The Socceroos quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin this week, so we’re bringing back a special episode of the International Curriculum – Joey Lynch sitting down one-on-one with Australia coach Graham Arnold. 

With games against Bangladesh and Palestine looming, Arnie talks about his squad selection for this window and how his squad will adjust to being the ball-dominant, proactive side in possession against the parked bus of Asian minnows.

There’s #VolpatoWatch, #IrankundaWatch and reflections on his past four years as he prepares to set the record for most games in charge of Australia with 59 games – breaking Frank Farina’s record -- and reflections on that Japan defeat in Sydney, arguably the lowest point across his tenure.

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

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One normal day of Isuzu Ute A-Liga Hombres. All I ask. Will never happen.

After a bonkers week of Aussie sokkah, Joey Lynch is joined by Jason Pine, the voice of New Zealand football on Sky Sport NZ and the host of Weekend Sport on Newstalk ZB, to try to make sense of it all.

Rado Vidosic is out at Melbourne City after just two games, the last of which was a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Adelaide. Why did it happen? What does it mean? And will new interim coach Aurelio Vidmar be any good? There's also the Auckland expansion franchise and talk of Chris Greenacre being tapped as its next coach, is that a good move? And how's that endeavour placed anyway? Australia's World Cup bid certainly isn't placed well, with the 2034 men's World Cup now set for Saudi Arabia after a bespoke bidding process by FIFA.

Then there's the games. Adelaide United are looking the goods, as is Melbourne Victory -- but City, Sydney and the Mariners aren't. Of those three, who are most likely to right the ship? Are the Wanderers the team to beat? And is Wellington... well... are they good or not?

Then, the great man, Ben Smith of the West Australian, jumps into the show to provide his on-the-ground view of the Matildas' Olympic qualifying campaign. Is Tony G good now?

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow TNC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

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► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

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The A-Leagues are in full swing, Danny Townsend is off to Saudi Arabia, someone might (finally) buy the Jets, Silver Lake might want their money back, and there are new NSD rumours! Bit happening.

Joey Lynch is joined by ESPN contributor and all-around superstar Stephanie Brantz and Fagiano Okayama midfielder and one-haff of the Football Friends with Ben & Stef podcast Stefan Mauk to look at yet another big week in Aussie Sokkah.

With the A-Liga back, what's the vibe and how can the leagues kick on? With Townsend off to the Middle East, what's his legacy and what does it say about the nature of the leagues as an entity? Are the Jets finally on the verge of ownership? Are the reports surrounding Silver Lake's involvement in the A-Leagues a reason to be concerned? And what about that leak of supposed second division details -- what does that tell us?

And as usual, there's a very in-depth look at all 12 games across the A-League Men (39:20) and A-League Women (01:14:45) competitions. Victory makes a Big Blue statement, Adelaide is giving the keys to the kids, Noah Botic is demanding to step up, Sydney's women are still in transition, Western United's women are back on their late comebacks, 14-year-olds (14!!!) are playing in the Dub, and much more!

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow TNC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

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► Follow ESPN on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like TNC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

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The Grand Final deal is dead! Long live the Unite Round!

Joey Lynch is joined by AAP and the Far Post Podcast's Anna Harrington and rising star Lani Johnson to look at a huge ten days in Aussie sokkah.

The A-Liga's scrapping the grand final deal is front and centre but there's also Auckland expansion, Perth's new owners, the Sokkahroos in action against England and New Zealand and the return of #VolpatoWatch! And how about the record-setting return of the A-Liga Feminina and the Matildas announcing their squad for Olympic qualifying?

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow TNC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow TFP on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow ESPN on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like TNC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

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The National Curriculum is back for 2023-24! No nonsense here? No, nonsense here!

Joey Lynch is joined by AAP's George Clarke, The West Australian's Ben Smith, and ESPN superstar Steph Brantz to look at all the big stories in Australian sokkah and preview the A-League Women and Socceroos.

What's the go with the A-Liga Blokes and VAR? And what about expansion, the Grand Final deal, Stephen Conroy, and Danny Townsend?

What about the A-Liga Feminina? After the Women's World Cup there's a lot of hope and promise but where are we trying to go? Is the competition able to become a destination league?

And with the Socceroos set to meet England, what are realistic expectations for Graham Arnold's side?

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

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In the A-Liga justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups. The PFA who investigate crime and the Independent Judiciary Committees who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories. DUN DUN

When the week is highlighted by claims that a coach punched one of their players and the PFA are investigating, you know it's a weird one. Stoll and Joey are joined by TNC's man in West Australia Ben Smith to discuss the allegations that were levelled against Perth Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich last week, as well as his suggestion that someone might be out to get the club.

The boys are also joined at the start of the show by Taryn Heddo, who helps break down the increasingly tight race for the final playoff place in the A-Liga Femenina.

Taryn also gives an insight into the importance of pride and acceptance in football and the broader community, as the team talks about a successful first-ever A-Leagues Pride round across the weekend.

There's also a breakdown of the latest A-Liga Hombres round, including Nestor Irankunda's screamer to earn Adelaide a point against Melbourne Victory, and a whole lot more.

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Join the TNC A-Leagues Men's Fantasy League: https://play.keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fantasy/?action=join-group&code=102854

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

Remember, Joey Lynch is the worst person in the world.

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Riding a six-game winning streak, the vibes are good around the Matildas. Surely nothing to complain about, right? Don't worry; Joey Lynch, Nick Stoll, Josh Parish and special guest Taryn Heddo found some stuff to gripe about.

Then after subbing out Taryn for Nick D'Urbano, the pod breaks down the latest iteration of the Melb Derby (are the Vuck back?), Warren Moon's ouster from Brisbane Roar, the A-Liga Belt, the barmy 4-4 draw between Adelaide and Western Sydney Wanderers, and answer your questions.

All that and more, including the pod's attempts to salvage some respectability after Josh was ethered by an A-Liga star on Twitter. Poi Bo!

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Join the TNC A-Leagues Men's Fantasy League: https://play.keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fantasy/?action=join-group&code=102854

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

Remember, Joey Lynch is the worst person in the world.

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Sydney is Sky Blue once again after the latest iteration of the Sydney Derby! Is Max Burgess the GOAT? Should coach's consult the latest socioeconomic data before they talk to the press? Is the Sydney Derby just a case of the first goal wins?

Joey, Stoll, D'Urbano, Josh, and Smith are here to break it all down.

In more ALM chat, there's the future of Macarthur under Mile Sterjovski, Melbourne City's status as kings of the Box Office, where Perth Glory should set up permanent shop, and an in-depth discussion of George the Glory Gorilla's observation of a minute's silence on the weekend.

On the ALW front, the finals race is heating up. Can anyone break the quad that currently exists in the top four? Canberra? Glory? Brisbane? Wanderers? And who is most likely to drop out for one of those teams? If any?

And is Jordy Bos one of Australia's best left-backs already? Should Arnie cap him? Who else?

Plus, there's been a change in the A-Liga Women's Belt!

All that and more!

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Join the TNC A-Leagues Men's Fantasy League: https://play.keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fantasy/?action=join-group&code=102854

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

Remember, Joey Lynch is the worst person in the world.

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Etension in hand, Graham Arnold will lead the Socceroos into the 2026 cycle. Whas it the right call to expand the expectant one? Why did Football Australia do it? What are the risks? And what does it mean for Australian football more broadly? Stoll, Joey, and Josh, are back and here to break it down in an espresso edition of TNC!

The boys then cast their eyes across a big week in Australian football. Who will be part of Football Australia's National Second Division and what does the wording of their EOI announcement tell us? Which stalwart Matilda is increasingly looking like she's going to be on the outside looking in come Women's World Cup time?

In the A-Liga Blokes, Melbourne City are pulling away from the rest of the pack. Can they be stopped? And for that matter, who is the second best team in the league? Or at least the one best suited to beating City in a one-off game. Victory are still bottom, but did the win over the Phoenix signal change?

All that and more!

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Join the TNC A-Leagues Men's Fantasy League: https://play.keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fantasy/?action=join-group&code=102854

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

Remember, even if we go some time between episodes, Joey Lynch is the worst person in the world.

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Is the A-Liga Blokes a three-horse race? Did Victory get off easy with its sanctions? Did supporters extract enough concessions from the APL to stop their grand final protests? Is the top of the tomato terrible?

In a bumper episode, the people's host is back in the main chair as Stoll, Joey, Josh, and TNC's man in Perth Ben Smith cast their eyes across the latest round of A-Liga Men's action, the sanctions handed down to Melbourne Victory over the violent pitch invasion during the Christmas Derby, discuss if there was a second-shitter on Macedonia Park's grassy knoll, and much more.

And with Joey stopping off for a burger before he drove home from Western United's 1-1 draw with the Newcastle Jets in Ballarat, TNC does its first-ever live food review!

Thanks and Success.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Join the TNC A-Leagues Men's Fantasy League: https://play.keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fantasy/?action=join-group&code=102854

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

Remember, Joey Lynch is the worst person in the world that likes the tops of tomatoes and the ends pieces of bread.

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It's a huge TNC episode, so huge that Nick Stoll immediately regretted it.

Across a bumper review special; Joey, Teo, Stoll, and D'Urbano break down the form of every A-Liga Men's after ten games of the season. Who is meeting expectations and who isn't? Why is that the case? What are we rating them out of ten? What do they need to do to improve?

There's also a discussion on the latest surrounding the APL's grand final decision and the protests by active supporter groups (04:24), if the league is fun enough (23:51), and a bit on the A-Liga Belt and TNC's fantasy leagues.

Team Review Timestamps: Melbourne Victory (26:55) | Adelaide United (56:54) | Brisbane Roar (01:05:27) | Western United (01:15:25) | Sydney FC (01:34:00) | Central Coast Mariners (01:50:17) | Western Sydney Wanderers (02:00:20) | Perth Glory (02:06:22 | Wellington Phoenix (02:13:53) | Macarthur FC (02:16:57) | Newcastle Jets (02:29:17) | Melbourne City (02:40:30) 

Thanks and Success. 2023 is going to be a big one.

TNC & ESPN Australia on Social Media:

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNCFootball

► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESPNAusNZ​

► Join the TNC A-Leagues Men's Fantasy League: https://play.keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fantasy/?action=join-group&code=102854

► ESPN Australia and New Zealand's Football Home: https://www.espn.com.au/football/

And remember, Joey Lynch is the worst person in the world.

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