All Whites v China | Sun 26th March | 4:00pm | Sky Stadium

djtim3000

coochiee

It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.

I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.

Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.

I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.

I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.

Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese.
I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.

I see a few things no one is mentioning:

(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.

(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular. 

(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell? 

Ted Striker

djtim3000

coochiee

It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.

I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.

Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.

I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.

I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.

Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese.
I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.

I see a few things no one is mentioning:

(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.

(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular. 

(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell? 

It's actually pretty hard to qualify for the Champions League these days. You've got a serious lack of respect for a lot of bloody decent teams. 

12k on a Thursday night in a gridass city on a Thursday night is by far better then a 10k crowd on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It is bad and I  would not be happy with that if I was Wellington.

Watch Auckland to get the one off games from here