Australian National Football (Soccer) Team

[rasputin]

I just heard about the Australian football team's victory over Iraq in the World Cup Qualifiers and the words used in the news report were 'an inspirational one-nil victory over Iraq'. Am I the only one who thinks the Australian National team is a joke?

[badtaste]

mmm, I don't get you. Are you saying Australia's soccer team is silly or something?

[rasputin]

Yes. I mean, come on, they used to think they were amazing because they would beat the Solomon Islands 20 - nil. I just think that they're ridiculous, and hearing this news report tonight about the 'inspirational' defeat of the Iraqi team just reminded me of it.

[badtaste]

Meh, the media is always going to hype up sporting events, particularly when they involve national teams.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Iraq are the best team in Asia right now.

[nitzguy]

yea, they won the Asian cup last year i think

[Superfly]

didn't iraq just beat them? they've had some poor games in the last few months ... they only drew with singaporea while back which is a pretty poor team

[Apocalyptic Raids]

didn't iraq just beat them? they've had some poor games in the last few months ... they only drew with singaporea while back which is a pretty poor team
they beat us 1-0 in Doha last week, and we beat them here before that

and we beat Qatar 3-0 yesterday to ensure we advance to the next stage of qualification

so all in all, rasputin is stupid

[TakeWarning]

Iraq are the best team in Asia right now.
This.


so all in all, rasputin is stupid

And this.

[sgrevs]

I've got free tickets for the China game tomorrow night, un/fortunately it's a bit of a nothing game seeing as we're already through.

Also, We've been named as top seeds for the next qualifying stage along with S. Korea, which is good because it means we won't be in the same group as them.

[TakeWarning]

Does anyone know what happens in the next qualifying stage?

[badtaste]

"Qualifying has been substantially altered from the 2006 method, with two knock-out preliminary rounds to reduce the 43 entrants to 20, a first group stage with the top-two sides from 5 groups of 4 advancing to a final group stage. The winners and runners-up of the two final groups of 5 advance to the World Cup finals with the two third-placed sides playing off for the right to play an Oceania side for a final World Cup spot."

So another group stage. lol, Oceania, that is like soooo last World Cup.

[TakeWarning]

Cheers lad.

Australia's lack of depth was exposed against China. There were a few players out there who really didn't look good enough. I just hope there aren't any injuries in the next qualifying stage because a few of the back-ups look like they could be dodgy.

[badtaste]

Oh, totally forgot about that game, time to check the results.

edit: hmm, no good. I'm hearing a lot of criticism about Pim's coaching lately... one can't help but feel that Guus would have done the job, haha.

[sgrevs]

Too bad he's being paid billions to take Russia to the semi-finals of Euro. That man really is a genius.

Whoever was playing on the left wing tonight for Australia was really, really bad. Totally out of his depth.

[badtaste]

Yeah, they'll probably name a state/province in Russia after Hiddink after the tournament's over.

Can't wait to hear Craig Foster slag off the Roos performance on The World Game.

[sgrevs]

My dad and some of his friends think Craig Foster should coach Australia after Pim, what do you reckon? I don't really think he is as knowledgable as they seem to think he is.

[badtaste]

Eh, it's easy enough to talk the talk. Obviously need the skills to put it into practice and et cetera... Need to see him in a coaching role first before you can make a fair comment.

But as a football media analyst, I think he's alright, if not a bit repetitive.

[TakeWarning]

Craig Foster is a c'unt. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z6u8LoGpvKk

Aside from my personal dislike of him, he's an OK analyst but probably wouldn't have the experience or people skills to manage Australia.

But I confess, I am beginning to doubt Pim's techniques.