All Whites V Saudi Arabia Friday 6 Sept 6.15am SS2

The build-up to the All Whites crucial CONCACAF play-off matches continues with SKY Sport screening LIVE coverage of the OSN Cup in Saudi Arabia.

 The All Whites play Saudi Arabia on Friday September 6 in the semifinal, followed by either UAE or Trinidad & Tobago in the third-place play-off or OSN Cup Final on Tuesday 10 September. SKY’s coverage will include both All Whites matches LIVE.

 SKY Sport commentator Andrew Dewhurst will provide commentary for these important matches.

 The All Whites will play the currently undecided fourth-ranked CONCACAF side in November for a spot at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil – SKY Sport will have LIVE coverage of these matches as well.

 SKY Sport will screen LIVE coverage of two All Whites matches in the OSN Cup.

  Saudi Arabia v All Whites – Friday 6 September – 6.00am – SKY Sport 2

Roll on more commentary gold...

Oh hell no

Seems weird calling it a semifinal when it is the first round. Technically true, but odd. 

it's great news that this is on tv

i assume there will be no radio coverage,so i suggest we all pop over to piney's house and get him to talk us through the game

Here is a public offer to help SKY's commentator - I used to live in the Middle East, have spent time in Saudi, and have passable Arabic... am willing to offer some time to help with the broadcast if needed.

if you are who i think you are, you're a good commentator yourself, so let's get you in the box/studio

Mods, should we keep all of the all whites chat including the build up matches in the stickied thread?  It's quite useful to keep it all in one place

there is more chance of me being elected Prime Minister than them actually asking me to do this!  but just thought I'd put the offer out there :)

Poddy says 5th of Sept on Sky..Please clarify.

Time zone. 5th local time. which is the 6th here.

Early start on my birthday then.  Woot!

Surprised SA are ranked so low, not long ago they were consistently ranked around where we are now. When Bahrain knocked them out of WCQ's 4 years ago that was considered an upset.

Tim Payne out after getting injured when playing for Blackburn, Clapham comes in.

Feel like we shouldve taken a few extra players. Gonna be 40+ degrees

Yep, have to agree. I've been in the middle east when it's been that hot and it's unbearable just walking out of the buildings for a few minutes to get to your car. I hate to think what it's going to be like playing a game of football. I'm not liking it if it's 40 or more!

Still can't use that as an excuse, they will just have to get on and do the job. 

I imagine they will have breaks in each half for health reasons given it is a friendly tournament.

They will need to hydrate heavily though for health reasons... unfortunately for them the Saudi team and U.A.E team will be able to run around freely in it.

I was still jogging in Dubai a couple weeks ago without too much stress.

LOL, maybe you should've made yourself available for the AWs!

Starting predictions

Moss

Reid durante smith

Bertos james vicelich lochhead

Barbarouses wood brockie

Subs spoonley sigmund clapham butler howieson killen bright

To be honest, I don't think this is going to be a fair indicator for the AWs of what the CAN produce

Ricki has picked what he feels is his best 18 sans injury. Fair enough. The heat, which will be warmer than Honiara, will be a massive leveller. We have guys coming out of winter, coming off breaks other than training, cracking it in 40 degree heat in another part of the world and I dare not think about where the officials will come from.

I just don't think people should expect us to steam roll it because of our ranking.

I don't think anyone is expecting us to steamroll them due to our ranking.  In fact, I think most right-minded people realise that the rankings mean nothing - even if we played them here, with a full squad I imagine we would be doing well to get a draw against them.

^^^ Agreed.  We have to be considered outsiders in this match.  The only one of the teams i expect us to beat is T&T

Kick-off is 9.15 pm local time so will be a bit cooler - say, about mid-thirties!

Depending on if we make the 3rd place game or the final, those will be at 6.45 pm and 9.15 pm local time on Monday (Tuesday am NZT)

The entire Saudi team play in their own country.

Trinidad & Tobago have 12 overseas players and 9 local

UAE's players all play in their own country. 

In AbuDhabi. Warming up nicely. Riyadh just an hour or so flight into the desrt. Riki, Riki, give us a wave!!!!

WE ARE GOING TO PLAY A BACK 4!!!!!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9126936/Ricki-Herbert-to-tinker-with-All-Whites-formation

Saudi Arabia are paying $2 at the TAB.  Good opportunity to double your money.

Whoa - maybe Ricki has been reading the comments made on this forum.

If he stays with a back four, Lochead's spot is cemented till he decides he no longer wants to be available for the AWs or until Ricki is gone.

Lochhead purely as a LB and not being asked to get forward is ok with me. Won't get caught out of position and is still the best LB in this country

Oh don't get me wrong, I am happy with what you are saying RJM and if I had a preference, its maybe to not have him starting. I just suspect that while RH is still running the shop, Lochhead will still get picked. As part of a back 4 where he does not have to get forward, I am happy with that. It means he just focuses on his area of the park and defensive duties only. When he has to get up and down the flank, then I have an issue.

Yeah, I don't have a particular problem with him either, I don't see his place automatically assured though. I also do worry a bit that he will lose sharpness by not having a professional club but will have to wait and see on that.

I think going forward if Storm Roux is starting week in week out for the Mariners at RB then basically problem solved. Lochy I'm totally assuming will join Team Wellington which while not ideal is football. Still don't understand why he doesn't look offshore for a gig. I know India's isn't the greatest place to play football but Colosimo, Mehmet are doing it. Hernandez has. He'd be being paid to play football. Next year there is always China (good enough for Killen) or Thailand. Needs to pull finger in that department

Also at LB I wonder if Hogg will rejoin Auckland City this season. Again week in, week out prior to Nov and beyond