Box2Box, with Willem van Denderen & Derek Dyson.
Arsenal’s surprise 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth has blown the Premier League title race back open, with Manchester City finding form at the wrong time for those of a Gunners persuasion. The Athletic’s James McNicholas feels Arteta’s side must lift once again if they’re to finally go one better than their recent trio of second-placed finishes.
Then to the A-League Men’s, where the weekly jostling of positions has seen Sydney FC back into third place, now under Patrick Kisnorbo. Erik Paartalu (10/Paramount+) returns with twelve matches left to shake out the finals positions, but plenty of enduring questions still to be answered.
Also on the agenda: Spurs officially in the relegation zone, Souttar makes a tentative return at Leicester and Derek’s thoughts on England’s squad…
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Box2Box with Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!
After months of jostling, Auckland sit three points shy of Newcastle in their pursuit of a second A-League Premiership plate with three to play. English import Sam Cosgrove has played a key hand for the NZ side, his 10 goals leading the Golden Boot to this point - he joins us for the first time.
In Scotland, Hearts’ lead in pursuit of their first Scottish league title since 1959/60 has started to creak with Rangers just a point in arrears. The Daily Record’s Andy Newport returns with it all on the line, and with an eye to Scotland’s return to the World Cup in the summer.
Also on the agenda: Italy miss the World Cup again but Arnie’s Iraq triumph, Socceroos warm-up matches struggle to attract big numbers & plenty more!
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Box2Box with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen
Tony Popovic has one further game to assess his squad before selecting his final 26 for the World Cup, with Australia to play Curucao in Melbourne on Tuesday. 53-cap Socceroo Craig Moore casts his eye over those his former teammate has at his disposal, with Lucas Herrington among those making a last-ditch run at the squad.
Then to Italy, where the Azzurri on Wednesday face another decisive World Cup qualifier - this time against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The stakes are immeasurably high: win and they’ll exorcise the years of pain since their last World Cup; lose and that pain only compounds further. Adriano Del Monte (ESPN, beIN Sports et al.) returns with tension set to reach fever pitch.
Also on the agenda: Ufuk Talay signs at Wanderers, Graham Arnold & Iraq on the verge of the truly special & plenty more!
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The Matildas have fallen to Japan 1-0 in the final of the Women’s Asian Cup, remarkably for a third time. Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster returns to assess the success of the tournament - which broke all manner of records - and reckon with the legacy of a group that have achieved greatly, but still lack a crowning glory.
Furthermore, with the Brazil 2027 Women’s World Cup coming into focus, attention turns to the direction of Joe Montemurro’s ageing squad. The Athletic’s Chelsea reporter Cerys Jones returns amid reports that Sam Kerr could be on the way out of the club where she’s won eleven titles.
Also on the agenda: Senegal sensationally stripped of their AFCON title, Manchester City lift another League Cup, and the Socceroos’ away kit polarises.
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Box2Box with Michael Edgley and Willem van Denderen!
The Matildas have qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but still have work to do if they’re to win the Asian Cup on home soil. Andy Harper will again be in the expert’s chair for 10/Paramount+ for tomorrow’s semi-final against China; he here speaks on public expectations, Joe Montemurro, and Ante Milicic.
Then to Asia broadly, where four of what Scott McIntyre labels ‘the big five’ have reached the semi-finals. In addition, Scott also speaks on the uncertainty of Iran’s place at the Men’s World Cup, Melbourne City’s missed opportunity in the Champions League Elite, and John Aloisi’s strong start and favourable factors at Chengdu Rongcheng.
Also on the agenda: Auckland FC & Melbourne City's women take big strides towards the Premiership plate, Adrian Segecic chooses Croatia, and a look at the USA Men’s national side…
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The Matildas will have to go the long way around to win the Women’s Asian Cup after Sunday’s 3-3 draw with South Korea meant they were unable to overhaul their opponent’s goal difference, and must now face the highest-ranked winner of China and North Korea. Joey Lynch (ESPN, The Guardian) returns as crunch time arrives for Joe Montemurro and his team.
Then to England, where Arsenal battled their way past Mansfield Town on Saturday to progress to the FA Cup quarter finals - which is, remarkably, likely third or even fourth on their present list of priorities. With a potentially legendary season coming to the boil - but still with plenty to do domestically and in Europe - Arseblog’s Andrew Mangan discusses the Gunners in depth.
Also on the agenda: Iran’s women’s team labelled ‘wartime traitors’ in a deeply troubling circumstance, Old Firm disgrace and more…
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Box2Box with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley and Willem van Denderen!
The US & Israel’s joint strikes on Iran have dominated global geopolitical headlines this week, and while not of primary concern, the ramifications for football are significant. Iran’s participation at the Men’s World Cup in the US, and the position Iran’s Women’s team find themselves in as they play the Asian Cup in Australia, are up for discussion with The Sports Ambassador Podcast’s Tracey Holmes.
Then to England, where Martin Tyler was behind the mic as Manchester United earned a sixth win in seven under Michael Carrick to move to third. Martin provides his wise counsel on United, Arsenal, and also England as it approaches sixty years since they won the World Cup, but dream again.
Also on the agenda: the Matildas kick off their home Asian Cup with a 1-0 win over the Philippines, Auckland make a statement and cut the margin on the Jets, and St Pauli look to be escaping relegation, once again.
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Box2Box with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley and Willem van Denderen!
The Women’s Asian Cup kicks off this weekend as the Matildas look to reach at least the semi-finals and secure qualification to next year’s World Cup. Taryn Heddo (10/Paramount+) will be calling the tournament and returns for a look at the Matildas, as well as heavy hitters China and North Korea.
Alen Stajcic managed both Australia and their first-up opponents Philippines at Asian Cups (and subsequent World Cups), and both to a high degree of success. He considers where expectations should lie, and reflects on his time with the Filipinas, which he recalls as his fondest in football.
Also on the agenda: Juan Mata’s Derby masterclass, Oluwayemi howler sparks the end for Chiefy, FIFA pledge to rebuild football in Gaza and plenty more…
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