All Whites v Egypt | Sat 23rd March | 9:00am | FIFA+

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MetalLegNZ
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I'm not a fan of McCowatt, but fair play to the lad - in the last 12 months he has seemed to grow as a player - earnt his move to a better league and I think deserves to start.

Now that he is playing a little deeper, winning tackles and creating quick counters he looks a much more threatning player than when he tried/tries to lead a line.
March 13, 2024 09:08
Rusty Dunks
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andrewvoerman
martinb
Also- I think Old and Garbett get in each other’s space? 
Based on club experiences I’d look at having another defensively strong midfielder and pushing Garbett to that LWF position. Old can then have an impact off the bench…

Hmm- though Just/Waine/Kosta are all also not chopped liver. 

Long story short I’d like to have Rufer there! Southgate ain’t wrong and Chief wasn’t wrong until Melbourne. 

Maybe 

           Crocombe 
Payne Boxy Bindon Cacace
        Bell Stamenic Old
          Singh Garbett
               Wood

Which leaves Cacace and Payne providing width, so Bell/Old need to cover their respective sides. Again I’d be worried about our midfield getting in each others way. I’d want Bell and Singh dropping deep to get the ball and to keep it moving. 
And about Old dribbling from deep. Though that’s what’s potentially great about him too. 

Alternatively: 
              Crocombe
Payne Boxy Bindon/Surman Cacace
                     Bell
      Singh   Stamenic  Garbett
Kosta          Wood          Waine

Leaving impact subs McCowatt/Old/Lewis/Just

Probably with Payne and Cacace not getting as far forward and looking to hit early crosses some of the time with Singh and Garbett getting into the box late from midfield. 

Playing 12 will help.

What a world we live in, when we can name 12 players on the field and Tim Payne should still be nowhere near that team!

March 13, 2024 11:33 · Edited March 13, 2024 11:33
kungfu panda
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theprof
Yeah if I was Rufer I'd be wondering what else I have to be doing to get a look in. Easily his best form for the Nix and yet misses out. I guess he's competing with Lewis, Bell and Garbett as the CM players? Lewis has been in decent form, dunno about Bell, not even captain now, not sure about Garbett.

I don't think that there can be any argument that Rufer is a better Holding midfielder than Lewis. So clearly they don't want to play with a Holding midfielder. 

But then I don't know anything about Bell or Garbett. 


March 13, 2024 11:57 · Edited March 13, 2024 12:09
AucklandPhoenix
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Jesus I thought it was a strong looking side 
March 13, 2024 12:48
MetalLegNZ
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By NZ standards it is - the days of severly limited players getting mins in an All Whites shirt is surely over.
March 13, 2024 13:27
martinb
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andrewvoerman
martinb
Also- I think Old and Garbett get in each other’s space? 
Based on club experiences I’d look at having another defensively strong midfielder and pushing Garbett to that LWF position. Old can then have an impact off the bench…

Hmm- though Just/Waine/Kosta are all also not chopped liver. 

Long story short I’d like to have Rufer there! Southgate ain’t wrong and Chief wasn’t wrong until Melbourne. 

Maybe 

           Crocombe 
Payne Boxy Bindon Cacace
        Bell Stamenic Old
          Singh Garbett
               Wood

Which leaves Cacace and Payne providing width, so Bell/Old need to cover their respective sides. Again I’d be worried about our midfield getting in each others way. I’d want Bell and Singh dropping deep to get the ball and to keep it moving. 
And about Old dribbling from deep. Though that’s what’s potentially great about him too. 

Alternatively: 
              Crocombe
Payne Boxy Bindon/Surman Cacace
                     Bell
      Singh   Stamenic  Garbett
Kosta          Wood          Waine

Leaving impact subs McCowatt/Old/Lewis/Just

Probably with Payne and Cacace not getting as far forward and looking to hit early crosses some of the time with Singh and Garbett getting into the box late from midfield. 

Playing 12 will help.

I was a little worried at first that it might make things cramped, but apparently the pitch is on the larger side. 

Hmm Garbett/Waine? Which is not ideal. I much prefer the balance of the 12.

Or alternatively Bell/Stamenic which makes it crazy attacking. 
March 13, 2024 14:04 · Edited March 13, 2024 14:11
coochiee
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Mods can you please change the city in thread title to Cairo. You’d think Cairo International Stadium, Capacity 74,000 would be the likely stadium.

I was in the Egyptian capital 26 years ago, and the place drips with history. But from memory the air quality is awful (well it was in 1998, and doubt much of it has changed). Some stat like breathing the air daily there, is like smoking a packet of ciggies per day for it's 10M (Greater Cairo 22M) inhabitants.

Maybe the AWs will be lodged & train out of the city. But a world away from clean, modern & functioning UAE. I'd say the game is now a hell of a lot harder to win. More so given Egypt's squad are mostly domestic based, and already apparently in camp - now they don't even have to move.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350211682/all-whites-match-against-egypt-moved-cairo

March 14, 2024 13:08 · Edited March 14, 2024 14:13
Marto
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coochiee
Mods can you please change the city in thread title to Cairo. You’d think Cairo International Stadium, Capacity 74,000 would be the likely stadium.

I was in the Egyptian capital 26 years ago, and the place drips with history. But from memory the air quality is awful (well it was in 1998, and doubt much of it has changed). Some stat like breathing the air daily there, is like smoking a packet of ciggies per day for it's 10M (Greater Cairo 22M) inhabitants.

Maybe the AWs will be lodged & train out of the city. But a world away from clean, modern & functioning UAE. I'd say the game is now a hell of a lot harder to win. More so given Egypt's squad are mostly domestic based, and already apparently in camp - now they don't even have to move.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350211682/all-whites-match-against-egypt-moved-cairo


Yip no change, if anything it's worse. Even smells bad 
March 15, 2024 05:30
Big Pete 65
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I see no hope of us getting a result against Egypt in Cairo - though the atmosphere will be amazing.
Egyptian crowds are pretty raucous!
Last time a NZ side played in Egypt from memory would have been our first ever appearance in the FIFA u-17 World Cup way back in 1997 where we got shellacked by Spain 13-0 and ended up GF: 0 GA: 22
We've made so much progress since then at all levels, that thankfully we'll probably never see those sorts of results again.....

The All Whites have played Egypt twice in friendlies before - all in one week in 1999 in Mexico.
They were preparing for the FIFA Confederations Cup.
A draw (Harry Ngata scored) and a narrow loss:
 10 July 1999 | Club Necaxa Training Ground, Mexico City |
Egypt | 1–1 |
New Zealand | Friendly | Ngata |

15 July 1999 | Las Chivas Ground, Guadalajara |
Egypt |1–0 |
New Zealand | Friendly 

March 15, 2024 13:48 · Edited March 15, 2024 14:18
Procrastinixing
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Steve Corica said on the Crowd Goes Wild that he will be attending the game in Cairo.  
March 16, 2024 11:54
imanixsupporter
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Going to have Dane Ingham starting this one, cheers Baze 
March 16, 2024 18:49
Elemenop
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And nando...
March 16, 2024 19:39
YoungHeartHM
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Come (back) on down Dalton Wilkins.

Should never have been left out in the first place.
March 16, 2024 21:06 · Edited March 16, 2024 21:07
coochiee
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Quite a few months since Wilkins played RB. Suspect will be Niko Kirwan.
March 16, 2024 22:57
Marto
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Surly Storm Roux should be on his way now, especially given he'll be just down the road fresh from hopefully two CCM Asian Cup wins.
March 16, 2024 23:21 · Edited March 16, 2024 23:22
coochiee
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Mods please update. Game confirmed for the 74,000 capacity National Stadium in Cairo.

March 17, 2024 00:42
lthomas20
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Marto
Surly Storm Roux should be on his way now, especially given he'll be just down the road fresh from hopefully two CCM Asian Cup wins.
Wouldn't be so bad to tire him out a bit too 😂
March 17, 2024 02:20
coochiee
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March 17, 2024 10:31
Big Pete 65
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The tournament featuring the All Whites in Cairo, the ACUD Cup, has now been added under the umbrella of FIFA's official international friendly series,
the 2024 FIFA Series which will be the first edition of the FIFA Series, an invitational association football competition promoted by FIFA that features friendly matches between national teams from different confederations. The inaugural edition will feature five different series, taking place across five host countries from 21 to 26 March 2024.[1][2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_FIFA_Series

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_FIFA_Series#Egypt_(ACUD_Cup)

Egypt (ACUD Cup)
The FIFA Series: Egypt, also known as the ACUD International Football Cup, will be held in Cairo on 22, 25 and 26 March 2024, and will involve the hosts Egypt (CAF), Croatia (UEFA), New Zealand (OFC) and Tunisia (CAF).[16]

The tournament was originally not part of the FIFA Series, and was called the Winsunited Cup (W Cup).[17] It was scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[18] However, due to sponsorship issues, on 14 March 2024 the tournament was moved to Egypt,[19][20] and became part of the FIFA Series.

                                 __________________________________________
It is sponsored by the ACUD (the Administrative Capital Urban Development Company) but due to the new Administrative Capital Stadium not being yet ready, will be held in Cairo at the Cairo International Stadium and the suburban "30 June" club stadium.
The New Administrative Capital Stadium (capacity 94,000) situated in the New Administrative Capital outside of Cairo is nearing completion and will replace the currently used Cairo International Stadium as the home of the Egyptian national team later this year.
March 17, 2024 10:36 · Edited March 17, 2024 10:43
coochiee
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Cross fingers they are both fit, otherwise it will be a real struggle.
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2024/3/14/all-whites-at-the-w-cup-squad-yarns-amp-preview

Fun fact: Since the start of the Danny Hay Era, Chris Wood and Sarpreet Singh have been in the same starting team on 7/23 occasions. Excluding the five Oceania World Cup Qualifying games from this equation, here’s what that looks like...

Wood + Singh: 7 GM | 2 W | 2 D | 3 L | 8 GF | 11 GA | 1.14 goals per game
Not Wood + Singh: 11 GM | 2 W | 2 D | 7 L | 4 GF | 13 GA | 0.36 goals per game

Five of those latter games were with neither of them, and they were held scoreless on three of those occasions... although the 2-1 win against China did come without either of the dynamic duo. 
March 18, 2024 02:27
imanixsupporter
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I wish Chris Wood would let go of his ambition to stay at the very top until 35+. There is never an international window when he is fully fit, hasn't been for years, and the All Whites suffer for it. 

He can't achieve more than he already has, just maintaining that level for a couple years is all he can hope for. He must be preposterously wealthy by now, there's no way he can't be set for life. Why wouldn't he want to head to an environment like the A-League where the smaller number of games helps him prolong his career, and give him the best chance possible for himself and for NZ to be successful at the '26 World Cup, and where his presence would make a profound difference, rather just being one of many excellent but not quite "world class" strikers in the PL. He wouldn't even just be a boost to the Nix or Auckland FC, it would be huge for the game in NZ and for the whole of the A-League. 

Maybe he needs all the extra money to spend on horses. What a fudgeing waste. 
March 18, 2024 06:58
AucklandPhoenix
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The above would, have to be one of the strangest posts I have ever seen, 

Just wasted 30 seconds of my life I won’t get back
March 18, 2024 08:27 · Edited March 18, 2024 08:27
and 1 other
Friar Tuck
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AucklandPhoenix
The above would, have to be one of the strangest posts I have ever seen, 

Just wasted 30 seconds of my life I won’t get back
Nah c’mon now they’re right, if Chris Wood played for Manurewa AFC then New Zealand would’ve won the 2022 World Cup
March 18, 2024 09:01
MetalLegNZ
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Dane Ingham is getting too much grief for his selection - Newcastle player of the year last year, and one of their better ones this year.

Is he still paying the price for being one of Hudsons out of nowhere picks??
March 18, 2024 09:45
imanixsupporter
WeeNix
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i've made far more unhinged posts. Are you sure you're not just triggered because you're also really into horses or something
AucklandPhoenix
The above would, have to be one of the strangest posts I have ever seen, 

Just wasted 30 seconds of my life I won’t get back
March 18, 2024 09:51
coochiee
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imanixsupporter
I wish Chris Wood would let go of his ambition to stay at the very top until 35+. There is never an international window when he is fully fit, hasn't been for years, and the All Whites suffer for it. 

He can't achieve more than he already has, just maintaining that level for a couple years is all he can hope for. He must be preposterously wealthy by now, there's no way he can't be set for life. Why wouldn't he want to head to an environment like the A-League where the smaller number of games helps him prolong his career, and give him the best chance possible for himself and for NZ to be successful at the '26 World Cup, and where his presence would make a profound difference, rather just being one of many excellent but not quite "world class" strikers in the PL. He wouldn't even just be a boost to the Nix or Auckland FC, it would be huge for the game in NZ and for the whole of the A-League. 

Maybe he needs all the extra money to spend on horses. What a fudgeing waste. 

You are basically asking the Woodsman to give up $10M a season or whatever Forest pay him, because you are unhappy he's missing a few AWs friendlies. Lets be honest barring some big upsets, the AWs are likely to get 3 games at the next WC, and that will be their lot. Wood playing in the less taxing ALM as opposed to the EPL, ain't  going to change that probability at all.

Then aside to the big cash, there is also the career satisfaction aspect for the Woodsman. You get the feeling he loves playing in the EPL, and everything he was doing in the EFL lower levels earlier, was with the aim of cracking agruably the world's biggest league. He will rightly take enormous pride in having scored 63 goals at that level. A few months back he got a high quality hat trick in front of 52,000 fans at St James Park. He's probably still partly pumped from that game. What a buzz it would have been. Why come the ALM, when you are still capable of huge days like that, watched by millions around the world.

He seems a bit driven by records (he's made mention of most AWs goals & caps stats). 100 EPL goals is unlikely, but yeah I can see him playing at that level as long as he can. All power to him.

March 18, 2024 12:06 · Edited March 18, 2024 13:47
imanixsupporter
WeeNix
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Yes, he has that ambition, and yes, he makes a lot of money doing what he is doing, I just wish his priorities were different, from what could be called a selfish perspective in that I want to see what is best for NZ football. It isn't like he would be risking his livelihood to sign for the sort of A-League marquee wages that Foley could pay. And he would likely have far less injuries and be able to play near his peak level for longer if he went to the A-League. He's had a tricky hamstring for 7+ years now and if anything his injury issues are getting worse. He hasn't been able to give 100% to the All Whites in years, invariably coming into international windows under an injury cloud. I don't think what I said is such a crazy thing to say.
March 18, 2024 12:47
loyalgunner
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I'd like to see what you're suggesting happen only when he no longer cuts it in the Premier league.  I.e. if in two years time he's getting no game time for Nottingham but has options in the Championship as well as Auckland FC, it would be great if he chose Auckland.  Until then, though, he's an inspiration for so many Kiwi kids playing at the top tier. Long may it continue.
March 18, 2024 13:43
and 2 others
Elemenop
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imanixsupporter
Yes, he has that ambition, and yes, he makes a lot of money doing what he is doing, I just wish his priorities were different, from what could be called a selfish perspective in that I want to see what is best for NZ football. It isn't like he would be risking his livelihood to sign for the sort of A-League marquee wages that Foley could pay. And he would likely have far less injuries and be able to play near his peak level for longer if he went to the A-League. He's had a tricky hamstring for 7+ years now and if anything his injury issues are getting worse. He hasn't been able to give 100% to the All Whites in years, invariably coming into international windows under an injury cloud. I don't think what I said is such a crazy thing to say.

He will do that in about 5-7 years. He's still scoring regular goals in the EPL... no need to come back to the A-league yet. 
March 18, 2024 13:49
coochiee
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Nah in 5-7 years at age 37-39 he'll either be retired, or like a Gary Hooper wandering around choosing his moments. He'll be 33 later this year. 

With luck he's still be EPL quality into 2025/2026 (two more seasons) - but can see it being touch & go. He'll need to manage his body, have some luck and a coach that believes in him (like Nuno seems to).

Playing in the ALM post 2026 WC makes alot of sense.
March 18, 2024 14:01 · Edited March 18, 2024 23:53
coochiee
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See that it's a late 10pm kick off, which yes could be a lot to do with getting a sizeable crowd, post the large Ramadan evening meal. So almost a midnight finish local time.

Mods can you please update Thread title.

All Whites v Egypt | Sat 23 March [NZT 9am] / Fri 22 March [local 10pm] | Cairo International Stadium (Cairo, Egypt) 
 
March 18, 2024 14:13
imanixsupporter
WeeNix
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I feel like it's a bit odd that we haven't heard any updates from the team given Payne & Wood both went off injured in their final game before the break. Bazeley didnt have anybody on standby ready to go? Maybe Kirwan wants to help in his club's playoffs push but surely it would make sense to get Elliot along since he isn't making matchday squads anyway, assuming he isn't out with injury. Though I guess we probably have plenty of forwards with Waine, Mata & Barbarouses able to lead the line if Wood is out.

Edit: right on queue
Screenshot_2024-03-18-21-34-00-98_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg 118.62 KB
edit 2: surely implicit in this is that Wood hasn't had to withdraw (yet), otherwise they'd have announced it at the same time
March 18, 2024 21:00 · Edited March 18, 2024 22:10
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
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imanixsupporter
I feel like it's a bit odd that we haven't heard any updates from the team given Payne & Wood both went off injured in their final game before the break. Bazeley didnt have anybody on standby ready to go? Maybe Kirwan wants to help in his club's playoffs push but surely it would make sense to get Elliot along since he isn't making matchday squads anyway, assuming he isn't out with injury. Though I guess we probably have plenty of forwards with Waine, Mata & Barbarouses able to lead the line if Wood is out.

Edit: right on queue
Screenshot_2024-03-18-21-34-00-98_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg 118.62 KB
edit 2: surely implicit in this is that Wood hasn't had to withdraw (yet), otherwise they'd have announced it at the same time

His "injury" occurred a day after Payne's, so I'm guessing the announcement will come a day after as well.
March 19, 2024 09:59
YoungHeartHM
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He got there in the end. 
Very much a well deserved call up for Rufer. 
March 19, 2024 10:39 · Edited March 19, 2024 10:42
theprof
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YoungHeartHM


He got there in the end. 
Very much a well deserved call up for Rufer. 

Interesting swap for Payne and Wood.
March 19, 2024 10:43
Friar Tuck
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theprof
YoungHeartHM


He got there in the end. 
Very much a well deserved call up for Rufer. 

Interesting swap for Payne and Wood.
Nah Bell’s out too, no replacements for Payne and Wood yet
March 19, 2024 10:47
theprof
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oh? I didnt see the Bell report. That's actually worked out pretty well then.
March 19, 2024 10:50
MetalLegNZ
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Where's the Bell report?

Is Rufers inclusion more to do with a formation change due to Payne been injured? Maybe a revert to 5 at the back and McCowatt playing a RWB role etc?
March 19, 2024 10:55
Ranix
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MetalLegNZ
Where's the Bell report?

Is Rufers inclusion more to do with a formation change due to Payne been injured? Maybe a revert to 5 at the back and McCowatt playing a RWB role etc?
Rufer is a straight swap for Bell I would have thought. With Stamenic now likely to start at CDM. Ingham at RB or more likely RWB.
March 19, 2024 11:00 · Edited March 19, 2024 11:01
YoungHeartHM
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Ranix
MetalLegNZ
Where's the Bell report?

Is Rufers inclusion more to do with a formation change due to Payne been injured? Maybe a revert to 5 at the back and McCowatt playing a RWB role etc?
Rufer is a straight swap for Bell I would have thought. With Stamenic now likely to start at CDM. Ingham at RB or more likely RWB.

Would like to see more options at RB/RWB than just Ingham if I'm being honest... Roux? Wilkins?

Callan Elliot and James McGarry probably too short of a gallop for an international call up at this point.

March 19, 2024 11:10
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