| Syria (Football Related) on 23:47 - Sep 5 with 2974 views | Hadders |
Amazing, though when I saw this I wondered if those opposed to the Assad regime are likely to back the national team or not. Hope they make it, but it would be interesting to know more. | | |  |
| Syria (Football Related) on 00:15 - Sep 6 with 2959 views | SydneyRs |
Syria will be playing off against Australia for the chance to go into another playoff against one of USA, Panama or Honduras to qualify.
Australia have just finished 3rd in their Asian qualifying group, behind Japan and Saudi Arabia (who both qualify). In a Euro group you would already be out for finishing 3rd and if second would be facing a playoff potentially against the likes of Italy or Holland.
Australia however get to face Syria over two legs, and Syria obviously can't host the home leg at home. Win that, which they should, and it's another weak country over two legs to qualify. Its almost harder not to get in. [Post edited 6 Sep 2017 0:16]
| | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 01:15 - Sep 6 with 2928 views | Watford_Ranger |
Pathetic of Australia to finish behind Saudis. Had they battered Thailand they'd have been ok (assuming goal difference is the deciding factor rather than head to head).
Guessing this is therefore four more matches for Luongo too which we could do without. | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 01:17 - Sep 6 with 2925 views | bob566 |
Trade negotiations. Some shoddy deal with the Saudis | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 05:20 - Sep 6 with 2882 views | SydneyRs |
Yes, Luongo always suffers a dip in form after these trips and now there's a few more of them.
Thailand were a distant bottom of a weak group and had nothing to play for. Australia should already be out of contention for a world cup spot! | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 05:45 - Sep 6 with 2874 views | isawqpratwcity |
I was wondering if Japan would field a weak side against the Saudis, but apparently they went out for the win and were just outplayed.
Oz should have thrashed Thailand by every match stat except the score, so they have to live with that. Even the ref's stuff-ups all went Australia's way. Fwiw, Luongo was on the bench last night and didn't get his boots dirty, so should be ok this week-end.
Just a mention, too, for the All Whites (NZ), who are quite pleased to now be looking for a play-off win against the fifth place South American team after topping Oceania. Holy f*ck, I just looked to see who that is and it's Argentina! Ah, well... | |
| |
| Syria (Football Related) on 07:50 - Sep 6 with 2803 views | ozranger |
I think we can forget Luongo playing much for us until the end of November. He'll be spending more time flying over the next two months than on Loftus Rd. It is a pity, but really it is all Australian football deserves. The game, the tactics and the poor quality of players in that match yesterday proved that Australia is still a poor footballing country. Mooy was well below his best and the "great" Rogic couldn't hit a barn with his shooting. (Luongo did not play) Like QPR, Australia lack real strikers. To be relying on a near 38yo Tim Cahill to be a striker shows just how bad the situation is. They also do not have wingers as the tactics saw crosses along the ground instead of in the air throughout most of the match. Cahill's strength is his heading ability, so why not exploit it? Overall, the Australians were too slow in their build-up, too preoccupied in setting up chances and too keen in shooting from distance instead of taking advantage of their height in the opposition penalty area.
In fact, the Thais probably should have had a penalty prior to the first Australian goal and possibly one or two Australian players should have been sent off. The HK referee was quite lenient to say the least.
A close friend wrote the following to me: "On the other hand, what is the point of qualifying simply to make up the numbers? We are not competitive and unlikely to win a group match so why go? It would be better to try and fix up some of the local problems (e.g. the FFA governance issues) than use the world cup as another distraction."
And, this is just so true. Perhaps it is time for the Australians to regroup, clean up their home problems and try for the next WC, wherever that may be played. | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 12:07 - Sep 6 with 2703 views | eastside_r |
Perhaps Australia should consider moving continents again. Have they checked out Antarctica?  | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 13:06 - Sep 7 with 2434 views | hoof_hearted |
Listen to them moaning about tricky qualifying. Try being in Europe you whinging tarts.
If Syria make it in 4 years time they can send ISIS to pick up some cash to fund the war a bit longer or even start a fresh one while they're in Qatar. | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 12:56 - Sep 15 with 2246 views | martel |
Try traveling half way around the world and playing against teams that train together for several weeks prior. | | | |
| Syria (Football Related) on 14:38 - Sep 15 with 2152 views | Watford_Ranger |
No one forced them to leave Oceania. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
