2012 OFC Nations Cup Solomon Islands

It might be a little on the "raw" side (ie., testicular fortitude etc), but I'm enjoying the coverage in Korea, Gordon. 

The stream has been working like a dream, too.

+1, except that I am in Hong Kong.

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

I like to receive any feedback (both positive and negative). We're all about improvement.

gordonglenwatson@hotmail.com

Cheers,

GGW

Is there anywhere to watch goals or highlights? Cant seem to access the replay on OFC site.

It is very unfair that we have to play a lot of games in a short space of time in very hot conditions, and none of the teams have to

http://www.youtube.com/OFCfootball

With our semifinal spot booked do you think Ricki might try switch things up for nothing riding on the outcome of this game?

Howieson or McGeorge to get a go? Experimental formation?

Any thoughts?

Was thinking he'd maybe rest a few players to protect them from the heat? 

Its great to have qualified for the next round of the WC qualifiers. Hopefully that takes some of the pressure of our lads for the last group game.

I would be gutted if we don't win this tournament. If we lose this but end up qualifiing for the WC we will need the Confeds cup as a vital part of our build up.

Just a question on game times, does the weather get anymore bearable in the 3pm kickoff slot? or is it just as bad/worse as the 12pm kickoffs?

It seems like we are playing in the heat of the day. Which would be an obvious tactical advantage to the Islands sides if this is what they are taking advantage of? is that so? or it really makes no difference. or is it to do with tv rights and maximising crowd numbers etc. i.e. i would be happy for them to kick off at 8am if it is cooler, but obviously that would be ridiculous. however, maybe a 5 or 6pm kickoff would have been reasonable.

At the OFC Nations Cup 2002 the tournament was played between July 5-15 in New Zealand with teams having a day's rest between matches. As I recall, the tournament was played in the middle of winter, with heavy rain, muddy pitches, and the knock out stages had to be moved from North Harbour Stadium to ensure the event could continue. New Zealand defeated Australia in the final 1-0 (courtesy of a Ryan Nelsen close range goal from a long free-kick). I'm fairly sure those conditions suited New Zealand more than any of the other competing teams. Here in the Solomon Islands the current tournament is more or less the same but in oppressive conditions with 39 degree heat. And its the same for all of the other teams who are following the same scheduling...? Both tournaments are the same, essentially. 

Thanks Gorden.

By the way the coverage in Germany of the OFC tv streaming is working great.

I even ran the first Nz game off my android phone, for the first 20minutes. It worked but was a little bit jumpy, that was due to phone performance though. as went to the laptop and the performance improved. However, I think my audio might have been delayed.

in the 2nd game everything worked perfect and no audio delay.

i am also impressed with the replays being available so quickly. made me wonder why i am getting up at 3am to watch. when i could just watch the replay when i wake up. also like the fact that i could click on the game replay link without risking seeing the result..simple thing...but it is where a lot of others fail...i.e. fifa.com highlight replays.

Damn I didn't realise you could watch replays of games! Wouldn't have been following text updates if had known that

Watched a replay.  For the first 25mins (until drinks) - we were in complete control. Just need to maintain that standard for another 20-30 mins, for the rest of the tournie's matches, and surely, the OFC Nations Cup is ours.

Hi GGW
Enjoying your input both on the job in the box with Myles, and in the forum here, many thanks

I like that you have knowledge of the teams, the players, the conditions, and know their names.

Stream has been a bit jumpy and the colours separate out at times, but doubt you can fix that 

Cheers

I think the big issue here is that from a physiological point of view it is not very smart to play in these conditions and could cause health issues for the players. The timing of the games show very poor planning on OFCs part and not much concern for the health of the players in my opinion.

I'd definitely be using all the squad for this next game. I'd go:

               Gleeson
     Myers Sigmund(c) Boxall
Bertos Clapham McGeorge Hogg
     Payne   Fallon  Howieson

Obviously super experimental, but only really pushes Siggy - however because he has been recently injured, maybe Smith or Vicelich would start. Rojas also could be involved which wouldn't suprise me.

Enjoyed the streaming of yesterday's two games here in Christchurch. Quality of stream was very good- big improvement on Monday's, where the picture kept freezing.

Had major problems trying to buy the games though on the e-cast site and only was able to see the second half of the first AW's game after it was made available for free. Great that there are replays available though.

Root of the problem was that I couldn't purchase games using my existing e-cast registration from the Olympic qualifying broadcast a few months ago.

Problem only solved when I registered again using a different name and e-mail address- then I could buy coverage instantly...

Enjoyed the commentary too- am liking your informative comments Gordon. I always wondered about George Slefendorfas' background and despite being a Canterbury United supporter, didn't realise he is of Papua New Guinean descent and hoping to play for PNG (I was overseas during the first half of Canterbury's season). Based on his name, I thought he had some Greek background- but checking him out on Wikipedia, it's PNG and Lithuania.

He went from playing in Cairns to Sweden- must have found the climate shock hard! He's been a real find for Canty this season with his pace, physicality and goals. Shame his clearance to play for PNG didn't come through in time...

Socceroo Archie Thompson's another prolific golscorer of PNG descent (in his case PNG mum and Pakeha Kiwi dad and born in Otorohanga, NZ, I think)- making Archie also eligible to play for PNG or the All Whites before he chose Australia. I seem to remember a young Archie being approached to play for NZ before he made his Socceroo debut after he did well with Melbourne club Carlton in the old NSL with NZ team-mates Mark Atkinson, Sean Douglas and Ricki van Steeden. 

You can read exerpts of Archie's autobiography online here. Is a good read- his Kiwi dad was one of eleven chldren, so Archie has dozens of cousins in NZ:

http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=EbQ6Fw6laKYC&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

All White reject

George Slefendorfas now playing for Eastern Suburbs in Auckland

The Vanuatan keeper is worth the price of admission on his own.

If you get the chance to look at the penalty he conceded in the first 20 in todays game... it's a cracker.

Yip.  If you are a keeper, and you are forced to give a penalty away, that's the way to do it.  "Bruce Lee style" as Miles called it.  And he wasn't red carded. 

Not bad PWF,   will be close to that, here is the Possible announced tonight by the Herald

Possible New Zealand side to play the Solomon Islands at Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, tomorrow (4pm NZT): (4-4-2) Gleeson; Myers, Boxall, Smith (c), Hogg; Bertos, Clapham/McGeorge, Payne, Rojas; Fallon, Wood.

Hows the pitch looking?

How on earth did he not get sent off for that? Even if that was a tackle near the halfway line it would have been a red card.

Without the hindsight of watching replays I thought Gleeson was good although struggled a bit under pressure during corners/crosses.  bertos was mud in the first game, while brockie was good in the second  Kosta pretty quiet yesterday.  Wood's touch needs a lot of work.  Clapham seemed alright, but probably should have gave away a penalty.  Not sure on Killen.  GOt on the balls lots, but defensively lost.  Quite often caught in the attacking line.

Media accreditation got revoked yesterday because I wasn't using it for it's intended purpose.  ie I was sitting with fans on the hill rather than in the media 'box'.

I'm not that surprised.  Island teams seem to have come along way in recent years.  Definately more defensively sounds.  Add in the heat (it is really quite oppresive) and it's a pretty tough environment.

I think I should be alirght. Few locals joined my again PNG (who held up the 'We've got Wood banner' after he scroed) and they seemed to think it shouldn't be an issue.  Guess we will see tomorrow.