Joey Lynch

Diles lays out transfer targets as Victory begin preseason When it comes to depth heading into the new season, Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles is happy to focus on quality over quantity. But he's still keen to make a few important additions.

New from me;

When it comes to his depth heading into the new A-Liga Men's season, Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles is happy to focus on quality over quantity. But he's told JDL Media he's still keen to make a few important additions.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/diles-lays... .

The Disruptor has left the building.

Less than 24 hours after landing, Wrexham have hit the training track Down Under.

Welcome to W̶r̶e̶x̶h̶a̶m̶ Melbourne

CEO: 'No doubt' Wrexham will make Premier League Wrexham's chief executive has "no doubt" the club will make the Premier League and believes overseas tours -- like the one the club is about to embark on in Australia and New Zealand -- will help futu...

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social & ESPN FC

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson has no doubt the club can reach the heights of the Premier League. Before then, though, one of his main focuses is to "future-proof" the club and ensure that if it gets there, it stays there

🔗 www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Understand that the majority of Western United’s men’s and women’s players have been paid their wages, with the last few outstanding being processed. Staff in the process of being paid, too.

No updates, as yet, surrounding here proposed takeover by KAM.

@espnausnz.bsky.social

How Tony Popovic guided the Socceroos to the 2026 World Cup When the latest round of qualification began badly, Australia turned Tony Popovic. Here's the inside story of how he turned things around and helped the Socceroos book a berth at the 2026 World Cup.

In depth for @espnaustralia.bsky.social

A window into qualifying, the #Socceroos were winless and without a coach. Now, they’re off to a World Cup

From Adelaide to Tokyo, Melbourne to Sydney, Hangzhou, Perth, and Jeddah, here’s how the Popalution was televised

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Kennedy excited for Matildas midfield under Montemurro Veteran defender Alanna Kennedy has put her hand up for more chances in the Matildas' midfield after being used there by new coach Joe Montemurro.

For AAP Sport;

As new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro begins to settle in and start planning for next year's Asian Cup, Alanna Kennedy would welcome further chances to play in the midfield role she filled during Australia's 1-1 draw with Slovenia.

🔗: au.news.yahoo.com/matildas-shi... .

Matildas ship late goal in draw with Slovenia An improved performance from the Matildas has ended on a sour note after a late equaliser from Slovenia...

For AAP Sport;

A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying Joe Montemurro two wins from two games as Australian coach and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts.

🔗: www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/900374... .

Wrexham coach: Mullin made decision to leave Wrexham coach Phil Parkinson has told ESPN that Paul Mullin's loan move to Wigan was the player's decision.

For ESPN FC;

As the Welsh side prepare for the arduous demands of the English Championship, Wrexham coach Phil Parkinson has told ESPN that Paul Mullin's loan move to Wigan was the player's decision as he wanted guarantee himself regular football.

🔗: www.espn.com/soccer/story... .

Ya boi is back at Olympic Village.

Heidelberg United are having a season for the ages; both women and men atop their leagues and alive in the Cup.

Today, the Berger women look to keep it rolling against FV Academy.

Join me for kickoff at 4.15: www.youtube.com/live/6d8NBos...

Kickoff imminent at the Veneto Club as @FCBulleenLions host Spring Hills in #NPLWVIC.

Zois, Eliadis, and Cain start for Bulleen while Markovski, Sinclair, and Dakic start for Spring Hills.

Join me from 4pm 🔗: www.youtube.com/live/SCClkYB...

Another offseason, another crossroads for the troubled A-League With the men's and women's A-League seasons completed, once again questions are being raised about the future of football in Australia.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

On the audacity of hope.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Friday night footy in the #NPLWVic, as @prestonlionsfc play host to @FCAlamein at BT Connor Reserve.

New additions start for both; Mabae Tanaka and Rosie Curtis for Preston and Miranda Templeman for Alamein.

Join me for all the action from 8:30.

Link: www.youtube.com/live/G012ZRm...

World Cup qualifying: Is this Asia's strongest contingent ever? Are Ayase Ueda and Japan are poised to take the 2026 World Cup by storm? ESPN tackles that, and Asia's other big talking points from the latest round of qualifiers.

In ESPN Asia & @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

In collaboration with Gabe Tan, a look back at the just concluded third phase of #AsianQualifiers and, a year out, a look ahead to Asia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

🔗: www.espn.com/soccer/story... .

In some #content, here’s what it looks like when you’re filing on the final whistle but the #Socceroos have also just qualified for the World Cup.

"Surely there's some more suffering to be done before the celebrations can begin?" - ancient Australian sokkah proverb

Socceroos taken from brink of disaster to automatic World Cup 2026 qualification | Joey Lynch Tony Popovic was brought in to stabilise a campaign teetering on the edge, and with five wins and three draws since taking over, the coach has delivered

For @australia.theguardian.com in Jeddah;

A World Cup campaign in the brink, Football Australia turned to Tony Popovic in its hour of need

And while it hasn’t often been pretty, sometimes ugly, Popaball has delivered the nectar of automatic qualification

🔗: www.theguardian.com/football/blo... .

Socceroos taken from brink of disaster to automatic World Cup 2026 qualification | Joey Lynch Tony Popovic was brought in to stabilise a campaign teetering on the edge, and with five wins and three draws since taking over, the coach has delivered What had once looked fanciful has now become a reality: the Socceroos have qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup. For the first time in over a decade there will be no playoff heroics required, no ice cold hat-trick from Mile Jedinak or shootout dancing from Andrew Redmayne. After a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth and a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, Tony Popovic’s team have done it the easy way, joining Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, and Japan from Asian qualifying in North America next year. Had this scenario been presented when the draw for this phase of qualification was made, few would have believed it. Not just because Australian football has bred its own unique brand of cynicism over the years, but also because the last two times Australia’s men had been sorted into a group with Japan and the Saudis, they had been forced to settle for third place and further playoffs. There would have been even fewer believers to be found in the months that followed, when a loss to Bahrain and a draw with Indonesia marked a winless opening window, the departure of Graham Arnold and the hiring of Tony Popovic with just weeks to prepare for fixtures against China and Japan. Continue reading...

Socceroos taken from brink of disaster to automatic World Cup 2026 qualification | Joey Lynch

Socceroos secure World Cup place with come-from-behind win over Saudi Arabia * Australia needed to avoid heavy defeat to reach North America * Connor Metcalfe and Mitch Duke score in 2-1 win in Jeddah The Socceroos secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium where, crucially, they avoided heavy defeat. Needing to avoid a five-goal loss in Jeddah, Tony Popovic’s side did what was required, but not before they went behind to an early Abdulrahman Al-Aboud goal which set the pulses racing. Continue reading...

Socceroos secure World Cup place with come-from-behind win over Saudi Arabia

Socceroos qualify for World Cup with little angst. What is this feeling? For only the second time in history, the Socceroos have made the World Cup without the need for a playoff. It mightn't have been pretty, but Tony Popovic and Co. deserve credit for that.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

It almost feels too straightforward. The #Socceroos never do things simply; they always take the most arduous path.

But Australia has qualified for the #WorldCup.

"Especially for us who love the game. Words can't describe this"

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Socceroos secure World Cup place with come-from-behind win over Saudi Arabia The Socceroos secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah where, crucially, they avoided heavy defeat

In @australia.theguardian.com in Jeddah;

The disclaimers can now be set aside. The Socceroos no longer have “one foot in the door”, nor have they “all but qualified”. After a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, it’s official: Australia will be at the 2026 World Cup.

www.theguardian.com/football/202... .

Report from the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, as the #Socceroos got the chance to take a look at the surface ahead of #KSAvAUS.

With Saudi authorities making tickets for the contest free, the stadium looks set to be packed of fans hoping for a miracle.

@espnaustralia.bsky.social

Socceroos embrace Saudi challenge with World Cup spot tantalisingly close | Joey Lynch The equation is simple – avoid losing by five goals to secure qualification – but the message in the Australian camp is to go out and win in Jeddah

In @australia.theguardian.com;

It’s simple: avoid losing by five goals to secure qualification.

But the message in the #Socceroos camp is to go out and win in Jeddah, a mantra that’s been emphasised to the extent that you’d almost think *they* need five.

🔗: www.theguardian.com/football/blo... .

Socceroos embrace Saudi challenge with World Cup spot tantalisingly close | Joey Lynch The equation is simple – avoid losing by five goals to secure qualification – but the message in the Australian camp is to go out and win in Jeddah The reputation he has cultivated may be austere, but Tony Popovic isn’t made of stone. So when Aziz Behich scored what will go down as one of the more famous goals in Socceroos history last week, there was scope to celebrate and enjoy the moment amid a late night back at the team hotel. Players and coaches stayed up to see if Bahrain would do them a favour by taking points off Saudi Arabia, but when the Green Falcons secured a 2-0 win in Riffa, focus shifted to getting to bed, recovery and the task that awaited them in Jeddah. As Neil Warnock once said: “By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being fucking disciplined.” Five days on, as Australia’s men prepare to face Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium with a spot in the World Cup on the line, there are scant signs of any kind of physical or mental hangover from that evening in Perth. Largely restricted to their accommodations overlooking the Red Sea due to the fierce June heat buffeting the city – a heat that feels amplified when bouncing off the vast network of concrete highways and construction sites dotting around – there has been little to distract players from the task at hand. Their lives have become a cycle of rest, recovery, media for the unlucky few, and training. Continue reading...

Socceroos embrace Saudi challenge with World Cup spot tantalisingly close | Joey Lynch

Riley McGree relishing Socceroos minutes after 'injury hell' Riley McGree's crucial assist has put Australia in pole position to claim a World Cup berth against Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old sat down with ESPN to discuss what has been a tumultuous 12 months.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

Re-watch Aziz Behich’s goal against Japan, the one that has the #Socceroos on the brink of a #WorldCup, and you’ll see that Riley McGree is hunched over during the celebrations, almost as if he’s unable to stand

Here’s why

#KSAvAUS

🔗: www.espn.com/soccer/story... .

Under a scorching Jeddah sun, Socceroos plot winning end to qualification As they prepare to meet Saudi Arabia, notions of being 'all but' qualified for the World Cup aren't being countenanced in Socceroo camp. But given how well they've defended, they're in a good spot.

From on the ground in Jeddah for @ByJDLMedia;

As they prepare to meet Saudi Arabia, notions of being 'all but' qualified for the World Cup aren't being countenanced in #Socceroos camp.

But given how well they've defended, they're in a good spot.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/under-a-sc... .

Report from Jeddah;

A spot in the FIFA World Cup is on the line between Saudi Arabia and the #Socceroos on Tuesday.

But as they hit the track, Tony Popovic’s side know all they need to do is avoid defeat by five goals or more - a battering they haven’t copped in nearly 12 years.

Under a scorching Jeddah sun, Socceroos plot winning end to qualification As they prepare to meet Saudi Arabia, notions of being 'all but' qualified for the World Cup aren't being countenanced in Socceroo camp. But given how well they've defended, they're in a good spot.

From on the ground in Jeddah for JDL Media;

As they prepare to meet Saudi Arabia, notions of being 'all but' qualified for the World Cup aren't being countenanced in #Socceroos camp.

But given how well they've defended, they're in a good spot.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/under-a-sc... .

Sources: Kasey Bos nears Bundesliga switch The rapid rise of Kasey Bos is set to continue, with sources telling ESPN that the 21-year-old is nearing a move to Bundesliga outfit FSV Mainz.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

The rapid rise of Kasey Bos is set to continue, with sources telling ESPN that the 21-year-old is nearing a move to Bundesliga outfit FSV Mainz.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .