Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley and Willem van Denderen.

Tony Popovic’s Socceroos remain undefeated through nine starts and while Friday’s first leg of the Soccer Ashes won’t live too long in the memory, there was plenty to be excited about. Simultaneously, the performance has been considered underwhelming. Daniel Garb returns to assess the result and what it means on the path to next year’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, the conduct of Preston supporters at Saturday’s NPL preliminary-final has led to investigations by Victoria Police and Football Victoria, and again raises questions of the future of the game as re-integration of former-NSL sides into the mainstream seeks to continue. We try to make sense of the frustration. 

Also on the agenda: World Cup qualifying wrap from around the confederations, Western United into ‘hibernation’ and Sam Kerr edges closer to a return with Chelsea. 

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