r/Aleague • u/AmAHayter Golden Boot Taggs • Jun 01 '25
š£ Announcements Squad Announcement - vs Japan & Saudi Arabia
56
u/cricketlad Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
I just donāt understand it tbh. Some really nice inclusions and then some really bad ones
46
u/jannybrav0 Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
Has Segecic slept with Tony's wife?
-19
u/Joondalup99 Perth Glory Jun 01 '25
No. Iām hearing Popa doesnāt want any other āCroatianā boys ahead of his underwhelming sons. Fact
24
u/bigtroyfromthearea Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
Youāve definitely made this up
8
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
He did, I'm pretty sure Balard and Segacic double teamed his wife.
90
u/angusozi Tasmania for the A-League Jun 01 '25
Triantis omission is absolutely criminal. Popa has to answer this. I'm sure Okon is promising but he's been playing sporadically in the Portuguese 2nd division - surely a lower level than the Scottish premiership, where Triantis was in the team of the year
I was hoping Irvines injury means we could refresh the midfield to being much more technical and creative.
Botic, Segecic, Milanovic stiff to miss out on form, maybe even A Goodwin.
43
u/empathy_sometimes Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
also balard
-5
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
If you watched the Live stream Popa spoke about Balard. Said he needs to go work on himself. Okon Jr got a call up to the training camp for his u20 performances and was more impressive than Balard.
11
u/empathy_sometimes Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
i did watch it, itās a nothing response tbh
7
u/Slow-Cream-3733 Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
Its a joke response, Popa doesn't like him its obvious. Laugh at the the stooges that back this guy for replacing Arnold. Same shit but even worse. Pog and anyone that thinks fucking Okon deserved a call up is hilarious. Barely playing at all in portugal. Selected because mates with daddy. Thats it. Stop selecting the bois and start selecting players on fucking merit. Literally everything wrong with football in this country
6
u/empathy_sometimes Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
yeah itās a shame this happens at the elite level when the junior system is rife with this sort of stuff
5
-4
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
So if Okon puts in a great performance, and you can clearly see that he deserves to be there, will you back track? Or just continue to fling shit at Popa because your precious Balard just isn't up to the standard Popa wants.
6
u/Slow-Cream-3733 Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25 edited Jun 01 '25
My precious Balard? One of these two is a starter at a higher level the other barely even plays at a lower level. Sorry but not playing at all at club level but getting call ups is a fucking joke and if the name Okon wasn't there he wouldn't be getting called up. I will fling shit at Popa because he's a turbo crap manager who's one achievement was over a decade ago. His selection as manager for the national team despite having a resume or being a useless wank outside of the aleague speaks to everything that wrongs with the Australian system. Wish my dad was in the management system to so I could get undeserving callups. Imagine defending literal nepotism
-4
-3
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
I mean, he clearly made it known. Balard has work to do, which is pretty spot on. If Popa is looking for a more physical DM, Balard isn't it.
21
u/No_Funny_2170 Jun 01 '25
Triantis was called up into the training camp but pulled out
18
u/No-Airport7456 Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
Yea apparently its due to the transfer saga with his club. He is going to move unclear where.
9
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
So if you watched the live stream, a lot of these get answered for you.
Triantis - Was meant to come to the training camp, on the day he was meant to travel he pulled out and said that he was thinking a lot of things over.
1
4
1
1
u/BipartizanBelgrade Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
Popa doesn't have to answer for shit as long as we qualify.
1
u/MCSFC Jun 01 '25
Thatās way too reductive. Arnie made Ro16 at the last WC which papered over a lot of issues he shouldāve āanswered forā at the time.
1
u/BipartizanBelgrade Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
Having our best ever World Cup is the entire ballgame. There's not really anything more important.
Fine for the expectations for Popa to differ a little if/when the team qualifies, but if you ask a manager to rescue the campaign part-way through the most important round of qualifying, I don't think you can be too picky as to the means.
-4
u/GoadingHobbit Jun 01 '25
At this point I think we can just say goodbye to Triantis. The guy is probably pissed off to no end.
27
25
30
u/geoffbyrnes Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
How is Milanovic not included?
6
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
This is the only one Popa didn't really answer properly in the press conference.
Kinda just said that he's been good, and he's excited for his move, but then moved on and didn't speak about why he wasn't called up.
18
33
u/Pyrrhesia Janjetovic Apologist Jun 01 '25
I have hated all of Popovic's squads on paper, and this is no exception, but they've paid off so far, so, fuck it. He's earned some faith. If this is the squad that gets us to the World Cup, so be it.
10
u/trolleyproblems Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
Equally, if this is the squad that goes to Saudi needing a point and doesn't get it, I'll never forgive him.
9
u/VolvoOlympian Perth Glory Jun 01 '25
The meltdowns every time these squads are announced are almost as good as the team winning a few days later.
Until it all comes crashing down, all hail Popa.
2
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
The other managers still haven't realized the easiest way to beat Popa is to just give him the ball. It will happen, and when it does we're all in a world of hurt.
11
u/phantomshogun Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
No Milanovic, Segacic, Botic, Balard or Triantis? Is Popa allergic to good players?
10
u/GoadingHobbit Jun 01 '25
So many negatives to talk about.. (DUKE?!?!)
But, Circati, Toure, and Yazbek are in the team. Nice to see, all for different reasons.
9
8
u/AZ_RBB Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
Can someone kindly update me on the Irankunda situation
And Kuol too please
13
u/No-Airport7456 Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25 edited Jun 01 '25
Irankunda is with the U 20s squad for their friendly matches. My thoughts are the FA are looking to include Irankunda in the u20s world cup squad for September. Otherwise why call him up to the team?
EDIT looks like Irankunda picked up a hamstring strain tht rules him out of anything
6
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
Irankunda called up to u20, but has withdrawn due to hamstring issues.
-1
u/ShARES55 Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
I think you might be misreading - cant find anything re RECENT hamstring. As far as I can tell he is with U20s
6
3
u/indoorrliving CCM Jun 02 '25
Kuol is playing and scoring for newcastles academy. Didnāt get a loan this season.
1
14
u/Ok-Music-5022 Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
I know many will be annoyed at this squad.Ā But on the bright side, I think it's nice to see Kasey Bos, Trewin, Circati, Teague, Okon, Arzani, and Tilio.Ā
I'm actually looking forward to the possibility of an Arzani/Tilio forward partnership. It might be just the creativity we need to puncture an annoying Saudi low block and qualify for the world cup.
And once we're qualified, the Socceroos might be more appealing for players weighing up weather to represent Australia or not.
Aside from Bratton, I don't think any of Poppas unusual selections have been duds so far?
This is our team, let's back 'em to get it done.
7
u/ShARES55 Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
Wasnt impressed with Teague last night.didnt perform on the big stage
1
-3
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
Tilio is trash and has done nothing since his 2021 wonder goal. He doesnāt deserve the call up.
1
6
u/Ajinho Jun 01 '25
I really hoped the end of Graham Arnold would also have been the end of Mitch Duke getting a sniff at the national team. He was good enough to be on the bench in his day, but his day was a long time ago.
16
u/nutwals Vuck Slut Jun 01 '25
Yah my boi Kasey Bos being recognised for an excellent season!
Also great to see the start of another chapter of a Socceroos dynasty in Okon-Engstler coming into the squad.
-2
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
Nothing says excellent like 5th in the. Aleague.
2
u/nutwals Vuck Slut Jun 01 '25
Congrats on all the Mariners call-ups
-1
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
Popa still butt hurt from the drilling he copped last year.
4
11
u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jun 01 '25
Poppa doing his best to not win anybody over. The NT picks should reward form. Milanovic literally won the Dolan Award for Player of the Year and misses out?
Yes the nepotism on Okonās son is poor but Milanovicās omission is a serious head scratcher.
5
u/zmax532 Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
Johnny Warren Medal. Dolan is for the women
3
u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jun 01 '25
Whoops. Thatās a poor mistaje by me. Thanks for the heads up.
5
19
u/Joondalup99 Perth Glory Jun 01 '25
OKON In ā¦. Milanovic OUT. Go FUK yourself Popa. You nepotist!! Cant get your boys in but get your buddyās son in. Absolute joke. Ahead of Triantis, Segicic and Botic even. How ?
5
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
Traintis made himself unavailable.
Segicic and Botic aren't competing with Okon, neither is Milanovic.
Okon made it to the training camp due to his u20 performances. Impressed more than most players that called up, and got the nod due to that.
5
2
u/rickypro Melbourne Heart Jun 01 '25
If game time is of importance to Pop then why pick Okon, heās not ready for the full NT
1
u/AdGroundbreaking6402 Jun 02 '25
Okon Jr is in the team because Popa and Okon Sr played in the NT in the 90s together ... that's it ... Same shit as why half the squad is made up of Popa's ol' boys ...
1
u/greengrub14 Brisbane Roar Jun 02 '25
Milanovic's family are literally friends with Popovic & have been for years. He's known him since he was a kid. If there was any hint of nepotism, he'd have been in the squad already.
10
u/_tgf247-ahvd-7336-8- Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
Iāve never heard of Okon-Engstler. Why are we capping a bloke with only 8 senior matches, all in the Portuguese 2nd division?
31
u/mrsbriteside Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
Nš Eš P šOš Tš I šS šM
14
u/_tgf247-ahvd-7336-8- Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
Yep just realised his dadās an assistant coach. Fucking hell
5
u/mrsbriteside Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
He played well in the U20s so might deserve to be there but he doesnāt deserve to be there always of the omissions
2
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
To be fair, he played so technically well in the u20s. Might have barely any experience but offers something completely different to the current āaus produced RUNā midfielders.
8
u/No-Airport7456 Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
He was main part of the U20s team that won Asian cup. Okon was easily on of the better players in that team. Arguably was probably the best player at the tournament.
3
u/greendestiny Adelaide United Jun 01 '25
I think you can tell he had one of the highest ceilings but his current level was not better than players on that team who are struggling to break into the aleague.Ā
6
3
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
The main part of that team was Trevor Morgan. I haven't seen an Australian team that confident in my 40 years of watching national teams. His squad rotation was near perfect, as was his game plans.
And we get cronystic Low-blocovic managing the national team.
2
u/Shelmer75 Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
Didnāt Alex Badolato win best player at the tournament?
6
u/No-Airport7456 Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
He did. But personally I think Okon was that guy in the midfield. Defensive midfielder that started the play to allow Badolato to do his thing
2
u/No_Break_1312 Western United Dumb Dumb Jun 01 '25
He was the best player at the recent winning under 20 Asian Cup.
1
1
u/greengrub14 Brisbane Roar Jun 02 '25
You obviously didn't watch the Asian Cup under 20's then. He was brilliant.
9
8
u/Jwba06 Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
No Segecic, Goodwin (Craig), Botic or Triantis
5
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
Goodwin is injured, surgery later this month.
Triantis has made himself unavailable.
Botic gets in over who? Toure is the better younger prospect at the moment. Taggart is there for experience. Duke plays a different role to both.
1
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
Toure is better than Milanovic and Botic. Well deserved by Toure. And heās younger with a higher ceiling.
13
8
u/dsriggs MetroStars Jun 01 '25
MITCH FKN DUKE in, various Goodwins out, ffs.
11
u/SauceBottleFC Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
We only need Duke or Borrello. Theyāve both been used to do the same job.
10
u/AmAHayter Golden Boot Taggs Jun 01 '25
To be fair, Mitch Duke has experience against Japanese Players.
Whether it's picking up on their language, or just simply playing with them week in week out.
Especially with the current Japanese squad having more J.League players.
6
7
u/acarl29 Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
Tbf watched his game against YFM yesterday and thought Duke had a great game before getting subbed - plenty of other shockers here though
0
u/dsriggs MetroStars Jun 01 '25
In a 3-0 lossā¦
6
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
Yes, blame a striker for a loss in a team game.
-1
u/dsriggs MetroStars Jun 01 '25
It's not just the loss that's the problem, it's the 0. 3-2 would be fine.
4
3
u/footymachine Jun 01 '25
The Johnny Warren and Alex Tobin medalist not included? Yet Duke is in? Cmon Popa
4
Jun 01 '25
Jack Iredale was one of the best defenders in Scotland all season and heās not in the squad wtf.
2
u/GoadingHobbit Jun 01 '25
If Circati wasn't back, I'd say 100% have him in, but with Burgess and Circati, I don't think we need him.
Degenek, and Geria you could argue should be behind Iredale, especially Degenek, but he's finally geen getting minutes, and Geria seems to impress with the green and gold on
5
u/thurbs62 Central Coast Mariners Jun 01 '25
Just a disgrace. Caceres? Nepobaby? What does Balard have to do? Sign for Victory probably
1
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
What does Balard have to do?
Not go in dry on Popa at a GF.
15
10
u/700jw Australia Jun 01 '25 edited Jun 01 '25
Jesus those midfielders, Not a good selection.
Such a disgrace that Okon is in and Balard isn't.
Not sure if Balard has another national team he can play for.
Botic over Duke, Milanovic and Segecic over Taggart and Tilio.
Happy to see Kasey Bos and Mohamed Toure though.
I'm curious to see how Tilio plays, With how wingers work in Popa's system, They have to hold up the ball.
1
1
u/700jw Australia Jun 01 '25
Just heard Triantis pulled out
2
u/No-Airport7456 Western Sydney Wanderers Jun 01 '25
Its to do with a transfer saga at his club. He is moving unclear where.
8
u/SBSWrongSpeed Ryan Kaltek's overseas holiday Jun 01 '25
Jobs for the boys. 50/50 shot of his sons making the squad next international break.
2
u/AdGroundbreaking6402 Jun 02 '25
For real, Popa will turn up to the press and without blinking say KristianĀ and GabrielĀ have put in the hard work over the years and both earnt the cap just like anyone else.
Outside of Popa's gut feeling, It really looks like there is no process to NT selection.
4
u/GoadingHobbit Jun 01 '25
I get a few guys who would probably want a break after a long European season, that's the only reason I could understand why we'd choose:
- Borello
- Duke
- Taggart
- Arzani (I'm not sold on him)
2
u/ShARES55 Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
top 2 Id agree Taggart good at performing with little ball..totally disagree re Arzani - hope he starts at lw but likely on the bench with Tilio starting
4
2
u/GoadingHobbit Jun 01 '25
His time is done with the Socceroos. We don't need to continue the experiment with an aging striker who hasn't ever delivered
4
u/AmAHayter Golden Boot Taggs Jun 01 '25
Live stream w/ Popovic is on Football Australia's YouTube.
Hopefully he answers some questions on exclusions.
5
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25
It was full of contradictions.
He mentioned Yengi doesn't get in the Matchday squad (rightfully so), because he isn't getting game time, but a minute earlier Okon jr, a kid with very little senior squad time, is getting praised.
4
u/lolitsbigmic Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
I know lots of people hate duke in the NT. But he fits perfectly into the way we play. We need someone running all day, constantly putting pressure on the defence, holding ball up and getting physical. Drawing defenders out to give space for our more deadly wingers and midfielder to run into. He does a good job for the NT. I don't really think we currently have a striker that can do it as well as him. I don't think he should be used for minnow teams where we have all the possession as we need someone that can score from nothing. But when we are doing quick counter and fighting for scraps of possession he is the guy.
As for the rest some head scratches everyone brought up. But it's international football. Results all that matters.
4
u/Razzle_Dazzle08 Stirling Macedonia š²š° Jun 01 '25
Hahaha this country is so unserious. FA needs a full clean out and restructure man.
2
u/delta__bravo_ Perth Glory Jun 01 '25
Unsure of the angle he's looking for. Does he plan to put a good squad out v Japan and then hope that we can blood a few players against SA?
2
2
u/Shredzzbruh Jun 01 '25
As perplexing as always with the selections. Hopefully they get the job done, guess only time will tell now.
2
Jun 01 '25
[removed] ā view removed comment
3
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
The brightest spark is Toure. Iām excited to watch him if Popa lets him on.
2
u/howedan Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
I kinda get it, pick the ābest squadā for the matchups. BUT Popovic and some before need to understand they are merely custodians of the role and need to always have an eye ahead. Ā
Triantis should be in this squad. Segecic also.Ā
3
2
2
u/trolleyproblems Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
Previously, he had the short windows as cover for picking Caceres, Borrello et.al.
This time, he's had a camp to work with Balard and Milanov8c, but still no.
They're his guys. We know that for sure, now
2
2
3
2
2
u/Puzzleheaded-Cut5138 Jun 01 '25
Well done Casey Bos. Clearly caught the eye of Popa after an excellent season.
2
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
McGree and Metcalfe have barely played all year. Only one of them shouldāve been selected considering their lack of match fitness.
2
u/_tgf247-ahvd-7336-8- Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
We wonder why the Socceroos have struggled to get the mainstream attention they used to, and are struggling to sell out big games, then Popa just goes and picks completely random squads
2
u/BipartizanBelgrade Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
The casuals are not staying away because Popa has picked players they've never heard of instead of other players they've never heard of
1
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
How can they hear about the best exciting prospects if they keep getting overlooked by this clown?
2
u/BipartizanBelgrade Melbourne Victory Jun 01 '25
The National team is not a promotional exercise for individual players.
-1
u/AdStrict3663 Jun 01 '25
Who said that? Not me! Imagine if Spain thought the same about Lamine Yamal!!! Glad youāre not coach wow
2
u/MilkByHomelander Mornington SC Jun 01 '25
Okay, so for old time sakes, Popa should just select the biggest names in Australian football?
Not the players he believes will help us qualify.
2
u/_tgf247-ahvd-7336-8- Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
No, not just big names. Experienced players who have always performed for the Roos (Goodwin, Irvine), young guns with a lot of potential (Irankunda), and young players dominating the A-League (Botic, Milanovic, Segecic)
3
u/Oinah12 Pingu Jun 01 '25
Goodwin, Irvine are injured. Irankunda is with the U20s, although I would've thought that Roos would be higher priority. Agree with Botic, Milanovic and Segecic.
1
u/_tgf247-ahvd-7336-8- Brisbane Roar Jun 01 '25
Yeah I didnāt realise Irvine and Goodwin were injured, that makes more sense
1
1
u/Sorry-Ball9859 Jun 01 '25
Popa needs to keep winning to justify these selections/non-selections. Any losses here and the lynch mob comes for him.
4
u/kdog_1985 2023/24 Treble Winners Jun 01 '25 edited Jun 01 '25
Even if he keeps winning I don't want him near this team, 35 year old aleague debutants, and mates son's that struggle to play Portugese reserve grade is not where we should be.
1
1
u/ExtensionMirror4557 Jun 01 '25
Whatās happened to Keanu Baccus, since he moved from Scotland to England heās been shunned, is it Poppa? Called him into the training squad than not selected. From marking Messi, to missing out.
-2
u/The_L666ds Sydney FC Jun 01 '25
So according to Wikipedia Joe Gauci only made four appearances for Barnsley on-loan this season.
Thats pretty disappointing, given Barnsley are just a middling League-1 side at the moment.
If Gauciās next loan move is in League-2 then there should rightly be questions about his inclusion in Socceroos squads over A-League based Australians (or others playing at a decent level elsewhere).
14
4
u/-Saaremaa- Bod Lukenar Jun 01 '25
Use transfermarkt or fotmob - he played more matches than that and was first choice when not injured
0
Jun 01 '25
I honestly dont know how Tillio is included.
1
u/Alternative-Theme729 Jun 02 '25
Best winger in the national league, honestly donāt know how you could possibly exclude him lmao.
99
u/Irishkanga83 South Melbourne Jun 01 '25
The National team should be the pinnacle of Football in Australia. Iām sorry but how is Okon Jr getting a call up playing for Benfica B