Well- there's 3 new names we've never played: Group B Jordan (103 on the FIFA world rankings) is the only side that qualified for the Asian Cup, while the remaining three are ranked between 143 (Tajikstan), 153 (Kyrgzstan) and 167 (Bangladesh).
Squad for game 1 vs Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek on June 16: SOCCEROOS SQUAD Goalkeepers Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge, Belgium) Defenders Aziz Behich (Bursaspor, Turkey), Jason Davidson (West Brom, EPL), Tarek Elrich (Adelaide United), Ivan Franjic (unattached), Trent Sainsbury (PEC Zwolle), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai, Korea Republic), Bailey Wright (Preston North End, England) Midfielders Oliver Bozanic (FC Luzern, Switzerland), Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio, Italy), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace, EPL), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town, England), Matt McKay (Brisbane), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht, Holland) Strikers Nathan Burns (Wellington), Tim Cahill (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Tomi Juric (Western Sydney), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt, Germany), James Troisi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium) http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...n-road-to-russia/story-fndkzvnd-1227367942045
Interesting media conference before the game on Wednesday: http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...es-in-kyrgyzstan/story-fndkzvnd-1227399700621
Match review & highlights in link: http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...ign-with-2-1-win/story-fndkzvnd-1227401100934
Ange names his squad for the next two games: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/08/19/ange-admits-exceptions-his-socceroos-rule Australia squad: Aziz Behich, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Alex Cisak, Jason Davidson, Tarek Elrich, Adam Federici, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Oar, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan, Matthew Spiranovic, Alex Wilkinson, Bailey Wright.
Ryan's out as well: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/08/31/mat-ryan-ruled-out-socceroos-qualifiers
Be interesting to see the starting lineup for tonight ... anyone know when this is announced? Or not until just before kickoff? The Aussies should be looking to make a statement tonight. Goal difference could be key in this qualifying and making the most of home games is a must.
Some media about the next game: TAJIKISTAN FAST FACTS 8 million population Tajik (Persian) is the official language One of 15 nations part of the former Soviet Union Life expectancy: 65 (men), 71 (women) Central Asia’s poorest country, relying on oil and gas imports Agriculture (cotton and wheat) are crucial to economy No. 158 on FIFA’s world rankings http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...oos-come-to-town/story-fndkzvnd-1227516216053
Oh come on man. This is a weak team, there is no need for such a fuse over it. Go there do your job and come back with 3 points.
Not always as easy as that though. It should be a win, but I don't think it will be easy. It would be good to see them make a statement in this game, but really with away games 3 points is all that matters (especially after Jordan slipped up with a draw at home to Kyrgyzstan).
I have a feeling it could be a similar scoreline to the Bangladesh result. I'm just hoping that Tajikistan are more competitive.
Well only 3 goals tonight, and although a better team than Bangladesh the Tajiks didn't really look like causing an upset. Bring on Jordan
Don't consider them in equal standing as Bangladesh. Obviously, they are a better team. All former Soviet Union republics are physically strong defensive teams. They can hold stronger teams to draw quite often. Tajikistan has been performing weak in past few years because of lack of funding. They can bounce back anytime to their original level (above Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, any south Asian country, Taiwan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Mianmar, etc)
I believe Tajikistan is one of the poorest central Asian countries, so not sure that necessary funding will arrive anytime soon for the Tajiks. They made a lot of school boy errors with the ball (e.g. turning into players, not protecting the ball when in possession), so I think that being exposed to a higher level of competition will definitely be beneficial for them. As many of these school boy errors can "work" against lower teams, but not against mid-level teams (or higher). Their players were more disciplined, fitter and technically better than Bangladesh, but I can't see either finishing above Kyrgyzstan in the pool.
Ange talks us up: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/09/09/postecoglou-lauds-dominant-australia
I must admit I only watched about the first 25 minutes of the game but I was impressed by their organisation unlike Bangladesh who were just doing whatever.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD GOALKEEPERS Alex Cisak (Leyton Orient), Adam Federici (Reading), Mat Ryan (Valencia) DEFENDERS Jason Davidson (Huddersfield Town AFC), Ryan McGowan (Dundee United), James Meredith (Bradford City), Josh Risdon (Perth), Trent Sainsbury (P.E.C Zwolle), Matt Spiranovic (Hangzhou Greentown FC), Alex Wilkinson (Joenbuk), Bailey Wright (Preston North End) MIDFIELDERS Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (QPR), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Baniyas), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Tom Rogic (Celtic), James Troisi (Al Itihad) ATTACKERS Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo), Tim Cahill (Shanghai Shenhua), Tomi Juric (Roda JC), Mathew Leckie (Ingolstadt) Tommy Oar (Ipswich)