An interesting group. Defending Champions, grouped with two teams that have given them trouble in recent times with Syria only being inches away from knocking Australia out of the world cup, and Jordan defeating Australia in their home leg in the second round of Qualification for this tournament. Palestine are a bit of an unknown for me. I can look up their results and quote them, but I haven't seen them play. Syria were pretty good against us when I went to watch them in Sydney, Jordan a bit disappointing in Sydney as they did have a bit to play for in that match.
I can't imagine Australia are too happy with this draw. Some reward for being a seeded team + defending champions. That said, as one win/3 points is most likely good enough to progress, the Socceroos should be fine. Palestine and Syria are the two in-form teams at the moment. Syria's only loss over the last 12 months was the extra time loss to Australia in Sydney. Palestine have had an easier slate of opponents but had an undefeated run over the past two years (8W 3D) until they lost their last qualifier to Oman. Big issue for them is the coaching situation; they stupidly let go of the architect of their success- Abdel Nasser Barakat- to bring in Julio Baldivieso, who was hired using Saudi cash. The fans and media were up in arms and the PFA issued an ultimatum: Do not lose vs. Oman- he lost and was fired. Now, Palestine are led by Barakat's assistant on an interim basis. There's no shortage of talent at home and abroad but this administrative chaos may be their undoing. Jordan are not the Jordan of 3-4 years ago and I would be shocked to see them progress into the next round. They had an easy qualifying group and really struggled to collect points away from home. That said, they've got a good slate of games to prepare so maybe they can figure out some issues and bleed in younger players. In summation, the games between the Levant countries could produce any and all results. Very difficult to handicap.
I don't think he will make it either but they can name a replacement squad player just before the tournament starts. I think it also a bit strange to name him as any replacement would benefit from being with the squad earlier rather than later. There is also a cloud over a couple of others but they are more likely to play than not.
Heard today Leckie would most likely miss the three group games but a chance to be fit by the Round of 16.
Jeggo will replace Mooy. https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/mooy-ruled-out-of-asian-cup-as-socceroos-turn-to-jeggo
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Should be an interesting group ... Australia v Syria should be a good rematch,don't know if Syria can sit as deep as they did in those playoff games though, they had to rely a lot on Australia not taking their chances and making the most of theirs. Not sure that will work over a tournament scenario. If nothing else the Socceroos Facebook account should be inundated with Syrian posters (they were atrocious with their comments over the qualifiers ... I would have been ashamed for them to be any sort of representation of my country).
http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/injury-rules-out-australia-s-boyle Another injury for Australia. This time it's Martin Boyle.
Was still a bit unknown within the Australian setup so probably not a big loss, but would have been better to have him there than not IMO. Most want Goodwin to replace him ... however not sure a mediocre season in the A-League really endears him to my heart to take that place. Think we need a more goal scoring threat to replace Boyle than Goodwin (who is more a crosser than goal scorer most the time). Hrustic could be an interesting choice, and provides an option in the middle too. Wonder how Rogic would go out wide a bit ... not that he'd get back to defend, so would have to plan for that. I still think we need someone in Giannou's mold in the squad. Asian oppositions struggle against big strikers and think he could be a good plan B if our small speedy forwards don't fire. Juric shouldn't be near the squad ATM IMO.
Boyle's a big loss- showed a keen eye for goal in what we've seen from him. And it is Giannou: https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...y/news-story/bd2144a4e0051f989e3c44e8b03eb9d8
Jordan beating Australia is the first upset in this young tournament, although this is not the first time Jordan has defeated Australia. Anyway, it was a good game and while Australia had most of the possession and created some good chances in the 2nd half, Jordan also had chances to extend its lead. If only 2 teams advanced from the group stage, Australia would seem in trouble. But I still have a hard time imagining Australia failing to advance from its group when the 3rd place finisher in most of the groups will also advance. That said, among the groups in this tournament, this might be in some ways the most difficult one as Syria or even Palestine arent pushovers either.
Well I think everyone knew Jordan would sit very deep and counter, yet we didn't see a great deal of creativity needed to break them down. Didn't seem like there was much effort in trying to draw the opponent out. Several important players missing but it's a bad look for Arnold. Luongo/Rogic disappointing.
The Syria Palestine result leaves Jordan in a very good position to qualify. Didn't see that game as I need some sleep. My nations performance against Jordan saw our old problems exposed once again. We seem to be able to hold the ball for long periods but we don't create the chances that we should and don't finish off enough of the ones we do create. It was a battle of different tactics from the start and Jordan executed their game plan to perfection and thoroughly deserved their win. It may turn out to be a disappointing tournament for us and the coach may end up with a very short term in charge, even though I don't think the teams performance is his fault. It's just that at the moment this is what we have and we have to make the best of it. I thought before the tournament that a reasonable performance would be quarter finals with anything else a bonus. I may have to re-evaluate that. A quarter final spot may be the absolute best we can do. In any case, we need at least a win and a draw as a minimum now to have a chance of progressing.
Although Jordan caused trouble to Australia in the past (2-1 loss in 2012 and 2-0 loss in 2015), this was completely unexpected, given the recent friendlies. Having seen the Syria - Palestine game, neither of them looks better than Australia, so I think the Aussies will make it as runners-up.
Maybe, but its now six competitive games in a row where we have failed to score a goal from general play. The last time we did was against Syria in the World cup playoffs, with the goals since then coming from 4 penalties and a free kick.