The Soccer/Football Thread

[BJ]

Wolves are the Canberra Raiders of the EPL. Beat Man City and Spurs, yet lose to last place Luton Town.

[PNGRaider37]

Wolves are the Canberra Raiders of the EPL. Beat Man City and Spurs, yet lose to last place Luton Town.

If any thing we're Spurs. Had all time greats and won a lot decades ago. Havent done much since. Threatened to be great but fallen short. Produce brilliant local talent that end up leaving for greener pastures or shooting themselves in foot. Pay overs for new signings, some work - some flounder. Have brilliant performances against big teams but never consistent enough to challenge for titles and rue missed chances.

[RedRaider]

In the case of Spurs, having 7 players out injured and 2 suspended sure hit the depth of the side. As it would any side. They led up to the 91st minute before Wolves equalised and then 8 minutes later Wolves took the lead after Spurs had chances. Tough next two matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City. I'm happy to support the only Australian to coach a Premier League side and hope Spurs don't get many more injuries.

[PNGRaider37]

Spurs have always been the nearly men. "Spursy". They'll look good for a bit but eventually fall away. PL is a squad league and spurs dont have the squad or mentality (e.g. Wolves) to challenge for a title. Ange will do well to get through this season and qualify for europe. Next season will have different pressures - he's got a free hit this season. But realistically, if results arent consistent next season, he will get sacked.

[RedRaider]

Can I ask which team you support in the Premier League PNGRaider? Do you have a reason for supporting that side?

[PNGRaider37]

Can I ask which team you support in the Premier League PNGRaider? Do you have a reason for supporting that side?

Liverpool. Familys team. John Barnes. God. Owen. Gerrard. Now Salah Virg Trent and crew.

Much like the Raiders, we know all about waiting 30 years for a Premiership!

[RedRaider]

When Craig Johnston played for Liverpool many years ago I barracked for them. I mainly follow where the Aussies are. The 80s were a good time for Liverpool fans and Johnston was a solid part of that. Kenny Dalglish was a legend of the time and even went on to be a player-Manager or Captain/Coach in Rugby League speak.

[PNGRaider37]

When Craig Johnston played for Liverpool many years ago I barracked for them. I mainly follow where the Aussies are. The 80s were a good time for Liverpool fans and Johnston was a solid part of that. Kenny Dalglish was a legend of the time and even went on to be a player-Manager or Captain/Coach in Rugby League speak.

Yes. And Harry Kewell followed.. Kenny is The King. Klopp has done an amazing job with LFC now and brought back the good times after a smattering of succes in those 30 years. Might not have enough depth to challenge for the title but confident of a top 4 finish minimum this season.

[RedRaider]

Socceroos in a World Cup qualifier this Thursday against Bangladesh in Melbourne. This is a Group I match. The others in the group are Lebanon and Palestine. I hope youngsters Jordy Bos and Alessandro Circati get some long minutes in this match.

[RedRaider]

Australia has beaten Bangladesh 7 nil tonight in the opening World Cup qualifier. The soccerroos lead 4-0 at half time with Duke scoring a double after Souttar had opened the scoring with a fine header and then Borello tapped one home. The second half produced a hat trick to Jamie McLaren. Great pace from Metcalfe, Miller and O'Neil. Bos played well. Next week we play Palestine in Kuwait. A fine win for Coach Graham Arnold in his 50th match leading Australia.

[-TW-]

Could've been 15 or 16 with the amount of chances they wasted

[RedRaider]

See below link to the Asia zone qualifiers for the World Cup. Australia is in Group I. Click on 'table' for all the first match results from all groups.

https://www.google.com/search?q=world+c ... qt;st;fp;1;;;

[-PJ-]

With 100 countries playing in the next WC Bangers are still a chance.

[RedRaider]

With 100 countries playing in the next WC Bangers are still a chance.

Just a bit of an exaggeration PJ. There will be 48 countries at the 2026 World Cup to be held jointly by the USA, Canada and Mexico. There are 45 nations which must qualify and the 3 host nations will each have automatic qualification.

[PNGRaider37]

Reduction in quality. Will only be watchable at knockout stages.

[RedRaider]

Reduction in quality. Will only be watchable at knockout stages.

I'll definitely be watching all of the Australian matches and French too. I reckon France would be favorites. They have Mbappe. Some other really good players like Thuram brothers up front and in mid field and the Hernandez brothers at the back. Probably the creative Griezmanns' final World Cup. They will be tough to beat.

[PNGRaider37]

Yeah sure of course. Support your teams. From a competition standpoint - its watered down.

[PNGRaider37]

Suppose if they allow enough big european and south american teams in theyll be okay. But I guess we will see.

[RedRaider]

Everton have been docked 10 points in the Premier League for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This puts them back to second last position on the ladder and close to possible relegation. Manchester City are also being looked at.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/p ... 29db7a9cfc

[PNGRaider37]

Everton have been docked 10 points in the Premier League for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This puts them back to second last position on the ladder and close to possible relegation. Manchester City are also being looked at.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/p ... 29db7a9cfc

Harsh considering it had little impact on results. They might get sued regardless by clubs relegated last year. If this is the standard then City and Chelsea should be very nervous.

[RedRaider]

Everton have been docked 10 points in the Premier League for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This puts them back to second last position on the ladder and close to possible relegation. Manchester City are also being looked at.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/p ... 29db7a9cfc

Harsh considering it had little impact on results. They might get sued regardless by clubs relegated last year. If this is the standard then City and Chelsea should be very nervous.

Agree PNGRaider. Everton were done for one breach and I understand that Manchester City have more than 100. They may have to rule the current Premier League holders out of the competition. Now that would give the sports writers plenty of fodder for this season. Similar with Chelsea for a number of breaches.

[RedRaider]

Australia v Palestine in Kuwait. Australia lead 1 nil at half time. To say the Australians are playing without energy would be an understatement. Harry Souttar has provided the Australian goal via a header from a Goodwin corner kick. Matt Ryan has made an excellent save in extra time after the 45 minute mark was passed. Not sure what the issue is with the Australians but if it doesn't improve then some changes will be made. I'd get the young legs of Bos and pace of O'Neill on.

[RedRaider]

Full Time Australia 1 Palestine nil. Bos and Borrello came on early in the second half. Borrello had a shot but with no power. He was clumsy with the ball and really did nothing in his stint. Bos hit the cross bar with a header and was more creative. Maclaren and O'Neill came on after 2 minutes of extra time. Souttar easily the MOTM for the Australians. That's 6 points from 2 games for the Soccerroos. Our next World Cup qualifier is against Lebanon on 21 March 2024. In January 2024 are the Asia Cup matches against India, Syria and Uzbekistan.

[RedRaider]

Argentina have defeated Brazil 1-0 in the World Cup qualifier in Brazil. This is the first time ever, that Brazil have been beaten on home soil in a World Cup qualifier. Yet another feather in the cap of Argentina Captain Lionel Messi.

The match was delayed for more than 30 minutes due to fights in the crowd which needed the Brazilian police to sort out. I watched the game and the first half was more push and shove amongst the players than football. In the second half Argentina took the lead and then Brazil had a player sent off. I didn't think it was a send off worthy action, but the Ref showed he was not intimidated by either the crowd or the big name players on the park. Brazil did not begin the game with a full strength side with the likes of Neymar injured.

[RedRaider]

Spurs go down 2-1 to Aston Villa. After taking an early lead Villa levels after 7 minutes of extra time after half time and then went ahead in the second half. Spurs hit the posts in both halves and Son put the ball into the back of the net 3 times for Spurs only to be called back as off side. Spurs had 8 shots on target and it was great work from the Villa keeper who made some great saves. Three losses in a row for Spurs but they attack and attack with other shots going just wide or over the goal. Spurs missing Van de ven at the back. All three losses have come with him either being injured or unavailable due to his hamstring injury. Tough match against Manchester City next Monday 4 December.

[-PJ-]

Former Socceroos coach Terry Venables has died aged 80.

[PNGRaider37]

Spurs go down 2-1 to Aston Villa. After taking an early lead Villa levels after 7 minutes of extra time after half time and then went ahead in the second half. Spurs hit the posts in both halves and Son put the ball into the back of the net 3 times for Spurs only to be called back as off side. Spurs had 8 shots on target and it was great work from the Villa keeper who made some great saves. Three losses in a row for Spurs but they attack and attack with other shots going just wide or over the goal. Spurs missing Van de ven at the back. All three losses have come with him either being injured or unavailable due to his hamstring injury. Tough match against Manchester City next Monday 4 December.

Spursy. If they keep defending like that, City will put 5 past them.

[RedRaider]

Former Socceroos coach Terry Venables has died aged 80.

Good player and better coach. International coach for both England and Australia. Among others a Spurs player and coach/Manager and won an FA Cup with them. RIP El Tel.

[RedRaider]

Matilda's flogged 5 nil in Canada. They went out with only 3 recognisable names. Kerr, Arnold, Vine, Ford injured. Coach waited until the 65th minute before bringing on the likes of Fowler, Kennedy and Gorry and then waited another 10 minutes before bringing on Raso. Australia were then competitive against the strong Canadian side. Coach after the game said there will be up to 10 starting side changes for the next match on Wednesday. This match did not teach the youngsters much other than confirmation that rookies will be flogged by hardened professionals.

[RedRaider]

Spurs have played an away 3 all draw with last seasons Champions Manchester City. Son scored for Spurs before also scoring an own goal off his thigh for Man City. A rollicking attacking game of football. Spurs down so many players to injury and suspension but found a way to draw the game. Tottenham Hotspur play West Ham this Friday. Romero will be back from suspension for this game which will tighten the Spurs defence. There is also a chance Pape Sarr will be back from injury. That will leave 8 other Spurs players on the injured list. They have done remarkably well against City to have 10 players either injured or suspended and still come away with a 3-3 draw.

https://www.espn.com.au/football/report/_/gameId/671166

[PNGRaider37]

Both Spurs and LFC have showed why they wont be in the title race at end of season. Well, we already knew about spursy ... City with a few adjustments will go on another long winning run in the ny and it will be between them and Arsenal (unless they bottle it again).

[RedRaider]

Both Spurs and LFC have showed why they wont be in the title race at end of season. Well, we already knew about spursy ... City with a few adjustments will go on another long winning run in the ny and it will be between them and Arsenal (unless they bottle it again).

Your Liverpool side is running 2nd and play Arsenal on Xmas eve. Liverpool have every chance to be Premier League leaders for Xmas. It's in their hands. Liverpool have only lost once so far this year. It's a fine record after 14 matches have been played. I am certainly not giving up on Spurs. Next week Ange will have Romero back to bolster the defence and hopefully Maddison and van de ven not too long into 2024.

[PNGRaider37]

Both Spurs and LFC have showed why they wont be in the title race at end of season. Well, we already knew about spursy ... City with a few adjustments will go on another long winning run in the ny and it will be between them and Arsenal (unless they bottle it again).

Your Liverpool side is running 2nd and play Arsenal on Xmas eve. Liverpool have every chance to be Premier League leaders for Xmas. It's in their hands. Liverpool have only lost once so far this year. It's a fine record after 14 matches have been played. I am certainly not giving up on Spurs. Next week Ange will have Romero back to bolster the defence and hopefully Maddison and van de ven not too long into 2024.

Yeah it's nice to have faith in them but both teams defences and squads cant compete with City. Happy to be proven wrong for LFC but we've been here before. Spurs have an even smaller squad Arsenal are the only ones contending consistently despite injuries. It's a long season - I don't see it happening for spurs. Ange is a nice guy, but spursy is always spursy.

[RedRaider]

Just had a look at the Liverpool draw and you play Arsenal 3 times in 6 weeks. Xmas Eve at home, then in the FA Cup on January 7, 2024 and then away on February 4. The sides will know each others play by the end of that.

[PNGRaider37]

Just had a look at the Liverpool draw and you play Arsenal 3 times in 6 weeks. Xmas Eve at home, then in the FA Cup on January 7, 2024 and then away on February 4. The sides will know each others play by the end of that.

Yes, they will. But there's 18 other teams to play as well between now and May, with a congested fixture schedule from Feb/March when european and cup competitions kick on. My boys are playing well but defensive solidity and depth is what I think will let us down. Unless theres some January signings, but even then - there's no guarantees when KDB and co return for City.