Matt
Years ago
Well done Roos where's all the Ange haters now? Didn't Mile Jedinack make a big difference, oh and a charter jet home they beat Honduras by 20 hours to get to OZ, made a difference it seems..
AngusH
Years ago
Great stuff, we beat Honduras at home with a deflection and two penalty goals. 3rd place finish in the world cup group stage, here we come!
CT
Years ago
God that was awful. They're going to get slaughtered once the world cup starts.
3rd place finish in the world cup group stage, here we come!
Can't win. Make finals, people hate, they miss out, people hate. Congrats to them on making it, never know what can happen where one mistake can win a game. But Italy wish they were in same spot.
In 2006 we had enough players playing regularly in the EPL (and other top four Euro leagues) to fill a squad. Around 12-15. In 2017 this number is 3.
Let me compare it to basketball now.
It's like saying in 2029 that everything is fine with our basketball development with only one or two Aussies in the NBA after having 10 or so in 2017.
AngusH
Years ago
I'm sure I heard the commentators say last night that we had the longest road to a world cup qualification of all time, in terms of number of qualification games needed? Or was that only the longest road for an Australian team?
Fryz
Years ago
It's hard to compare 2018 to 2006. The emergence of the A-League and the big bucks being paid in China and other Asian leagues would skew the data as far as European representation.
Went to the match last night, haven't seen any stats but it felt like the Socceroos had at least two thirds possession. They looked pretty good in the past two matches.
Cram
Years ago
Yes it was the longest road to World Cup qualification ever by any team. Two group stages then 2 playoff series.
I'm stoked with this. Nobody has big expectations, but any time your country is represented at the biggest event in the world its great news.
Yeaterday was certainly an awesome day for Australia!
Cram
Years ago
In the end they played 22 games, winning 14 with 6 draws and just 2 losses with 51 goals for and 18 against. Not bad.
Sure there was some frustration along the way but it ia an achievement to get there. Just ask Italy, Chile, Holland and the USA.
"In the end they played 22 games, winning 14 with 6 draws and just 2 losses with 51 goals for and 18 against. Not bad.
Sure there was some frustration along the way but it ia an achievement to get there. Just ask Italy, Chile, Holland and the USA."
Doesn't it depend who the opposition is? My understanding was that Australia's path is easier playing against some of the weaker Asian sides. And this was one of the main reasons they decided to move to the Asian Confederation.
Cram
Years ago
It isn't about easier, it was about more predictable, more meaningful games and, in theory, avoiding these sudden death playoffs. That should make us a better team too as they get to play games that matter more often, together.
New Zealand have a game today that if they win (or get a scored draw) they are in, potentially after playing just 2 games that matter. You can get lucky in 2 games. With the AFC qualifying we have to be consisently good (ok at least ok) for 2 years
Fryz
Years ago
Australia's path is more difficult through Asia than Oceania.
No, it's not.
It is a failure we didn't qualify directly out of Asia, and ended up in the same playoff situation we faced when we played out of Oceania.
And via Asia it's worse with two playoffs.
Lowy/FFA have failed, we are going backwards not forwards. At least Postewoglu is stepping down so hopefully we get a better coach (please not another A-League one *shudder*).
It's hard to compare 2018 to 2006. The emergence of the A-League and the big bucks being paid in China and other Asian leagues would skew the data as far as European representation.
Cram
Years ago
Getting into the World Cup gives us money and exposure which is needed to get the next generation interested and develop them. It is a great result (on a day of great results).
Wrong. Being in the World Cup in 2006, 2010 & 2014 didn't achieve what you just claim a World Cup appearance does.
Cram
Years ago
Between 2006 and 2013, participation in the game roughly doubled, which would certainly have a lot to do with the exposure the game was given with Australia featuring at the game's showpiece.
I've never claimed that the ffa hasn't had issues it needs to address, but getting to the World Cup IS significant and a great outcome for the future of the game.
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