Australia vs Ireland Friendly

[Crowdie]

When does the Australian team get named for the Republic of Ireland friendly next month?

Crowdie.

[Auxodium]

I would like to know too Crowdie!

[tenpo]

I wouldn't expect to see a team sheet until late in the piece - maybe a week or two beforehand? They don't usually come out too early for friendlies, do they?

I'm up for this one! My Dad's Irish! I'd say there'll be a bit of witty banter flying about my place come 6am on the day!

[Auxodium]

So i take it you haven't been brain washed by the Rangers buy out have you? :P Being Irish? :P

[SebastianK]

I don't know either, but it should be a good match. I was born in Ireland but spent most of my childhood in Australia, so I'll be in Lansdowne.

Damned pity about Oceania getting screwed out of that Automatic World Cup berth. Had the Kiwi's not had a stroke of luck in getting into the confederations cup and then getting trounced, the auto spot would have never been taken away. Oh well.

[tenpo]

I think the spot was always going to be taken away. Blatter made the promise that he knew he wouldn't be able to defend when Sth America came calling. Even if NZ had won the bloody cup we're a nothing confederation politically. Europe and South America will get their way - Europe's got the cash, and they need to make South America happy so that they can keep getting quality players.

Oh, and it looks like Farina will announce his 18-man squad late next week. Article here (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/31/1059480486196.html). Apparently Kewell's in. What was that dumb spat about anyway? And the article says that Okon's still in the lineup. I don't rate him - he's past his best. We've got quality midfielders to spare, chuck someone else in. I hope they give Vince Grella some decent time this game.

According to the SMH (http://www.smh.com.au) article, the likely squad is:

LIKELY SOCCEROO SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Zeljko Kalac (Perugia, Italy).

Defenders: Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England), Craig Moore (Rangers, Scotland), Tony Vidmar (Cardiff City, Wales), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England), Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City, England), Kevin Muscat (Rangers, Scotland).

Midfielders: Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland), Vince Grella (Empoli, Italy), Paul Okon (Leeds United, England, capt), Josip Skoko (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy), Danny Tiatto (Manchester City, England), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers).

Strikers: Mark Viduka (Leeds United), John Aloisi (Osasuna, Spain), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England).

[Auxodium]

Yeah that sounds like a sound and likely squad. I reckon it would be similar to the England squad though.

[tenpo]

There's a bit of a worrying article in the SMH (http://www.smh.com.au) this morning. Farina said that the squad will be pretty much the same as those who played England - apparently there's just no really promising younger talent out there right now in the U23 squad! Very worrying signs for the 2006 World Cup... Most of our squad will be getting a bit crusty by then.

In brighter news (well, I think so anyway) Vince Grella is apparently challenging Okon for the central midfield role - go Grella!

[tenpo]

There you are - Farina announces squad for Ireland friendly. Absolutely no surprises, really. It'll be interesting to see whether Chipperfield or Tiatto (or even ... Kewell?) starts on the left, as Chipperfield's been in fine form at the start of the Swiss season - leading the league in assists, 4 in 4 games.

The announcement's on the Soccer Australia Web site (http://www.socceraustralia.com.au/public/article/show.asp?articleid=6502&menuItemID=).

Does SA get revenue from the fixture? Anyone know if it's a lot?

[Auxodium]

I think it is like 10 percent or something but i have no idea spirit fan! Yeah i thought it would be very similar to the England game. Chippers has been in great form since the 2000 NSL grand final and i tipped for him to get to the Socceroos and be a force in the squad.

[pmannion]

Ireland squad v Australia


Goalkeepers
Shay Given (Newcastle United), Nick Colgan (Hibernian), Joe Murphy (West Bromwich Albion)

Defenders
John O'Shea (Manchester United), Stephen Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Ken Cunningham (Birmingham City), Gary Breen (Sunderland), Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United), Ian Harte (Leeds United), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Steve Finnan (Liverpool)

Midfielders
Lee Carsley (Everton), Colin Healy (Unattached), Matt Holland (Charlton Athletic), Mark Kinsella (Aston Villa) Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland), Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Damien Duff (Chelsea)

Strikers
Gary Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Clinton Morrison (Birmingham City), David Connolly (West Ham United)

[Auxodium]

I am glad they are taking this more seriously unlike the English. tsk tsk. Also it is a coming of age for Australian football as we are regarded as a proper team for a match the Irish manager said. He wanted quality opposition who can give us a work out as they have been a bit rusty since the 2002 world cup.

This is great for Australian football!