All Whites v Congo DR | Sat 14th October | 5:00am NZT | Murcia, Spain

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/133096020/fulham-teenager-matt-dibleydias-ruled-out-of-all-whites-matches

Due to the tight turnaround, no replacement was sought ahead of the first match, against DR Congo in Murcia, Spain on Saturday (NZT).

“He came in, met everybody, had a couple of days’ training and was looking really good but unfortunately he sustained a slight muscle injury in the middle of the second session and he’s gone back to Fulham now to be assessed by their medical department.”

Although his time with the All Whites was fleeting, Bazeley believed Dibley-Dias had enjoyed the New Zealand environment.

“He’s one for the future and we’re keeping in touch with him regularly, and I hope to see him again soon,” Bazeley said.

“When I spoke to him just before he left he said he really enjoyed it and loved the environment, loved meeting all the players, and felt part of it.

coochiee

Rusty Dunks

Friar Tuck

Could Marley Leuluai or Corban Piper be a chance of a replacement call up?

Corban Piper would be a good call. 👍 

Folks criticise us for picking a player now from LOI (Pijinaker). Why would we bring in a guy with no international experience from a middling club in the Irish 2nd tier, so late in the piece.

I'm guessing Bazeley will just use the players he has now, and change formation if he has to, to cover the lack of midfielders. And/or try to twist Joe Bell's arm. Tuiloma & even Bindon (he's played RB for Reading so he's not a pure CB) could be makeshift DM options.

Piper should be a shout for the Olywhites in Paris though.

People criticise the fact the Pijnaker is a nailed on starter a lot of the time despite struggling as of late in the LOI.

Were Corban Piper called up he’d be a squaddie that maybe gets a few minutes at the end of a game.

Very different circumstances, plus Piper has been playing excellently by all reports and could be in the LOI next season all going well.

So what’s our starting team here?

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/fifa-to-live-stream-more-fifa-world-cup-26-south-american-qualifiers?cid=(p_twitter)(cc_twittercard)

New Zealand v DR Congo

Worldwide (excluding Africa, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland and Belgium).

Rondo on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/V1LH1xpxuy

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) October 12, 2023

With Dibley-Dias out, Bell out, and no A  League guys (Rufer and Lewis) the midfield is looking very thin?

The thing that I'm a bit worried about with our current squad. There are not many players that have been getting decent game time for there clubs. Be it returning from injury or just being bench players. So we are lacking match fitness through the team.
Probably not an issue for a one off game. But 2 games in 4 days is going to be challenging. (there was already some mention of players returning to clubs after the first game).
For me the most importanat game is against Australia. As we are actually playing for something. And the result of that game will get more media attention back here in NZ, especially if we can get a win and bragging rights.
How the coaching stuff manage the players will be key. Be it some kind of rotation to manage minutes and also keep clubs happy with load on players returning from injury. The lack of depth at CDM complicates this somewhat.
But looking forward to the games and really hope we can build on the first half showing against Qatar.

Rock Hopper

watching_from_far

Can watch replys but only after then end of game! Not like sky where you can start from the beginning when the game is yet to be completed. At least that my experience with it, I maybe wrong.

Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to to me, mate. Really appreciate the insight. I'm not great with technology but comforting to know I can now find a two hour block somewhere this weekend to still be able to catch the game without having the result spoilt. All whites games are such a rarity, I'd hate to miss out. 

Will say with the new NZF/Fifa+ deal I will miss Spoons and Piney's enthusiasm in the commentary box.

Looks like Piney will be commentating.

🎙️ With commentary from @pineynz https://t.co/TxiLPI5JUD

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) October 12, 2023

I'm gona go with -
Tzanev
Kirwan, Boxall, Bindon, Cacace
Stamenic, Garbett, Singh
McCowatt, Waine, Wood

With Tuiloma coming off the bench early and slotting in as DM, or even going 3 CBs for last 30 odd mins - as a fatigued Garbett exits. Singh to play central unlike what he has been doing in Germany last few seasons.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/133118967/all-whites-journey-to-2026-world-cup-begins-in-earnest-with-dr-congo-friendly

The places most up for grabs are likely to be those alongside Wood up front in the 4-3-3 system the All Whites are set to favour this World Cup cycle, with Joey Champness, Alex Greive, Elijah Just, Max Mata, Callum McCowatt and Ben Waine all seeking goals to push themselves to the top of the pack.

Bazeley indicated he would be looking to select as strong a team as possible against DR Congo, even though a clash with the Socceroos for the recently rediscovered Soccer Ashes trophy awaits in London just four days later.

DR Congo are ranked 40 places higher in the world than New Zealand by FIFA and were one of 12 teams to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations by winning their group. Their squad is largely drawn from teams in top European leagues, with Galatasaray forward Cédric Bakambu their leading scorer.

Bit of an 11th hour announcement but game to be broadcast on TVNZ.

Better late than never. Awesome announcement I was worried being exclusively on the Fifa+ platform was going to take away viewing from the casuals. Looks like NZF following in NZC's footsteps. This will certainly add a bit of excitement Wednesday morning at work.

Tommy Smith released back to his club team, means Bindon must surely make a starting debut with Boxall.

Baze has also confirmed a 4-3-3 formation. Going to be very attacking lineups with either Singh or McCowatt being in the midfield 3, unless Baze does something interesting like playing Bill at DM. 

Sounds like Tuiloma & Kirwan will be the RBs, maybe getting a start each over the window. Who starts out of Bindon & Pijanker will be an interesting call.

🥇 The winning team at our final session before DR Congo 🥇 pic.twitter.com/e3jj5VsT2w

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) October 13, 2023

Don’t think I’ll be able to catch this one live so …

Fire up and
Come on you All Whites! 

Based on opening minute or so- this could be a very long night

Congo triggering the press as soon as our CBs pass - and its causing all sorts of problems.

Pineys doing his best to keep my eyes open but christ I'm struggling. Singh's passing is still gorgeous though, in good news

NZ waking up now. Left hand side looking pretty promising Singh, Cacace and Just is a sexy prospect

Singh with a delightful chipped ball into Wood. Wood with a wide touch ruins the chance

We've missed Singh, plain and simple. He adds so much to team, we look so much better having him on the pitch. Hopefully he's done with his long-term injury problems because he's absolutely key

Congo’s left back is looking particularly weak having been taken off the ball by Waine and co a number of times when he could easily have cleared. This feels like ours to win so let’s keep the focus.

Singh's been the big positive for mine so far. But almost surprisingly our defensive shape and play has been excellent.

Smart pressing, lots of running and following the runners, and cutting down/really limiting their front third so far. Good to see, and a good watch so far.

He'd just drifted out of the game this last little while, but a delightful ball from Singh frees Just who nearly breaks the deadlock. 

I've missed that man in this setup.

Really happy with that half - if we can get the right clicking a bit more, this team is looking very promising

Nice weather here at the game. Thanks NZF for the tickets. 

Think Kirwin, Wood and Waine have been a bit poor but Libby, Boxy, Stamenic and Sigh been good.

McCowatt invisible and still worried that Pijnaker will cost us a goal.

One thing that is obvious is that the boys are not used to playing with each other, not all on the same page passing wise but good signs ahead for the big game on Tuesday.

Fudgeing hell that's poor.

Welp. Off to a ripper in the second half...
There's that Pjinaker goal you were worried about, Marto.

Cacace and Tzanev error leads to a Congo tap in early doors second half

Well that was a sharke start to the second half. 🥴

Marto

Fudgeing hell that's poor. Pijnaker not marking his man.

Thats not Pijnaker's fault. 

maynardf

Marto

Fudgeing hell that's poor. Pijnaker not marking his man.

Thats not Pijnaker's fault. 

True, from where I'm sat it looked like him.

Better! 
Get Singh and Just on the ball. Two of our better players so far.

Michael Boxall got some serious speed in those 35 year old legs. 😳

Pijnaker is not fast enough for international level. Boxall is quicker and can cover more ground and he is in his 30s. Give bindon some minutes.

Hopefully by the next world cup Surman and Bindon are the standout pairing for the all whites. Nando is a great dude and I think he's worth a go for the nix, but at 25 I can't see him getting much better and currently I think he would get picked apart at a tournament. His pace is a liability unfortunately 

Good to see Garbett come on for Waine who has been ineffective this morning - Too easily brushed off the ball in possession at times. Hardly in the game either to be fair.

Ref has lost control

mrsmiis

Ref has lost control

 ?

Jazzy Jeff

Hopefully by the next world cup Surman and Bindon are the standout pairing for the all whites. Nando is a great dude and I think he's worth a go for the nix, but at 25 I can't see him getting much better and currently I think he would get picked apart at a tournament. His pace is a liability unfortunately 

Reckon the Auckland Black Knights will make a move for him to be honest.

Far better money on offer in the A-League, some would argue a better lifestyle as well, but I guess it depends on his aspirations and whether he has put a stake in the ground on whether staying on Europe is the best move for him. So unless that rumoured League One interest comes back in the next window that's where I favour he will end up.

Congo look a lot more like scoring (again) then us.

We look pretty rusty, like a pre season game.