Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
coochiee
Think NZF would be more keen on that OFC tourney early Jan, when most Euro leagues (apart from England) are on some sort of winter break, so good chance of getting a strong squad together. By end of Jan/early Feb some leagues (Germany, Eredivisie etc) are back up and playing.

Also think UEFA have decided not to recognise that Jan 24th-Feb 1st window. So could lead to real complications securing a close to full strength team, ie club verus country.

I don't believe Uefa have chosen not to recognise it. It just isn't for Uefa nations, as it's replacing a window where Uefa nations still played in 2020. I would be staggered if the OFC qualifying tournament was not granted proper tournament window status, but if that was to happen, having a big chunk of it inside that existing window would likely be helpful.
One in a million
4K
·
9.5K
·
almost 17 years
I thought the whole 50 was really well thought out Piney, well done. I would rather have Sail in between the sticks than Woud was my only difference of opinion.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
I thought the whole 50 was really well thought out Piney, well done. I would rather have Sail in between the sticks than Woud was my only difference of opinion.

Any chance of posting numbers 21-50 out of curiousity.
Trialist
2
·
1
·
over 2 years
coochiee
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
I thought the whole 50 was really well thought out Piney, well done. I would rather have Sail in between the sticks than Woud was my only difference of opinion.

Any chance of posting numbers 21-50 out of curiousity.
  1. Chris Wood
  2. Winston Reid
  3. Ryan Thomas
  4. Joe Bell
  5. Liberato Cacace
  6. Sarpreet Singh
  7. Michael Boxall
  8. Gianni Stensness
  9. Michael Woud
  10. Elijah Just
  11. Tim Payne
  12. Callum McCowatt
  13. Kosta Barbarouses
  14. Nando Pijnaker
  15. Clayton Lewis
  16. Marco Rojas
  17. Oli Sail
  18. Marko Stamenic
  19. Bill Tuiloma
  20. Matt Garbett
  21. Dane Ingham
  22. James McGarry
  23. Stefan Marinovic
  24. Nikko Boxall
  25. Elliot Collier
  26. Joey Champness
  27. Noah Billingsley
  28. Ben Waine
  29. Alex Rufer 
  30. Tommy Smith
  31. Joel Stevens
  32. Callan Elliot
  33. George Stanger
  34. Niko Kirwan
  35. Louis Fenton
  36. Deklan Wynne
  37. Storm Roux
  38. Sam Sutton
  39. James Musa
  40. Max Mata
  41. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi
  42. Nik Tzanev
  43. Logan Rogerson
  44. Dan Morgan
  45. Andre Do Jong
  46. Matthew Ridenton
  47. Max Crocombe
  48. Cam Howieson
  49. Jack-Henry Sinclair
  50. Jeremy Brockie
Starting XI
2K
·
4.7K
·
almost 17 years
YoungHeart
Any news on when we're playing next?

I see there is an article locked away behind the NZH paywall that we're looking at up to four matches in October/November windows in Europe or the Middle East. 

Anyone that pays for it wanna give us a rundown? Also, how likely is it that we will hear anything concrete out of this?




Forget the middle East. Red zoned by Europe, no players will be allowed to travel there.
Starting XI
2.9K
·
2.5K
·
over 5 years
Credit to Piney for putting this out there. Makes a great discussion piece.
My only comment. I'd still have Rojas much further up the order and in my first XI. He had a few injury issues this year, but is still known quality.  I'd have him starting instead of Just at this stage in there careers anyway.
Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
Marto
YoungHeart
Any news on when we're playing next?

I see there is an article locked away behind the NZH paywall that we're looking at up to four matches in October/November windows in Europe or the Middle East. 

Anyone that pays for it wanna give us a rundown? Also, how likely is it that we will hear anything concrete out of this?




Forget the middle East. Red zoned by Europe, no players will be allowed to travel there.
Since reading this comment I've looked up the situation in Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK for travellers from Bahrain/Jordan/Kuwait/UAE (where Jordan have played recent 'home' fixtures) and it's just not the case.

Terminology varies but those countries are all roughly amber/orange/medium risk and pose no problems for vaccinated travellers (and that's before you get to any exemptions for athletes).

Edit: Not by any means claiming to know every in and out, 15 minutes of looking at this stuff makes me feel for those at NZ Football having to wade through it all, some countries might differ to others, but the claim that the Middle East is red-zoned by Europe is rubbish.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
As you AV, or someone else mentioned earlier in this thread, Qatar are playing the Group A UEFA teams over the next few months in friendlies.

They played Serbia yesterday in Debrecen, Hungary and play Portgual also there in a few days. So some ME teams at least are getting into Europe.
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
theprof
Hopefully, but I won’t believe it until I see the players walk out onto the pitch
WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
RattMidenton
coochiee
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
I thought the whole 50 was really well thought out Piney, well done. I would rather have Sail in between the sticks than Woud was my only difference of opinion.

Any chance of posting numbers 21-50 out of curiousity.
  1. Chris Wood
  2. Winston Reid
  3. Ryan Thomas
  4. Joe Bell
  5. Liberato Cacace
  6. Sarpreet Singh
  7. Michael Boxall
  8. Gianni Stensness
  9. Michael Woud
  10. Elijah Just
  11. Tim Payne
  12. Callum McCowatt
  13. Kosta Barbarouses
  14. Nando Pijnaker
  15. Clayton Lewis
  16. Marco Rojas
  17. Oli Sail
  18. Marko Stamenic
  19. Bill Tuiloma
  20. Matt Garbett
  21. Dane Ingham
  22. James McGarry
  23. Stefan Marinovic
  24. Nikko Boxall
  25. Elliot Collier
  26. Joey Champness
  27. Noah Billingsley
  28. Ben Waine
  29. Alex Rufer 
  30. Tommy Smith
  31. Joel Stevens
  32. Callan Elliot
  33. George Stanger
  34. Niko Kirwan
  35. Louis Fenton
  36. Deklan Wynne
  37. Storm Roux
  38. Sam Sutton
  39. James Musa
  40. Max Mata
  41. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi
  42. Nik Tzanev
  43. Logan Rogerson
  44. Dan Morgan
  45. Andre Do Jong
  46. Matthew Ridenton
  47. Max Crocombe
  48. Cam Howieson
  49. Jack-Henry Sinclair
  50. Jeremy Brockie

So wish Dave Mulligan was no. 50.

The idea of this list obviously lifted from Football365, who always put Phil Neville in at 50. Mulligan is surely the NZ equivalent?
WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
theprof

YF armchair managers; what would your Europe/USA All Whites team be?

Assume a squad of 20.
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
2128149A-4204-4CEB-A7FA-8C2A1ECCAC2F.jpeg 120.21 KB

Gone a 23 man/3 goalkeeper squad, because I’d started before the edit, and national squads are typically 23 as that’s what it is for tournaments. Assumed Reid is still injured as there’s been no word. Fullbacks are light so I’d have Pijnaker play leftback as he’s played there before, and Nikko Boxall ahead of Billingsley who hasn’t been able to start in USL. Collier not really a number 9, so could have McCowatt play as a false 9 like at the U20s World Cup. 

Close runs: Stevens, F de Vries, Mata, Billingsley, Stanger, Wilkins
WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
carlind
2128149A-4204-4CEB-A7FA-8C2A1ECCAC2F.jpeg 120.21 KB

Gone a 23 man/3 goalkeeper squad, because I’d started before the edit, and national squads are typically 23 as that’s what it is for tournaments. Assumed Reid is still injured as there’s been no word. Fullbacks are light so I’d have Pijnaker play leftback as he’s played there before, and Nikko Boxall ahead of Billingsley who hasn’t been able to start in USL. Collier not really a number 9, so could have McCowatt play as a false 9 like at the U20s World Cup. 

Close runs: Stevens, F de Vries, Mata, Billingsley, Stanger, Wilkins
Nice squad and reasonings. How did you do that graphic?
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
Rusty Dunks
carlind
2128149A-4204-4CEB-A7FA-8C2A1ECCAC2F.jpeg 120.21 KB

Gone a 23 man/3 goalkeeper squad, because I’d started before the edit, and national squads are typically 23 as that’s what it is for tournaments. Assumed Reid is still injured as there’s been no word. Fullbacks are light so I’d have Pijnaker play leftback as he’s played there before, and Nikko Boxall ahead of Billingsley who hasn’t been able to start in USL. Collier not really a number 9, so could have McCowatt play as a false 9 like at the U20s World Cup. 

Close runs: Stevens, F de Vries, Mata, Billingsley, Stanger, Wilkins
Nice squad and reasonings. How did you do that graphic?

First website on google for lineup builder
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Given there is only about 30-35 guys in Europe/USA to pick from, it's not hard to select 80% of the team, providing everyone is available. 3 keepers for example set in stone. Crocombe & Searle as backups.

Kyle Adams in USL maybe worth a look. Been on fringes of MLS. Not sure what's happened to Billingsley. Did well last year getting a few late season MLS games at Minnesota, now getting no mins at Phoenix in the USL. Been injured?
Deklan Wynne finally resurrecting his career Stateside.

If (if) there are AWs games, could be some club verus country friction, as MLS play through the October window, and both Minnesota & Portland are right in the playoff hunt. Their coaches won't be keen on M Boxall & Tuiloma heading off for 7-10 days. Then MLS playoffs start 19th Nov (regular season finishes Nov 7th), with November FIFA window 8th-16th. So again tricky.

RD's scoop find Jack Iredale could be a bolter. Andre De Jong if he can somehow enter Europe/Middle East from South Africa. But imagine Sth Africa is red zoned country for Europe.

Owen Parker-Price, seems a Hay favourite. So if were a few unavailable in the midfield (Thomas seems regularly injured unfortunately), OPP would come into the frame.

Alex Grieve will be at St Mirren soon? Another bolter as a squaddie, if a few absent.


WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
Screenshot_20210904-140255_Chrome.jpg 398.01 KB

Subs: 
Woud
Billingsley....necessity rather than anything else
Wynne.....see Billingsley 
N. Boxall.....I think Reid and M. Boxall is too much of an injury concern for a one-off game, and assuming Iredale is ineligible 
Stensness 
Stamenic
Just
Garbett
Collier

If 23, then chuck in Marinovic, Stanger, and Champness. 
Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
Collier an interesting one. Seems to keep getting odd minutes, but not 90 minutes. Went a level down in the States, but got recalled to the MLS. Not a prolific goal scorer, so far anyway. 
I’m trying to think of a player to compare him to as a reference point. 
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
To me Collier has a bit of Sheridan about him. Both more wingers than out & out strikers, though both are big tall units. 

Collier good feet from his futsal days, and Sheridan had some nice touches at the Nix.

But neither put many in the net.
Sheridan 1 goal in 17 Nix appearances (admittedly only 2 starts). And since leaving the A League for Israel, Poland and now Dundee has scored 6 goals over 52 club appearances (37 starts).

Collier 1 goal in 50 appearances (14 starts) for Chicago in MLS. More prolific down in the USL with 7 goals from 37 games (25 starts).
Starting XI
2K
·
4.7K
·
almost 17 years
With matches happening this week in every confederation but ours, life as an AW fan really sucks right now.  
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
661 days without a game and none set in the future either, and 1190 days without a win back to June 2018. Of the 211 teams affiliated to FIFA, all but 7 have a won a game more recently than NZ, them being: San Marino (ranked 209), Tonga (200), American Samoa (192), Cook Islands (unranked due to inactivity), British Virgin Islands (208), Mauritius (170) and Seychelles (199). That’s dire company. Even most of the OFC teams have won more recently. We’re ranked 119th, lower than all but 9 of the European countries we aspire to beat, and our last game was a loss against one of those 9 minnows, and before that a loss to the B team of Ireland (one of two wins in their last 20 - the other against Andorra). Things really aren’t great.
Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
carlind
661 days without a game and none set in the future either, and 1190 days without a win back to June 2018. Of the 211 teams affiliated to FIFA, all but 7 have a won a game more recently than NZ, them being: San Marino (ranked 209), Tonga (200), American Samoa (192), Cook Islands (unranked due to inactivity), British Virgin Islands (208), Mauritius (170) and Seychelles (199). That’s dire company. Even most of the OFC teams have won more recently. We’re ranked 119th, lower than all but 9 of the European countries we aspire to beat, and our last game was a loss against one of those 9 minnows, and before that a loss to the B team of Ireland (one of two wins in their last 20 - the other against Andorra). Things really aren’t great.

Was puzzled by the implications of a couple of things here, then remember the mighty Pacific Games. As you were.
First Team Squad
2K
·
1.9K
·
almost 17 years
"661 days without a game"

I just want us to join Asia; if Australia can we can too. I don't even care if it's easier to qualify for the WC through Oceania (which is arguable anyway if we have to get passed the 5th placed South American team). Would rather watch regular Asian cup and Asian WC qualifying games than a few world cup games every decade or so. 

Our lack of games was an issue before Covid so lets not pretend that is why we aren't playing. Especially when Australia is playing regular games in Asia.
Trialist
88
·
140
·
over 12 years
Getting out of OFC would be the best thing for the game in this country

Harder, more regular games for our international teams will only make us better.

Plus, getting into Asia will allow the Phoenix to qualify for AFC Champions League and that can only be a good thing to help attract top players and coaches to NZ.
Starting XI
910
·
2.3K
·
almost 12 years
Hey I've got a cool idea guys maybe we should move to Asia.
First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years
Just saying...

 Hate to be the grumpy old man sounding like a broken record, but the 'move to Asia' thing will not happen. As stated (numerous times) previously, it's only possible if both AFC and OFC agree to it.  One doesn't want us, and the other knows it pretty much spells the end of them if we go.  So it won't happen.  The Aus move only came after a huge amount of expensive, Lowy-led lobbying, and a particular OFC leadership regime that wanted them gone.  Perfect storm for them, but it won't happen for us (smaller fish, less appealing market, etc)

Sure it'd be a nice dream (like recreating the qualifying from 82), but it's not happening.  And knowing that, all energies need to be focused on other solutions to our lack of quality games - other sports have solid international programmes and are less popular than football in NZ.  We need to start thinking outside the box instead of whinging about how Asia won't let us play in their sandpit, even though we bring nothing of value to their party.  We're NZ, there will be solutions, we just need the blinkers off and rip into it.  I think a 2 squad scenario (one Europe/US, one Aus/NZ) is a starting point to generate some fixtures and keep a wide pool of players active (those of international quality, on merit). 
Legend
8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
the two squad idea is a good one, trouble is I doubt the brains at NZF will come close to anything like it, instead opting for the tried and true response of "it's too hard, too costly, so we wont play any games and save money (line our own pockets)"
Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
What problem would running two squads solve? What obstacle would it overcome? 

First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years
andrewvoerman
What problem would running two squads solve? What obstacle would it overcome? 

was just an idea to try and up the chance of games, and potentially reduce travel costs as a barrier to having said games.  also expanding pool of game ready/experienced players for when meaningful matches happened.  Not saying it's brilliant, was just a possible solution to lack of games
Legend
8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
andrewvoerman
What problem would running two squads solve? What obstacle would it overcome? 


travel costs to Europe etc, no quarantine as players already there same if you had a local squad.
WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
Khalil Media
andrewvoerman
What problem would running two squads solve? What obstacle would it overcome? 

was just an idea to try and up the chance of games, and potentially reduce travel costs as a barrier to having said games.  also expanding pool of game ready/experienced players for when meaningful matches happened.  Not saying it's brilliant, was just a possible solution to lack of games

The bigger CONCACAF and CONMEBOL nations run two teams a lot of the time, or they used too at least. Same scenario, one team for the European based players, one for the locals. Pretty sure the Nordic nations do the same, from time to time. 
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
Trouble is, the European countries view us the same as we view Fiji/PNG etc, a much weaker team with one stand out attacker you recognise (Krishna/Semmy to our Wood) that you won’t get any real benefit out of playing, so you just rotate a lot, probably get a victory, fringe players get a run and hopefully no one gets injured. Whether that is right or wrong is up for debate, but respect is earned, and our only games against UEFA teams in the last few years are: 0-1 Lithuania; 1-3 Ireland; 0-4 Portugal; 0-2 Russia; 0-1 Belarus; 0-1 Northern Ireland. 

The fans chat before the Ireland game and England game which didn’t happen was almost entirely along the lines of “what’s the point of playing these guys”, and mocking the fact we started a University player (Joe Bell). Portugal aside, those teams aren’t big hitters, so losing to them isn’t a good look, and if we’re trying to get games on the Sweden/Ukraine/Czech etc level, then you have to be more competitive. If you look at the UEFA Nations League as a guide, we’d probably be around bottom league C or top league D, and so should try get games against those teams and if you win you get more street cred. There are the arguments that you won’t learn anything playing Faroe Islands (team ranked above us btw), but if you win that’s building a winning culture which is important, and also argue playing low level teams doesn’t build the brand, but neither does losing to the middling UEFA teams either as we have done in the last 5 years.

There’s almost an unearned arrogance that we think we are better than a lot of teams, and really we’ve done nothing to prove that, like we only have two regular starters in Europe’s top 15 leagues, so I’d 100% be targeting games against teams like Faroe Islands, Latvia, Estonia, Liechtenstein. If you win then that’s obviously great, and if you lose against them then you’re not really worthy of playing better teams so can’t complain.
and 4 others
Legend
8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
yeah, this is the problem with being in Oceania, we think we are the big fish (which we are in a very small pool). Put us in a bigger fish and all we end up being is a surprise to most teams and fans. We will never get to play the teams we want when the world sees us as just another pacific island team. To be taken seriously we need to be in Asia and build some credibility.
Starting XI
910
·
2.3K
·
almost 12 years
Hell of a cost to fly the squad to Europe to play the Faroe Islands though. I understand the logic of looking at UEFA nations league C and D teams, but I can’t see NZF justifying the expenditure that would require.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Fitzy
Hell of a cost to fly the squad to Europe to play the Faroe Islands though. I understand the logic of looking at UEFA nations league C and D teams, but I can’t see NZF justifying the expenditure that would require.

Around 80% of a first choice 23 man AWs squad though, are already based in Europe/MLS these days.

I know it's natural given the heritage of many Kiwis, to look to Europe. It also being the main centre of the football universe. It's also inherent in the Kiwi psyche (something to do with being at the bottom of the world?), to worry alot about what the world thinks of us. Cue any important guest on the airport tarmac having a microphone thrust up to their mouth, and an earnest journo asking 'what do you think of our beautiful country'. Then the angst if the answer isn't 100% complimentary.

But really what does it matter what an English/Scottish/German/Spanish football fan thinks of NZ football? Why does it matter at all.

Our World Cup qualifying path is through OFC, then a 2 legged playoff against someone from Sth America, CONCACAF or Asia. That's where our football focus should be for the next 9 odd months until June 2022. Then it seems from 2026 WC onwards we just need to finish top spot in OFC, to get a spot at a bloated 48 team WC.

AWs football ain't really linked to Europe at all. That's apart from trying to get the odd friendly up there, for a squad that more than ever would be made up of Euro based players. But for these Oct/Nov 2021 FIFA windows there are hardly any 'free' UEFA teams available to play. Even with these expanded FIFA windows having 3 game slots (due to Covid), there is still a very small number of teams available to play. AV has worked out a list with the 2 windows, and it isn't long.

Will definitely be hugely disappointing if NZF can't secure some Euro/Middle East friendlies this year. These guys badly need games together, before the Intercontinental Playoffs. Faroe Islands or whoever, anyone will do. But obviously ain't easy with so few free teams available to play. To be fair to NZF they showed some real intent with scheduled games against England and Belgium late last year.

But from 2023 onwards I'd be more keen on trying to be involved in some sort of AFC/OFC Nations League with meaningful competitive home & away games against Japan, Sth Korea, Australia etc etc. Incl actual games in NZ.

Don't see the point of just chasing Euro friendlies, played in the dead of a NZ night, just to soothe our insecurities that we can finally be seen to be competitive against a 2nd string big name Euro country. A nation who's fans don't give a toss about such games.


What will really change the playing future for AWs, is Infantino's plans for either a biennial World Cup or Global Nations League. A real power struggle between UEFA and the Euro club leagues in one corner, verus Infantino and rest of the football world in the other corner. Is going to have a huge say in what happens with the AWs, when and who they play beyond 2022 etc etc.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300403820/we-can-decide-not-to-play-in-it-uefa-threatens-boycott-as-fifa-unveils-biennial-world-cup-plan


Edit - at halfway point (9 of 18 games) Colombia are the 5th team in CONEMBOL. Japan & UAE are placed 3rd in the two AFC pools (after 2 of 10 games), and Panama is the 4th placed CONCACAF team after 3 of 10 rounds. 

Top 4 in CONCACAF (Mexico, USA, Canada & Panama) all with 2 points of each other (5 to 7 points). Costa Rica struggling (2 pts), but early days.

Hopefully the Intercontinetal Playoff draw is made soon, so can start following one of these Confederations with some strong interest. I remember switching between 3-4 CONEMBOL games running simultaneously in 2017, end result being Peru came through in the playoff spot.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
See that Tim Cahill was invited along to the two day FIFA Technical Advisory Group talk fest, run by Wenger. Along with likes of Ronaldo &  Schmeichel.
https://www.fifa.com/news/ronaldo-believes-international-match-calendar-changes-provide-natural-evolution

Tim Cahill, who represented Australia at four World Cup final tournaments, stressed the importance of such transparency throughout the process, pointing out the need for global investment to maintain and build football. 

“I feel now, after the presentation, with the transparency of what Arsène Wenger has put together, thinking about the future, when you have 166 countries asking for the feasibility, it’s really important that everyone can do their due diligence and add some context, which has been added today. I’m really, really forward-thinking when it comes to player development, to reinvestment of the money going into 133 countries never qualifying for a World Cup, the opportunity to make them more competitive with the investment and, on top of that, 150 countries that need investment to stay alive as federations.”

WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
If that isn't jobs for the boys, I don't know what is! 20 mins of footy talk, then off to the local golf course or knocking shop. 
Starting XI
2K
·
4.7K
·
almost 17 years
andrewvoerman
What problem would running two squads solve? What obstacle would it overcome? 

Covid.  

That's a main driver for no AW games since the garbage served up in late 2019.  Losing to Lithuania is a bad look.
WeeNix
390
·
900
·
almost 11 years
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
watching_from_far
Wasn't Ryan Nelsen at that as well?

Seems so. Wonder what Nellie thinks about a 48 team and/or biennial World Cup. Might be a story in there for NZ football reporter. Any insights into Infantino helping countries like NZ (AWs) getting more regular games, etc etc etc

New Zealand Football Retweeted
Chris Chang @ChrisChang

Spot the @NZ_Football legend among a few heavyweights of the game… 

You’ll need an account to join the conversation!

Sign in Sign up