The Aussie Game Podcast

The Socceroos win the FIFA series thanks to Irankunda, McGree and Bos, what we learnt across these two games.Graham Arnold's Iraq qualify for the World Cup while Italy fail to qualify for their third in a row.The Young Socceroos pick up a good 4-2 win over China, the Young Matildas are set for their Asian Cup campaign and the sale of the Mariners could be imminent.Subscribe for weekly Australian football updates covering Socceroos, Matildas, Aussies Abroad, and A-League analysis.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

The Socceroos leave it late in Sydney, A-League Women delivers shock results, and major Matildas news headlines a huge week in Australian football.Socceroos 1-0 CameroonLate winner from Jordy Bos seals victory in SydneyFast start but lacked cutting edge vs understrength CameroonFirst half: 1 shot, 0 on targetDebut: Lucas Herrington (18) impresses (94% passing, 4 clearances)Irankunda lively in second half after halftime changesMissed penalty before Bos winnerQuestions ahead of Curaçao clashOverseas Aussies WrapMary Fowler gets minutes in Man City win (WSL)Caitlin Foord scores, Steph Catley plays full 90 for ArsenalKyra Cooney-Cross set to miss rest of seasonJoe Gauci busy despite heavy Port Vale defeatsIvy Luik plays full match in Häcken Europa winMelbourne City & AsiaMelbourne City reach AFC Women’s Champions League semi-finalsLate winner seals 2-1 victory over NasafCrowned A-League Women PremiersA-League Women HighlightsMariners beat Phoenix, Eliza Familton scores firstBrisbane Roar 5-2 Perth Glory in error-filled thrillerNewcastle Jets shock Adelaide (Brien double)Sydney FC stun Victory after defensive mistakesWanderers upset Phoenix, Khamis stars in goalFinals race wide open heading into last roundOther NewsSydney FC coaching shake-up: Ufuk Talay out, Patrick Kisnorbo inSam Kerr linked with move from Chelsea to NWSL (Boston)Team of the WeekGK: Annalee GroveDEF: Jordy Bos, Lucas Herrington, Alessandro Circati, Jacob ItalianoMID: Sophie Hoban, Paul Okon-Engstler, Tameka YallopFWD: Nestory Irankunda, Holly McNamara, Caitlin FoordSubscribe for weekly Australian football updates covering Socceroos, Matildas, Aussies Abroad, and A-League analysis.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Matildas Fall Short in Asian Cup FinalMatildas lose 1-0 to Japan Women's National Team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Final74,000+ crowd; big TV audience across AustraliaEarly 17th-minute wonder goal proves decisiveStrong start + dominant final 20 minutes but no equaliserCaitlin Foord missed key chancesAlanna Kennedy named tournament MVPTactical shift: 4-3-1-2 → 4-2-3-1Focus now turns to 2027 Women’s World CupLegacy News:Proposed NSW Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Legacy Fund ($34M annually for 10 years)Aussies Abroad Highlights Jacob Italiano scores hat-trick in Austria after Socceroos recall Archie Goodwin bags debut MLS double for Charlotte Patrick Yazbek shines in Nashville’s 5-0 win Kye Rowles clean sheet for DC UnitedUK & Europe:Riley McGree 90 mins in Middlesbrough drawNestory Irankunda plays full match for WatfordJoe Gauci 4 clean sheets in 6 games (Port Vale)Cam Devlin returns in Hearts winAlessandro Circati starts for ParmaA-League Men – Finals Race Heats UpTop Storylines:Macarthur FC upset Auckland FC 2-1 → back in top 6Newcastle Jets beat Sydney FC 2-1 → extend leadAdelaide United 4-2 Western Sydney WanderersLuka Jovanovic scores doubleWellington Phoenix 2-1 Brisbane Roar → finals push aliveMelbourne Victory 4-1 Central Coast MarinersBig comeback; Victory rise to 3rdKey Talking Points:Jets firming as Premiers Plate favouritesVictory late title charge?Mariners slip outside top 6 (game in hand)Wanderers’ season unravellingA-League Women WrapWellington Phoenix Women def Sydney FC Women 3-1Brisbane Roar Women 4-2 Newcastle Jets WomenPerth Glory Women 0-0 Central Coast Mariners WomenTeam of the WeekGK: Annalee GroveDEF: Jacob Italiano, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Panagiotis KikianisMID: Max Burgess, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Cam Peupion, Ethan AlagichFWD: Archie Goodwin, Luka Jovanovic, Daisy BrownSubscribe for weekly Australian football updates covering Socceroos, Matildas, Aussies Abroad, and A-League analysis.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

On this episode we discuss the Matildas reaching the Asian Cup final after defeating China and what they need to do to overcome an all conquering Japan in the final.We also dissect Tony Popovic's latest Socceroos squad with some surprising inclusions and exclusions plus the 18 year old future star who's been drafted in.Elsewhere, Watford rip up the Hollywood script, Maty Ryan's heartbreak, another Aussie talent heading to the Eredivisie and Melbourne City back in the A-League Men's playoff mix.Subscribe for weekly Australian football updates covering Socceroos, Matildas, Aussies Abroad, and A-League analysis.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

The Australia women's national football team are through to the AFC Women's Asian Cup semi-finals after a 2–1 win over North Korea women's national football team, but questions remain about performances despite being two wins from silverware. We break down the midfield balance, the impact of Kaitlin Torpey, standout moments from Mary Fowler, and concerns around Mackenzie Arnold’s injury ahead of the semi-final.We also discuss the big eligibility news as Adrian Segecic switches international allegiance from Australia to Croatia national football team, and why he may not be the last young talent to make that decision.Across Europe, there were strong performances from Australians abroad. Nestory Irankunda added another highlight-reel goal for Watford F.C., Alex Robertson scored a stunner for Cardiff City F.C., and Joe Gauci impressed with 11 saves for Port Vale F.C..Back home, we review the latest A-League Men action including the Western Sydney Wanderers FC dropping more points against Brisbane Roar FC, Wellington Phoenix FC dominating Perth Glory FC, and another frustrating defeat for the Newcastle Jets FC.We finish the episode with our Team of the Week, featuring Joe Gauci, Fran Karačić, Kai Trewin, Kaitlin Torpey, Alanna Kennedy, Alex Robertson, Nestory Irankunda, Niall Thom, Caleb Watts, and Sophie Hoban after her double for the Jets.Topics Covered:Matildas vs North Korea reaction • Asian Cup semi-final preview • Adrian Segecic Croatia switch • Aussies abroad wrap • A-League Men review • Team of the Week.Subscribe for weekly Australian football updates covering Socceroos, Matildas, Aussies Abroad, and A-League analysis.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Matildas: Ball Control Issues Cost Against KoreaStarting XI: Arnold; Carpenter, Heatley, Hunt, Catley (Nevin); Kennedy, Wheeler; Foord, Gorry, Fowler; Kerr.Head coach criticism: Australia failed to manage key moments in possession.Two Korea goals came in transition after turnovers.Katrina Gorry played as a No.10 to break lines in a congested midfield.Frustration with unnecessary long balls disrupting buildup play.Coach defends Alanna Kennedy at defensive midfield, calling her “a good 6 in my system”.Tournament path: North Korea then China.Aussies Abroad Round-UpFA CupPort Vale 1–0 SunderlandJoe Gauci: 5 saves in a huge upset.Winner scored by New Zealand striker Ben Waine.English ChampionshipMiddlesbrough 4–0 QPRRiley McGree: 83 minutes as Boro strengthen promotion push.Daniel Bennie: 10 minutes off the bench for QPR.Blackburn 1–1 PortsmouthAdrian Segecic: 20 minutes off the bench.Derby 2–1 Sheffield WednesdayDerby climb to 7th.Callum Elder sidelined after knee surgery (≈6 weeks).Swansea 2–0 StokeCam Burgess: 90 minutes, clean sheet, 9 defensive actions.League OneCardiff lose top spot to LincolnAlex Robertson: 89 minutes.Plymouth 2–1 DoncasterCaleb Watts: 74 minutes + assist.Blackpool 1–1 WiganRaphael Borges Rodrigues: assist in 57-minute outing.James Overy played 90 minutes for Manchester United U21s.ScotlandScottish PremiershipMotherwell 1–2 DundeeEnds 9-game unbeaten run.Oscar Priestman: 47 minutes.Scottish CupSt Mirren 2–1 Partick ThistleKeanu Baccus: 64 minutes.Semi-final vs Celtic.Dunfermline 3–0 AberdeenNicholas Milanovic subbed at halftime.Falkirk 2–1 Dundee UnitedZac Sapsford & Ashley Maynard-Brewer: 90 minutes.EuropeSpainLevante 1–1 draw (94th-minute equaliser)Matt Ryan: 4 saves.Levante remain 4 points from safety.NetherlandsNAC Breda 3–3 FeyenoordMax Balard & Jordy Bos: 90 minutes.Bos recorded an assist.Heracles 0–0 UtrechtAiden Hrustic: full match.Rhys Bozinovski: 78 minutes.Eerste DivisieADO Den Haag 0–1 Almere CityCam Peupion: first half.Roda JC 0–2 Jong PSVJosh Nisbet: 90 minutes.Other European LeaguesParma 0–0 FiorentinaAlessandro Circati: full game.St Pauli 0–0 FrankfurtJackson Irvine: 90 minutes.Connor Metcalfe: late substitute.Hartberg 1–1 BW LinzJed Drew: 28 minutes.Grazer AK 0–2 lossJacob Italiano: 79 minutes.Sion 1–1 WinterthurLiam Chipperfield: 60 minutes.Osijek 1–0 NK IstraFran Karacic: Player of the Match.Sparta Prague 1–3 Slavia PragueGarang Kuol: 22 minutes.MLSNew York City 5–0 OrlandoAiden O’Neill & Kai Trewin: full matches.Trewin completed 100 passes at 93% accuracy.Inter Miami 2–1 DC UnitedKye Rowles: full game.Nashville 3–1 MinnesotaPatrick Yazbek: 2 assists.Colorado 4–1 LA GalaxyLucas Herrington: full match.AsiaChinese Super League:Kevin Muscat’s Shanghai Port lose 2–1 in title defence opener.Indian Super League:Jamie Maclaren scores four in Mohun Bagan’s 5–1 win.A-League Men Round-UpAdelaide United 1–1 Wellington PhoenixRyan Kitto’s 250th match for Adelaide.Luka Jovanovic equalised after relentless attacking display (7 shots).Adelaide: 19 shots, 13 in second half.Newcastle Jets 2–1 Western Sydney WanderersJets extend unbeaten run to 11 matches.Eli Adams equalised early in the second half.Mark Natta scored the winner.James Delianov saved a late header from Wanderers keeper Lawrence Thomas.Melbourne Victory 2–2 Sydney FC (Big Blue)Juan Mata opened scoring with a stunning free kick.Charles Nduka doubled Victory’s lead.Sydney responded with two goals in two minutes:Apostolos StamatelopoulosAhmet ArslanAuckland 2–2 Perth GloryAnother high-scoring draw in the league’s entertaining weekend.Team of the WeekGK: Joe GauciDEF: Kai Trewin, Mark Natta, Ryan KittoMID: Alanna Kennedy, Patrick Yazbek, Eli Adams, Bailey BrandtmanFWD: Jamie Maclaren, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Luka JovanovicSubscribe for weekly Australian football updates covering Socceroos, Matildas, Aussies Abroad, and A-League analysis.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game