we've played them twice at home in World Cup qualifiers, both at what is now QBE. 5-1 and 6-1 wins, so another cool evening and we'll have the job done before the return match. (1 win and 1 draw in away qualifiers against the Solomons)
11 June 2001, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
New Zealand 5 (Vaughan Coveny 27, 50, Chris Jackson 35, 55, Paul Urlovic 67)
Solomon Islands 1 (Batram Suri 82)
HT 2-0. Ref: Intaz Shah (Fiji).
NZL: Ross Nicholson - Chris Zoricich, Ryan Nelsen, Ivan Vicelich, Jonathan Perry, Simon Elliott, Chris Jackson, Mark Burton (Noah Hickey 56), Mark Atkinson, Vaughan Coveny (Scott Smith 76), Aaran Lines (Paul Urlovic 64).
11 September 2012, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
New Zealand 6 (Shane Smeltz 12, Kosta Barbarouses 25, Chris Killen 53, Tony Lochhead 69, Chris Wood 80, Marco Rojas 83)
Solomon Islands 1 (Henry Fa'arodo 51)
HT 2-0. Ref: Bertrand Billon (New Caledonia).
NZL: Mark Paston - Winston Reid, Ryan Nelsen (Ben Sigmund 73), Tommy Smith, Leo Bertos, Michael McGlinchey, Ivan Vicelich (Marco Rojas 81), Tony Lochhead, Kosta Barbarouses, Shane Smeltz (Chris Wood 73), Chris Killen.
Wow that 2012 team is a very very strong team. 10 players at Championship level or better, with plus two A-league stars in Smeltz and Rojas. Still missing a mid perhaps. No Andy Barron or Simon Elliot!
Not sure about 10 players at Championship level or better, but yipe agree a very strong team (by AWs standards), basically 2010 WC side. Just Weemac in for Elliott & Kosta for Rory.
Current side have potential but few notches below that 2012 version - esp if looking for calm, cool experienced heads. Don't see AWs 2017 having it so easy against SI.