OT: Association Football

[Delboy]

What’s exciting, and not just because these guys scored goals, but Bos (23), Circati (22), Irankunda (20), throw in Toure (22) and these guys are already currently our best. Shit can certainly happen but if they stay healthy and on track, there’s makings of decent teams in future. I like what I’ve seen of Herrington (18) too. Even Okon Jr potentially could be like his old man, not a superstar but was lock in centrefield that allowed team to play off him.

Well, Curacao is a nation of 165,000 ,it’s like playing the Solomon Islands or Tonga. Not a big score but at least a win.

 

[King-Gutho94]

 

[TheParraboy]

Italy lol

 

[85 Baby]

Well, Curacao is a nation of 165,000 ,it’s like playing the Solomon Islands or Tonga. Not a big score but at least a win.

They’re definitely better than OFC teams bar Kiwis.
We were trialling players for final squad so it wasn’t our best team (could see that immediately when Bos & Irankunda came on). Unfortunately we also took them a little too easily and didn’t respect the ball as much as we should, and that was by some guys who probably should’ve put better effort in given they’re tenuous for squad.

 

[King-Gutho94]

My favourite story of Sarajevo and that whole Europe trip in 2023.

Was that Irish bar story

A few of us Aussies and a couple of Kiwis found a little Irish bar in an alleyway at around midday to watch the Ashes as the cricket was on when we there.

We were the first ones in there and about 30 mins the bloke behind the bar goes to us can you look after the bar for 20 mins i need to run an errand. We were sweet as we locked in for beers and watching the cricket. At first we pondered should we go behind the bar and pour ourselves a few extra drinks. We opted against it as being in a foreign who knows if its a stitch up and who owns the pub.

Anyway the bloke came back and gave us 6 free jugs for the rest of the arvo until one of the blokes with us didnt turn off his Snapchat location and his missus found where we were hiding at a bar watching the cricket 4 hours after he left her with some friends.

 

[hindy111]

Italy lol

I'd rather Italy be there. With 48 teams the quality is already going to be weaker then in general

 

[Suitman]

I'd rather Italy be there. With 48 teams the quality is already going to be weaker then in general

How shit are Italy if they can't qualify for a 48 team World Cup?
Even Australia made it ffs.

 

[hindy111]

How shit are Italy if they can't qualify for a 48 team World Cup?
Even Australia made it ffs.

If we played Italy 100 x how many would we beat them? Id say 5 x with 40 draws and 55 Italian wins. We are not anywhere near their class mate

 

[TheParraboy]

I'd rather Italy be there. With 48 teams the quality is already going to be weaker then in general

As a mate (football nutter) just told me this arvo

Italy getting their due Karma by missing these recent WCs via decades of cheating/orchestrated diving..

More exposure and more chances for upsets with 48 nations

 

[TheParraboy]

If we played Italy 100 x how many would we beat them? Id say 5 x with 40 draws and 55 Italian wins. We are not anywhere near their class mate

Probably better stats supporting Italy v Bosnia

 

[Suitman]

If we played Italy 100 x how many would we beat them? Id say 5 x with 40 draws and 55 Italian wins. We are not anywhere near their class mate

That's not the point.
Italy has won 4 World Cups before yet have failed to even qualify since 2014. They are currently ranked 12th in the FIFA football world rankings, yet were punted by the 65th ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina
If they are that good that you think it would be a better World Cup and stronger with their inclusion, why have they missed the last 3, continually going out in play-offs?
They are shit.
TBH, I'd rather see Bosnia there. Less chance we'll see diving and play-acting, and we'll see a team that wants to fight for a victory, rather than cheat their way there. Remember 2006?

 

[hindy111]

That's not the point.
Italy has won 4 World Cups before yet have failed to even qualify since 2014. They are currently ranked 12th in the FIFA football world rankings, yet were punted by the 65th ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina
If they are that good that you think it would be a better World Cup and stronger with their inclusion, why have they missed the last 3, continually going out in play-offs?
They are shit.
TBH, I'd rather see Bosnia there. Less chance we'll see diving and play-acting, and we'll see a team that wants to fight for a victory, rather than cheat there way there. Remember 2006?

Yes. We couldn't create a chance against 10 men. Best we can do is lob into box and hope.
Italy had a tough group. I'm sure theyd go undefeated in the Asia side of qualifying.
That was also our golden generation. We have as a nation gone backwards big time

 

[Suitman]

Italy had a tough group.

Lol.

Italy competed in Group I of the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, finishing second behind Norway and advancing to the playoffs.

Group I Overview​

Italy was drawn into Group I alongside Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova.

World powerhouses like Israel, Estonia and Moldova

Then, playoff's against

Playoff Path​

Finishing second in Group I, Italy entered the UEFA playoffs (Path A). Their playoff semi-final was against Northern Ireland on March 26, 2026, which Italy won. The playoff final, scheduled for March 31, 2026, will be against the winner of Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the victor securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Seriously mate, if they were any good, they beat any of those teams easily.

 

[Suitman]

Yes. We couldn't create a chance against 10 men. Best we can do is lob into box and hope.

Are you talking about our campaign in 2006?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If they are that good that you think it would be a better World Cup and stronger with their inclusion, why have they missed the last 3, continually going out in play-offs?
They are shit.

If they were shit they wouldn't be ranked so high. Most likely they have been incredibly unlucky in qualifying rounds. They obviously win plenty of games. That's what the FIFA rankings are based on. They would just be losing the wrong ones. Knockout games are like finals; unless you completely outclass the opposition, they are a bit of a lottery.

 

[T-Boon]

Do people have a country they would like to see win the world cup (apart from us)?
I'd like to see the team that plays the best attacking soccer win which probably means Brazil or Spain. I'd also be excited to see Messi win again I love that little MF. Those would be my 3, I think.
If I could find a club team to support (I am a Jets fan but A-League is agonising) I would get into soccer.

 

[Eelementary]

Do people have a country they would like to see win the world cup (apart from us)?
I'd like to see the team that plays the best attacking soccer win which probably means Brazil or Spain. I'd also be excited to see Messi win again I love that little MF. Those would be my 3, I think.
If I could find a club team to support (I am a Jets fan but A-League is agonising) I would get into soccer.

I agree with your choices.

My first choice, after Australia, is always Brazil, because I love the way they play.

 

[T-Boon]

I agree with your choices.

My first choice, after Australia, is always Brazil, because I love the way they play.

Agreed. I won some money betting on Brazil the year The Ronaldo scored a bunch of goals for them (the last time they won the WC). I've been partial to them ever since. It is always good to see a slightly less developed country win the biggest sports prize.

 

[Eelementary]

Brazil's "joga bonito" philosophy is everything that I love about football, tbh - it promotes flair, skill, creativity, and passion.

I love watching Brazil play the beautiful game.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Do people have a country they would like to see win the world cup (apart from us)?
I'd like to see the team that plays the best attacking soccer win which probably means Brazil or Spain. I'd also be excited to see Messi win again I love that little MF. Those would be my 3, I think.
If I could find a club team to support (I am a Jets fan but A-League is agonising) I would get into soccer.

Anyone but England

Probably Germany i have a great respect for them and some German mates.

Great country, great people i find the new generation my age are very similar to Aussies as well.