Qatar won the Asian Cup in 2019 & 2023, the year we nearly beat them. I think it's fair to say they were Asian heavyweights at the time.
Edit: though it isn't like this matters. We still haven't beat anyone we were underdogs against since Serbia in 2010. Would be hard for Bazeley to say he's doing a good job with the team until he manages it. The next two windows should be pretty instructive about whether we can go to the World Cup with any hope of doing anything more than making up the numbers. coochiee
imanixsupporter
I think we easily have a squad that can give a team like Australia a decent contest, even if it's pretty undeniable that they are overall superior. But we need to be set up to play correctly, and it probably would help having consistent games against really decent opposition too.
Hay's All Whites couldn't even get close to competing with the second string side Arnold played at Eden Park the other year. I think that was primarily down to him and not the relative quality of the sides.
We still don't know if Bazeley is capable of getting the maximum out of our players. We'll know a lot more after the next two windows. How good would it be to beat a side that wasn't an OFC side or an Asian/African minnow for the first time since Herbert's reign. Baze almost got such a scalp when we were leading 1-0 against Qatar at halftime in 2023...
I don't rate Qatar. They were poor at their home WC, and are currently only 4th in their AFC WC qualifying pool. IR Iran ( 19 pts), Uzbekistan ( 16 pts), UAE (10 pts) & Qatar (10 pts)
Somehow the Qataris are FIFA ranked 48th. Ahead of the likes of Saudi (59th). The same Saudi Arabia who bet Argentina in Qatar. But then we know the rankings are flawed.
The 4 draws Baze's AWs have earned above have more merit. Hay's AWs got a 1-0 win over Bahrain in late 2021. Bahrain agruably are at Qatar's level.
The 2019 Asian Cup was in UAE and 2023 in Qatar itself. That helps. Out of their ME realm the Qataris ain't so flash. But like you say it doesn't really matter.
And yes the next step for this AWs team (providing tomorrow goes to script) is getting the scalp of a top 50 side.
And re Wood's comments around we need more players at bigger clubs. His recent trips to NZ would have got a bit more familar with the talent pathways in Aotearoa. He's seen Paulsen signed to Bournemouth, Old into Ligue One. He's trained the last few days with the next potential talent wave of GSR, LBS & Walker. He's likely getting optimistic about the future of the AWs, and NZ football as a whole.
In 2028 we thrash Asian Champs Oz 4 - 0 in the first match held at Quay Park Stadium in the inaugural $2mill Foley Challenge Cup with the following line-up: Paulsen (AFC Bournemouth) Bindon (Forest) Surman (Hamburg) Kelly-Heald (Leeds) Stamenic (Juventus) Bell (PSV Eindhoven) Singh (Benfica) Cacace (Inter Milan) Old (PSG) Wood (AFC Auckland) Sloane-Rodrigues (Spurs)
Aussie still ahead of us, and likely to pull away more and more over the next 10 years. Their youth teams are doing well, and they have a lot more players heading abroad than us (and to better quality leagues).
We are having a good patch, Aussie I believe is heading towards a great one in the next 5 to 10 years.
This definitely isn't the perspective over there, these days they are worried how few players they have in the top leagues especially compared to the past.
People forget how absolutely stacked the Aussie squads from the late 90's until 2010 were - World Cup squad from 06 probably being the pinnacle of that period.
Their 23 man squad consisted of 9 Premier League players, 3 Serie A players, 1 each in La Liga, Bundesliga and Eredivisie, 2 in the Championship, and 2 playing for Basel getting regular Champions League minutes - that's 19/23 playing top level football, which is mad to think about given where their squad is almost 20 years on.
That 2006 team had a great WC in Germany. Bloody unlucky to lose their R16 game to 10 man Italy. Australia went football (soccer) crazy for a few weeks.
Through a nostaglic lens there is always a lot of talk in Oz, that the development of that excellent 2006 side was built off most of them getting their football starts in the old NSL as teenagers. And a feeling that the A League hasn't provided the same opportunities for young Aussie talent. With the Oz dometic talent pathway not as good as it was in the past.
Certainly the NSL usually had 14 clubs, with 13 in it's final season, a number that the ALM has only just reached (which includes 2 NZ clubs). Couple that with the fact that there are more foreigners in the ALM compared to the NSL, and is probably some truth in that theory. Now with a poorer ALM (lower APL disbursements) we are seeing some clubs like the Jets almost do away with import players.
Then the Junior Socceroos (U20s) make a U20WC for the first time in ages. A connection?
Australia's 2006 WC squad and run will forever remain iconic, but Australia can come back to us once they become the only country at a WC to stay unbeaten. :)
Yes. All afc players booed as they appeared on screen when the squad was announced at the beginning. De vries booed as he came onto the pitch as a sub.
I don't even get it with De Vries, he never played for us or any Wellington team anyway.
Paulsen is the only one I could understand (but still wouldn't personally) as there's snake vibes going on there, but the rest make no sense.
That said it was mentioned somewhere that Kosta got booed at NHS against Malaysia.
I don't get any fans in Wellington booing AFC players on All Whites duty. They are playing for their country, the country you support. It's pathetic. If AFC fans do the same to Nix players tonight, it was be just a bad.
Aussie still ahead of us, and likely to pull away more and more over the next 10 years. Their youth teams are doing well, and they have a lot more players heading abroad than us (and to better quality leagues).
We are having a good patch, Aussie I believe is heading towards a great one in the next 5 to 10 years.
This definitely isn't the perspective over there, these days they are worried how few players they have in the top leagues especially compared to the past.
People forget how absolutely stacked the Aussie squads from the late 90's until 2010 were - World Cup squad from 06 probably being the pinnacle of that period.
Their 23 man squad consisted of 9 Premier League players, 3 Serie A players, 1 each in La Liga, Bundesliga and Eredivisie, 2 in the Championship, and 2 playing for Basel getting regular Champions League minutes - that's 19/23 playing top level football, which is mad to think about given where their squad is almost 20 years on.
Always wonder how their 98 and 02 squads would have got on had they qualified. They had some serious talent in both those teams, just got a bit unlucky in the intercontinentals.
Also, can FIFA get us a better version of the national anthem to sing??? So many weird pauses, it threw everyone off in the Zone
They only did the Maori version which is wrong, they should have also done the English version. yeah I know, not politically correct but it's the anthem I once was signed up to defend.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
People are buying tickets in the zone to be seen. A lot of faces there I didn't recognise. And then a lot sat down and didn't want to be involved. WTF??
You'd have to be completely ignorant to not know by now that Aisles 21/22 is the Fever White or Yellow Zone and certain things happen in there. Such as "Standing", "Singing", And plenty of smart remarks/humour.
If you don't want it, don't go there to be seen. You can expect the same for the Yellow Fever and up in the Port areas. Both places are where you stand, sing, chant and have a good time. Not a place for young children or those easily offended by the odd colourful words.
As an aside, I departed the Zone at Half time, went down to Aisle 36 to watch the second half goals. The booing. I heard it in the zone towards the AFC player names, but worse was down by Aisle 36. The booing of De Vries. It was very loud as and not from the Zone but from Aisles 26-30ish. Totally uncalled for. They guy put in a great shift and some excellent crosses.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Yeah that was embarrassing, cheering extra loud for our lads in the squad was a much better way to do it.
Speaking of discomfort, did many others in the active zone find they had families behind them with parents getting ratty because their kids couldn’t see past standing fans?
It’s great to see so many kids at the games and I certainly don’t want to spoil their experience, but at the same time I bought a ticket in the standing area for a reason.
Not sure if this is a common problem or just bad luck last night, but maybe the promoters and ticketing agencies need to make it even clearer what to expect in the zone? Personally I thought Ticketek’s description was pretty clear already, but maybe I only think that because I’ve been there before.
To be honest those people should be moved on. Its pretty clear what is expected of buying a ticket in an active zone means. If they buy there and expect to be able to sit or object to the language then move to an area of the stadium more suited. Those buying in the active zone to participate shouldnt have their nite affected.
People are buying tickets in the zone to be seen. A lot of faces there I didn't recognise. And then a lot sat down and didn't want to be involved. WTF??
You'd have to be completely ignorant to not know by now that Aisles 21/22 is the Fever Zone and certain things happen in there. Such as "Standing", "Singing", And plenty of smart remarks/humour.
If you don't want it, don't go there to be seen. You can expect the same for the Yellow Fever and up in the Port areas. Both places are where you stand, sing, chant and have a good time. Not a place for young children or those easily offended by the odd colourful words.
As an aside, I departed the Zone at Half time, went down to Aisle 36 to watch the second half goals. The booing. I heard it in the zone towards the AFC player names, but worse was down by Aisle 36. The booing of De Vries. It was very loud as and not from the Zone but from Aisles 26-30ish. Totally uncalled for. They guy put in a great shift and some excellent crosses.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Now, I've had a few days to think it over so here goes.
1] Welcome back Lazer Kiwi! Top effort by the Zone. 2] An apology to Darren Bazeley. Dude, I always thought you were too negative and would defend a 1st minute goal for the next 90. But at this game, you have the game plan figured out brilliantly. No complacency, Just attack full throttle the whole game. What a pleasure it was to watch. Well done sir. 3] Well, it didn't take long for the players to let us all know they were up for it. Top effort form all of the players used. 4] Well done on the crowd. 20,000 plus a couple on a Friday night. The earlier game was also very entertaining, including 2 outstanding goals from long range. 5] My only real disappointment was not being able to sing the English version alongside the Maori version of our National Anthem. 6]Lastly, the booing of AFC players, some of it was lighthearted when the team was anounced but during the game? Really? Is that how low we go as Wellingtonians? NOT cool. DeVries was outstanding with his crossing being spot on. The good news is that with 2 Professional club sides now competing in the A League, that the pool can only get better and stronger. Good luck tonight guys. You've earned any high praise some have given you. Especially the coach.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Now, I've had a few days to think it over so here goes.
1] Welcome back Lazer Kiwi! Top effort by the Zone. 2] An apology to Darren Bazeley. Dude, I always thought you were too negative and would defend a 1st minute goal for the next 90. But at this game, you have the game plan figured out brilliantly. No complacency, Just attack full throttle the whole game. What a pleasure it was to watch. Well done sir. 3] Well, it didn't take long for the players to let us all know they were up for it. Top effort form all of the players used. 4] Well done on the crowd. 20,000 plus a couple on a Friday night. The earlier game was also very entertaining, including 2 outstanding goals from long range. 5] My only real disappointment was not being able to sing the English version alongside the Maori version of our National Anthem. 6]Lastly, the booing of AFC players, some of it was lighthearted when the team was anounced but during the game? Really? Is that how low we go as Wellingtonians? NOT cool. DeVries was outstanding with his crossing being spot on. The good news is that with 2 Professional club sides now competing in the A League, that the pool can only get better and stronger. Good luck tonight guys. You've earned any high praise some have given you. Especially the coach.
FIFA only allow for one verse to be sang, Te Reo verse is first so we do that. We fly a flag with the Union Jack on it, use the name New Zealand and our nickname is in English, plenty enough Pākehā representation for me.
FIFA are very strict about the length of anthems, and they are almost always played as just the music. They're not going to play the same anthem twice just for us.
They didn't play only the Maori version, people sung only the Maori version. Seriously, I would have expected regular commenters on this forum to know this.
If you think it's a silly rule that's fine, but let's not act like it has anything to do with NZF or the govt or the political climate around here.
FIFA are very strict about the length of anthems, and they are almost always played as just the music. They're not going to play the same anthem twice just for us.
They didn't play only the Maori version, people sung only the Maori version. Seriously, I would have expected regular commenters on this forum to know this.
If you think it's a silly rule that's fine, but let's not act like it has anything to do with NZF or the govt or the political climate around here.
Where in my comment did I lay any blame?? It's not an "old chesnut". I said, I was just disappointed. I didn't know of that FIFA rule. When you hear some of the European national anthems that seem to go on for 5 minutes, I'm quite surprised.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
Never heard of it either and I like LG follow these forums. Can’t speak for him but I have a good memory. To be honest with the amount of games we have in NZ, it would be difficult for even a full on supporter like LG to know.
I didn’t pick it up on TV but did pick up hardly anyone in the crowd was singing!!
Never heard of it either and I like LG follow these forums. Can’t speak for him but I have a good memory. To be honest with the amount of games we have in NZ, it would be difficult for even a full on supporter like LG to know.
I didn’t pick it up on TV but did pick up hardly anyone in the crowd was singing!!
Maybe the mics didnt pick it up but everyone around me in 23 were singing in Te Reo. Not knowing the FIFA rules around length is fine, but being annoyed/disappointed about the words not being in one language or another is odd - the English version is a dull drone of a song, in Māori its so much better. (for context, I'm a middle aged white guy)
The Uruguay anthem goes for over 6 minutes and when they play at home they play the full anthem, a few years ago Lionel Messi & co complained that it went too long as the Argentine anthem which also goes for around 6 minutes was cut halfway through xD classic CONMEBOL sharkhousery
Did a walking tour of Montevideo in January. The guide had a classic collection of Uruguay v Argentina sharkhousery. Never remind a Uruguayan they were once a province of Argentina.
Wish we had an anthem like La Marseillaise. FYI from Wiki -
"Soyons unis, devenons frères" ("Let us unite, let us become brothers") is the officially recognised anthem of New Caledonia. It was written by a group from the children's choir Mélodia in 2008 and officially adopted in 2010.
It is not the national anthem of New Caledonia; as a special collectivity of France, the national anthem is the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise". During official ceremonies or sports events, "La Marseillaise" is performed first, followed by "Soyons unis, devenons frères".
We have a saying, "When Argentina has a cold, Uruguay sneezes" coochiee
Did a walking tour of Montevideo in January. The guide had a classic collection collection of Uruguay v Argentina sharkhousery. Never remind a Uruguayan they were once a province of Argentina.
Wish we had an anthem like La Marseillaise. FYI from Wiki -
"Soyons unis, devenons frères" ("Let us unite, let us become brothers") is the officially recognised anthem of New Caledonia. It was written by a group from the children's choir Mélodia in 2008 and officially adopted in 2010.
It is not the national anthem of New Caledonia; as a special collectivity of France, the national anthem is the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise". During official ceremonies or sports events, "La Marseillaise" is performed first, followed by "Soyons unis, devenons frères".
FIFA are very strict about the length of anthems, and they are almost always played as just the music. They're not going to play the same anthem twice just for us.
They didn't play only the Maori version, people sung only the Maori version. Seriously, I would have expected regular commenters on this forum to know this.
If you think it's a silly rule that's fine, but let's not act like it has anything to do with NZF or the govt or the political climate around here.
Where in my comment did I lay any blame?? It's not an "old chesnut". I said, I was just disappointed. I didn't know of that FIFA rule. When you hear some of the European national anthems that seem to go on for 5 minutes, I'm quite surprised.
The anthem track is instrumental, you can sing any words you want. E reka ana nga kupu i roto i te reo :)
FIFA are very strict about the length of anthems, and they are almost always played as just the music. They're not going to play the same anthem twice just for us.
They didn't play only the Maori version, people sung only the Maori version. Seriously, I would have expected regular commenters on this forum to know this.
If you think it's a silly rule that's fine, but let's not act like it has anything to do with NZF or the govt or the political climate around here.
Where in my comment did I lay any blame?? It's not an "old chesnut". I said, I was just disappointed. I didn't know of that FIFA rule. When you hear some of the European national anthems that seem to go on for 5 minutes, I'm quite surprised.
The anthem track is instrumental, you can sing any words you want. E reka ana nga kupu i roto i te reo :)
Really? Sounds like an invitation to insurrection.
missed opportunities lol, Fiji created at best 3 shots on target, none of them really tested Crocombe. Even if they'd managed to score 1 they would have been destroyed. remembering of course that Waine missed his pen chance, they were lucky it wasnt 8-10 goals they conceded.
