The Optus Football Podcast

In one of the most dramatic days in World Cup history, Belgium and Germany have been eliminated, while Morocco and Japan have topped their respective groups. Former Socceroo stars Scott McDonald and Tommy Oar join former Matilda Amy Duggan to talk about everything from an action packed day. How did Japan defeat Spain? What will be the fallout for Germany after their elimination? Was Belgium's gold...

The Socceroos beat Denmark 1-0 and will play Argentina in the Round of 16! Former Socceroo stars Scott McDonald and Tommy Oar join host Teo Pellizzeri to talk about everything from one of the game's great days in Australia! How Australia won, the challenges, the answers and the stars Mathew Leckie scores one of the great Australia goals, but Tommy's got some amazing insights into his unlikely back...

Former Socceroos Scott McDonald and Michael Zullo join host Teo Pellizzeri for an insightful edition of the GegenPod! Michael Zullo was coached for years by Graham Arnold and takes us inside the Socceroos locker room with insights into the tricks and strategies that Australia's coach will try ahead of the Denmark game The mental preparation that Graham Arnold will impress on the Socceroos before t...

Group G and Group H are still up for grabs as Brazil and Portugal confirm qualification for the Round of 16. The GegenPod is back to unpack all the action for you. Teo Pellizzeri is joined by former Socceroo Scott McDonald, Premier League legend Michael Bridges and legendary Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to analyse all of the action. Brazil's incredible squad depth compared with Portugal an...

Hugely competitive matches overnight see Group E blown wide open and the GegenPod is back to unpack all the action for you. Teo Pellizzeri is joined by former Socceroo Tommy Oar, Premier League legend Michael Bridges and legendary Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to analyse all of the action. Tactical brains battle it out in Group E Tensions rise within the Belgium squad Which sides will claim...

The Socceroos pulled off a famous World Cup win last night and the GegenPod is back to unpack all the action for you. Former Matilda Amy Duggan is joined by former Socceroo Scott McDonald, Premier League legend Michael Bridges and legendary Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to bask in all the Socceroos glory. Graham Arnold proving doubters wrong? Souttar, Mooy, Duke and Ryan, who gets player of...

The GegenPod is back headlined by former Matilda Amy Duggan who is joined by former Socceroo Tommy Oar, two-time World Cup goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and legendary Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to dissect the action from Group A and B overnight, and look ahead to Australia's do-or-die match against Tunisia. England held to a draw by USA. Wales hopes hanging in the balance. What will Qatar's...

The first round of group stage matches is complete and we take a look at who impressed, disappointed and surprised us so far in Qatar. Teo Pellizzeri is joined by Michael Bridges, Thomas Sorensen and Mark Schwarzer to dig into all the action. Brazil stamp authority as tournament favourites Bridgey backs his Three Lions Sorensen on 'weak' goalkeeping option Plenty more Listen to Optus Sport's award...

The GegenPod is back headlined by former Matilda Amy Duggan who is joined by former Socceroos Tommy Oar, Scott McDonald and Mark Schwarzer to dissect Group E and F World Cup action from overnight. Spain's seven put them in the favourites mix. Japan surprise Germany in Group E. What can the Socceroos learn from our Asian neighbours? Mark Schwarzer explains his thoughts around grassroots funding, fe...

Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer explains his thoughts around the question he asked in a press conference with Australia’s Sports Minister and Football Australia CEO James Johnson that made national headlines. He outlines why it had to be asked, in his own words. Listen to Optus Sport's award-winning limited series, Football Belongs, charting the cultural threads of Australian society through the l...

A full house for the breakdown of Australia's match against France at the World Cup! Mark Schwarzer is in from Qatar while fellow former Socceroo Tommy Oar and former Denmark international Thomas Sorensen join host Amy Duggan. Craig Goodwin has Australia daring to dream The defensive collapse, where did it all go wrong? What did we learn about Australia and what comes next against Tunisia? The qua...

Mark Schwarzer, Michael Bridges and Tommy Oar join Teo Pellizzeri to review a huge World Cup matchday and look ahead to the Socceroos' huge test against the World Champions. Are England finally primed for a trophy? Where does Gareth Bale rank amongst the greatest British players in history? Concussion debate rolls on. Are the French playing mind games or are they truly arrogant? Listen to Optus Sp...

Former Socceroo Tommy Oar joins Teo Pellizzeri to wrap up a massive first day of World Cup action. We also hear from legendary goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as he provides all the latest news and reaction from Doha, where Australia forward Martin Boyle has recently been ruled out of action. Off the back of Enner Valencia's inspiring performance for Ecuador, the team also discuss which players have bee...

Former World Cup Socceroos Mark Schwarzer and Tommy Oar join ex-Matilda Amy Duggan and Leeds United icon Michael Bridges to preview the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. How far will Australia go? Who are the big contenders? Which young guns will shine? Why will this be a tournament like no other? The team also discuss Cristiano Ronaldo's shocking interview, and analyse an amazing week for the Matildas. Li...

Socceroos icon Mark Schwarzer, Premier League legends Thomas Sorensen and Michael Bridges and host Teo Pellizzeri go in two-footed for a no-holds-barred discussion of the Socceroos World Cup squad! Mitch Langerak snubbed, why the high-profile humiliation after being begged to come out of international retirement? Cristian Volpato turns the Socceroos and a World Cup opportunity down, what now? Gara...

Premier League stars Thomas Sorensen and Michael Bridges are joined by former Matilda Amy Duggan and host Teo Pellizzeri to break down all the big talking points in football. Cristian Volpato - should Graham Arnold be on the phone to offer a Socceroos call-up for the World Cup, and will Volpato accept it? Is Graham Potter overthinking his start to life at Chelsea? What is the right balance of inst...

It was a combative pod as Premier League star Michael Bridges and Socceroos icon Mark Schwarzer wanted to butt heads! Former Matilda Amy Duggan was there to play peacemaker and talk about the biggest issues in football: Steven Gerrard sacked by Aston Villa, is Jesse Marsch next to go? Unai Emery gets his chance at redemption in the Premier League Liverpool lose again, did the underestimate Notting...

Former Matilda Amy Duggan and Premier League legend Thomas Sorensen join host Teo Pellizzeri to break down all the big talking points in the week of football. Was Sam Kerr robbed of football's most prestigious individual award? Where's Sammy? The surprising award-night snub The Matildas get ready to learn their group for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Socceroos World Cup countdown - the injuries...

Away from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow in the Scottish Highlands, Ange Postecoglou has a special chat with Michael Bridges about the die-hard nature of Scottish football, how his day-to-day job affects fans' days/months/years and why growing up with an unrivalled love for the game means nothing on the world stage if you come from Australia. Ange discusses: How he arrived at Celtic knowing he w...

Socceroos icon Mark Schwarzer, Premier League legend Michael Bridges and former Matilda Amy Duggan join host Teo Pellizzeri to discuss all the big talking points in the week of football: Arsenal beat Liverpool in controversial circumstances to leave the Reds' season on the brink. Can they even make the top four? Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 700 club goals but can Erling Haaland make it to 1000 one da...

Premier League legends Thomas Sorensen and Michael Bridges join former Matilda Amy Duggan and host Teo Pellizzeri in another packed edition of the GegenPod! Talking about all the big issues of the week including: Bridgey's experience watching Leeds United first hand in the commentary box for the Optus Sport audience How do you defend against Erling Haaland? Can he be stopped? Manchester United rem...

Former Socceroo Tommy Oar and former Matilda Amy Duggan join host Teo Pellizzeri to break down all the biggest talking points in football! Garang Kuol lights up the Socceroos series against New Zealand Tommy's insight into being an 18-year-old at a World Cup The tough selection calls facing Graham Arnold, who's on the plane to Qatar and who misses out! Jason Cummings shakes up the striker discussi...

He's one of the biggest recruits of the A-League Men's off-season and now former Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield star Joe Lolley has been recruited into the GegenPod! Joe jumps in to join Socceroos icon Mark Schwarzer and host Teo Pellizzeri to talk about all the big issues of the week in football: Nottingham Forest's struggles and the heat comes for Steve Cooper. Joe Lolley gives his insights...

All the big issues are hit on the GegenPod as we welcome back Socceroos icon Mark Schwarzer and Premier League legends Thomas Sorensen and Michael Bridges with host Teo Pellizzeri, including: Live reaction to the Socceroos squad dropping for the farewell games before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar Fixture pile-up set to continue for Premier League teams after The Queen's passing Graham Potter succeed...

A blockbuster GegenPod has two Matildas jumping in as Amy Duggan and current player Amy Harrison join former Premier League star Michael Bridges and host Teo Pellizzeri. Big issues up for disucssion this week include: Did VAR wreck the weekend for everyone!? The Matildas' latest struggles after two defeats to Canada Netherlands book their ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in dramatic fashi...