Very pleased with the effort by the Aussies. We are not the best of teams but we always rise to the occasion. We have been a bit unlucky, then lucky with our penalty against Denmark (I would have been furious if the roles had been reversed), but overall we just lack a bit of attacking quality. Robbie Kruse tries but isn't quite good enough. Leckie has come in in the last few years but again isn't quite enough of a goal threat. Tom Rogic has great feet but not the killer personality to impose himself on games.

We bossed that second half but couldn't put it away. Young Arzani is having a ball and I really hope he manages his career well. He can be a top top player for us if he works hard and makes good choices in the next few years.

What are the chances of France and Denmark taking it easy for a 0-0 draw to see them both through? I really hope not. Peru v Aus should be a good game. Peru are out but will desperately want a point and will have nothing to lose. We need a win and for France to beat Denmark - preferably by 2 goals.

Still in disbelief about that penalty decision. There was also a situation where Cornelius was wrestled to the ground in the box as he was running with the ball but where was VAR in that situation? If VAR is going to used randomly like that then it's pointless.

Bitterness aside you guys definitely deserved a point. Denmark played some awful football at times but that's what you get with a Norwegian coach.

Btw I don't think Australia will beat Peru.

Segway wrote:

Still in disbelief about that penalty decision. There was also a situation where Cornelius was wrestled to the ground in the box as he was running with the ball but where was VAR in that situation? If VAR is going to used randomly like that then it's pointless.

Bitterness aside you guys definitely deserved a point.

I thought Australia was the better team and should have won, but then again without the penalty Denmark would have had spaces to score on the counter in the 2nd half. Ridiculous VAR decision, still don't understand how could they give that.

Segway wrote:

Still in disbelief about that penalty decision. There was also a situation where Cornelius was wrestled to the ground in the box as he was running with the ball but where was VAR in that situation? If VAR is going to used randomly like that then it's pointless.

Bitterness aside you guys definitely deserved a point. Denmark played some awful football at times but that's what you get with a Norwegian coach.

Btw I don't think Australia will beat Peru.

France are worse for me, so much quality throughout the team, yet they play hoofball akin to the Stokes, Sunderlands, WBAs of this world. They always seem to have clowns as their manager (Santini, Domenech,  Deschamps etc).

Yeah been impressed with Australia but can't see them beating Peru  (unless they fluke it like Denmark did). Expecting Denmark to join France in the last 16

I think international teams are in general poorer than club teams simply because they don't play together for long periods. Even a good club manager like Sampaoli has been unable to improve Argentina. Even if Zidane were to manage Les Bleus, I wouldn't be surprised if he struggled as well.

Yet Sampaoli had no such problems with Chile. It seems to me that the Argentineans just aren't playing for him and haven't bought into his methodology.

Asterix wrote:

Very pleased with the effort by the Aussies. We are not the best of teams but we always rise to the occasion. We have been a bit unlucky, then lucky with our penalty against Denmark (I would have been furious if the roles had been reversed), but overall we just lack a bit of attacking quality. Robbie Kruse tries but isn't quite good enough. Leckie has come in in the last few years but again isn't quite enough of a goal threat. Tom Rogic has great feet but not the killer personality to impose himself on games.

We bossed that second half but couldn't put it away. Young Arzani is having a ball and I really hope he manages his career well. He can be a top top player for us if he works hard and makes good choices in the next few years.

Yeah was a good game from us though the penalty was dodgy as. Though I wasn't convinced by the peno against us in the first game, so I'll take this.
Arzani was lively when he came on and hopefully he will start tge final game instead of Kruse who really is a horrid footballer. And I wouldn't mind seeing Cahill start up top as at least he will be a goal threat and always works space well (even though he is an old fart and we really need to move on from him)

Ricky1985 wrote:

Yet Sampaoli had no such problems with Chile. It seems to me that the Argentineans just aren't playing for him and haven't bought into his methodology.

Argentina are cursed. It's literally the last possible explanation a proven manager with great club and country record, the best player ever and the best collection of attackers yet all of them collectively shit the bed when they're on the pitch together

jones wrote:

Ricky1985 wrote:

Yet Sampaoli had no such problems with Chile. It seems to me that the Argentineans just aren't playing for him and haven't bought into his methodology.

Argentina are cursed. It's literally the last possible explanation a proven manager with great club and country record, the best player ever and the best collection of attackers yet all of them collectively shit the bed when they're on the pitch together

It's like England and the golden generation.

jones wrote:

Ricky1985 wrote:

Yet Sampaoli had no such problems with Chile. It seems to me that the Argentineans just aren't playing for him and haven't bought into his methodology.

Argentina are cursed. It's literally the last possible explanation a proven manager with great club and country record, the best player ever and the best collection of attackers yet all of them collectively shit the bed when they're on the pitch together

Best player ever? No

lots of changes with the france lineup... big olly keeps his place though

USArsenal wrote:

lots of changes with the france lineup... big olly keeps his place though

I think that translates into pressure on him to score/have a big game. He needs to defend his place in the team, as there are certainly alternatives (Griezman/Mbappe/Dembele).

sounds like a snoozer of a game

I hope France get knocked out in the first round. It would be better for everyone if Deschamps got fired right away, before he has the opportunity to do more damage.

That’s the Lemar we were going to sign for about 80 million quid?

beware the world cup rep dip

BBC: Here's one for Didier Deschamps to ponder before the knockouts begin...

Antoine Griezmann didn't manage a single pass to Olivier Giroud before he was brought off.

Is this the first 0-0 draw of the World Cup? Deschamps is a joke

Mirth wrote:

Is this the first 0-0 draw of the World Cup? Deschamps is a joke

Aren't they both looking for a draw though?