This is the World Game with Stefan Mark.

This is the World Game with Stefan Mark.

Thanks to Football Essay bringing South Australian communities together. Yeah, welcome to the World Game tonight. All thanks to Southern Cherry received up to six thousand dollar bonus on a Motor five at Southern cherry more Vale for Cherry second Australian anniversary. Always great to have you here as we get into another massive week in the World Game. Sam Tugwell's my name, and with me, of course is Stephan Mark.

Thanks to Football Essay bringing South Australian communities together. Yeah, welcome to the World Game tonight. All thanks to Southern Cherry received up to six thousand dollar bonus on a Motor five at Southern cherry more Vale for Cherry second Australian anniversary. Always great to have you here as we get into another massive week in the World Game. Sam Tugwell's my name, and with me, of course is Stephan Mark.

Stephan, good evening to you.

Stephan, good evening to you.

Yes, always happy to be here. It's been a bit more difficult the last couple of weeks, coming in thinking all right, what have I got to talk about? We're not winning. It's much much more difficult because you know, when you're winning, everything's going great, isn't it. You come into these situations obviously talking and we get to talk about how well we're doing. When now we've got to talk about obviously the disappointment, and you know, there's no really sugarcoating the situation. We've lost three out of our last four. Western United on the weekend I think was our worst performance with the ball without the ball, three nuel loss, and I don't think they created that many chances, but we created absolutely nothing. And it was a tough game out there in Tarne with the wind, with the sun coming in because it's a very very small stadium. Obviously you're in the middle of nowhere. But we just need to be a whole lot better. And this week we've got the chance against Auckland, the ladder leaders comfortably now above us. We've got a point to prove if we do want to be champions. We have to go to Auckland and take three points off them, which has been pretty much impossible for all teams this year. Just beating their local rivals Wellington Phoenix six to one with extraordinary Yeah, a big statement, and not just the result, but just the way they did it. You know, they just look a class above at the moment. And that's I guess the most exciting thing as a player. You get to go there and kind of prove yourself, prove how good you are individually and as a team, and I know all of us are really looking forward to that.

Yes, always happy to be here. It's been a bit more difficult the last couple of weeks, coming in thinking all right, what have I got to talk about? We're not winning. It's much much more difficult because you know, when you're winning, everything's going great, isn't it. You come into these situations obviously talking and we get to talk about how well we're doing. When now we've got to talk about obviously the disappointment, and you know, there's no really sugarcoating the situation. We've lost three out of our last four. Western United on the weekend I think was our worst performance with the ball without the ball, three nuel loss, and I don't think they created that many chances, but we created absolutely nothing. And it was a tough game out there in Tarne with the wind, with the sun coming in because it's a very very small stadium. Obviously you're in the middle of nowhere. But we just need to be a whole lot better. And this week we've got the chance against Auckland, the ladder leaders comfortably now above us. We've got a point to prove if we do want to be champions. We have to go to Auckland and take three points off them, which has been pretty much impossible for all teams this year. Just beating their local rivals Wellington Phoenix six to one with extraordinary Yeah, a big statement, and not just the result, but just the way they did it. You know, they just look a class above at the moment. And that's I guess the most exciting thing as a player. You get to go there and kind of prove yourself, prove how good you are individually and as a team, and I know all of us are really looking forward to that.

Yeah, So you haven'tuck around getting into the show with the tough stuff. So I like that you've fronted up straight away. We are going to talk about plenty of others in the show where Australian national team's doing very nicely. The NPL sorry locally, has been often running but we'll get to all that later in the show. But as we do start with Adelaide United, is the pressure starting demand a little bit?

Yeah, So you haven'tuck around getting into the show with the tough stuff. So I like that you've fronted up straight away. We are going to talk about plenty of others in the show where Australian national team's doing very nicely. The NPL sorry locally, has been often running but we'll get to all that later in the show. But as we do start with Adelaide United, is the pressure starting demand a little bit?

And how are you all approaching this?

And how are you all approaching this?

Because you've been writing, as you've been saying, the great wave throughout the season, it's all been very positive and everyone's everyone's always happier and better when things and things are easier when you're winning. But when you are losing three of the last four and they haven't been all great matches in a hole, I suppose this one was probably, as you said, one of your worse ones. But you've had some results that you've looked the better team haven't won when things are going against you, How does the team sort of operate inside the four walls to get back?

Because you've been writing, as you've been saying, the great wave throughout the season, it's all been very positive and everyone's everyone's always happier and better when things and things are easier when you're winning. But when you are losing three of the last four and they haven't been all great matches in a hole, I suppose this one was probably, as you said, one of your worse ones. But you've had some results that you've looked the better team haven't won when things are going against you, How does the team sort of operate inside the four walls to get back?

Yeah, I think as you touched on, you know, when you're winning, everything goes your way. You know, the ball bounces your way. You know if you have a small little injury after game, you feel everything just feels better when you're winning. It's just a reality of it. Your mind's such a powerful thing and when things aren't going your way, it's the complete opposite. And you know, we've kind of spoken this week, as we have the last couple of weeks about going back to our basics, what we were doing really well when we were playing our best football, what did that look like, And unfortunately we weren't able to kind of go out there on Sunday and actually produce that. The great thing with sport is you get a chance each week to go out there and rectify that. And you know, we're in Auckland at the moment, we're ready to go, and I think we we've been undermanned as well, which I know is not an excuse at the end of the day. Every team has injuries. But you know, if you look at our you know, from our last game, our back let's say seven, our goalkeeper, our back four and our two number six is are holding midfielders. We only actually had one player in their position that they started the season at. And it's just hard because you know, we've got young Harry Crawford coming in for his first team starting debut. You know, it's a tough game for him to come in at. Ethan Cox is a young experience keeper at this level. You say, yes, he's playing center back, but he's not really a center back. Alligitch is playing left back, he's not a left back. Young Ryan White, I think you know he's played a handful of games off the bench. This was his second start. So you look at all of that and you think, well, we need to be better because you're going to get injuries, you're going to have suspensions. All of those things come in four players away with the Australia Under twenty team. You knew what it was going to come, but it doesn't mean it's any easier to deal with that. And I think that constant change of players has been difficult. But we also need to figure out a way that, you know, come finals time, should we be in there and we have injuries, we can't use that as an excuse. So that's the reality of it. We need to be better, but we also need to understand that. You know, there's been a lot of chopping and changing.

Yeah, I think as you touched on, you know, when you're winning, everything goes your way. You know, the ball bounces your way. You know if you have a small little injury after game, you feel everything just feels better when you're winning. It's just a reality of it. Your mind's such a powerful thing and when things aren't going your way, it's the complete opposite. And you know, we've kind of spoken this week, as we have the last couple of weeks about going back to our basics, what we were doing really well when we were playing our best football, what did that look like, And unfortunately we weren't able to kind of go out there on Sunday and actually produce that. The great thing with sport is you get a chance each week to go out there and rectify that. And you know, we're in Auckland at the moment, we're ready to go, and I think we we've been undermanned as well, which I know is not an excuse at the end of the day. Every team has injuries. But you know, if you look at our you know, from our last game, our back let's say seven, our goalkeeper, our back four and our two number six is are holding midfielders. We only actually had one player in their position that they started the season at. And it's just hard because you know, we've got young Harry Crawford coming in for his first team starting debut. You know, it's a tough game for him to come in at. Ethan Cox is a young experience keeper at this level. You say, yes, he's playing center back, but he's not really a center back. Alligitch is playing left back, he's not a left back. Young Ryan White, I think you know he's played a handful of games off the bench. This was his second start. So you look at all of that and you think, well, we need to be better because you're going to get injuries, you're going to have suspensions. All of those things come in four players away with the Australia Under twenty team. You knew what it was going to come, but it doesn't mean it's any easier to deal with that. And I think that constant change of players has been difficult. But we also need to figure out a way that, you know, come finals time, should we be in there and we have injuries, we can't use that as an excuse. So that's the reality of it. We need to be better, but we also need to understand that. You know, there's been a lot of chopping and changing.

When you talk a lot about controlling the ball having positioned, you had nearly sixty percent of the position in the last game too. Does that playing too? Was it mistakes made, was it the opportunity's lost or wasn't using the ball the right way when you had it sort of put that down.

When you talk a lot about controlling the ball having positioned, you had nearly sixty percent of the position in the last game too. Does that playing too? Was it mistakes made, was it the opportunity's lost or wasn't using the ball the right way when you had it sort of put that down.

To I honestly. Cole spoke about that with us and said the same thing. We had more possession, and I couldn't believe it, to be honest, like it didn't feel like that in the game. I think it was in the areas that we had possession. We had possession a lot in the back third, or especially probably in the second half when we went you know, too new down. I think they were just happy to let us have the ball because realistically they were thinking, we'll sit here, break us down. You've got to score two or three to win the game too, to draw it. And yeah, we did make mistakes which wasn't good uncharacteristically from I gave the ball away and then gave away the penalty. Everybody's been there. I gave the ball away plenty of times. Everyone gave the ball away. Coxy obviously unfortunately let the third one slip through his legs and he was great before that. So, you know, two goals from two big mistakes from us. The first goal was a good team goal from them, but defensively we needed to be a lot better and we went through that in the week, so we still know that we're a good quality side. We just need to make sure that we get back to what I said before is doing what we do best, controlling games, but not just controlling it and keeping the ball for the sake of keeping the ball, keeping the ball to hurt the opposition, playing through the lines, getting the ball into you know, our number ten's myself, Zach Claff facing forward, getting Archie Goodwin in behind, Yaya Dukali, Beni Flammy, whoever's playing. And we've got a lot of quality when we're going forward. And this was the first game potentially that we haven't scored in I reckon all. See I'm not I think every game. So yeah, it's one of those ones where we you know, we didn't have a shot on target, and that's normally been our strength is getting a lot of shots away. So we now going to Auckland. It's going to be a tough game. And we've got nine games including Auckland to rectify the last month.

To I honestly. Cole spoke about that with us and said the same thing. We had more possession, and I couldn't believe it, to be honest, like it didn't feel like that in the game. I think it was in the areas that we had possession. We had possession a lot in the back third, or especially probably in the second half when we went you know, too new down. I think they were just happy to let us have the ball because realistically they were thinking, we'll sit here, break us down. You've got to score two or three to win the game too, to draw it. And yeah, we did make mistakes which wasn't good uncharacteristically from I gave the ball away and then gave away the penalty. Everybody's been there. I gave the ball away plenty of times. Everyone gave the ball away. Coxy obviously unfortunately let the third one slip through his legs and he was great before that. So, you know, two goals from two big mistakes from us. The first goal was a good team goal from them, but defensively we needed to be a lot better and we went through that in the week, so we still know that we're a good quality side. We just need to make sure that we get back to what I said before is doing what we do best, controlling games, but not just controlling it and keeping the ball for the sake of keeping the ball, keeping the ball to hurt the opposition, playing through the lines, getting the ball into you know, our number ten's myself, Zach Claff facing forward, getting Archie Goodwin in behind, Yaya Dukali, Beni Flammy, whoever's playing. And we've got a lot of quality when we're going forward. And this was the first game potentially that we haven't scored in I reckon all. See I'm not I think every game. So yeah, it's one of those ones where we you know, we didn't have a shot on target, and that's normally been our strength is getting a lot of shots away. So we now going to Auckland. It's going to be a tough game. And we've got nine games including Auckland to rectify the last month.

First game since September in this Australia Cup semi final which you lost to the victory, this is the last time you didn't score a goal. So that's quite an impressive stretch really for the team. But let's stop looking the review mirror because it's a little bit depressing if we keep talking about this. Let's move ahead because it's a great game coming up on the weekend where you take on Auckland FC.

First game since September in this Australia Cup semi final which you lost to the victory, this is the last time you didn't score a goal. So that's quite an impressive stretch really for the team. But let's stop looking the review mirror because it's a little bit depressing if we keep talking about this. Let's move ahead because it's a great game coming up on the weekend where you take on Auckland FC.

It's a top of the table battle.

It's a top of the table battle.

You guys have been neck and neck throughout the whole year. Auckland are just starting to stretch away a little bit here at the moment they lead by a few points, eight points on the ladder. So for you, this is a great opportunity as a team. But at the same time, you've got a couple of days in New Zealand. How are you gonna run together? How are you gonna work together? Are you gonna bond together?

You guys have been neck and neck throughout the whole year. Auckland are just starting to stretch away a little bit here at the moment they lead by a few points, eight points on the ladder. So for you, this is a great opportunity as a team. But at the same time, you've got a couple of days in New Zealand. How are you gonna run together? How are you gonna work together? Are you gonna bond together?

Yeah? I think you know. We went away to Wellington for about four days before we went away to mccarth and then away to Wellington and we've got six points from those two games on the road. So we're going away in Auckland early then compared to if we're going to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, because I think it gives us the best possible chance to perform there. So you know, training being you know, next to each other, talking mills, breakfast, lunch and dinner. It does create that camaraderie because we all do get along really well. So I think it's it's come at a good time this trip. And as you said, eight points is a gap. If we win, we close it to five and then it's game on, you know, because it's not easy to win every single game. And not saying we're gone to but it puts the pressure back on Auckland and they deserve to be in the position they're in. Everything about them has gone well. You know, they've recruited well, the club seems to be going well. The support there for them. You know, they had twenty seven thousand last week for the New Zealand derby against Wellington. I hope this twenty seven thousand there this week. I'm not sure if that would be the case, but you know they've been averaging fifteen thousand and it creates a hostile environment. But that's something that we need to thrive on. And you know we might have to go there in finals time, so we need to get used to it. It's always windy there, so we had a windy conditions on the weekend. This is a little bit different but still we have to be ready for it. We drew to all last time with him and they scored that ninety seventh minute equalizer from a corner, so we know, we know that we can match it with them, we know we can beat them, but really we have to show that we can do. We can't just talk about it because talk's easy and very cheap. And the last month, you know, obviously without talking too much about the past, as you said, hasn't been good enough. And this week we get a fresh chance against against Auckland who have been unbelievable and you have to pay respect to them.

Yeah? I think you know. We went away to Wellington for about four days before we went away to mccarth and then away to Wellington and we've got six points from those two games on the road. So we're going away in Auckland early then compared to if we're going to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, because I think it gives us the best possible chance to perform there. So you know, training being you know, next to each other, talking mills, breakfast, lunch and dinner. It does create that camaraderie because we all do get along really well. So I think it's it's come at a good time this trip. And as you said, eight points is a gap. If we win, we close it to five and then it's game on, you know, because it's not easy to win every single game. And not saying we're gone to but it puts the pressure back on Auckland and they deserve to be in the position they're in. Everything about them has gone well. You know, they've recruited well, the club seems to be going well. The support there for them. You know, they had twenty seven thousand last week for the New Zealand derby against Wellington. I hope this twenty seven thousand there this week. I'm not sure if that would be the case, but you know they've been averaging fifteen thousand and it creates a hostile environment. But that's something that we need to thrive on. And you know we might have to go there in finals time, so we need to get used to it. It's always windy there, so we had a windy conditions on the weekend. This is a little bit different but still we have to be ready for it. We drew to all last time with him and they scored that ninety seventh minute equalizer from a corner, so we know, we know that we can match it with them, we know we can beat them, but really we have to show that we can do. We can't just talk about it because talk's easy and very cheap. And the last month, you know, obviously without talking too much about the past, as you said, hasn't been good enough. And this week we get a fresh chance against against Auckland who have been unbelievable and you have to pay respect to them.

Well Saturday afternoon, if you're willing to watch from two thirty over there, it's going to be a thrilling contest. When one and two go together head to head, it's always a good battle. But for Adelaide, you've been a great competitive team throughout the year and as you said, always scoring so rare that you don't have a goal on the board in the last game. Let's resurrect that against Auckland FC. It'd be good to get back in the winners list. Very shortly, of course, we then take on Brisbane Raw back home that's on the eighth of March. It's a Saturday afternoon game at about full thirty. If you'd like to head along, We've got tickets all thanks to our mates City Discount tires Port Adelaide. A couple of grandstand tickets for you and a friend if you call in right now.

Well Saturday afternoon, if you're willing to watch from two thirty over there, it's going to be a thrilling contest. When one and two go together head to head, it's always a good battle. But for Adelaide, you've been a great competitive team throughout the year and as you said, always scoring so rare that you don't have a goal on the board in the last game. Let's resurrect that against Auckland FC. It'd be good to get back in the winners list. Very shortly, of course, we then take on Brisbane Raw back home that's on the eighth of March. It's a Saturday afternoon game at about full thirty. If you'd like to head along, We've got tickets all thanks to our mates City Discount tires Port Adelaide. A couple of grandstand tickets for you and a friend if you call in right now.

Eight double two three double O double five Adelaide.

Eight double two three double O double five Adelaide.

United home game tickets all thanks to City Discount tires Port Adelaide with the best advice and price on tires and mechanical is. We're going to take a quick break here on the World Game with Stephen Moore coming up on the other side. Let's talk about a young soccer our Matilda's, Our Joey's and of course the locals here in the NPL.

United home game tickets all thanks to City Discount tires Port Adelaide with the best advice and price on tires and mechanical is. We're going to take a quick break here on the World Game with Stephen Moore coming up on the other side. Let's talk about a young soccer our Matilda's, Our Joey's and of course the locals here in the NPL.

The World Game with Stepan mork on five double A.

The World Game with Stepan mork on five double A.

Welcome back to the World Game. It is all thanks to Southern Cherry Morpaval. We can receive up to six thousand dollars bonus on a Motor E five for Southern Cherry second Australian Anniversary. We've talked all about the Adelaide United situation right now, so it's now time to move into our national sides and I'm excited for this because the Young soccer rus made some great history this week and earlier today are two neil Willow over Japan in the semi final, which sees them qualified for their first Under twenty Asian Cup final since twenty ten. They're going to playoff for the trophy, which is outstanding. And in the meanwhile this week they've also qualified for their first Under twenty World Cup, which is just sensational for a young soccer Ruse and Stepan, you have a connection to a handful of these players in this team, don't you.

Welcome back to the World Game. It is all thanks to Southern Cherry Morpaval. We can receive up to six thousand dollars bonus on a Motor E five for Southern Cherry second Australian Anniversary. We've talked all about the Adelaide United situation right now, so it's now time to move into our national sides and I'm excited for this because the Young soccer rus made some great history this week and earlier today are two neil Willow over Japan in the semi final, which sees them qualified for their first Under twenty Asian Cup final since twenty ten. They're going to playoff for the trophy, which is outstanding. And in the meanwhile this week they've also qualified for their first Under twenty World Cup, which is just sensational for a young soccer Ruse and Stepan, you have a connection to a handful of these players in this team, don't you.

Yeah, well, firstly, I guess you've got to congratulate them because it's not an easy thing to do going away to make the last four of the tournament to qualify, you know, you obviously get out of the group and then win that that quarter final game and they played the Iraq obviously in that one they will one nil down, two to one down, ended up winning at three too, which is unbelievable achievement and something that allows them now to go to the Under twenty World Cup in Chile. And you know, going to the tournament is great. Hopefully they can do well there. But the biggest thing for this is they're in the shop window. Now they're literally on the world stage. Every single scout in the world will be watching. If they're not there in person, they'll be watching it. Because the best young crop of players are coming through the Under twenty World Cup and our boys now Adelaide United boys, specifically Talladeira, Panakkianes, Luka Yovanovitch and Johnny Yule now have a chance to go away to Chile and get a nice transfer. I think away from the club, not saying that I want them to leave, but obviously they've all been playing for us this season. Talladeera played his first game just before he went away, and you know, hopefully they can come back after the tournament and do extremely well for US until the end of the year and then go away and perform for the under twenty Australia team, because you know, for the last twelve years we've missed out on this. My age group missed out and it was such a disappointment. I remember at the time we lost and you know, you were devastated, and then the next what is it every two years after that? So the next five after my age group have struggled and I think, in my opinion, the reason why these guys have qualified. I can't say they're better. I can't say they're worse. It's very difficult. It's different generations, different players, I think. You know, if you look at it though, what's changed the most. And the one thing that's changed is all of them are getting significant minutes at their club team in the A League, not with the youth team you know in the npls. They're actually playing all in the A League, a few boys from overseas. But if you have fifteen games in the A League this season before going to this tournament, you're set up. You know, you've got the match minutes in your legs. Absolutely, You've played against men. You've understood what it's like to win and lose in the pressure, you know, playing in front of crowds, which is obviously what they've got to do over there. It's cutthroat. And when I was younger, I'm thinking back to mine in me and mar we were in and there was a handful of us that were, you know, maybe on the bench, you know, five or six of us getting five minutes here, ten minutes there. They're not playing for a couple of weeks and then you're going away to this tournament expected to play in hard. You know, they were in China, so it's a bit cooler there. We're in me and my hot and humor, but it's still difficult, you know, to play against these other nations that you know, they do have bigger budgets and they spend a lot more on going on a lot more tours. But we didn't have the match minutes in our legs and we failed, and I think that was a big reason why. I remember Paul oak on the coach talking about it, the struggles and how hard it was because nobody was playing games, so we had to come in and we had to try and be match fit when you didn't play the matches. These guys here have played a lot of games and that's fortrudous. With the A League kind of dropping the salary cap in terms of what they're giving is a distribution, which is meant we're going to have to rely on more young players. The flip side of that is more young players are getting chances showing that they're good enough going away to the Asian Cup, performing well, qualifying and now hopefully in return, a lot of A League clubs will get significant transfer fees on the back of this, because as I said, it's the shop window Chile. At the end of this season, they've got a brilliant chance to show how good we are as a nation.

Yeah, well, firstly, I guess you've got to congratulate them because it's not an easy thing to do going away to make the last four of the tournament to qualify, you know, you obviously get out of the group and then win that that quarter final game and they played the Iraq obviously in that one they will one nil down, two to one down, ended up winning at three too, which is unbelievable achievement and something that allows them now to go to the Under twenty World Cup in Chile. And you know, going to the tournament is great. Hopefully they can do well there. But the biggest thing for this is they're in the shop window. Now they're literally on the world stage. Every single scout in the world will be watching. If they're not there in person, they'll be watching it. Because the best young crop of players are coming through the Under twenty World Cup and our boys now Adelaide United boys, specifically Talladeira, Panakkianes, Luka Yovanovitch and Johnny Yule now have a chance to go away to Chile and get a nice transfer. I think away from the club, not saying that I want them to leave, but obviously they've all been playing for us this season. Talladeera played his first game just before he went away, and you know, hopefully they can come back after the tournament and do extremely well for US until the end of the year and then go away and perform for the under twenty Australia team, because you know, for the last twelve years we've missed out on this. My age group missed out and it was such a disappointment. I remember at the time we lost and you know, you were devastated, and then the next what is it every two years after that? So the next five after my age group have struggled and I think, in my opinion, the reason why these guys have qualified. I can't say they're better. I can't say they're worse. It's very difficult. It's different generations, different players, I think. You know, if you look at it though, what's changed the most. And the one thing that's changed is all of them are getting significant minutes at their club team in the A League, not with the youth team you know in the npls. They're actually playing all in the A League, a few boys from overseas. But if you have fifteen games in the A League this season before going to this tournament, you're set up. You know, you've got the match minutes in your legs. Absolutely, You've played against men. You've understood what it's like to win and lose in the pressure, you know, playing in front of crowds, which is obviously what they've got to do over there. It's cutthroat. And when I was younger, I'm thinking back to mine in me and mar we were in and there was a handful of us that were, you know, maybe on the bench, you know, five or six of us getting five minutes here, ten minutes there. They're not playing for a couple of weeks and then you're going away to this tournament expected to play in hard. You know, they were in China, so it's a bit cooler there. We're in me and my hot and humor, but it's still difficult, you know, to play against these other nations that you know, they do have bigger budgets and they spend a lot more on going on a lot more tours. But we didn't have the match minutes in our legs and we failed, and I think that was a big reason why. I remember Paul oak on the coach talking about it, the struggles and how hard it was because nobody was playing games, so we had to come in and we had to try and be match fit when you didn't play the matches. These guys here have played a lot of games and that's fortrudous. With the A League kind of dropping the salary cap in terms of what they're giving is a distribution, which is meant we're going to have to rely on more young players. The flip side of that is more young players are getting chances showing that they're good enough going away to the Asian Cup, performing well, qualifying and now hopefully in return, a lot of A League clubs will get significant transfer fees on the back of this, because as I said, it's the shop window Chile. At the end of this season, they've got a brilliant chance to show how good we are as a nation.

You've really well said in all that.

You've really well said in all that.

So it's beneficial for the A League to keep playing these young players because look at what happens.

So it's beneficial for the A League to keep playing these young players because look at what happens.

It's a really great thing.

It's a really great thing.

And we're seeing a lot of really young talent as well, not just the under twenty but the under seventeens. We saw the Joey's Crown champions as well in the UAE with their international tournament for the under A seventeen's. They took out wins against the Korean Republican Saudi Arabia and a draw against Deman and had enough points to take out the entire tournament. This is great, frustrating football right now.

And we're seeing a lot of really young talent as well, not just the under twenty but the under seventeens. We saw the Joey's Crown champions as well in the UAE with their international tournament for the under A seventeen's. They took out wins against the Korean Republican Saudi Arabia and a draw against Deman and had enough points to take out the entire tournament. This is great, frustrating football right now.

Yeah, no, it is. I think the biggest shock is that they didn't beat Oman on the last day, but I guess, you know, maybe they knew a draw was enough and potentially they rotated squads, you don't know. This is obviously in preparation for the Under seventeen Asian Cup to qualify for the Under seventeen World Cup, and we need all junior national teams for men's and women to qualify for these tournaments, because if they don't, they don't get the exposure, they don't get to play more games, the funding probably drops and then you kind of lose a you know, an age group. And they've actually changed it, I think where the under seventeen and twenty World Cup is going to happen each year rather than every second year. So there was always a gap. You know, my nineteen ninety fives, we missed out on the under seventeens. I won a year group up. We had the twenties, but we didn't have the twenty threes, which was the Olympics. So now at least every age group has their under seventeens World Cup, the under twenty World Cup, so we can actually prepare these young boys and girls what it's going to be like when they hopefully play for the Soccer US and Matilda's one day. So it's great signs for the under twenties, it's great signs for the under seven teens, and as I said, hopefully that means it's great for the under twenty threes and then the soccerrews because we need these next generation of kids coming through to be the next Aaron moy the next Tim Kaye Hill, the next Jackson Irvine or Craig Goodwin. Because it's eventually players have to hang the boots up. They can't play forever, and we heed the young ones coming through to be better than the ones before us. That's the aim, that's what Football Australia is obviously trying to achieve, and so far, so good. We just need to make sure we keep it up.

Yeah, no, it is. I think the biggest shock is that they didn't beat Oman on the last day, but I guess, you know, maybe they knew a draw was enough and potentially they rotated squads, you don't know. This is obviously in preparation for the Under seventeen Asian Cup to qualify for the Under seventeen World Cup, and we need all junior national teams for men's and women to qualify for these tournaments, because if they don't, they don't get the exposure, they don't get to play more games, the funding probably drops and then you kind of lose a you know, an age group. And they've actually changed it, I think where the under seventeen and twenty World Cup is going to happen each year rather than every second year. So there was always a gap. You know, my nineteen ninety fives, we missed out on the under seventeens. I won a year group up. We had the twenties, but we didn't have the twenty threes, which was the Olympics. So now at least every age group has their under seventeens World Cup, the under twenty World Cup, so we can actually prepare these young boys and girls what it's going to be like when they hopefully play for the Soccer US and Matilda's one day. So it's great signs for the under twenties, it's great signs for the under seven teens, and as I said, hopefully that means it's great for the under twenty threes and then the soccerrews because we need these next generation of kids coming through to be the next Aaron moy the next Tim Kaye Hill, the next Jackson Irvine or Craig Goodwin. Because it's eventually players have to hang the boots up. They can't play forever, and we heed the young ones coming through to be better than the ones before us. That's the aim, that's what Football Australia is obviously trying to achieve, and so far, so good. We just need to make sure we keep it up.

So let's turn our attention to the women's scene.

So let's turn our attention to the women's scene.

Of course, the Matilda's who have been a little bit underwhelming, I must say since probably the Women's World Cup here in Australia. They just never really got going in that and then ever since, I feel like they've had a lot of turbulent sort of performances along the way. Tony Goodstaffson's departed and haven't even found a full time coach. And it's been about it feels like about eight or nine months I think since the departed, so it's been quite some time. But they've been a part of the She Believes Cup for the last week and some really poor losses. Three losses in the group stage they lost to two one to Columbia just this morning. They also lost to one to USA earlier in the weekend, a four nil loss.

Of course, the Matilda's who have been a little bit underwhelming, I must say since probably the Women's World Cup here in Australia. They just never really got going in that and then ever since, I feel like they've had a lot of turbulent sort of performances along the way. Tony Goodstaffson's departed and haven't even found a full time coach. And it's been about it feels like about eight or nine months I think since the departed, so it's been quite some time. But they've been a part of the She Believes Cup for the last week and some really poor losses. Three losses in the group stage they lost to two one to Columbia just this morning. They also lost to one to USA earlier in the weekend, a four nil loss.

Of drubbing against Japan.

Of drubbing against Japan.

So really haven't been very good the Matilda's in this last few days. So Stephan, where do we see our Matilda's right now?

So really haven't been very good the Matilda's in this last few days. So Stephan, where do we see our Matilda's right now?

Yeah? I think the Japan game was a disaster four nil loss, similar to I guess the men's in. You know, we used to be better than Japan. The Matilda's just going back, what was that a year ago? You know, you would say we're a better country than Japan. And I'm not saying that it's changed dramatically, but you see how rapidly they're improving women's football across the world and we need to make sure that we keep up with that. I think it's obviously difficult to say because we don't understand what's going on a football Australia with the coach. Maybe they've got a certain coach lined up that they're waiting till the end of this season at Clubland, but I think having an interim coach Tom Somani, who was around a long time ago, so it's no disrespect to him, but I'm just thinking from my point of view, if I'm a player, I've got an interim coach. It's very difficult because you're trying to impress him. But you also know, well, it doesn't actually matter if I impress him or not, because he's not going to be the coach that's going forward. So what do you actually achieve. Obviously, you play well for your country and that's great. I'm not saying you're not going to try and campaign. Yeah, it's completely it's completely different, and it's great. They're giving a lot of opportunities to young girls to kind of blood them, to give them their debuts, which again unbelievable. But you know they're maybe playing well and they want to play a certain system, and then a new coach comes in and he says, I want to play this completely different system and those three four players that you've picked they don't suit that system. It's a very different different situation when you've got a full time coach in there, because also there's more pressure on the full time coach, so he treats it completely different. It's very much driven on results because it's a results driven business and at the moment it seems like the Matilda since the Women's World Cup as you touched on have been really poor and they were our biggest hope for winning a national tournament. You know, obviously, whether it's at Asian Cup or World Cup. The men's have been struggling for a long time and I think it's going to be very difficult for us to do that. The women's we thought, you know, we made a semi final, so let's hope we can get back to that those type of performances that really did inspire the nation. They've got the quality of players, there's no doubt about that, and I think firstly, FOOTBA Australia just need to and now it's a coach to do, really do to give the players that a surety of what's going what's happening forward, because I don't think you'd see that in the men's.

Yeah? I think the Japan game was a disaster four nil loss, similar to I guess the men's in. You know, we used to be better than Japan. The Matilda's just going back, what was that a year ago? You know, you would say we're a better country than Japan. And I'm not saying that it's changed dramatically, but you see how rapidly they're improving women's football across the world and we need to make sure that we keep up with that. I think it's obviously difficult to say because we don't understand what's going on a football Australia with the coach. Maybe they've got a certain coach lined up that they're waiting till the end of this season at Clubland, but I think having an interim coach Tom Somani, who was around a long time ago, so it's no disrespect to him, but I'm just thinking from my point of view, if I'm a player, I've got an interim coach. It's very difficult because you're trying to impress him. But you also know, well, it doesn't actually matter if I impress him or not, because he's not going to be the coach that's going forward. So what do you actually achieve. Obviously, you play well for your country and that's great. I'm not saying you're not going to try and campaign. Yeah, it's completely it's completely different, and it's great. They're giving a lot of opportunities to young girls to kind of blood them, to give them their debuts, which again unbelievable. But you know they're maybe playing well and they want to play a certain system, and then a new coach comes in and he says, I want to play this completely different system and those three four players that you've picked they don't suit that system. It's a very different different situation when you've got a full time coach in there, because also there's more pressure on the full time coach, so he treats it completely different. It's very much driven on results because it's a results driven business and at the moment it seems like the Matilda since the Women's World Cup as you touched on have been really poor and they were our biggest hope for winning a national tournament. You know, obviously, whether it's at Asian Cup or World Cup. The men's have been struggling for a long time and I think it's going to be very difficult for us to do that. The women's we thought, you know, we made a semi final, so let's hope we can get back to that those type of performances that really did inspire the nation. They've got the quality of players, there's no doubt about that, and I think firstly, FOOTBA Australia just need to and now it's a coach to do, really do to give the players that a surety of what's going what's happening forward, because I don't think you'd see that in the men's.

It's quite amazing, isn't it. We just haven't seen that taken up yet.

It's quite amazing, isn't it. We just haven't seen that taken up yet.

Yeah, Like it's not like it's been overnight and it's just last minute. It's been a long time. As you said, it's been a very long time and they deserve it because they're the best sporting brand in Australia, I think, the Matilda, So you know, you have to give them what they deserve and to keep inspiring and to keep making people want to go and watch them play and follow their journey. You need a win. I know it's inspiring because obviously with women's sport and what they've done and what they've showed us, that's great, But you know what people care about results. Now the spotlight's on them even more so they actually are more desperately needing the results to keep the fans with them, and just now I think the performances haven't been up to scratch, so fingers crossed. Obviously things turn around for them because we need the Matilda's just as we need the soccerers to be performing really strongly.

Yeah, Like it's not like it's been overnight and it's just last minute. It's been a long time. As you said, it's been a very long time and they deserve it because they're the best sporting brand in Australia, I think, the Matilda, So you know, you have to give them what they deserve and to keep inspiring and to keep making people want to go and watch them play and follow their journey. You need a win. I know it's inspiring because obviously with women's sport and what they've done and what they've showed us, that's great, But you know what people care about results. Now the spotlight's on them even more so they actually are more desperately needing the results to keep the fans with them, and just now I think the performances haven't been up to scratch, so fingers crossed. Obviously things turn around for them because we need the Matilda's just as we need the soccerers to be performing really strongly.

Well said Okay, let's move quickly into the final portion of the show. We want to talk about the local sides the MPL. We spoke a lot about last week. It was a special edition of the show, and we really built up the opening game on the Friday night where it was the Grand Final rematch Campbelltown and Metro Stars.

Well said Okay, let's move quickly into the final portion of the show. We want to talk about the local sides the MPL. We spoke a lot about last week. It was a special edition of the show, and we really built up the opening game on the Friday night where it was the Grand Final rematch Campbelltown and Metro Stars.

Metro got it done three nil.

Metro got it done three nil.

They got a great win and basically got their revenge over Campbelltown City as well with the rest of the league had their games play out over the weekend and of course it all resumes on Friday night for round two.

They got a great win and basically got their revenge over Campbelltown City as well with the rest of the league had their games play out over the weekend and of course it all resumes on Friday night for round two.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, I think Danny obviously spoke about it and you could tell in his from the interview last week that you know he holds the league in a higher value than a one off grand final, which he's technically right a cup final. Anything can happen and he's got his revenge straight away. Dan Mullen unfortunately in his in his debut as a head coach, has gone down three Neil. So he said how much he was enjoying it. I don't know if he would have been enjoying it Friday night at about what nine to thirty when the game finished, But that's all part of it. You've got to learn very quickly and fingers crossed they can turn things around their way to be color this Friday night. So the other big results in the league, I think you know you look away around and Adelaide comments three to one away to MODB Bridgetts is a big win. Adelaide's City away to White City to nil. Our youth boys Adelaide United beat Raiders to one nil away and probably the match of the round was Para Hills against color A three to three thriller. The disappointing thing if you're a Para Hills player or fan or board member, is you know you were three n laugh and you've actually coughed up that lead to go three to three. So some great goals, some fantastic play across the league, and we're going to be following this obviously throughout. It's a great competition and I think if you're if you're interested, you're not sure, get down to a local game, whatever's near your you know, Adelaide's very small, you can you can drive to wherever the games are. But there's quite a few Friday night games for this week. I think they learned from the heat of last week that they can't play at Saturday at three o'clock because there's a very high chance it's going to be too hot. And if you can't watch, obviously they're on YouTube. So I'm excited to see my old team, Adelaide City against Metro Stars on a Friday night. Bruce Kmal, next teammate who's going to be running around for Adelaide's City, very excited to see how he goes. And our young boys Adelaide don a youth team away to comments, it's going to be a very very tough game.

Well, I think Danny obviously spoke about it and you could tell in his from the interview last week that you know he holds the league in a higher value than a one off grand final, which he's technically right a cup final. Anything can happen and he's got his revenge straight away. Dan Mullen unfortunately in his in his debut as a head coach, has gone down three Neil. So he said how much he was enjoying it. I don't know if he would have been enjoying it Friday night at about what nine to thirty when the game finished, But that's all part of it. You've got to learn very quickly and fingers crossed they can turn things around their way to be color this Friday night. So the other big results in the league, I think you know you look away around and Adelaide comments three to one away to MODB Bridgetts is a big win. Adelaide's City away to White City to nil. Our youth boys Adelaide United beat Raiders to one nil away and probably the match of the round was Para Hills against color A three to three thriller. The disappointing thing if you're a Para Hills player or fan or board member, is you know you were three n laugh and you've actually coughed up that lead to go three to three. So some great goals, some fantastic play across the league, and we're going to be following this obviously throughout. It's a great competition and I think if you're if you're interested, you're not sure, get down to a local game, whatever's near your you know, Adelaide's very small, you can you can drive to wherever the games are. But there's quite a few Friday night games for this week. I think they learned from the heat of last week that they can't play at Saturday at three o'clock because there's a very high chance it's going to be too hot. And if you can't watch, obviously they're on YouTube. So I'm excited to see my old team, Adelaide City against Metro Stars on a Friday night. Bruce Kmal, next teammate who's going to be running around for Adelaide's City, very excited to see how he goes. And our young boys Adelaide don a youth team away to comments, it's going to be a very very tough game.

Awesome, well, Stephan, you've comprehensively got us through tonight's program with plenty.

Awesome, well, Stephan, you've comprehensively got us through tonight's program with plenty.

We really appreciate your time.

We really appreciate your time.

We're going to see you again next Thursday, but at a different time. We're going to be on six o'clock going forward, because of course AFL season begins next Thursday, so from six pm we'll shift the clock backwards a half hour and you'll hear the World Game from six till six thirty on your Thursday nights through the footy season.

We're going to see you again next Thursday, but at a different time. We're going to be on six o'clock going forward, because of course AFL season begins next Thursday, so from six pm we'll shift the clock backwards a half hour and you'll hear the World Game from six till six thirty on your Thursday nights through the footy season.

Stephan, great work again mate, we'll catch.

Stephan, great work again mate, we'll catch.

You next week.

You next week.

No thanks.

No thanks.

I thought you were going to say I've got now and now, and I thinking this is great.

I thought you were going to say I've got now and now, and I thinking this is great.

We're just upgrade yea for the same pay. No world doesn't mate, who best of luck on the weekend as well. One v two Walkland. We need a win, so go get them. This has been the World Game. We'll be back next Thursday from six

We're just upgrade yea for the same pay. No world doesn't mate, who best of luck on the weekend as well. One v two Walkland. We need a win, so go get them. This has been the World Game. We'll be back next Thursday from six