Discussion Football (Soccer) Thread

[austinnn]

We aren't going to beat the French. Even if we did...we wouldn't be allowed. It's FIFA after all. We just need to keep the score sheet honourable. We'll hopefully put up a half decent fight against the other teams. I won't completely write us off against the Dane's and Tunisians, but we're going to need a bit of luck.
I'd love to watch some of these smug Euro bastards eat a big f*CK off serving of humble pie if we managed to get out of the group
Wonder how Austinn is doing over there in Nantes?

Watched it last night with the family. Was going to boycott the tournament but the kids were into watching it and it was on national broadcaster TF1 so why not?

Only Aussie player I recognised was Mat Ryan but I haven't been following football much the last year or so apart from the odd Liverpool match. The team seemed pretty defensive, but slow and a bit too respectful. Need to get that awkward dirty scragger side back in the aussie game! That bald fella (number 13) seemed particularly rubbish, but not a lot in general to be impressed by. I missed the goal as I got home late.

France is jam packed full of the cream of Europe and has history expectation and all the other good things serial winners have. Nice kits too.

Overall I don't really care though. The fact it's in Qatar is such an epic "**** You" to the planet that I can't enjoy it. Plus, Saints and Liverpool is already too much sport to give a **** about, I've scaled back my Liverpool interest since the hangover started. I'll give St Kilda a couple more years to inspire me.

 

[Plugger35]

I thought Australia did pretty well to create some chances against one of the best teams in the world.

I don't think any of the squad plays in the top flight of any of Europe's top leagues. 1/3 of the squad plays in the A-League and 1/4 of the squad plays in the Scottish Premier League so week in week out the majority are playing against average teams.

Bigger issue is what is happening with Australia's grass roots football? Going from a world cup squad with Schwarzer, Cahill, Neill, Viduka, Kewell, Thompson, Bresciano and to a lesser extent Aloisi, Moore etc...just 16 years ago.

Or was that golden era a bit lucky / a one off?

I think Australia always does well to punch above its weight given that Soccer would rank behind AFL/NRL depending on state and Cricket in terms of public interest. Participation seems good at youth level but not as prosperous a career sporting path over here unless you make it into Europe.

That 2006 WC Socceroos squad was a hell of a lot stronger than the current squad, they had more players in the EPL and other top flight leagues.

It was harder to qualify for that World Cup too, they really had to earn it compared to now when they are almost gifted a spot despite being weaker.

It's no coincidence that 2006 was the Socceroos best result making it into the Round of 16 and they could have beaten Italy if not for dodgy refereeing.

I can't see the Socceroos putting together a team as good as that one anytime soon, that team had some world class players all converging together.

 

[Plugger35]

They also had a great manager back in 2006 in Guus Hiddink who took South Korea to the semi finals of the 2002 World Cup.

He was the Ross Lyon of world football, a manager that liked to take the battlers to heights that they had never been before.

 

[George]

Already two amazing upsets










Spain also thrashed Costa Rica 7-0.

 

[gringo2011]

Croatia my other side couldn't score against Morocco and looks in danger of going out after getting to the final last time. Looked great with their field play but don't have anyone who can score. My wife is related to their striker and likely that he's too busy whinging to concentrate on his football.

 

[bergholt]

Croatia my other side couldn't score against Morocco and looks in danger of going out after getting to the final last time. Looked great with their field play but don't have anyone who can score. My wife is related to their striker and likely that he's too busy whinging to concentrate on his football.

So your wife looks great but doesn't score?

 

[mighty_sainters]

Croatia my other side couldn't score against Morocco and looks in danger of going out after getting to the final last time. Looked great with their field play but don't have anyone who can score. My wife is related to their striker and likely that he's too busy whinging to concentrate on his football.

Which striker?

 

[George]

Gee I dislike Richarlison but can't argue with his 2nd goal today - one of the best of the tournament so far.

 

[George]

Iran knock Wales out of the tournament with the last minute winner...love it

 

[Ephemeral Hope]

Toby Greene attempt by the wales keeper

Iran knock Wales out of the tournament with the last minute winner...love it

 

[gringo2011]

Which striker?

Vlasic.

 

[George]

Australia v Tunisia in 40 minutes, get on it

 

[bergholt]

Australia v Tunisia in 40 minutes, get on it

Our best chance of a result this time around, ranked not that far above us. With Hrustic still not fit though it's going to be hard.

 

[George]

Our best chance of a result this time around, ranked not that far above us. With Hrustic still not fit though it's going to be hard.

We need a draw at the very least

 

[TheOsprey]

Come on Aussies.

Jackson Irvine to emulate his separated at birth twin Joe Daniher and kick a bag.

 

[Munga]

Not confident. Always less stressful going in without expectation. I'm a Saints supporter after all.

 

[George]

A win now probably gets us through tbh

 

[TheOsprey]

Great start…final ball tho

 

[Munga]

1-0 up at half time. Gotta get this done from here!

 

[my name was taken]

This is too nerve rattling

On Pixel 7 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[lewdogs]

Incredible

 

[triggering bro]

Great game.

 

[TheOsprey]

Such a good result.

Someone getting carried away on Wikipedia

 

[George]

Farking huge

 

[True Blue Saint]

Get in.

Massive performance.

Harry Souttar > Harry Maguire => change my mind