Joey Lynch

North Korean test now lies ahead for Matildas as China go some way in answering their doubters As China showed why they are the defending champions at the Women's Asian Cup, North Korea will now set their sights on the Matildas.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social & ESPN Asia

We weren't sure what to expect from either China or North Korea coming into their meeting on Monday.

We got a very entertaining game. Some bizarre protests. And the Matildas got an insight into what lies ahead.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

‘It’s amazing’: Iranian women soccer players break free, seek asylum in Australia At least five Iranian female soccer players have made a daring escape from their team’s handlers to avoid being sent back to likely persecution.

Matthew Knott and Emma Kemp are reporting in Nine Newspapers that five members of Iran’s women’s team are being protected by police in Queensland after escaping their team’s handlers.

www.theage.com.au/politics/fed... .

FIFPRO calls on FIFA, AFC to guarantee safety of Iran women's national team FIFPRO says it expects FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to exert the leverage it has to ensure the safety of Iran's women's national team players.

In ESPN FC & @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

Global players' union FIFPRO says it expects FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to exert the leverage it has to ensure the safety of Iran's women's national team players.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/soccer/story... .

Football Australia chair Anter Isaac, speaking at FIFPRO’s Asia/Oceania General Assembly, says the org is implementing ASC requested reforms to expand its board to ten.

He also says it’s finalising the appointment of two female directors that will see it hit 40-40-20 gender targets.

Iraq coach Arnold begs FIFA to reschedule its WC playoff Graham Arnold is asking FIFA to come to Iraq's aid as the conflict between neighboring Iran and the United States threatens to derail his plans to help his team to its first World Cup in 40 years.

In ESPN FC

After Iraq coach Graham Arnold pushed FIFA to postpone his nation’s World Cup playoff later this month, FIFPRO has said the governing body needs to have an “incredibly conservative approach” to the fixture, with player safety paramount.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Australian Grand Prix: F1 race – live Lap-by-lap report: Formula 1 season begins with George Russell starting from pole position in Melbourne. Join Joey Lynch for updates

Ya boi is back on live duties for @australia.theguardian.com, bringing you all the action from the Melbourne Grand Prix.

www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2... .

If you're Melbourne Victory you've got to be offering Mata a minority stake to stick around another year.

Impossible to overstate how good a signing he's been for the club. Do what you can to keep him around both in the short- and long-term.

#BigBlue #SYDvMVC

Australian Grand Prix: F1 qualifying – live Lap-by-lap report: Formula 1 season begins with session to decide which drivers start on the front of the grid in Melbourne. Join Joey Lynch for updates

Ya boi is live blogging qualifying of the F1's first race of the 2026 campaign, here in Melbourne, for @australia.theguardian.com.

www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2... .

Waiting for the Matildas’ Asian Cup campaign to commence?

Why not allow NPLW Victoria help you pass the time?

We’ve got a former Matilda, as well as a former Kiwi and Turkish international, in action as Avondale visit Melbourne Victory.

Join me from 1pm: www.youtube.com/live/ufyzVQy...

Jada Whyman has been forced to withdraw from the #Matildas squad for the Women's Asian Cup due to a knee injury.

She has been replaced in the squad by Morgan Aquino.

Victory, Reds leave wondering what might have been after Original Rivalry In the end, both Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United likely left AAMI Park on Friday evening disappointed not to have taken all three points. A game with chances from both but no knockout punch.

New from me;

In the end, both Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United likely left AAMI Park on Friday disappointed not to have taken all three points.

Twas a game with chances from both, but no knockout punch.

🔗: jdlmedia.substack.com/p/victory-re... .

City face ACLE balancing act as Melbourne Derby looms With their tickets to the knockout stages of the ACLE punched and a crunch Melbourne Derby looming, Melbourne City's clash with Gangwon may prove just as much about management as the final result.

New from me;

With their tickets to the knockout stages of the ACLE punched and a crunch Melbourne Derby looming, Melbourne City's clash with Gangwon may prove just as much about management as the final result.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/city-face-... .

A-League stocks up, stocks down: Could the Jets hand Heidelberg a spot in Asia? Newcastle's stunning A-League success may have left Football Australia in a bind, while Sydney FC's visa spots continue to be wasted. That and more in this week's A-League Stocks.

Ya boi is back for @espnaustralia.bsky.social's A-Liga Men's stonks watch. This week:

📈 Max Burgess for Sokkahroos?
📈 ACL2 qualification 🍔👀?
📈 City in Asia
📉 The Roos' right-back stocks
📉 Hit and miss Visa signings
📉 Half-measures that please nobody

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Victory pay the price for failing to kill another opponent off Stop me if you’ve heard this one: a game was there for the taking, only for Melbourne Victory to let it slip. This time, a game begging for a coup de grâce instead ending in a 1-1 draw with Brisbane.

New from me;

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: a game was there for the taking, only for Melbourne Victory to fail to seize it.

This time, the game begging for a coup de grâce instead ended in a 1-1 draw with Brisbane.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/victory-pa... .

A-League stocks up, stocks down: Brisbane's siege mentality in danger of turning sour Clayton Taylor's stocks soared with a fine hat trick for the Jets, but it's Michael Valkanis' post-game outburst that has the Roar in the firing line.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

Ya boi is back on A-Liga Men’s stonks watch.

📈 Strikers scoring goals
📈 Winning ugly
📈 Holding players to contracts
📉 Cracks in siege mentalities
📉 Goalkeeping mishaps
📉 Injuries to key men

🔗: www.espn.com.au/soccer/story... .

City welcome ACLE challenge as Arzani, Delbridge near return As Daniel Arzani and Harrison Delbridge prepare to return, Melbourne City are back on the Asian grind this week, heading straight for Korea after Saturday's Western Sydney clash. And they welcome it.

New from me;

As Daniel Arzani and Harrison Delbridge prepare to return, Melbourne City are back on the Asian grind this week, heading straight for Korea for ACLE competition after Saturday's clash with Western Sydney.

And they welcome it.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/city-welco... .

Mood shifts at Victory ahead of "must-win" clash with Jets Sitting seventh and already possessing their most losses since 2018, there’s been a shift in mood in Melbourne Victory’s ALW setup, with the stakes of this weekend's clash with Newcastle clear.

New from me;

Sitting seventh and already possessing their most losses since 2018, there’s been a shift in mood in Melbourne Victory’s ALW setup, with the stakes of this weekend's clash with Newcastle clear.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/mood-shift... .

As 'Nix test looms, Victory to keep plugging away in front of goal Melbourne Victory's inconsistency in front of goal is well-documented this season. But Arthur Diles is content that they're creating the chances to give themselves every opportunity to turn that aroun...

New from me;

Melbourne Victory's men's inconsistency in front of goal is well-documented. And bemoaned.

But Arthur Diles is content that they're creating the chances to give themselves every opportunity to turn that around.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/as-nix-tes... .

Socceroos Depth Chart: Australia's likely World Cup squad, four months out Locks? Bolters? Fitness concerns? Joey Lynch takes a look at which Socceroos are firming as favorites to go to the World Cup, and who has work to do.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

Something new for the Sokkahroos Depth Chart; not predicting next month's team but, instead, gazing into the crystal ball and trying to forecast June's World Cup squad

The bolters, the injury returners, the stalwarts, and more

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

'There are definitely some trends' - City look to address holes ahead of Wanderer visit Michael Matricciani feels he’s seen a common thread in Melbourne City’s three ALW defeats this season. But he’s confident the two-time defending premiers can solve them before season’s end.

New from me;

Michael Matricciani feels he’s seen a common thread in Melbourne City’s three ALW defeats this season. But he’s confident the two-time defending premiers can solve them before season’s end.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/there-are-... .

I'm losing my mind.

Carlos Alcaraz v Alexander Zverev: Australian Open 2026 men’s semi-final – live Game-by-game report: The men’s No 1 and 3 seeds meet at Melbourne Park with a place in the final up for grabs. Join Joey Lynch for updates

Ya boi is back on Aussie Open duty once more; Alcaraz vs Zverev

www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2... .

"We have to be honest" -- As Canberra looms, Victory looking to adress wayward radars Melbourne Victory aren’t taking enough of their chances. And while you’d rather be missing chances than not creating them at all, it’s something coach Jeff Hopkins knows the team can’t shy away from.

New from me;

Melbourne Victory aren’t taking enough of their chances. To paraphrase Keisuke Honda, it’s a fact. And while you’d rather be missing chances than not creating any, it’s something ALW boss Jeff Hopkins knows can’t be shied away from.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/we-have-to... .

Rado Vidošić will leave an indelible mark on Australian football Rado Vidošić will be remembered not just as a font of footballing wisdom, but also as a kind man, with a warm presence and a sense of care for, and belief, in others.

New from me;

Wrote this as the introduction for a broader ALW piece. @espnaustralia.bsky.social has been kind enough to run it standalone.

Some words on Rado Vidošić; Australian football richer for having had him and poorer now that he’s departed.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/soccer/story... .

City turn to Teague to fill Trewin-shaped hole in midfield Melbourne City boss believes Kai Trewin is a “shoo-in” for the World Cup if he can log regular minutes with New York FC but, in Ryan Teague, feels his side has a player ready to step up.

New from me;

Aurelio Vidmar believes Kai Trewin is a “shoo-in” for the World Cup if he can log regular minutes with New York City FC but that, in loanee Ryan Teague, Melbourne City has a player ready to step up.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/city-turn-... .

A-League chief reveals high interest in Mariners license Newly installed A-League chief Steve Rosich won't rule out the prospect of a Canberra men's side or Western United in the 2026-27 season, while interest to purchase the Mariners builds.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

Newly installed A-League chief Steve Rosich won't rule out a Canberra men's side or Western United in the 2026-27 season, whilst confirming more than a dozen formal registers of interest in purchasing the Central Coast Mariners.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Foursome Victory blow Sydney FC away Melbourne Victory netted four times against Sydney and if not for the all-seeing eye in the sky, it would have been seven. No wonder Arthur Diles felt it was the best they've ever played under him.

New from me;

Melbourne Victory netted four times against Sydney, and if not for the all-seeing eye in the sky, it would have been seven. No wonder Arthur Diles felt it was the best they've ever played under him.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/foursome-v... .

Aussie defender Kai Trewin nears New York City FC move - sources Australian defender Kai Trewin is set to complete a permanent move to New York City FC, sources have told ESPN.

In @espnaustralia.bsky.social;

Another Australian is set for a move to the MLS, with Melbourne City defender and #Socceroos World Cup hopeful Kai Trewin set to complete a permanent move to New York City FC, sources have told ESPN.

🔗: www.espn.com.au/football/sto... .

Vidmar sees creative Arzani playing major role at City Aurelio Vidmar forsees Daniel Arzani playing a key role for Melbourne City after the attacker secured a loan move back back to the A-League hoping to mount a late push for World Cup selection.

New from me;

Aurelio Vidmar forsees Daniel Arzani playing a key role for Melbourne City after the attacker secured a loan move back to the A-League, hoping to mount a late push for World Cup selection.

🔗: www.jdlmedia.com.au/p/vidmar-see... .