World Cup: Australia vs. Türkiye Review with Brisbane Football Review

0:14 Welcome to a very happy bunch on the Aussie football passport. You could say life's a beach at the moment. And yes, there'll be plenty more Patrick beach related puns in this episode. And I'm not resiling from that. I'm not apologizing because it is completely worth it. Anyway, I'll stop rambling on this intro and I will introduce Adam and Scott from the Brisbane Football Review. How are you Scott? I'm good, Alex. How are you fan bloody tastic I am. What about you, Adam? Good. And look, you can have another five minutes or so get with all the beach lab puns because he certainly deserved it. What a, what a debut in a World cup for that young man. Yeah, incredible. And I mean we'll get on to that a little bit. Well, not too long. But first of all I would love you to plug your wonderful show the Brisbane Football Review.

1:08 Adam. Oh yes, you can find us on Facebook, the Raw review or Brisbane Football Review, also on Twix at bne Football Instagram and threads, Prison football view or log curse case on on email bris for view gmail.com and you can follow us on on podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Just before I get back to you, Alex, somehow some way, our little collaboration with our predictions on our Facebook, we actually somehow managed 23 and a half thousand views for our on our Facebook page alone. I'm not sure if you've checked what on the Aussie passport, Facebook, what you got, what you did. But so thank you very much to everyone who had a look and probably had a laugh at our boring and predictable predictions for the World Cup. Thank you. And we're all just taking screenshots just to make sure once, once we're wrong they're going to remind us of that fact. 23, 000 strong reminders about that.

2:13 Yeah, yeah, well I mean I, I certainly said cut it up and have a laugh. So yeah, I mean, oh okay, I mean not quite your numbers lads but I mean the hundreds at least 212. So look that's. I think that might be the, the biggest reel because that's the only reel that does the football passport tied on Facebook. So look a better than a kick in the backside so won't complain about that. But yes. And I was particularly not feeling that great after watching Brazil on Sunday morning. They were a little bit labored, shall we say. That Moroccan goal was an absolute beauty. Recommend checking that one out but let's talk Australia. The Socceroos.

2:57 What an incredible win and and to your point, Adam, earlier around Patrick beach, one of, as I saw it, and we discussed four big calls from Tony Popovic going into that game with the starting lineup. Patrick beach in goal for Matt Ryan. Cameron Burgess replacing Lucas Harrington. Probably a little bit less surprising considering the season that Cameron Burgess has had at Swansea in the championship. Playing every single minute of the championship. What an absolute warrior he has been. Paul Okon, Engsler in for Jackson Irvine. So there's your captain and vice captain, not in the starting lineup for the first game of the World cup, which is absolutely bonkers. And Connor Metcalfe, maybe not that surprising, but in that. As part of that front three there.

3:44 So, I mean, Adam, we were chatting before the game as well about how bold these calls were. I mean, you know, I guess. What did you think? Well, hindsight's a wonderful thing, and Tony Poppovich is probably a genius now, but let's fight. Let's rewind back to around about one o' clock on Sunday. And I think as a. Collectively, as a nation, we go, oh, my God, what are you doing? Like. Yeah. To drop a combined 180 caps or so, you know, those two players was almost unthinkable. But look, it's. It's the one thing that I guess that you've got to go with with Tony Popovich. He's had these guys in camp, you know, for a number of weeks now, some longer than others, obviously, but he would have known, and he would have a sense that, at least against Turkey, that maybe there was.

4:39 There was a, I guess, a method to the madness. But look, Voyev liked to have given us all a heads up, because that was. That was a shocker from left of left field. Yeah, definitely. And I know, Scott, you had some pretty strong opinions on that, that lineup, as did I. And, you know, there were a few expletives when I saw that lineup, if I'm completely honest. And sorry, lads, I think you probably still got your ears ringing from the chats before the game yesterday. Yeah, I was slightly short of expletives, but the one that was a real big surprise was the Patrick beach over Matt Ryan to drop your captain going into a World Cup. We all thought Patrick beach was the heir apparent, potentially after the World cup, and for him to start in game one. We'll go through his performance in a moment, but that decision was a massive decision, and you have to say, it came up perfectly for Tony Poppins and he had the courage of his convictions to say, this is what I want to do with my Starting lineup. I'm just going to go for it. I'm not going to play it safe. I'm not going to do the conservative thing and go with the experienced player, even if I do believe younger player is the better option on this occasion. And to those two young players he brought in, Patrick Beats and Paul Oak on Angela were absolutely exceptional for Australia in that game. In the way things panned out. They were really were two of our better players in the, in the game. I don't know if the Paul Okon one was as big of a surprise as the Patrick beach one because he had a lot more minutes in the, in the lead up games and he'd done really well in those games. I thought it might be him alongside Jack's nervine if they were going to start him. That one wasn't a surprise. And I think we all, we all forecast last week that Cam Burgess would probably come in for

6:12 experience. And the fact he's a European hardened player that you mentioned in terms of over Lucas Harrington and Connor Metcalfe has been a regular in the side. I have to say I will give him an apology because he's one player. I thought, I wasn't really sure what his role was in this Australian side but he did a massively good job on Sunday. So that was a really big selection. But Tony Popovich, he had the courage of his convictions to back in what he believes and he looks like a genius. It could have gone wrong. It could have gone like Joe Kalich Mark sports thing in 2006. 2006, it could have gone like the Richard Garcia up front in 2010. But Tony Popovich, it turned out to be three points. Yeah, it did. It did, didn't it? And yeah, while we're doing our apologies, I'd formally like to apologize on behalf of the Aussie football passport to Tony Popovich. I'm very sorry for what I've said to about you. That was very mean but also you pulled it off. So fair play. And I mean we've got to remember too Tony Popovich is the first socceroo coach to have also played at a World cup and coached at a World Cup. So you know that, that experience, maybe it tells, maybe it tells in that selection and let's hope it carries forward for the rest of this tournament. But whilst we're there, Scott, let's, let's go into Patrick Beach's performance because he, he looked like he, this was his second or third World cup, if I'm completely honest. I don't know if you Viewed it the same. He certainly looked completely assured, didn't he? He had no nerves whatsoever. And his first involvement was a, a, a set piece around five minutes into the game. And that was

7:45 for a first involvement in a World cup game to try and keep out a set piece. That's a, a nerve wracking thing, I imagine. So he had a sensational game and he built in confidence over the entire game and you could see the confidence that they had in him in terms of keeping the ball back. In the times where Australia were keeping the ball in possession, they were very comfortable giving the ball back to pat be and playing it around the backline. So maybe that was part of the thinking in why Tony Popovich wanted to go in that direction. Not necessarily a shot stopping thing which Patrick beach was sensational at that. Some three or four really impressive saves. I know a couple of them were straight at him, but the time to make those saves and the reflexes, it was a really impressive first up performance. But I wonder if it was more the in possession stuff that might have gave Patrick beats the advantage over Matt Ryan. But like you said, he looked completely assured and looks like he may very well be the goalkeeper for the years to come based on that performance. Yeah, definitely. It's hard to see how even Matt Ryan gets his spot back. Swapper's got another selection surprise for us against the USA next weekend.

8:51 But I mean, yeah, Adam Patrick beach. We're seeing the birth of the new Socceroos goalkeeper for World cup campaigns to come, hopefully and, and quite potentially a move abroad after these. Well, you know, it's one impressive performance so I guess we should keep a lid on it. We don't want to sound like our Atlantic Northern, Northern Atlantic friends, but yeah. Adam, did you see anything in particular you want to note about Patrick beach yesterday? If I'm trying to think without sort of the, the hyperbole and the, and the I guess the emotion of it all, I just get a sense that maybe Patrick beach is a better distributor of, of the ball than May Matt Ryan or Paul is.

9:35 Let's all forget, forget him as well that you. I, I think we all sort of going into this tournament thought that, you know, Patrick beach was the clear number three keeper. He's probably there for the experience there, there to soak up the atmosphere. Look, he absolutely, he is a future, future Socceroo goalkeeper, stage goalkeeper. But I think if anything maybe that's the way, the way that Tony Poppage sets up the defense, the way it plays out from the back, his, his distribution and it was all. And it that first goal that they scored against, basically against the run of play where that, that his throw to find Paul Ocon Isler, what was a very, very good, good throw. That said, he gave the space east of the puffer downfield and the rest is history with Iran Kunda. But that's the only thing I can suggest, perhaps he may have had it over his other two keeps, is that his distribution may be that little bit more stronger, a little bit more defined than say, Ryan or Izzo. Yeah, that's a good point.

10:33 And I think you've analyzed that quite well, to be honest, that, you know, we're, you know, 24 hours or a bit more on from the game now and we've had that chance to digest that decision because as we've said already, it's such a big shock, but to actually look at that performance, yeah, it's hard to fault Patrick Beach. I think he may have put one goal, one clearance out, but other than that, he basically found his man every single time. And I think as you pointed out, Scott, the boys in front of him were quite comfortable in passing back to him and knowing that he wouldn't misplace his pass, which is a huge vote of confidence. And I guess that confidence really spread into the backline because their performance was absolutely outstanding, wasn't it? I think everyone sort of bigging up Harry Soutar and rightfully so, the World cup specialist, I think we should call him from, you know, given his performances in Qatar and you know, the first performance of this World cup in 2026. But Ali Chicati and Cameron Burgess were incredible next to, next to Harry Sutar as well. I don't know if you thought that as well, Scott.

11:49 I'm sure you probably did. I did. Just quickly on the Patrick beach thing, he did get the 45 minutes against Switzerland and we all thought that might have just been minutes for, for him. Maybe it was much more than that. Maybe it was actually I want to have a look and see if he can do that role. So that might have been something that we all missed at the time. But on the back line, you're completely right. I don't want to single out any of that back three individually because they were all absolutely brilliant in the, the way that they just covered for each other as well. Harry Suto in the middle of that backline just holds things together so well and the fact that he is fully fit for this World cup is an absolute blessing for Australia because he is a crucial part of, of this team, not just because he's a big, tall body for set pieces, but the way he defends and the way he can really impact offenses, opposition offenses is a really important part of the side and it allows Cam Burgess and Ali Jakarta to push out and cover the wing backs if they're, if they do, the winger does happen to get past that. Those two guys were there immediately to cover things off.

12:43 So collectively that entire backline when they were defending were really, really impressive. And then the way Italiano and Boss would break forward as well, and the opportunities that they had to do so, that was really effective. So the way the backline built together, we were a little bit surprised and maybe from a prison perspective, disappointed. Lucas Harrington didn't get involved in this game. But the way that back five played, you have, you'd almost say run the same back thing back five out again against the usa because it combines so perfectly. Yeah, definitely. And I think talking about that selection between Cameron Burgess and Lucas Harrington, the point I probably want to make is that Cameron Burgess also, and you know, these days a lot of modern footballers are pretty good with both feet, right. But Cameron Burgess is obviously a left footer and predominantly a left footer. So I think it adds that little bit of balance, you know, in terms of the distribution out from the back as well. And Cameron Burgess is a bigger body probably than Lucas Harrington as well. So the experience, there's a few different factors, but you know, Lucas Harrington will get his chance. Whether it's at this World cup, we're not, not quite sure at this stage, but it'll be. You'll definitely have one in the future. Another point I want to raise is Jacob Italiano. It clearly looks like Turkey were attacking him and I thought he did a wonderful job. Adam did. Did you think that as well?

14:05 Absolutely. I think that was. The game plan was to come down that, that channel, that left side channel right at the right side of the, of the socceroo defense. And look, I, I thought Jacob Italiano stood up magnificently and Yildaz really sort of, they did home in that side. And again, a couple of times he did get, he did get sort of found out a little bit. But. But to your point as well, when he did get found out, Cameron Burgess did a, did a sensational job to, to cover for him. So again, it was taking that pressure. I think it was, uh, I didn't see a stat somewhere that it was like 39, uh, attacks down that left channel.

14:51 So, so it, so they certainly had a game plan, but also as well they Also then started coming down the other side as well and Jordy Boss maybe trying to make him sort of defend a little bit more. So the wings are definitely where they were, where Turkey were aiming their attacks from, but they, they really sort of didn't sort of capitalize as well on that. Now that that's a credit to two fullbacks. I think that became the game plan. Alex. Once they couldn't get through the middle, once Guler and Chalonoglu could and we'll get onto him in a minute but once they couldn't get through the middle with the way they wanted to try and link up through the middle and there was too many bodies in there with the three center backs and the two holding midfielders, they had to go out wide and they kept feeding it out to that left hand side and they made the change at halftime I think also partly because they wanted to get their better, their best player onto the field at halftime, but also because it wasn't really working for them down the left hand side either.

15:44 The A put a couple of half decent crosses in but there wasn't a lot really coming from that compared to what the US got out of Pulisic down that left hand side. Turkey weren't as dangerous on that side as maybe they could have been. So they went down that side a lot. But nothing really came of it. I think it was again Australia just had this really compact, resolute, stable system of play where they, they sat dps but they were also so compact and the no space between the lines they had to go wide because there was nowhere through the middle for them to go. Just to confirm, just got that stat in front of me. Final third entries left channel 39, right channel entries 29 of the total entries of 81.

16:25 So that's, that's where certainly they were attacked by, by that token in Australia only at 1422, they only had 43 final third entries. So 2 to 1. But again if we talk about possession stats again that's a show dominance. But definitely their attacks were really focused down attacking the two fullbacks and to, to get it to pitch a shutout as they say, I think is a credit to that defensive back five. Yeah, definitely. And I think we also have to give a bit of credit. I think as Scott pointed out to Ocon Angsler and Aiden o' Neill who worked the absolute socks off, they ran themselves quite literally into the crown that game. You know, Turkey's midfield was getting no change from them at all and hence the game plan was to go down the sides. You know, yield is obviously isn't completely fit because he was a halftime substitute and I mean does that affect what they did? Well, I didn't really see enough from him to, to, to concern us and I think the back five would probably agree with me there. Fit and unaffectual to me.

17:33 Yeah, yeah, he and Gula, you know, he tried as you might. But yeah, you know, the defense just had. Had them covered really. And the other point, I guess we want to talk about Hakan Chalanoglu doing his best impression of Alvaro recover saying that the dominators and then double down in the post match press conference saying that they were the better side. But I mean hack and mate, you need to check the score because it was 2 nil. So I don't know, I don't want to show myself to Turkish colors or anything like that or feel sympathy for him. But look, I will, I will say that he, technically he is right. They, they did dominate.

18:14 They did dominate in terms of possession and stats and a whole lot of other things. But however, the point being is that you don't win games or stats. You win the games of putting ball in the back of the net. So in that way, yeah, you could say you dominate till the cows come home. 62 possession. But at the end of the day of that 62%, you know, what do they do with it? 30 shots on goal to seven still and they get shut out. That's not. Yeah, he dominated. But it dominated, you know, the statistics. The statistics. You didn't dominate the game. Didn't dominate the scoreboard. Yeah. And they. That's the one that matters. That's right. And you know, a lot of those 30 odd shots were, you know, long shots from outside the box, speculators that, you know, went nowhere near the goal. Let's be honest. So many of them were actually in the penalty or I can count like two or three.

19:06 Yeah, there was the one that from across on the left hand side. That was the first time volley straight at him. There was one in the second half and then there was the, the right back shot where he probably should have cut the ball back. Other than that most of them were from a mile outside the area. And again, I know Sweden's got a couple of nice golfs out there today, but you really shouldn't be conceding from out there. So they weren't creating real clear cut opportunities. Turkey, despite all the statistical advantages that they claim that they had, funnily enough so. And again, I sound like a nerd nerd in stats because I just have them in front of me actually inside the penalty area. 13 outside the penalty area, 17 of 30 shots. So it didn't balance out. But you're right. I, I think a lot of those shots inside the penalties were like two or three times and they're like they weren't really shots because the only one like obviously other than the Abdul Krim but catchy size shot that in just after they scored that Patrick beach deflected onto the post. There wasn't really that many uh, fearsome shots.

20:11 A lot were over the bar, high and wide. Uh, had a couple of chances but didn't really do too much. So again the point being put, put the statistics aside there. They really didn't have that many opportunities. Click out opportunities to, to threaten. Yeah, definitely. There's a, and there's a lot of blocks in there. I think you might mention that as well. You know I just remember Sutar being everywhere and Burgess and, and co just literally throwing themselves in front of any ball that was being shot, which is absolutely fantastic to see. That's what you want. It's got the fence as well. I, I dare say that a lot of those quite inside the penalty area were probably shots from just inside the box. Like if, if, if not on the edge of the penalty area like maybe a mere turn. But to actually have clear cut shots from say the penalty spot to the six yard box line. I don't think there were that many. And, and also would have been blocked as well. Adam mostly blocked by defenders. I'm just getting the ones that Pat BT had to make a save on. There weren't any of them. And I agree that's sort of just to spoke to that point about the stats. The stats don't tell the whole story because yeah they had, they had 13 shots inside the penalty area but again that might have been only two or three that actually were shots that were threatening.

21:30 Yeah, and I'm just sort of thinking out loud here gents. You know, Turkey played with a false nine. You know the fashionable thing that all these teams with all the possession stats do and you know you look at these statistics and you think, well maybe you should have played with a number nine. And if David Bashir's commentary was correct, I believe they only had a proper out and out number nine that came on late in the game. So I mean that's bold, isn't it really? I mean I know a lot of country, you know, number nines are sort of a dying breed if you like. Or there aren't as many as there used to be, let's put it that way. But yeah, I mean, surely you try and pick at least two.

22:14 Apparently. Takia, their number nine stocks just is absolutely bare at the moment. I think. I think Chan Uzon there was their recognized number nine and he. Okay, really hasn't done much. So, yeah, I think it's a case of. Yeah, they just don't have number nines at the moment that are at that level. And it showed. Yeah, we all got to go to Sweden and bottle whatever they've got with Isaac and Yokerez and Zlatan in years gone by for a relatively small country to produce the number nines they have. I mean, we all got to go and work out what they're doing because that's an unbelievable record. Maybe. Maybe that's the game plan. Well, there's something in the water in Scandinavia because then you go across to Norway and you look at their starting lineup. You've got half. You've got Alexander Sorloth and you've got Strand Larsen who just moved to Palace. Strand Larsen won't even get a start, that's how. I mean, he's got two, well, one the best number nines in the world in front of him and then Solo has done all right over at Atletico Madrid. So, I mean. Yeah, yeah, I completely agree, Scott. I think we've got to get over to Scandinavia and get. Get some tips on how to produce a number nine. Although we've got a pretty handy one, Motore in our side.

23:25 He was good. He didn't get really a whole lot of opportunities in the game, which, you know, is as expected. But he did pull up towards the end of the game there. I think it looked like cramp, but hopefully he's okay. And have you seen any news anywhere around the trap? Scott on motorway? I haven't seen any news around him yet. Again, I think the soccer is having a. Basically a full day off today, barring recovery. So I don't think you'd expect to hear anything from him today. Of course he was in doubt for this game, although they say he was never in doubt to play. But he did miss one of the lead dealing and training session. So we'll see. Hopefully he is fit for the USA game because him and Aaron Kunder in the front third were really crucial for Australian.

24:05 The. The defensive press they put in, they would put in so much work, but also the threat they offer in behind. And yeah, Iron Kunda got the headlines because he scored the goal. But Motore was also right there on that play and also two or three other times down the other side of the field where he was able to get on the end of things as well. Just didn't have DM product on those occasions. Australia could have got more out of it in terms of the. The way they were threatening in transition, they could have got more out of it with those two players. So hopefully he is fit and they were really important part of just giving Australia an outlet. And if you're going to play that way, you need that outlet. And they did the work defensively, but they had the speed to get forward and be a real threat in behind. So they had a really important role to play.

24:46 Yeah, they definitely did. And get to Nestor in a minute. But I guess this is a sort of come to me what impressed me a lot about Conor Metcalfe. He's. I guess he's renowned more so for playing as a. More of a central midfielder, maybe an attacking midfielder. But he was taking players on, you know, he was beating his man. He's taking them on. He's more renowned for holding possession and then of course he scores the second goal, which was an absolute belter. And, you know, I've not seen that side of Conor Metcalf for a while, probably since most impactful game I've ever seen him play for Australia. Normally he's there, you don't see what he does, but in this game it was evident what he brings to the side. Yeah. And you know, a pure reflection in the confidence that Tony Popovich has given him. And you can see that he's performing like he knows that his coach believes in him and it was crucial, it was crucial what he did. He did a lot of donkey work as well, up front with the press and being an outball and holding onto it, not just playing a pass for the sake of. Of playing a sideways or backwards pass. It was something to retain possession.

25:52 But we, we can't shy away from Nestoria and Kunda, can we? Our star boy, Adam, he even the goal celebration, you know, homage to a great man who's very close to your heart. I know being a Nevertonian and a. And an Australian in Tim Cahill. Talk about football heritage. How good was that? Oh, it was fantastic. And again, if the reaction in my lounge room was the same when Nestle scored that goal around the country, it would have been a plural adulation. And look, we. We've known. We've known for a long time how good Nistel can be. He's had. He's had some ups and downs, especially since leaving Adelaide United and. And sort of, yeah, the trials, tribulations, you know, being sort of.

26:37 Yeah, just one of the. One of many faces at Bayern Munich going out on loan. But look, I think he's arrived. I think that there's no greater announcement to the world. You are who you are. They're scoring a wonderful goal and it was a case of just a tap in. It was the way he did, the way the confidence showed. You got to remember this boy is 18 years old and the way he took on the offenders, said that touch and then to shoot past Kakiya in goal was. Was just tremendous and that's what you want to see. And then you're right. The, the homage to Tim Cahill, Australia's leading goal scorer at the World cup was magnificent. Just the whole moment I think was again, it's. I think that's entered in at least the top five of soccer's moments of all time. I think there's a few others of a little bit more importance that probably are there a few of them that Tim Cahill probably has as well in himself. But certainly it's one that we'll never forget. And look, Connor Metcalfe's goal as well, that was an absolute cracker. But let's stick to Nestor for the moment. Yeah, let's do that. And all I want to say to that is that he's going to make Watford a lot of money this summer. European summer, I should say. I. I feel and I'm sure you probably agree Scott and you know, his performance and hopefully a couple more performances to come in this World Cup. Well, I think there's a few players in this soccer who's got are going to make their clubs a lot of money in the next few weeks, I'm sure Melbourne City have been fielding call Sir Patrick beach in the last

28:08 24 hours. Obviously we're seeing the rumors about Lucas Harrington to Barcelona. I'm sure that Jordy boss will be getting a nice a couple of. Bit of interest as well. Maybe Chakati as well. So a lot of. A lot of clubs are going to get a bit of a benefit from these performances from the soccer. So I want to give Adam actually a shout out because I don't know if he remembers this. The first game back in the A league after the 22 World cup was Brisbane playing host to Adelaide. It was a one all draw in Nestry here in Kunda came off of the bench in that game and he was really influential and Adam Said on that night, this young boy is going to be a. A big part of the future, will be possibly a star at the next World Cup. So you nailed that one. Four years later, you did get that one 100% spot on. And he was really. It was a great moment, wasn't it? Was a. And the way he took that on Alex, once he got the ball, just the absolute conviction I'm going to cut inside onto my right foot and hit this first time. That's the.

29:00 What you want to see from a great striker. I know he's not an out and out number nine, but that's the sort of clinical finishing that if you're going to play the way Australia play, you have to be that clinical. And we didn't have too many shots on goal and that's how clinical we're going to have to be in this tournament. And for him to be able to have the confidence in his first World cup game at 20 years of age to just cut inside and hit that so perfectly, it is going to be right there. It's right there for me with the Cahill goal. It's. It's just. It's that big of a moment. It is a. It is that big of a moment really when you think about it. Yeah, it is incredible. Like, I'm surprised I've still got a voice, to be honest, because I was yelling and screaming after that Cole and. Yeah, you're 100% right, I guess. Yes. He's on a. An out and out number nine, but he's a modern, modern day forward, I guess, you know, in the likes of that sort of Frank Ribery cutting inside. I don't want to say he's Frank Ribery, of course, but that kind of, you know, those two bind wings. Yeah. I mean that's.

29:58 Yeah. And I'm sure he would even half the career. But you know, those wingers, I guess of Bayern Munich, ironically, you know, change game being those inverted wingers. And that's very much what I think Nestry could become with moments like that. You can, you can completely see that, can't you? Like it's, it's. Yeah. Sorry, Adam. Go. Sorry. So I was just gonna say just a couple of things. First of all, just on. On Nestery, I do believe that I. I think if I remember correctly that the sale to Wofford, I think Bayern Munich actually has, I think a buyback option. Yeah. I think that perhaps that maybe they may think about. About sort of, you know, employing that if he keeps on going that way and the Other. The other point is, I just want just put a clarification, Scott. You say compared to the Cahill goal, which one at the World Cup? Japan.

30:49 Japan won. Japan 2 or the Netherlands 1? The Japan 2, the one that put us in front. Ah, okay. Yeah, fair enough. Netherlands 1 is a whole different bracket where you just gotta. You just put that in a whole different category. That's one of the greatest goals ever scored in a World Cup. And yeah, yes, I do just check that. Yes, they do have a buyback clause by Munich. I'm sure they'll be considering that option if he keeps going like this. Yeah, you'd think so, right? I mean that there's a lot of talk that they're looking at another winger. So maybe it's necessary's time. Maybe he can show them that yes, he is their man, but I mean, he's got a pretty difficult bloke to dislodge in front of him in Lewis Diaz. But look, if you can learn a couple of things off him, that wouldn't be so bad either, would it? So I guess lads, you know, we don't want to get too carried away, but is that one of the best performances by the soccers at a World Cup? I think so.

31:40 You look at the control that they've had in this game and yet Turkey had a lot of ball, had a lot of possession. They were able to get in their terms, dominance. But from what Australia wanted to do, we didn't set up to try and control the ball. We wanted to contain what they did and hit fast in transition. And for what we wanted to do, we did it perfectly. So we know how meticulous Tony Popovich is in terms of all. Of all the ways he goes about preparing the team. Absolutely everything is detailed to the nth degree. Tactically, it would have been the same thing. And I would imagine this Australian team carried out exactly what he wants to do from minute one to minute 90. So I think he's probably one of our most controlled forms. You think about most of the other games that we have won, they haven't been as controlled as that we were. We were pretty comfortable in this game. It felt like the game could have continued going on for another half an hour unless there was fatigue or just a complete slip from the Australians, they weren't going to score. So the control we had was really impressive. Yeah, I think you summed it up pretty well there, Scott, to be honest. Adam, good luck trying to add to that, I guess, but I'll let you go. Yeah, look, I I actually think just. I'll just try to think back in my head.

32:49 Look, a couple of wins there over time. Maybe Serbia in 2010 might be the only one that I can think of where we're completely in control. Look, the last 15 minutes of the game in Japan, the in 2006. Look, I'd say that probably once, once we sold down and got at least equalize that felt like there was only go one way. So I certainly top three. The only other game I could actually think of where we actually had some degree of control but in a, in a loss was closest in 2006 against Italy before that incident. Yeah, that's, that's. That's your time. But again that's, that is in the least in my modern sort of Serve History Takeaway 2006 it's probably the game that you felt, you know what for a long way Australia's got this one and even getting into about the just before Metcalfe scored, you actually felt like holy smokes, the soccer could actually win this and knock off and knock off Takia. So that certainly is. And but mind you, I think there might be that list maybe add to come if things go to plan. Yeah, it does. Certainly looks like it's the blueprint, it's laid it out and you know, why change it from here on in? You know, especially coming up against the usa, a perfect segue because they're very much going to take the position of Turkey air. But maybe if a little bit more firepower in

34:21 the form of Christian Pulisic who looked absolutely incredible against Paraguay. I must say I thought the US's attack was pretty bloody good to watch and I hate to say that because, yeah, all the trash talking that they've had. But Scott, did you catch a game against Paraguay and what were your thoughts? I saw about the first 60 minutes that I had to duck out to go and do some of the football coverage. They were very impressive in the United States, there's no doubt about that. They started on the front foot and for all we've said about the way the Australians control the game and play beautifully in terms of being the resilient side, sitting back and containing space and now curtailing space and then hitting in transition. They were equally as effective in their own style play in terms of pushing forward and really crowding teams out, that their press was really impressive and the speed and energy their players in the front third was also quite, quite impressive. So they were, they were really good. I expected them to be good in this group because of the Fact they are at home, but there's no doubt they were better than I thought they were going to be. And it's going to be a very good examination on this Australian side on Friday morning or Friday over there, Saturday morning here in Australia, in Seattle because they are. They did play very well and it's very intriguing to see how that does pan. I'm sure we'll talk about in a moment. But yeah, in their first game against Paraguay, I'm not sure the Paraguayans really laid a glove on them in terms of the weight. I don't think they were anywhere near as impressive as I thought they were going to be. But take nothing away from the U.S. they were really impressive. Yeah, I have to agree.

35:50 I think there was a couple of moments early on that Paraguay looked like they might do something but it faded pretty quickly. And I don't know if about your thoughts, Adam, but Paraguay were a little bit disappointing for me. Oh they. They were very disappointing. I expect them to put more in and I think. I think that a lot of the mystique around them was around about oh how good that NCISO and the attack was. But defensively they were just out to sea that. That. That front combination of. Of the usa. Yeah Paul Such obviously is. He's the puppet master there. But also I thought Western McKinney, Serginio Dest and also Fre on the other side and Balagun up front. I. I thought that just there's the perfect way I've got to get the devil's due that that is the way as a host nation you want to perform in game one.

36:46 Is. Is that. That was just. That is probably before some today's drubbings. That was the easily the most dominant win. And that's no. That was sort of no slight against Paraguay as well. But the USA they really 3 nil half time that could have been anything. So I know they probably did sort of go rain in just a little bit in the second half. But again as a host nation that's the start you want to probably. Probably even more effective than Mexico. I thought Mexico in the end they. They really sort of, you know, took down a very poor South Africa. But the Paraguay were okay, you know to survey.

37:27 But yeah, the USA they really sort of bullied that game and they deserve a three points. That sets up a huge clash for. For group D. Yeah, it does, doesn't it? And just one quick note on that game before we talk about USA versus Socceroos. Pulisic did go off at halftime in that One. So let's see if he's fully fit. It would be a shame if he, if he didn't play. Obviously you want their best players on the so that they don't have any excuses, but yes, that could be a big excuses. Don't worry. Yeah, you can't say what they've said for the last six months and not have a bunch of excuses ready to go if it goes wrong. Yeah, that's very true. That's very true. So Scott, while you're there, what do you think? Is it, is it going to be the midfield battle that's going to be the key talking point in this one or is it attack first, defense or a bit of both?

38:21 Well, before I say what sport are we playing because I've heard that it's going to be a layup, it's going to be a home run, it's going to be a touchdown, it's going to be a wide open 3. What sport are we playing here? That's the first thing we have to work out because the analogies that have crossed over to other sports have been rather interesting. But for me I think it's going to be a case of the US Was so strong in the front third going forward and Australia was so strong in our low block compact style of play. Can they do what Turkey couldn't and break through and actually create clear cut opportunities and then put the wall in the back of the net? Because if they can do that, it becomes a very different game from an Australian perspective. Then they have to push out, they have to be more expansive and have to leave a bit more space in behind which could lead to things being a bit difficult for the Australian perspective. So if Australian can keep it as tight as it against her Kia, it will be a very intriguing game. See how it does pan out as the game goes on and on.

39:14 I'm sure they will go the same way that Turkey did and get the ball out to Pulisic. If he is playing on that left hand side, they will go down that down that Australian right hand side. I imagine Italiano will hold his spot over someone like a Milos Degenerek who's a more natural defender. But that might not be the worst idea to go with that if they were going to change it. But I suspect the game will look a lot like the game. But it'll look more like the Australia Turkey game than the United States Paraguay game. The question will be can they break down new strands and if they can't, can Australia get down the other end and actually potentially pose some challenges to the United States, which, which Paraguay didn't, didn't really show. So that'll be the intriguing thing for me to be more like our game than like their game. I don't think there's much you can really change. If you're Tony Popford, you're already sitting back pretty defensively in terms of our, our shape and our low block and our compactness. So there's not much more room you can go back, is there? So it's more likely that it'll be on the US to try and force a breakthrough. They're the ones who say they're going to win the game easily.

40:12 So I think it draws not the worst thing for Australia. So it's on the United States to go make it happen. Yeah, definitely. And you know, Tony Popovich isn't going to completely change his tactics now, is it? He's not going to go 4, 3, 3 and play a false 9 and you know, wingers with chalk on their boots and all that kind of stuff. You know, all the different sort of attacking philosophies. Is he, Adam? He's going to stick with the blueprint that got us the three points against Turkey. Scott does raise a good point. I'm going to put you on the spot here, Adam. Do you leave Italiano out there on the right or do you bring in Jason Garrier who came in for him in that game, or Milos Degenerk or Kai Truan? Definitely not quite true.

40:56 I think if Kaitrun's going to play a part in this World cup, it's going to be as defensive midfielder. I think that's where it is. So we'll eliminate him. Yeah, look, I tend to agree, I tend to agree with Scott definitely that I think Italiano just because of this game, the way it's going to be played, the way I think you need to go with a more defensive mind and more experienced right wing back. The question is Decadenik or Gerria. I think maybe Gary are just ahead of Degener. I, I do see Degenerek as probably a right center back cover for a Cam Burgess mind. You've also got Lucas Harrington there in the wings, but yeah, I certainly think defensively. But from the attack point of view, the one thing and sort of been hearing the commentary as well for those American pundits that actually have half a brain for this game is that they are very, very worried about the speed up the middle of, of potentially over Iron Kunda of two, Ray of a Metcalfe you know, and. And sort of targeting Tim Ream and Chris Richards. Tim Ream, obviously he's. He's a lot older and that doesn't mean that's not slight age or anything like that. But apparently there's a bit worried that he's not as fast as he could be. Bris Richards as well is.

42:10 He's a very, very good. A bit like Harry Sutar. And the thought, the fears we have at Harry Sutar is he's a big presence in the air, but he is pretty slow to turn to turn in that. And that might be the avenue where Australia, like they did against Turkey to attack that down the center. Yeah, that long ball, try to catch up again behind the defense, that might be the key to victory for Australia. But I do agree with Scott that the first priority is they've got to lock down that defense. Because you're right, I think the USA are going to come come out Australia. And again, I think the possession stats are going to be very, very similar today what Takia did to Australia in game one. Yeah, the possession stats will look very similar. I wouldn't have to change the entire back five. I would trust Italiano and I like his speed going forward in that more attacking mindset.

42:59 In terms of having him and Jordy Boss bombing forward when we do get the opportunity to do so in transition, I would actually keep him in that role and trust the fact that he kept those two Turkey wingers pretty quiet and then hopefully with Chakati and others helping out, he can keep blessing quite as well. The change I might consider actually is Connor Metcalfe and maybe bring in a Volpato or in this changing that front third a little bit just for fresh legs. Alex, because the amount of work those players have to put in that front third to the sprints for that to put in the defensive press they have to put in. That's a lot of work off the ball they do need to put in. And if that's not there and they're a little bit flat on that, that can create problems all the way through the rest of the system. So if there's going to be a change, to me it's actually at the front. Not necessarily for a creative spark perspective, but a re. Re making sure that the defensive press from the front is right there to minimize space because that was a.

43:53 A big part of the win against Takir as well. So to me, if they're going to change anything, that's what I'd be changing. Yeah, I think that's a Good point. I think it's probably going to come. Yeah, I personally as well wouldn't change that back. 5 I think Italiano's engine is too important down the right and we need someone that's going to be quick to defend Pulisic rather than maybe a slower player that, you know, like a Gary or Dagenic on that. Right. And yeah, completely agree with Adam on Tru and I think his best position is in the center of midfield and funnily enough that's probably where another change could be thought about whether you bring Jackson Irvine in to give Oak on Engsler a rest or Aidan o'. Neill. Guess it depends on how they are. I mean Aiden o' Neill had a bit of an injury cloud coming into this tournament so maybe it's him that gets to put his feet up. The other thing is it's a six day turnaround as well. So there's a longer turnaround. Maybe we don't need to change anything because these guys are ready to rumble straight away.

44:55 It's emotional as well. It's not just the physical, it's also the big emotion that we're in the game. You've got to come down from that. That's the other thing to keep an eye on. It's not just the physical recovery. Yeah, you're right, you're right. And maybe some of those younger lads that are experiencing the World cup for the first time might need to get, you know, benched, to put it less politely. But you know, to be taken out of the starting 11 just for, you know, fresh mindset and, and experience. Especially playing a host nation with a large parochial crowd behind them, that's going to take its toll mentally as well, isn't it Adam? Yeah, look you mate, you made excellent point as well. Is that also as well, just the atmosphere is going to change as well. I think that Australia were probably slightly, probably they, they probably felt more at home if not 50, 50 the crowd in Vancouver, it's definitely going to be enemy territory at Lumen Field, Seattle Stadium on, on a Friday night in the US or Friday afternoon I should say because it is, is going to be a, it's a very, very loud stadium by nature as well and it's going to be a very parochial US crowd with probably only maybe a couple thousand Australians there, which is a great turnout.

46:12 And look also as well, just quickly credit to the Australian supporters as well. They really, really gave that atmosphere both on the way to the ground before the game and during the game. So a credit to them as well. Hopefully they can, they can bring the noise in Seattle, but they're going to be up against a much larger home, home, home contingent in that game. They certainly will. And Alex, this is where the gaming age in Mexico in the Rose bowl was so smart when you look back at it in hindsight because they basically played a World cup host in their own, in their, not in their own country but near enough to it in terms of the expats in that part of the United States. So they got that experience of what it's like to go up against a host nation and that white hot energy.

46:56 So, and that was only, that was a World cup warm up game but it felt the crowd was like a World cup game. So that experience that the Australian players got in that game, it, it's the best they could possibly find to get themselves fully tuned in for what the United States game will feel like. And I imagine that's probably why Tony Popovich wanted Mexico as one of the lead up games because of the fact player, host nation, get that experience, get the feel of the crowd. So it won't be completely foreign to the Australians, but it will certainly be a parochial atmosphere over there in Seattle on, on Friday afternoon. Funny enough Scott, there'll actually be there were more Mexicans at the Rose Bowl. There will be of, of America's, less the Australian supporters there. So although Lumen Field again as I said notoriously, very, very loud, the way it is is constructed. But look, 76000 Mexicans, it'll only be around about 60000 US supporters.

47:54 So again it's, it's a perfect preparation that that warm up game. Yes, it's a one nil loss but I think they would have actually gotten so much out of that experience, especially the younger guys who've never been there before. And I do believe as well it's the first time in, in 50, 52 years that Australia will be playing a host nation at a walk. Yes it will. 1974 against Germany. Yeah, you're right. I have a good pickup there Adam, very good pickup. And it'd be remiss of me not to give a quick shout out to our good friend Liam Parslow who was at the game in Vancouver as well, if you didn't see it all over social media as he likes to share. But yeah, just wanted to give you a shout out Liam for your wonderful work in the crowd cheering on our boys to victory against Turkey. Anyway lads, let's wrap it up there. It's been a great episode. Great to enjoy this victory with you both and discuss it. I guess same time next week we'll be discussing this US game and hopefully we hopefully we get something out of that one and we can start talking about a game against Paraguay in the following week with some optimistic views much like this one. But before we go, Adam, I'll get you to plug the Brisbane Football Review one more time for our listeners.

49:15 Yep. I'll try and get this one a bit more smoothly. So you can find us on Facebook, the Raw review or or at Brisbane Football Review, on Twix, at BNE Football Instagram and threads, Brisbane Football Review or lowercase. You drop us an email bristol football reviewmail.com and you can fly us on podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Thank you, Adam. Thanks for your efforts tonight and thank you as well, Scott, for your efforts. We'll do it again next week. Thanks for listening and goodbye.