Good one!! January Fools, you got me.
Good one!! January Fools, you got me.
Yikes.
Boyle looked like he could really deliver during this tournament. In his Socceroo career so far he has shown a professional edge, as well as the capacity to play both wide as well as narrow as a second 9. These qualities will be severely missed. His absence, along with Leckies injury actually poses questions as to how Arnie will set his team up.
Man, I really feel for Arnie here. It’s going to be difficult to get the group of players that aren’t injured to to play the way that he had intended. We’re likely to not do so well this campaign which will lead to Arnie will being harshly criticised and all of the Arnie haters will bang on about him fucking up his second Asian Cup tournament.
I can only hope that his luck changes soon. I still think he’s the best person for the job.
Or it’s actually a bit of a blessing for him because the general media will point to no Timmy anymore (although it’s 2 years + since he was anything but a bit part player), Mooy, Rogic, Leckie and that new guy who’d never been here before but decided to play for us because Australia Mate! who did the goals and give Arnie a bit of a free pass.
If we do well then he’ll be praised for those reasons by the media, but a lot of the regular punters won’t take those factors into consideration if we do poorly.
Giannou has been confirmed as part of the squad. What a weird inclusion.
Maclaren must be already stinking it up at camp
Probably points to Arnie thinking Ikon Mabil Leckie (if fit) is good enough and hell rather get a plan B or C going
All these injuries and the stupid potential Japan quarter really plays into the hands of the Arnie detractors
Really really need Rogic and Leckie to be fit. Would even be worth sitting them out of the group stage or saving them for late cameos at most.
Oh dear.
I’d be impressed if we got to the Semis. Injuries to our key players, playing in the Middle East, Arnie’s new to the gig, it doesn’t look great.
If we get to the Semis its very likely we’ll have to beat Japan, which I don’t see happening with our injury issues. That said, Japan’s squad is much weaker than previously. Hasebe, Konno and Honda have retired from internationals, Kagawa and Okazaki have been left out, as has Kawashima, Inui and Usami. Asano is injured. That said, their back line still has heaps of experience in it so they’ll still be a serious threat.
Looks a very very big ask. In saying that there are enough talents there to achieve something if they can find their combined mojo.
Players like Irvine, Luongo, Irvine, Degenak, Mabil etc may well be presented with opportunities to step up, just as Luongo himself managed to achieve in 2015, when he spearheaded the Socceroo’s Tournament victory and was crowned Player of the tournament in the process.
Arnie is good at getting his squads to embrace backs-to-the-wall situations. Wouldn’t be surprised if we defend our way to the semis… Then anything can happen
Quarters is disappointing but realistic. The broader football population will love to see Arnie fail again. Not having Mooy Boyle Arzani and Leckie (for the groups) is a big ask.
Japan Iran Korea and Saudi are all decent chances and UAE are bit of a dark horse.
If we bottle the group and go second then who are we likely to face in the quarters?
Thoughts on tonight’s line up? I can’t see us going anything less than full available strength but with the injuries I still think that leaves some question marks. I hope Arnie sees Mabil as part of his best XI and I get the feeling that Grant might start to provide some industry given that we are missing some of our usual guile.
———————- Ryan
-Grant Sainsbury Degenek Behich
———————-Milligan
——— Luongo/Amini Rogic
—Mabil McClaren/Nabbout Ikonomidis
I hope McLaren starts. We need a proven goal scorer
Arnie seems pretty keen on Nabbout though, and he presses a lot which suits Arnie well.
What time is kick off