Hence, I was particularly interested in young players Arzani, Villupillay, Teague and Valadon - with an eye to the Socceroos. From Geria's  2 Socceroo performances thus far, he has to be a starter in the next games. He is aged 31. What a waste of an excellent defender.

Gauci- others know more about shotstopping than me. As a shot stopper he has done little wrong. One errant pass against China with the ball on the deck. Another good call from Popa. 

Villupillay- could not hit the side of a barn for MV or the Aus u23s, last season, despite plenty of excellent ball playing and ball winning qualities. He is the only Aus striker to score in the last 4 games, albeit Goodwin being a winger. Another good Popovic call. 

Will have to have a closer look at Brattan in the replay, but I think Nesbit should have been selected based on previous performances.

Hrustic was all at sea, with so little ball. Off the ball work is not his go.Metcalfe would have been more effective. 

Both  Irvine and Miller struggled against more nimble opposition - both are just too slow footed with the ball at their feet to wrongfoot Japanese players. Miller was a great selection against China, with his aerial prowess and he provided the excellent cross that led to the Japanese own goal, but the likes of the more nimble Strain or Atkinson are needed against Japan.

I just wonder if Popa is a bit put out that Arnie underestimated the ability of A L players to do a job? Forget where players play club football, Geria has been our best CB along with Souttar.  One of our best ever CBs, Spira, played most of his club football with Popa in the AL.

At the same time other players have really been shown up against Japan. Japan are knocking on the  door of a world powerhouse reputation. Their technique on the ball, really fast handling speed, perfect body shape under time and space pressure, two footedness, was simply a class above Aus. They are pretty well as good as the UEFA powerhouses and probably better than any South Americans outside Brazil and Argentina.

In their Squeezing, the measure of  intensity of football pressure off the ball, within different types of press, was incredible. As soon as a Socceroo gained a turnover, often three Japanese  swarmed in the Defensive Transitions and won the ball back within a second or two.

Whatever the past tactical inferiority of Japan compared to Aus 10 years ago, as identified by FFA Tech Dept, given all the Japanese players play in really good tactical leagues in UEFA, we just couldn't  move the quickly enough to stop Japan  reading our patterns of play, and anticipating where the build up was occurring too quickly for Aus to keep the ball.

For Japan to have 71% Possession, meant absolute domination. Undoubtedly Aus had brilliant concentration off the ball, for sustained periods, but like when SK played Aus in the Asian Cup, we were totally outclassed by Japan. I just marvelled at the quality of their football. Aus doesn't need to look to outside Asia, for technical advice. Foot Aus need study groups of coaches visiting Japan to acquire training ground methodology.

Aussie Eurosnobs are simply deluded by ignoring Asian football. Japan play better quality football than many  UEFA football matches they watch. 

Also, I've previously said a weakness in UEFA teams is many are tot tall in height, but only teams like Argentina and Brazil are good enough to exploit it. Japan is another team with many nimble, shorter players, very quick on the turn. In recent periods, Portugal and Spain , haven't relied on lots of tall players, but Japan is another quality football team playing deck football.

Apart from Bos, and McGree at times, there was little Aus impetus going forwards. We struggled to keep the ball against the intensive Japanese Squeezing.  Popa tucked the wingers  from the  three in.  McGree and Hrustic,  played inside,  which was effective in a 4-5-1- or 5-2-3 in Ball Possession opposition, but didn't work in 3-4-3 Ball Possession. Hrsutic received little service.

Yazbek did well after replacing Brattan in midfield.

I'm a huge fan of Arzani.

Thought he looked  potent against Bangla, whilst playing on an awful heavier part of the pitch.

I get a bit of tomic vibes from hrustic he doesn't look very happy 

I think we should be proud of the team especially Harry, gauci and bos 

Arzani had good season for MV last season and was playing well in Aus Cup before that bald fuckwit Kisnorbo dropped him for Final (which worked out well for MV btw)
Arzani was top of AL last season for front third attacking creativity FFS
Did u watch MV games last season? He was even good in GF vs Mariners by helped setting up 1st goal

He  didn't receive much ball. Hrustic had to defend a lot, which is a weakness of his.

If he isn't a good team person, AH is gone. The  talent of young Aus attacking midfielders coming through in the u23s and U20s is such, Hrustic will be surplus to requirements.   Jake Hollman, Segecic, Youlley, Valadon, Jelacic, are already similar quality to AH on the ball, but work harder off it.

Not sure if Robertson is  still in the picture? Volpato has no hope with Popa as coach. 

Popa said if players don't want  to play for Aus,  he isn't chasing them. That it is an honour to play for the green and gold - not a question of a coach having to induce players to play.

Couldn't access TV viewing for the Aus Cup Final.

Kisrnorbo dropped Arzani?

Wow!