2022 FIFA World Cup

[LP]

, this is arguably the least talented side I have seen represent the country at this level.

No being a 24x7 follower of soccer I've read a lot of old heads in media today to get a specialist perspective, they are bitching and moaning about player development, but I think they are basically potting the youth in the squad to cover for the old boys who underperformed, the specialist commentators are basically looking after their mates / former team-mates. They complain about the kids in the squad, then in the next breath they complain about Australia's poor player development of kids, it is a stupidly polarising and pointless complaint.

Some would read it as a side swipe towards the coach, so not much has changed, it is the same old same old.

You can see why blokes don't want the job, it's a poison chalice.

[Professer E]

The usual pundits who have made a living bashing Australia and it's culture have been very quiet recently.  I wonder why.

[Thryleon]

No being a 24x7 follower of soccer I've read a lot of old heads in media today to get a specialist perspective, they are bitching and moaning about player development, but I think they are basically potting the youth in the squad to cover for the old boys who underperformed, the specialist commentators are basically looking after their mates / former team-mates. They complain about the kids in the squad, then in the next breath they complain about Australia's poor player development of kids, it is a stupidly polarising and pointless complaint.

Some would read it as a side swipe towards the coach, so not much has changed, it is the same old same old.

You can see why blokes don't want the job, it's a poison chalice.

The bitching and moaning comes from the likes of Craig Foster who has delusions of grandeur.  The reality is, that the French have a system and soccer culture that has been churning out champion players since I remember walking and talking.

Who pray tell are the old boys?

Aaron Mooy, Aziz Behich and Matthew Leckie?  They were arguably the better players on the park for Australia particularly in possession.  The main culprit is the coach who is part of soccers Sydney Mafia (the one that ruined Australian Cricket).

This is what tells the story best:
According to Transfermarkt.com which is as good a guide on a players worth in the international market place as any:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/kylian-mba...ler/342229 

Kylian Mbappe.  One player albeit an absolute star of the game and gun.  Paris St. Germain, playing with superstars like Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Current market value 160 million Euros. 

Australia's team that faced France:

Mathew Ryan - Fc Copenhagen Denmark second string keeper.  5 million euros
Nathaniel Atkinson - ASC Cham in the German lower leagues  unrated lets put him at 700k  euros.
Harry Souttar - Stoke City English Championship (second division) 4.5 million euros
Kye Rowles - Heart of Midlothian Scottish Premier League - 600k  euros
Aziz Behich - Dundee United Scottish Premier League - 700k euros
Jackson Irvine - FC St. German 2nd division Pauli - 2 million euros.
Aaron Mooy - Celtic Scottish Premier League 4 million euros.
Riley McGree - Middlesborough FC - English Championship (second division) - 2.00 million euros
Mathew Leckie - Melbourne City A League - 800k - euros
Mitchell Duke - Fagiano Okayama Japan - 800k euros
Craig Goodwin - Adelaide United A league - 1.2 million euros.

Total squad value:  22.3 million euros.


It speaks volumes.

The Australian "old boys" are all at worst, 32 years of age and playing youngsters cements a generation of pavlovs dogs doesnt it?  Timmy Cahill at aged 35 and 36 was miles above what any of this team can offer us today.  Age is literally just a number.

Argentina fielded 4 players over the age of 35, and whilst they didn't win against the Saudis who were stoic, they dominated general play and created more chances which usually means that they win 95% of the time with the odd outlier going the other way.

That French team has representation of players who are both older and younger, and represent top teams, gaining better experience in high pressure situations against higher calibre opponents and teamates most of the year, whilst the motley crue that represented us are playing in some cases in leagues where guys arent proper professionals. 

[LP]

Yes, I understand.

In the context I use it "Old boys" isn't an ageist term, it's about relationships and inner circles.

Does FA have a long term plan, and if so does it have the wherewithal to actually see it through?

[Thryleon]

Yes, I understand.

In the context I use it "Old boys" isn't an ageist term, it's about relationships and inner circles.

Does FA have a long term plan, and if so does it have the wherewithal to actually see it through?

At the end of the day, France's bench would have wiped the floor with us.  A guy that didn't even make the field is playing for Arsenal in the English Premier League (William Saliba) is rated at 50 million euros. 

The old boys are the ones that chased Ange Postecoglou out of Australian Soccer.

The same ones that decided to embark us on the A league project, which has improved the professionalism of the sport, but has only caused a rift between true old passionate soccer fans who created the club and football culture that churned out the likes of Mark Bresciano, Mark Viduka, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella.  Once upon a time, this sport was represented by a bunch of guys who were largely multicultural no longer.

If ever you wanted to see Australia's racism failings, the A league is a prime example.  McVictory don't even hide using the tune to Scotland the brave as the club song FFS whilst clubs that have 30 years of history were tossed aside and not even granted a license even though they were better placed to help the league transform. 

Good old Brittish colonialism at work again.  They said they were making the sport more professional, but all they did was fund the top level off the academy kids (this is a crime) cementing Australian soccer as a rich persons game, which costs thousands to get kids into any meaningful competition with true learnings.  The A league has been going for how many weeks already this year and you wouldn't even know there is a game on most weeks.  Its a complete travesty. 

Its also the antithesis of what happened in England.  The clubs got together there, and formed a break away competition from the FA which resulted in the English Premier League forming and the English 1st division becoming a side show. 

[Professer E]

Why does it cost a zillion bucks to register kids to play in this country?  Are those clubs then using this cash to pay senior players?  Where's all the money going - it doesn't sound like much is filtering back to development. 

[LP]

Why does it cost a zillion bucks to register kids to play in this country?  Are those clubs then using this cash to pay senior players?  Where's all the money going - it doesn't sound like much is filtering back to development.

Yep, one of my youngest spent a couple of seasons playing soccer years back, at the time registration was five times the cost of Aussie rules, and most of the soccer gear was far more expensive as well. Gouging?

[Gointocarlton]

Yep, one of my youngest spent a couple of seasons playing soccer years back, at the time registration was five times the cost of Aussie rules, and most of the soccer gear was far more expensive as well. Gouging?

Why does it cost a zillion bucks to register kids to play in this country?  Are those clubs then using this cash to pay senior players?  Where's all the money going - it doesn't sound like much is filtering back to development. 

Its a rort. They are so called Academies who claim to have affiliations with International clubs. They prey on kids and the their parents with statements like "your kid has talent, we can get him over to yyy to trial with xxx" for a fee of course. The parents pay because they are made to think Little Johnny will be the next Messi. They are frauds.

[Professer E]

Gouging kids to pay weekend hackers match fees... Looks like the FIFA mindset goes all the way to the roots.

[dodge]

'Community Club' near us $575 to register for soccer (U12-U21).  Also have to try out to get in. 6 month season.

Tennis: $95 for a junior to play comp - Annual membership
Cricket: $135 - 6 month season
Aussie Rules: ~$210 - 6 month season

Rort of the highest order.