Quite a fan of the draw given we didnt get to face off against Tahiti in the Nations cup just been, and its been a while since we've been allowed a crack at a minor OFC nation for a blowout paddling that might stir the move to AFC pot once more. Max Mata vs Ben Mata face off could be a good one to watch.
Edit: what the heck am I talking about? It was New Caledonia that quite understandably pulled out of the Nations cup not Tahiti.... as you were...
Its a pity its two groups. Would have preferred a round robin league, playing each other once with the best team qualifying. That sort of draw would actually help the nations as they would end up playing a lot more games then they normally do.
ie seven games instead of three for all sides involved.
There might be 3 pool games in each of the Oct and Sept windows as it sounds like they will all be in one location with no traveling. Like a mini tourney
That would give each team min 6 Pool games
I may have that wrong. Bit odd they are not using 3 windows just 2, for the pool games
There might be 3 pool games in each of the Oct and Sept windows as it sounds like they will all be in one location with no traveling. Like a mini tourney
That would give each team min 6 Pool games
I may have that wrong. Bit odd they are not using 3 windows just 2, for the pool games
I wonder if, given the suspicions over the goal scoring sting carried by both the young pretenders Waine and Mata, we might see either of de Jong or Collier in an All White shirt?
They are both curious players who’d make things a bit interesting, with de Jong having had a good run in South Africa of late.
They could offer service and support of a different kind and perhaps a goal or two of their own. And they’re both quite physically imposing, even if they’re not reknown headers of the ball.
I guess it’s unlikely as we’re often looking to young players, but if we get games without Woodsy you wonder how either of them would go, as very experienced pros now.
Compared to say, Just, who’s had quite an extended run with 26 caps, though he’s perhaps the only genuine winger. Collier has 2 caps and de Jong 10.
Similarly re a spell in the A league. In this league you never know. Could be Monty Paterson returns, but could find a Smeltz-like renaissance after he’d been in non-league in the UK.
I wonder if, given the suspicions over the goal scoring sting carried by both the young pretenders Waine and Mata, we might see either of de Jong or Collier in an All White shirt?
They are both curious players who’d make things a bit interesting, with de Jong having had a good run in South Africa of late.
They could offer service and support of a different kind and perhaps a goal or two of their own. And they’re both quite physically imposing, even if they’re not reknown headers of the ball.
I guess it’s unlikely as we’re often looking to young players, but if we get games without Woodsy you wonder how either of them would go, as very experienced pros now.
Compared to say, Just, who’s had quite an extended run with 26 caps, though he’s perhaps the only genuine winger. Collier has 2 caps and de Jong 10.
Similarly re a spell in the A league. In this league you never know. Could be Monty Paterson returns, but could find a Smeltz-like renaissance after he’d been in non-league in the UK.
Mata yes, Waine no. Waine is completely different class to Mata, I don't see any issues with him leading the line in absence of Wood.
Mata and Waine are different sort of players. Waine definitely has more upside, but bigger bodied Mata still better equipped for now to play the lone striker role.
Waine's big work on - both Plymouth & AWs - is getting involved more, especially if he doesn't have much close support up front. He's got to have more touches, more involvement, can't afford to be anonymous. Big test for him these 3 games in France. With no Wood, he's the main man leading the line.
He's got to offer a good outlet for hold up play up front, especially when the team are struggling to escape a hard press. No good if his team mates pump it forward, and he just loses it time and again.
Mata and Waine are different sort of players. Waine definitely has more upside, but bigger bodied Mata still better equipped for now to play the lone striker role.
Waine's big work on - both Plymouth & AWs - is getting involved more, especially if he doesn't have much close support up front. He's got to have more touches, more involvement, can't afford to be anonymous. Big test for him these 3 games in France. With no Wood, he's the main man leading the line.
He's got to offer a good outlet for hold up play up front, especially when the team are struggling to escape a hard press. No good if his team mates pump it forward, and he just loses it time and again.
Little bit of cognitive dissonance when comparing Waine's pretty good striker performance this morning to this comment. Waine seems to me a far better hold up player and goal threat than Mata, and those are arguably Mata's best attributes. That's before we even touch on the fact that hitting it long to the striker and hoping is far from our preferred approach.
I don't think Mata is equipped to play any major role at international level at this stage based on what I've seen, but I guess his time in Auckland will tell us more.
Waine is struggling sure, but in the Championship and still getting minutes whereas Mata isn't even considered good enough for that in the division below, in a league where his more target man style of play is the bread and butter. I don't understand the fact that this is even being discussed, there's daylight between them.
Mata and Waine are different sort of players. Waine definitely has more upside, but bigger bodied Mata still better equipped for now to play the lone striker role.
Waine's big work on - both Plymouth & AWs - is getting involved more, especially if he doesn't have much close support up front. He's got to have more touches, more involvement, can't afford to be anonymous. Big test for him these 3 games in France. With no Wood, he's the main man leading the line.
He's got to offer a good outlet for hold up play up front, especially when the team are struggling to escape a hard press. No good if his team mates pump it forward, and he just loses it time and again.
Little bit of cognitive dissonance when comparing Waine's pretty good striker performance this morning to this comment. Waine seems to me a far better hold up player and goal threat than Mata, and those are arguably Mata's best attributes. That's before we even touch on the fact that hitting it long to the striker and hoping is far from our preferred approach.
I don't think Mata is equipped to play any major role at international level at this stage based on what I've seen, but I guess his time in Auckland will tell us more.
Waine is struggling sure, but in the Championship and still getting minutes whereas Mata isn't even considered good enough for that in the division below, in a league where his more target man style of play is the bread and butter. I don't understand the fact that this is even being discussed, there's daylight between them.
Yeah Mata vs Greive is a fair argument but they’re not on Waineo’s level
Tbf to Mata he did play 22 games at a struggling club in League One.
But if you compare them to Woodsy, Wood’s often led the line by himself and often gone on scoring streaks of back to back goals or 8 from 9 etc etc.
Even at the Nix Waineo wasn’t expected to lead the line much, though he had a couple of runs of scoring.
Let’s at least concede that it has been a long time since either scored ten goals in a league, if ever, and the man they’re replacing has done that 5 times in the EPL. Okay, not including LOI sorry Max.
Anyway, a flight of fancy I have from time to time, but I wondered about having a look at one or both of these lanky lads as a second player in an around the box to either link play and support the strikers or nick a few themselves.
And if you look at a player like Just who’s had a lot of game time, I wouldn’t mind checking out his competition for the forward line.
The other thing from a moneyball point of view is you need to replace Wood’s goals, but not necessarily Wood himself.
Mata and Waine are different sort of players. Waine definitely has more upside, but bigger bodied Mata still better equipped for now to play the lone striker role.
Waine's big work on - both Plymouth & AWs - is getting involved more, especially if he doesn't have much close support up front. He's got to have more touches, more involvement, can't afford to be anonymous. Big test for him these 3 games in France. With no Wood, he's the main man leading the line.
He's got to offer a good outlet for hold up play up front, especially when the team are struggling to escape a hard press. No good if his team mates pump it forward, and he just loses it time and again.
Little bit of cognitive dissonance when comparing Waine's pretty good striker performance this morning to this comment. Waine seems to me a far better hold up player and goal threat than Mata, and those are arguably Mata's best attributes. That's before we even touch on the fact that hitting it long to the striker and hoping is far from our preferred approach.
I don't think Mata is equipped to play any major role at international level at this stage based on what I've seen, but I guess his time in Auckland will tell us more.
Waine is struggling sure, but in the Championship and still getting minutes whereas Mata isn't even considered good enough for that in the division below, in a league where his more target man style of play is the bread and butter. I don't understand the fact that this is even being discussed, there's daylight between them.
I've only seen highlights of the Guinea match this morning. If Waine had a good match that's great news. I only want him to succeed, especially with the Woodsman near the end of his great (by NZ standards) career.
Waineo is still 23. Heaps of potential upside. Some on here have said he should return to the ALM. That's dumb. He only has to look to Wood and his 10 year slog in L1/The Championship before cracking the EPL. A great role model and mentor for Waine. Hopefully the maligned coach Rooney can also help this coming season.
But for the AWs Ben has struggled to make much of an impression against the bigger teams. He got 20-30 mins off the bench against Egypt and was completely anonymous. He started against Sweden last year - yes likely the toughest opponent AWs have had the last few years - and offered next to little. A game where we badly needed an outtlet forward, as they just caused us to lose the ball in bad areas with their hard press and bang, bang, bang we conceded 3 goals in 6 mins. Yet we almost blindly continued to try to play it out from the back as the only option.
Not saying Mata would in anyway have changed the result against a top team like the Swedes in Stockholm, but he does definitely offer something a bit different to Waine. The best example being against Ireland in Dublin (yes step down definitely from Sweden), where Mata came on for Wood and got himself in 2-3 half scoring positions. Failed to obviously convert any, and that is where he often looks poor. His finishing is pretty bloody average. But you do notice him on the pitch. He can get lots of touches. He makes himself a nuisance. Whilst with Waine you can wonder whether he is on the field, against the bigger teams.
I don't watch Plymouth games, but it seems last season that it was similar feedback. A bit anonymous, especially if on as a lone striker on the road. and the Pigrims were just hanging on trying to grind out a win/draw, playing deep. And yeah that's tough for anyone, let along a young 21-22 kid still learning about the UK scene.
But there are enough differences between Mata and Waine, for Bazeley to sometimes lately choose Max to start ahead of Ben. Baze sees these guys close up in camp, would watch alot of their club stuff, and is obviously analysing the AWs opponents working out who is the best fit in Wood's absence. He's in the best position to judge, and lately he's seen enough from Mata to pick him.
That may not continue for the September window - when hopefully Wood is available anyway - and yeah I agree longer term Waine is the better player, greater likely upside etc. Mata will likely always be one of those guys frustrating to watch, regularly failing to convert good chances, often a poor first touch etc etc. But for the mean time he does do somethings better than Waine, namely yeah that hold up play, and higher involvement. That may quickly cease, as Waine improves. Who knows.
Mata had no pre season at Shrewsbury. He will have no such excuses on loan with Auckland FC this ALM season. But Shrewsbury decided to keep him, not release him on a free. So they must feel he could yet be good enough for League One. We wait to see how he goes with AFC.
Note today Guinea's 3 CBs were aged 19, 21 & 21. The US will be a different sort of test for Waineo. They have 2 o/a very experienced veteran MLS, CBs in Zimmerman (31) & Robinson (27).
USA's experienced CBs didn't help them much to keep France out.
Didn't see that game either, but watched highlights of France's warmups against Paraguay & Dominican Republic. The French have some awesome talent. Our last game against them will be very very tough. Hopefully they are already through to the quarters and rest a few. It is a congested match schedule and it's hot.
But yeah we are a chance against the Americans. They (their U23s) weren't great pre the Olympics, and they have a heap of eligible players unavailable.
So far, this Olympics campaign isn't having much impact on the All Whites pecking order.
Sutton isn't exactly claiming the back up left back spot for himself. It is there for the taking for McGarry & Wilkins, maybe even de Vries if he can claim the starting role at Auckland and have a good season there.
Bindon won't be taking the right back spot from Payne, and he along with Boxall & Surman remain the best 3 centre back options. Would be good to see Sheridan get a run against France, little to lose now. Roux, Kirwan, Elliott and Ingham also in the mix for that spot.
Randall has done OK but probably remains behind Old, Just, McCowatt & maybe even Rojas for now. Herdman & Bayliss won't be getting a senior call up in a hurry.
Paulsen still hasn't done enough to usurp Crocombe yet, and of course Waine won't be taking Wood's starting spot anytime soon.
Garbett and Bell holding onto their starting midfield roles, though Bell has to be mindful of Rufer after Garbett was given the armband ahead of him (but I think Bazeley probably doesn't consider Rufer as close to Bell as most on here).
Edit: and of course Singh is Singh and there is only one Sarpreet Singh... But he needs to get his club career going again. Tuiloma has been dropped for not playing and I think eventually it will happen to Singh as well
Only point where I would differ is in my view Alex should have been number one already in the Oceania games. The logic has been is that the number one hasn’t played badly for the All Whites. To counter that.
1: the number 1 has played bugger all for the All Whites 2: I can’t remember Stefan having a bad game for the All Whites either 3: Should have had Alex developing his combinations with players like Bindon earlier. 4: Above all he clearly is the better player and will be number one in the next World Cup
Only point where I would differ is in my view Alex should have been number one already in the Oceania games. The logic has been is that the number one hasn’t played badly for the All Whites. To counter that.
1: the number 1 has played bugger all for the All Whites 2: I can’t remember Stefan having a bad game for the All Whites either 3: Should have had Alex developing his combinations with players like Bindon earlier. 4: Above all he clearly is the better player and will be number one in the next World Cup
But like I said, otherwise a very good summary
I like the reasoning.
I guess I’m pro-Crocombe as number one based on sentiment, his consistent form over a couple of tough league campaigns and that he’s possibly a bit bigger and tidier in his area.
That and the major point of difference is really Alex is able to play out from the back exceptionally well. I don’t trust Bazeley enough to get them playing out from the back and I don’t know if that’s the style he wants to pursue in any case.
I feel like Crocombe has earned it. But possibly not the major consideration?
Especially if Alex ends up not getting a starting berth this season.
Mauricio Pochettino agrees to become USA head coach. Argentine top target to succeed Gregg Berhalter in #USMNT role heading towards 2026 World Cup. 52yo worked with US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker at Southampton @TheAthleticFC after US reports
Pffftt. No match for our Baze. Highlights the different financial resources between say US Soccer, and minnows like NZF.
The USMNT plays Canada in a high profile friendly, 3 days before us. Canada having a much better Copa America, than the Americans. Hopefully Pochettino & staff's focus will all be on that game, and play more a 2nd XI against us.
🚨 Mauricio Pochettino agrees to become USA head coach. Argentine top target to succeed Gregg Berhalter in #USMNT role heading towards 2026 World Cup. 52yo worked with US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker at Southampton @TheAthleticFC after US reports https://t.co/aOufvnFvQj
Best sort of opponent we could realistically hope for, with WC qualifying underway around the globe.
Also given the need with FIFA travel restriction rules in International windows, that AWs had to play somewhere in OFC. The first game in the Oct window being Taihiti in Vanuatu.
Two games in the Oct window, rather than just the Taihiti game, makes it more worthwhile flying in the bigger names based up north. Well done NZF for finding a game.
AWs to play 5 games in NZ between October & March next year. A feast. Malaysia might be the toughest game of the lot.
Honestly it's just getting a bit tiring - I love seeing our national sides in action and have flown to Auckland/Welly for lots of these games, but don't think I can be bothered anymore because it seems the 1.3M of us who live in the South Island don't matter
Tricky for the October window, with first game in Vanuatu, then 2nd game in NZ. You have most of your team flying in on long haul flights from Europe. You tack a couple of Akld-ChCh flights onto that, and it's becomes more time flying, hanging around airports than on grass.
But November no real excuse with both games in NZ. The 2nd game in Nov, likely against Samoa they could run out a Mainland Football XI and go close to a win.
You should lobby NZF to bring the semi final in March to ChCh.
Auckland game aside - Really pleased with this. There weren't too many available opposition teams kicking about and NZF have managed to suss someone from a different confederation to fly over, in turn making it more worthwhile to fly some of our own big guns over.
Might have to put some pennies aside and see if I can fly up to the big smoke for the game.
Tricky for the October window, with first game in Vanuatu, then 2nd game in NZ. You have most of your team flying in on long haul flights from Europe. You tack a couple of Akld-ChCh flights onto that, and it's becomes more time flying, hanging around airports than on grass.
But November no real excuse with both games in NZ. The 2nd game in Nov, likely against Samoa they could run out a Mainland Football XI and go close to a win.
You should lobby NZF to bring the semi final in March to ChCh.
Considering the tradition of WC playoff games being in Wellington and the fixtures are close together, I have an inkling both March games will be in Wellington. Prove me wrong, NZF
That was a two game series in 2006. I went to the AW’s v Malaysia game at QEII park a few days prior. From memory 10,000 spectators watched Steven Old smash a loose ball into the roof of the net with a few minutes to spare to save us from an uninspiring draw.
I’d expect the AW’s of today would cruise to victory. Wusty Wab
Been quite a while since we last played them. 2nd time we will vs Malaysia at North Harbour.
One of their right backs is Perth born and former Perth Glory player Matthew Davies. He is eligible for Malaysia through his mother and made his debut for the national team in 2015.
Malaysia's current captain centre-back Dion Cools grew up in Belgium and did originally play for their U18, U19, and U21 sides before choosing to play for Malaysia. He apparently was in discussions at one point about playing for China through his mother's ancestry, however nothing eventuated.
Built up a decent amount of experience while he was playing in Europe, over 100 games for Club Brugge and over 50 for Reid's first professional club FC Midtjylland.
Honestly it's just getting a bit tiring - I love seeing our national sides in action and have flown to Auckland/Welly for lots of these games, but don't think I can be bothered anymore because it seems the 1.3M of us who live in the South Island don't matter
I fully understand where you are coming from dude, as someone who has done a variety of commutes to watch the Nix and the AWs. But we had no football in NZ for two years or something? This is a big improvement.
NZF isn’t the cash flush machine that is AFC! If you want to get a game get your clubs and local council to lobby for it. It would probably have to be the first game in a window, with a second game in Auckland.
Alternatively it could work with a mostly local squad from Nix/AFC plus Libby or Old or something like that and play two games with a day in Queenstown in between or something like that. The question then is an opposition who wants to travel to the South Island and doesn’t mind a friendly, but is still competitive.
It’s a difficult, but not impossible event to organise. Especially if there’s momentum off this ‘Kiwi Classico’ business. Prove it can be done and the crowds will come and then it’ll be easier to do a second or third time.
Honestly it's just getting a bit tiring - I love seeing our national sides in action and have flown to Auckland/Welly for lots of these games, but don't think I can be bothered anymore because it seems the 1.3M of us who live in the South Island don't matter
I fully understand where you are coming from dude, as someone who has done a variety of commutes to watch the Nix and the AWs. But we had no football in NZ for two years or something? This is a big improvement.
NZF isn’t the cash flush machine that is AFC! If you want to get a game get your clubs and local council to lobby for it. It would probably have to be the first game in a window, with a second game in Auckland.
Alternatively it could work with a mostly local squad from Nix/AFC plus Libby or Old or something like that and play two games with a day in Queenstown in between or something like that. The question then is an opposition who wants to travel to the South Island and doesn’t mind a friendly, but is still competitive.
It’s a difficult, but not impossible event to organise. Especially if there’s momentum off this ‘Kiwi Classico’ business. Prove it can be done and the crowds will come and then it’ll be easier to do a second or third time.
Also the Ferns have played 5 games in the South Island since 2022.
