All Whites v Greece | Saturday 18th November | 6:00am NZT | OPAP Arena, Athens

Phoenix Academy
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400
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over 9 years
I used to love cacaces nutmegs but he’s giving the ball away a lot with those in this match 
Moar stars
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almost 12 years
This is Beaze Ball. I hate watching the All Whites now. 
First Team Squad
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1.3K
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about 13 years
We have been served up a shark sandwich. Why did we get such a sharkty uninspired manager.
Legend
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over 16 years
Nommag
We have been served up a shark sandwich. Why did we get such a sharkty uninspired manager.

because NZF is run by numptys!!!
Starting XI
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about 17 years
Would just took out a camera man!
Marquee
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over 16 years
The 2nd half has been better. But our ball into the final third is always hit and hope. Need to spend some time looking at our progression. 
Starting XI
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about 7 years
Hudson inspired me more. At least he tried to sound like he knew what he was doing. Doesn’t even look like we’re in for a shout of a result in any slightly confronting game we play. Just depressing
Starting XI
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4.9K
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about 17 years
nufc_nz
This is Beaze Ball. I hate watching the All Whites now. 

Hard to call it Baze ball when in all of Euro AW games I've watched in the flesh, he's yet to do anything from the dugout. He just stands there like it's a bus stop. 
Trialist
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2
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6 months
My god! Smith , Woud and McCowatt shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad. They let us down continuously. 
Legend
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over 16 years
Bazely is an awful manager/coach, a totally unispired weak choice. If NZF wanted to they could have taken a risk on any of the younger coaches that would have leapt at the job - it wouldnt matter if they lost to Greece or Ireland trying new things, we lost today and basically tried nothing new from the same old boring football we've always played. 

We have some really solid talent within the squad, it's just not being utilised.
and 2 others
Starting XI
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2.5K
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over 5 years
Greece showed they are well and truly a class above our lot. They looked like they were only in 3rd gear that 2nd half, but easily snuffed out anything we had going forward. Not sure where to from here, pretty un-inspiring to be honest.
Legend
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over 16 years
Pinkbitsnz
My god! Smith , Woud and McCowatt shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad. They let us down continuously. 

You're correct on two of those, Smith and Woud have got to go. McCowatt actually did pretty well with his hold up play in the box.
and 3 others
Phoenix Academy
270
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400
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over 9 years
A big difference between the teams is I feel we are pushing the pass or looking for that million dollar ball and giving it away. Instead we need to rely on our movement and be a little more patient 
Starting XI
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over 5 years
At least it was good to see Bindon and Surman get some minutes. Because we need a re build at the back, with the age of our other centre backs.
Trialist
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2
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6 months
theprof
Pinkbitsnz
My god! Smith , Woud and McCowatt shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad. They let us down continuously. 

You're correct on two of those, Smith and Woud have got to go. McCowatt actually did pretty well with his hold up play in the box.
Yeah mate, seriously going to give up when we have park coach as the manager of the national team 
theprof
Bazely is an awful manager/coach, a totally unispired weak choice. If NZF wanted to they could have taken a risk on any of the younger coaches that would have leapt at the job - it wouldnt matter if they lost to Greece or Ireland trying new things, we lost today and basically tried nothing new from the same old boring football we've always played. 

We have some really solid talent within the squad, it's just not being utilised.
One in a million
4.2K
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9.5K
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about 17 years
The second half was better, with some nice link up play. Just made a good contribution. Lewis slotted in well.
Hard for the defence to play with confidence after the first howler.
WeeNix
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720
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over 1 year
It feels like we are getting worse every game. There is no obvious progress.

I'm quite mad that Woud has started the last two games. It borders on professional negligence when you have a Crocombe available.
and 3 others
Phoenix Academy
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480
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over 2 years
End this blackmailing mess. I say just let him leak the photos, Bez, and be done with it. Surely the results we get with Woud starting in goal are more humiliating that whatever rudie pics Woud has of you stashed on his phone?
Starting XI
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3.1K
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about 7 years
NZF must know how we as a fanbase feel about our coach - the question is, why is he here? It's not man management, it's not tactical nous, and it certainly isn't results. What exactly is the benefit, if not saving money and showing a stunning lack of ambition ahead of a World Cup?

Begging for the media to ask him some hard questions and put him on the spot. Make him regain our trust
First Team Squad
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over 6 years
mrsmiis
NZF must know how we as a fanbase feel about our coach - the question is, why is he here? It's not man management, it's not tactical nous, and it certainly isn't results. What exactly is the benefit, if not saving money and showing a stunning lack of ambition ahead of a World Cup?
Maybe the Solomon Islands FA are secretly the puppet masters at NZF, and they’re trying to make us fail so they can snatch the automatic qualification for 2026
Starting XI
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4.9K
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about 17 years
Pinkbitsnz
My god! Smith , Woud and McCowatt shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad. They let us down continuously. 
 Not sure I agree with this. Smith was a lot better second half and I thought McCowatt was alright today.
Np
Phoenix Academy
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190
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over 4 years
Some of the best talent we have had is going to be completely wasted by the old boys club. We treat football like a side project.

We will always be handicapped unless a total clearout of management occurs in NZF right from the top. There's no passion or integrity to succeed, like with rugby. It has been missing for quite some time now and that's why the progress has been backwards, as it filters through to game day. 

I can't help but think how far these be players could go if they had a competent organisation as their foundation, but I will likely never know. 

Starting XI
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4.9K
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about 17 years
Woud should have played his last AW game yonks ago. I'd rather have Sail or Marinovic in goal and they are both unselectable right now. Paulsen, Croccombe and Taznev should be the three in the squad now.
Legend
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over 16 years
Hard questions have to be asked by the football journo's out there, mainstream media aint gonna do it cos they are never watching/aware that the team are even playing. Question to Bazely has to be what are his plans to get better, or actually improve? Then when he laughs it off or starts talking about having a good time and enjoying the match the questiion has to be is losing fun? 
His tactics are so bad!
set up of 3-5-2, with Payne as your right midifeld? just dumb, should have always been 4-3-3 and allow Payne and Cacace to get forward. Champness and Just have to start, I'm not sure about Stamenic and Garbett being the CM's they really seemed to struggle to get into the game.
Questions have to be asked about Woud as his #1? Sure Sail is not plaing well, Marinivoc is just not playing but you have other keeping options who are playing well, sure in lower leagues but actually playing. Woud is the 4th choice keeping in a japanese 2nd league. Sure he's only 24 but he has been damn average for a long time, hence his conitinual drop in level as a pro. It's time to get some of the younger guys into the team.
Starting XI
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about 17 years
theprof
Hard questions have to be asked by the football journo's out there, mainstream media aint gonna do it cos they are never watching/aware that the team are even playing. Question to Bazely has to be what are his plans to get better, or actually improve? Then when he laughs it off or starts talking about having a good time and enjoying the match the questiion has to be is losing fun? 
His tactics are so bad!
set up of 3-5-2, with Payne as your right midifeld? just dumb, should have always been 4-3-3 and allow Payne and Cacace to get forward. Champness and Just have to start, I'm not sure about Stamenic and Garbett being the CM's they really seemed to struggle to get into the game.
 what I don't understand going right back to the Hay era, is why we have never seen our best XI on the park even though they are in the squad. Again we had Boxall on the pine. He's our best CB currently and has been for a good while.
Legend
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15K
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over 16 years
Marto
theprof
Hard questions have to be asked by the football journo's out there, mainstream media aint gonna do it cos they are never watching/aware that the team are even playing. Question to Bazely has to be what are his plans to get better, or actually improve? Then when he laughs it off or starts talking about having a good time and enjoying the match the questiion has to be is losing fun? 
His tactics are so bad!
set up of 3-5-2, with Payne as your right midifeld? just dumb, should have always been 4-3-3 and allow Payne and Cacace to get forward. Champness and Just have to start, I'm not sure about Stamenic and Garbett being the CM's they really seemed to struggle to get into the game.
 what I don't understand going right back to the Hay era, is why we have never seen our best XI on the park even though they are in the squad. Again we had Boxall on the pine. He's our best CB currently and has been for a good while.

yeah, it seems an odd decision to not play your best XI when they are actually all availble and fit, especially when we've had so many years when our best XI have had injury issues.
Starting XI
3K
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over 5 years
When talking about managers and NZF decisions. 
Ironic really that this week we continue to see the rise of Des Buckingham, the man NZF overlooked that put so much into NZ football. They will never live that one down.
Meanwhile Danny Hay continues his prolific coaching career......
and 2 others
First Team Squad
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1.9K
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almost 17 years
It's not just the losing, it's the lack of goals while doing so. Such a boring team to support.
Getting paid to be here
700
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970
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over 6 years
theprof
Hard questions have to be asked by the football journo's out there, mainstream media aint gonna do it cos they are never watching/aware that the team are even playing. Question to Bazely has to be what are his plans to get better, or actually improve? Then when he laughs it off or starts talking about having a good time and enjoying the match the questiion has to be is losing fun? 
His tactics are so bad!
set up of 3-5-2, with Payne as your right midifeld? just dumb, should have always been 4-3-3 and allow Payne and Cacace to get forward. Champness and Just have to start, I'm not sure about Stamenic and Garbett being the CM's they really seemed to struggle to get into the game.
Questions have to be asked about Woud as his #1? Sure Sail is not plaing well, Marinivoc is just not playing but you have other keeping options who are playing well, sure in lower leagues but actually playing. Woud is the 4th choice keeping in a japanese 2nd league. Sure he's only 24 but he has been damn average for a long time, hence his conitinual drop in level as a pro. It's time to get some of the younger guys into the team.
The All Whites played 4-3-3 in the match I watched today, so this is a very confusing post.
Legend
8.4K
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15K
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over 16 years
andrewvoerman
theprof
Hard questions have to be asked by the football journo's out there, mainstream media aint gonna do it cos they are never watching/aware that the team are even playing. Question to Bazely has to be what are his plans to get better, or actually improve? Then when he laughs it off or starts talking about having a good time and enjoying the match the questiion has to be is losing fun? 
His tactics are so bad!
set up of 3-5-2, with Payne as your right midifeld? just dumb, should have always been 4-3-3 and allow Payne and Cacace to get forward. Champness and Just have to start, I'm not sure about Stamenic and Garbett being the CM's they really seemed to struggle to get into the game.
Questions have to be asked about Woud as his #1? Sure Sail is not plaing well, Marinivoc is just not playing but you have other keeping options who are playing well, sure in lower leagues but actually playing. Woud is the 4th choice keeping in a japanese 2nd league. Sure he's only 24 but he has been damn average for a long time, hence his conitinual drop in level as a pro. It's time to get some of the younger guys into the team.
The All Whites played 4-3-3 in the match I watched today, so this is a very confusing post.

all the formations pre-game were 3-5-2, hence the confusion.
the other questions about intent and playing Woud in gol remain valid however.

this is how the setup was shown pre-game.
https://www.google.com/search?q=nz+vs+greece+football&rlz=1C5CHFA_enNZ850NZ850&oq=nz+vs&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgAEEUYJxg7MggIABBFGCcYOzIGCAEQRRg5MhIIAhAAGEMYgwEYsQMYgAQYigUyDAgDEAAYQxiABBiKBTIMCAQQABhDGIAEGIoFMgYIBRBFGDwyBggGEEUYPDIGCAcQRRg80gEINTMzOGowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11l2hmc08s;2;/g/11b66jrs60;ln;fp;1;;;
Starting XI
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4.9K
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about 17 years
I'm off to Ireland for the next game. Another loss likely even though we do have some talent.
and 1 other
WeeNix
720
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620
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over 1 year
I will get criticized by some for being pessimistic and negative again but good to see a few others now seeing the light....

We are a disgrace. That was a training run for a Greece "B" Side.

Why do all these ex pat poms get kiwi jobs? Bazeley and that 17s coach Bullock are a joke. They have about much life coming out of them as at deflated football. Get gone the lot. Pragnell can go too he appoints these lifeless folk and it rots from the top. Theres no personality in our performances.

Woud in goal? are we even taking international games seriously anymore? i actually want to know if theres a purpose to anything we are doing.

Joe Bell? Called it years ago absolute hype. 

Tommy Smith wow.

Bindon? i'll cut him some slack as hes on debut but he needs to improve. No chance hes better than Surman.

Payne? an international battler. Il give him hes effort. Not his fault he keeps getting picked.

Singh was at Bayern Munich? couldn't get a game for their supporters club.

Wood playing at 50% whats the point? selfish. Cap collector.

Some of you will come at me i know but I'm fuming and had enough of this S#*t

In another thread someone said to me stop worrying as most are now general public and don't care....well this is why they are there in general public, you can start to understand why but it shouldn't be.

We are playing an Ireland team in a few days that can barely field a team due to player withdraw....if we dont see a better performance fans should be kicking the NZF doors down. We are going no where.

what time does the pub open....


Life and death
2.4K
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5.5K
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about 17 years
I made the trek to Auckland for the game v Australia as I honestly believed that this team was the best of my generation and I had high hopes this would be a golden era for us. Since then, I have slowly lost hope and apart from the odd nice piece of skill from some players, I am now in despair. I don’t know what the answer is and that is so frustrating.
Starting XI
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4.9K
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about 17 years
imanixsupporter
It feels like we are getting worse every game. There is no obvious progress.

I'm quite mad that Woud has started the last two games. It borders on professional negligence when you have a Crocombe available.
I'm in no way defending Baz but we are playing a far higher calibre of team then we were two years ago. We only played one decent side before that WC loss.

Since then we have had Sweden, Australia and Greece. All top notch sides.
and 2 others
Legend
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over 16 years
Marto
Nommag
Wood seemed very unmotivated, good switch.
 I think he was properly pissed off at the ref for not calling the clear and obvious penalty. He argued it for ages.

Went down too easy. Sure could have been a pen, but he could have shrugged him off and got a shot away too.
Starting XI
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4.9K
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about 17 years
Napier Phoenix
I made the trek to Auckland for the game v Australia as I honestly believed that this team was the best of my generation and I had high hopes this would be a golden era for us. Since then, I have slowly lost hope and apart from the odd nice piece of skill from some players, I am now in despair. I don’t know what the answer is and that is so frustrating.

The Ferns, AWs and U17 men all have the same problem: crap coach appointed by NZF.  Are decent coaches within NZ (and Australia) being overlooked?  The current coaches should be let go.
Legend
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over 16 years
Our only goal scoring plan seemed to be Cacace crossing to Wood, 1 v 5 in the box. 

Champness had our best moment of the game, so that’s saying something.

It’s hard to understand what the plan is. A bunch of guys who create- Singh, Garbett, Bell, McCowatt, Stamenic, Lewis, Cacace, Payne with no one to create for. 
We couldn’t set a tempo, we couldn’t string 3 passes together. Bell is out of form. Just is somewhat out of form. Garbett is out of form. Waine had a moment or two before losing his threat.

Singh is out of position and out of form. There was one moment when he dropped deep and got the ball off the CBs and played some one touch, and showed us what we were missing. Which Bell did well last time we played, but for some reason didn’t today. 

It seemed odd we didn’t see Boxall. Hopefully the first team plays against Ireland. Was the heat a factor? The closed stadium? 

Otherwise a very confusing team and performance. Under Hay and under no coach we played better. We had a purpose to our play. Crisp passing. An awareness of where each other were. I wasn’t sure what we were trying to do today. 

That said I thought Bindon looked good and hope that he doesn’t regret his decision! 

And who’s better- Cacace or Tsmikas? 
Marquee
4K
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5.6K
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almost 12 years
NZF plays in a mickey mouse Oceania comp where half the teams don't even show up to play.

Remind me again why NZF with its limited funds is such a mouth watering prospect for overseas coaches.

I'm not a fan of Beazley - haven't been from the start, but I do think under him the team are at least trying to play a little. There is less hoof ball which is good, but let's not kid ourselves.

We don't have the quality.

How many of our starting 11 would make that Greece side?

And I can't be bothered scrolling up, but whoever is calling for Surman to start ahead of Bindon like it is a simple call is bonkers. Both are raw and inexperienced, to say one is clearly better than the other is nonsense. Surman looked clumsy in his 10 minutes. Also, Bindon didn't have to travel from the other side of the world so is probably in better shape to play.
WeeNix
1.6K
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980
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about 3 years
theprof
Hard questions have to be asked by the football journo's out there, mainstream media aint gonna do it cos they are never watching/aware that the team are even playing. Question to Bazely has to be what are his plans to get better, or actually improve? Then when he laughs it off or starts talking about having a good time and enjoying the match the questiion has to be is losing fun? 
His tactics are so bad!
set up of 3-5-2, with Payne as your right midifeld? just dumb, should have always been 4-3-3 and allow Payne and Cacace to get forward. Champness and Just have to start, I'm not sure about Stamenic and Garbett being the CM's they really seemed to struggle to get into the game.
Questions have to be asked about Woud as his #1? Sure Sail is not plaing well, Marinivoc is just not playing but you have other keeping options who are playing well, sure in lower leagues but actually playing. Woud is the 4th choice keeping in a japanese 2nd league. Sure he's only 24 but he has been damn average for a long time, hence his conitinual drop in level as a pro. It's time to get some of the younger guys into the team.
I get that Woud is unpopular on here so any goal he concedes is absolute proof that he is the worst goalkeeper in history, but surely we at least deal in facts? He's not the fourth choice goalkeeper for a Japanese 2nd tier side, he's their AFC Champions' League keeper, hence why he plays all the games in that competition. The same competition the best A League teams struggle every season to get out of the group (to the point that they lost their coefficient places and now play AFC Cup).

If we look at other keepers that might replace him: you have Searle, backup for the team placed 91/92 in the English pro leagues; Tzanev, backup at the side placed 77/92. Marinovic is (all but) retired. Sail is backup now it seems too. I guess you then look at NZ National League/third-tier Swedish Ettan (Sims)/English U18/U21s (Gray) level. With that being said, which of those now-not-anonymised, better keepers 'playing more than Woud' should replace him?

I also still haven't been convinced by Champness either. His USP, I guess, is that he can run at tiring legs maybe? Starting nullifies that. I only remember two things of his today, he played around a defender but then passed it out for a throw once he recovered his touch. The other was he tackled/ran-into Cacace and the ball got turned over.

Of course, the shape wasn't 3-5-2, that should've been clear. Just as it's 'Bindon' not 'Bidon' and 'Paulsen' not 'Lawson' (they actually had 'Lawson' down as number 22), the pre-match lineup graphic should not be taken as gospel.
WeeNix
390
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910
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about 11 years
Showtime nixie with all your answers your surely well on the way to becoming the next coach, get your A license please... 
Bit disrespectful to call wood a cap collector! 

All Whites v Greece | Saturday 18th November | 6:00am NZT | OPAP Arena, Athens

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