General Footy Discussions

[Charger]

Well looking at it like that yeah...but then again one might also think because of so many ties they were bound for that win too!

[Jack the Stripper]

Australia has left themselves with a bit of work to do to qualify. They had actually won 12 matches in a row through the various stages of qualifying but in the last 3 games they conceded a late own goal in stoppage time in Japan and went down 2-1, then they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in torrential rain in which was their first home game on Australian soil for 2 years, then last night playing away to China could only manage a 1-1 draw. They now sit 3rd in their group 1 point of Japan in 2nd and 5 points off Saudi Arabia who top the group.

The fact the Australian players all have to fly in separately from various parts of the world and only get 1 training session together before they play makes it all the more harder on them.

[Zzzptm]

The fact the Australian players all have to fly in separately from various parts of the world and only get 1 training session together before they play makes it all the more harder on them.

So did the Australian cricket team operate in a bubble together?

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I hadn't realised that the Saudi's were any good?

[Jack the Stripper]

I hadn't realised that the Saudi's were any good?

The Saudi’s are quite a skilled team and are both aggressive and hard working. They’ve won 3 Asian cups. They’re also the biggest floppers 

So did the Australian cricket team operate in a bubble together?

No Covid has nothing to do with them flying in separately, they haven’t been able to play at home for 2 years because of quarantine requirements but both Vic & NSW have lifted quarantine requirements now for the vaccinated. Australian players play in all parts of the world so they never get to train or go into camp together before games.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

@Jack
What's the qualifying for the Asia/Oceania group. I see there are two 3rd round groups each of 6. I presume some get automatic qualification and some go into play-offs?

[Jack the Stripper]

Australia qualifies through Asia. They’ve already had 2 stages of qualifying and are now into the 3rd and final stage where the 12 teams that got through the first 2 stages are now n 2 groups of 6

Group A: Iran, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon
Group B: Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Vietnam

The winners and runners up in each group will automatically qualify with the 2 third placed teams having a playoff with the winner then going into an intercontinental playoff with best 3rd or 4th placed teams from CONCACAF, Oceania and South America in a drawn 2 leg playoff with 2 the winners going through to the World Cup.

I posted this a little while back Kilo which explains the Asian qualifying

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^
Yeah, that looks familiar... also complicated as hell! You really want to be in the first two automatic spots!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Manchester United are looking for a new manager after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer today. The final straw was the 4-1 defeat to lowly Watford yesterday. 1 win in 7 and some horrible defeats in that run too, this was something people were predicting weeks ago.

[Zzzptm]

oof, aren't Man U supposed to be a *good* football club?

[Charger]

Been expecting that....Solskjaer has done a pretty poor job...even Ronaldo can't carry a whole team match after match.

Hopefully they'll get someone good for a coach...cause that team's got potential still.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

On paper they have a very good team... sadly! But they play like individuals. It's a long time since they they had a good "team".

Carrick is the caretaker manager until they can get someone who may only have the role until the end of the season (they may have someone in mind who isn't available at the moment).

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Zidane has said no to any idea of talks with Man Utd over the vacant managers job. But apparently Mauricio Pochettino has said he's open to talks, he may even be available now so making a temporary appointment until the end of the season unnecessary... I hadn't realised there were problems at Paris St Germaine which might make his immediate release possible and even desirable!

As a Liverpool fan I'm not sure I want Man Utd to get a good manager!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Barcelona have failed to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time sine the 2003-04 seaon. The Spanish press are already conducting a post-mortem and I can't help thinking heads will roll! They lost 3-0 last night to Bayern Munich who had already won the group and with Benfica beating Dynamo Kyiv to leap frog Barcelone they drop in to the Europa League.

Liverpool qualified without dropping a point, the first time an English team has achieved that. They join Ajax and Bayern Munich in that regard this season.

Qualifiers for the last 16 are:

Manchester City
Paris St Germain
Liverpool
Athletico Madrid
Ajax
Sporting Lisbon
Real Madrid
Inter Milan
Bayern Munich
Benfica
Manchester Utd
Villarreal
Lille
RB Salzberg
Juventus
Chelsea

[Zzzptm]

Heads WILL roll in Barcelona, especially with Real Madrid making the cut!