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

Marto

Told ya. Could see daylight between his feet and the ball.

Pijnaker costs us a goal a game. Should not even be in the squad.

Still sure he got the slightest of touches on it. Might have even been the bottom of the foot that got it. The angle they looked at first though made me realise they were going to give that though. The only real viewing they needed of it was the side-on.

Ah well, I stand corrected.
 
We have been, and still remain the better team on the pitch so as long as we keep this up for 90 I'm sure we can get something out of this.

Rock Hopper

I think we need to say ta ta to the League of Ireland boys. If they find their feet at a higher level later on in their careers then so be it. But for now it's just not right when there's a number of better options on the bench each time.

 
Yearning for Jerry Christie and unattached FC! 

Monto

Mata's passing under pressure leaves a lot to be desired. We need more hold up quality up front.

 Max couldn't cut it two divisions below Waine, Pijnaker is 2/3 levels below Bindon. Why are they both starting?

Crocombe really making that number 1 shirt his own. He's so solid.

So far what I am seeing is a set of players at a level noticeably higher than the rest and there is a breakdown in synergy between them.. 

imanixsupporter

Crocombe really making that number 1 shirt his own. He's so solid.

Don’t want to put the mockers on him, but we need to remember that Paulsen is in his first year as a number one and has a lot of development still to do, despite his obvious skills. 

Crocombe has indeed looked composed and in good nick. 

Midfield has looked pretty solid

martinb

imanixsupporter

Crocombe really making that number 1 shirt his own. He's so solid.

Don’t want to put the mockers on him, but we need to remember that Paulsen is in his first year as a number one and has a lot of development still to do, despite his obvious skills. 

Crocombe has indeed looked composed and in good nick. 

 I'm just stoked we have 3 class keepers, I can't remember us ever being that lucky (my memory only goes back to the early 90s mind!).

Let's see Old & Kosta on for McCowatt & Mata at halftime. 

imanixsupporter

Let's see Old & Kosta on for McCowatt & Mata at halftime. 

Bindon or Surman too for Nando.

Ironically that guy's hand would not have hit the ball if he had them out like he did. It was the very action of pulling his hand in that caused it.

Might be a hot take but I wouldn’t mind replacing Garbett or at least giving him a talking to.

He’s a good player and has a spot in the team but he takes way too many touches.

We’ve been asking for some dodgy pens! Not a good look for us. 

Egypt seem to hang back, pass it round the defense a couple of times and next moment they’re in on goal. They haven’t really pressed heavily imo. 

Good looking cricket ground that stadium. As nice as it looks, is ruined by the athletics track for football watching.

Would be an interesting Olympics if Egypt ever hosted it.

Marto

Good looking cricket ground that stadium. As nice as it looks, is ruined by the athletics track for football watching.

Would be an interesting Olympics if Egypt ever hosted it.

Highly doubt they could ever get near affording it unless they got Saudi to pay for it all.

Based on the current rules of the game - I am pretty sure that was a handball, raised in a non natural position in the box. 

Think NZ can be very proud of this perfomance so far. This is in the Egypt capital against a much stronger team (on paper). 

Sure we have some missed passes, not our strongest team - but there are some really good young players here!

Buffon II

Marto

Good looking cricket ground that stadium. As nice as it looks, is ruined by the athletics track for football watching.

Would be an interesting Olympics if Egypt ever hosted it.

Highly doubt they could ever get near affording it unless they got Saudi to pay for it all.

I'd take a WC or Olympics in Egypt paid for with Saudi money any day of the week over a WC or Olympics in Saudi.

martinb

Doesn’t look like it will be overly friendly! Wonder what the crowd is…

The Egyptian FA capped it at 30,000

How good to hear a top quality commentator at work. Libby is a beast.

The FIFA stream isn't working for me. Anyone have an alternative?

Marto

Good looking cricket ground that stadium. As nice as it looks, is ruined by the athletics track for football watching.

Would be an interesting Olympics if Egypt ever hosted it.

This stadium is part of a $78 billion dollar development (basically building a city) for exactly that - 2036 Cairo.

Although they haven't announced an official bid as yet.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/inside-insane-78-billion-olympic-plan-as-egypt-builds-sport-city-to-host-games/news-story/2fc5238e52efe10b47f16ed8dc76c8aa

imanixsupporter

Crocombe really making that number 1 shirt his own. He's so solid.

But his passing out is scratchy, and that's where Paulsen will eventually get his chance

Pretty good combinations across the park. Needs Kosta or Oldy

Crocombe has given the ball away a couple times needlessly.
Pjanker I think has been ok - tough call on the pen as I think he did get a touch... was it really enough to overturn original call if he did.
Garbett is better centrally than out wide - would like to see Old replace him, if he continues to play wider.
Waine and Barbs to come on together?
Lewis Meh for me.

Overall, a decent game against a decent side so far.

Mata is there for his holdup play. But his poor finishing is frustrating. I don't think you replace his with Barba, that gives us no long outlet forward. Waine will come on for him.

But yeah be interesting to also see Barba & Old given a go. I only saw the last 20 mins of the half, but McCowatt pretty anonymous.

All in all a pretty good half against a team ranked 36 in the world on their home patch. Libby a standout. Giving him the captaincy a smart move.

This referee is terrible

Ninja

This referee is terrible

 I think he's quite good.

Some truly awesome play there in tight spaces Lewis & Singh (plus one other?) creates hot chance Libby/Mata

McCowatt has been anonymous today, Lewis not much better. Those 2, Mata and Pijnaker to come off.

I don't think Paulsen's superior ability at passing out from the back/with ball at feet should really turn the dial that much. It is unreasonable to expect an international team that barely plays together to do a lot of playing out from the back. It's more important to be solid, and Crocombe is taller and has a bigger physical presence. More capable of commanding his area and his shot stopping is very decent too. I think the spot is his unless he plays poorly. He has never once let the All Whites down by not saving something he should have saved to date. 

Pijnaker has done well this time.

Only just tuned in and went through this thread about the game so far... cripey we're a negative lot

Also jaysus it shows the difference between support for the All Whites and the Ferns when they're on at similar times... NZ certainly has not had the Matildas effect

Cracking free kick from Sarpreet there.

Double Ben change

imanixsupporter

I don't think Paulsen's superior ability at passing out from the back/with ball at feet should really turn the dial that much. It is unreasonable to expect an international team that barely plays together to do a lot of playing out from the back. It's more important to be solid, and Crocombe is taller and has a bigger physical presence. More capable of commanding his area and his shot stopping is very decent too. I think the spot is his unless he plays poorly. He has never once let the All Whites down by not saving something he should have saved to date. 

I’m not at all sure that Paulsen at the moment is that significantly better with ball at feet. He probably has more experience of playing out from the back though. 

Play 'pick the subs that will be used'. I reckon:

Waine
Old 
Just
Rufer
Bindon 

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2/5 so far.....

Very nearly a Singh special.
Godammit 😩

Two superior footballers on and suddenly we look fluid on attack!

martinb

Two superior footballers on and suddenly we look fluid on attack!

 eh we've been completely dominating all half, most attacks didn't run through Mata and while McCowatt was anonymous, he linked up well. great subs though, yeah

I don't mean to be a rude party pooper, although the All Whites are playing very well in this game with a few lapses in concentration.. I would expect anyone to play well against a team that's 12 days into Ramadan Fasting.