Well Souttinho done it again against Jordan. On to the next round.
… which isn’t being played in a bubble. Are we supposed to expect the government to let all the countries in by September?
As fun as playing Vietnam here in Sydney would be, can’t see it happening.
There’s no way the government let’s that go ahead without quarantine
There better be a fucking inquest into why we keep conceding against Taiwan.
Yep, nailed on to be playing away or at a neutral venue til at least match day 5
Edit: also, let’s finally f’ing draw Iran. I’m getting old, time for vengeance is going to run out.
They don’t look as strong as they have in previous years but I’d still rather avoid them.
If we do draw them though and games are able to be played here, we better not play them in fucking Melbourne.
Edit: didn’t check the pot seedings. Bring on Iran.
Avoid them meaning Iran? Our alternative from that pot is Japan. I’ll take Iran 100%
I’ve read that FFA has been exploring a bio security bubble with Govt for home games.
Both teams would go straight from airport to bio secure hotel & training facility likely outside Sydney
From there they ride team bus direct to Bankwest.
Huge net will surround playing field at Bankwest stopping the ball from exiting the field into the crowd.
After game straight back to secure hotel and then flight out the next day.
FFA hopes this will allow Socceroos and visiting teams to enter & leave Australia without quarantine.
What happens with locally based players?
They play in a hazmat suit.
Just put this over Parramatta and be done with it.
That’s certainly possible, and is similar to what has been in discussion for the F1 and tennis.
I just don’t see it happening with all the logistics and cost involved as well as the requirement for local players who are re-entering the community still needing to quarantine anyway, compared to just playing away early or in Qatar/UAE/Kuwait and working with authorities who will be more willing to facilitate it.
By September, you’ll also have places that we will be much more advanced in the vaccine rollout and returning to normality making logistics easier in those countries. National federations from these countries may also be unwilling to agree to putting their players back in bubbles.
It’s all a lot of what if’s and maybe’s granted which is why I just think they’ll take the easy option.
Probably also depends on the draw as well. We’d possibly be happy to give up a home game against the pot 5 and 6 teams but keep it for pots 1 and 3
Seeing chatter on Asian football twitter that the AFC will delay the next round of qualifiers to March and do a hub again.
Olympic team announced.
Well done Joel & rightly rewarded for his progress this season.
Duke… I assume logistics played a part and Tokyo is en route to his next destination.
Duke is a cunt and I don’t know how many countries will be sending one tbh. Not a bad pick.
His physical up top style is interesting in an underage tournament.
he scores plenty of dodgy goals too, he will be handy for that.
Harry Souttar is in the team.
Why would you care if Duke scores?
Shocking the world could come in many ways.
Draw for 3rd round of qualifying in 5 minutes
Here: Socceroos' Draw for FIFA World Cup 2022 AFC Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - YouTube
