All Whites v Socceroos | Sun 25th Sept | 4.00pm | Eden Park | Morningside Tavern

Generally been a defender of Hay and this time.... but that was really, thoroughly disappointing. 

Conceded sloppy goals. Several underperformers. Couldn't dominate at home against a second-string Socceroos XI. Couldn't even score a goal (again!). What a disappointing way to mark the return home...

We missed Lewis quite a lot I reckon. Midfield didn't look particularly match fit to be playing so many minutes over 4 days.

bright side you are gonna be nz in the next wc  need a southamerican coach in my opinion ,  today  the aussies used a bit of dark arts to give you trouble in midfield you were outnumbered there they were higher on the field too.

copa americacopa america  should be vital

nz is doing good grass  football today the field was a fiasco,  

need to play again no hiatus 

and welcome back to the wc,  now you have almost 4 years to do it better,  maintain together this squad and add a few faces 

Socceroos are still not going to make it out of their pool, having to verse France and Denmark, poor buggers.

Wusty Wab

Socceroos are still not going to make it out of their pool, having to verse France and Denmark, poor buggers.

 Dunno, seems better than sitting at home twidling their thumbs like our lads will be. 

564 minutes since we scored from open play against a non-ofc side. Danny Hay's brave/courageous/attacking play is just talk. What a waste of World Cup cycle.

Simply put, Aussie pressed where we did not (unlike in Brisbane) and that put pressure on our backline and goalkeeper. Sail probably the most at fault there as his touch and kicking was Northern League Division 4 standard. We also tended to play it across the back 3 too much rather than getting the ball forward to our midfield. There was a period in the middle of the 1st half where we did that and were more successful. With our attack, it’s the same situation Wood has at Newcastle. At NUFC they don’t play to his strength (because of an abundance of other attack weapons) and so he is not scoring goals. Compare that to his time at Burnley where they were set up for him and his striking partner. On that note, Grieve should start up front with him, he was very good when he came on, showed a bit of grit and I think would make more space for Wood to operate as he does best. 

Really disappointed with the game, a lot (but not all) because I actually expected us to beat this team and we just didn’t front up.

lthomas20

Wusty Wab

Socceroos are still not going to make it out of their pool, having to verse France and Denmark, poor buggers.

 Dunno, seems better than sitting at home twidling their thumbs like our lads will be. 

Would really like to see that friendly against Uzbekistan being organised again after being cancelled. Could be a good start, not sure if that would be too hard for NZF though.

Dissapointing homecoming. We were the better team in Brisbane, but looked sluggish this afternoon. Too much pressure on the lads?
We didn't get enough difference out of the midfield - Stamenic, Bell and Garbett all too flat in a line

I hope I'm not stating the obvious or being too unfair but did anyone else think our attack lost quite a bit of momentum once Wood had to go off?

For all the crap Joe Bell got in the comments, Pijnaker was a LOT worse.  Reminded me of a baby deer on ice every time he got the ball.

Should’ve been hooked for Boxall at HT

We're really bad at set pieces. Bell isn't good at them, yet he's always on corners. They score their second on the counter from our corner for fudges sake, because Bell didn't beat the first man. 

Need someone who can actually deliver a ball from corners and free kicks, because it's an important part of the game we appear to have shrugged our shoulders at and gone yeah whatever.

Balbi

We're really bad at set pieces. Bell isn't good at them, yet he's always on corners. They score their second on the counter from our corner for fudges sake, because Bell didn't beat the first man. 

Need someone who can actually deliver a ball from corners and free kicks, because it's an important part of the game we appear to have shrugged our shoulders at and gone yeah whatever.

That was Lewis before injury?

Balbi

We're really bad at set pieces. Bell isn't good at them, yet he's always on corners. They score their second on the counter from our corner for fudges sake, because Bell didn't beat the first man. 

Need someone who can actually deliver a ball from corners and free kicks, because it's an important part of the game we appear to have shrugged our shoulders at and gone yeah whatever.

Problem is Lewis and Singh are our best takers... with both of them out, whenever we got a set piece (especially free kicks) I knew we wouldnt make anything of it

nufc_nz

Rock Hopper

What a strange nosedive to end danny hays tenure. There was so much hope and promise 4-5 months ago. But possession is all well and good but if there's no goal scoring instinct it's not going to cut it. 

Oh well see you all again in 2026 at sky stadium where no doubt we face off against Urugauy in an anticlimactic return home on the back of a 0-4 aggregate after slipping on a banana skin against Tahiti a few months prior

 

I think the winner of OFC group is automatically through to the next WC lmao

So we win the 2024 OFC nations cup and then we are through to the world cup?

morgenstern12

nufc_nz

Rock Hopper

What a strange nosedive to end danny hays tenure. There was so much hope and promise 4-5 months ago. But possession is all well and good but if there's no goal scoring instinct it's not going to cut it. 

Oh well see you all again in 2026 at sky stadium where no doubt we face off against Urugauy in an anticlimactic return home on the back of a 0-4 aggregate after slipping on a banana skin against Tahiti a few months prior

 

I think the winner of OFC group is automatically through to the next WC lmao

So we win the 2024 OFC nations cup and then we are through to the world cup?

That is correct.

Are do you think there will be enough money to do a longer home away qualifying format?

This is my first time going up to Auckland for a game of anything, and the whole time me and my mate were stunned at how lethargic and disinterested the crowd was. Don't get me wrong, the game was pants and I've heard about Auckland's rep before but good god. There was a small pocket of lads up from us in the white noise zone trying to get a bit of atmosphere going, but gave up as they were surrounded by people who seemed at best mildly interested. I suspect like us there were others who wanted a proper standing active support zone but were equally surrounded by young families and middle aged rugby snobs. NZ football take note, what a dead crowd. Welly with 10k feels much louder than that.

Venue was in good nick, pitch looked solid, had great seats with a good view, took six people along to their first ever live All Whites match - and what an absolute debacle that was.  I haven't been this angry/frustrated after an AWs match in a while.  We were completely bossed by a third string Aussie lineup that realistically should've scored at least 4.  Wood going off was significant (losing wood is never a positive, to be fair...) but in that first half we had absolutely no clues in responding to a high press.  There were more backward passes that during the Mick Waitt era.  But the fact that they emerged for the second spell with what appeared to be no adjustment at all in terms of formation, energy or ideas was appalling.

I'll watch the All Whites again, cos I always do, but right now I'm in a "I'm never watching that dross ever again" type mood.  And the people who came along sure as hell won't be returning.  The All Whites had a golden opportunity today to make a statement and capture the public's imagination - and they absolutely *** the bed...

And am absolutely in no rush to sit through footage of that match again to make "hilites".  Arghh that was so annoying :( 

After the game in Brisbane I thought we would probably win the Eden Park game.
We never really looked like it. Both sides gave the ball away cheaply but Oz always looked like scoring when they went forward. 
Tuiloma looked 5 kilos overweight and was awful.
We have some good talent but need to work more on attacking third.
The NZFA get a 0 from me for playing the game after 2 games of international rugby. They don't care about the players or the public only about the dollars.
Have been like this for fifty years.

Maybe it's just a holding CM scapegoat thing with Rufer's history on this forum but I don't think Bell deserves the amount of grief he's getting on here.
He certainly wasn't great but no one was today

Rock Hopper

Game turned completely shambolic for the final fifteen minutes of that half. Feel devastated for Wood this game would have meant so much to him. Obviously the rugby last night isn't helping anyone out there. Realy need to calm down a bit. A cumdog and devlin substitution combined with more misfires and miscommunications between Nando and Sail and a self induced 2 nil implosion could be incoming 

On the nose 0-2 loss prediction. 

Once Wood came off, it was all very toothless. As one (ex) EPL player retires, hopefully the other one can make it through this WC cycle mostly injury free & in reasonable form.

Lethargic 2nd half. 2 games in 3 days (coupled with the long travel) too much considering many of the first 11, are getting very few mins for their clubs currently? Aussie with far greater depth than us obviously - as you would expect with 5x NZ's popn.

Like others been a defender of Hay, but that was a very very disappointing 2nd half.

JAVIER16

El referee japones es horrible!!!  Cobra todo a favor The aussies

I guess you did not watch the playoffs in Qatar then with their atrocious Arab refs.

Balbi

We're really bad at set pieces. Bell isn't good at them, yet he's always on corners. They score their second on the counter from our corner for fudges sake, because Bell didn't beat the first man. 

Need someone who can actually deliver a ball from corners and free kicks, because it's an important part of the game we appear to have shrugged our shoulders at and gone yeah whatever.

Lewis & especially Singh would majorly help this problem.

At least most of those here commentating did not have to listen through the massively one eyed Aussie BS commentary.  The only time they mentioned NZ was when Cammy came on.  They were literally jizzing over Kuol.

While disappointed with the score, I’ve never rated Hay and his tenure just supported my existing opinion.  Bring in Des NOW!

Silver lining for me was seeing Devlin get his debut on home soil! (Nearly, WLG would have been even better).  I really hope he makes the WC squad for them.

Marto

At least most of those here commentating did not have to listen through the massively one eyed Aussie BS commentary.  The only time they mentioned NZ was when Cammy came on.  They were literally jizzing over Kuol.

While disappointed with the score, I’ve never rated Hay and his tenure just supported my existing opinion.  Bring in Des NOW!

Silver lining for me was seeing Devlin get his debut on home soil! (Nearly, WLG would have been even better).  I really hope he makes the WC squad for them.

No idea who you were listening to, but the Paramount/Channel Ten commentary was fine. The main guy quite knowledgeable. He talked up the young talented AWs team in the first half, naming all the clubs they were playing at etc. 

Also mentioned how we were unlucky to lose to Costa Rica, "which highlighted the challenge the AWs would be for the Socceroos". Even Slater was okay. But that was all in the first half!

Smeltz4PM

Maybe it's just a holding CM scapegoat thing with Rufer's history on this forum but I don't think Bell deserves the amount of grief he's getting on here.
He certainly wasn't great but no one was today

I 100% agree. He gets rubbish passes or random one touches and everyone is expecting him to do miracles on his own. If we had a team of Bells's we would be doing bloody well. 

Crowd 34,985.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/129989684/all-whites-star-chris-wood-says-it-would-be-silly-if-danny-hay-isnt-kept-on-as-coach

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/129986115/all-whites-lose-to-socceroos-in-captain-winston-reids-farewell-from-international-football

Third-largest football attendance in New Zealand history, after the World Cup playoff draw with Peru in 2017 (37,034) and the World Cup playoff win over Bahrain in 2009 (35,179).

The big picture
NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell has pledged to have the All Whites home at least once a year going forward, which is a promise that will take some work to keep, but worth it when you get a crowd like Sunday’s. There’s also now the matter of whether Hay will be continuing as coach heading into a new World Cup cycle.

Elemenop

Smeltz4PM

Maybe it's just a holding CM scapegoat thing with Rufer's history on this forum but I don't think Bell deserves the amount of grief he's getting on here.
He certainly wasn't great but no one was today

I was 100% agree. He gets rubbish passes or random one touches and everyone is expecting him to do miracles on his own. If we had a team of Bells's we would be doing bloody well. 

Sorry but Bell was very poor today and he does deserve the criticism that has come his way. 

Napier Phoenix

Simply put, Aussie pressed where we did not (unlike in Brisbane) and that put pressure on our backline and goalkeeper. Sail probably the most at fault there as his touch and kicking was Northern League Division 4 standard. We also tended to play it across the back 3 too much rather than getting the ball forward to our midfield. There was a period in the middle of the 1st half where we did that and were more successful. With our attack, it’s the same situation Wood has at Newcastle. At NUFC they don’t play to his strength (because of an abundance of other attack weapons) and so he is not scoring goals. Compare that to his time at Burnley where they were set up for him and his striking partner. On that note, Grieve should start up front with him, he was very good when he came on, showed a bit of grit and I think would make more space for Wood to operate as he does best. 

Really disappointed with the game, a lot (but not all) because I actually expected us to beat this team and we just didn’t front up.

Agree 100%. I was expecting us to step up from Thursday and smash these guys with intensity and pace and endeavour. Instead that was laboured, timid and left the crowd bored. I was pumped for this match and enjoyed the first half but the guys didn’t 1) go out and enjoy and express themselves or 2) go and kill them so I’m not sure what the half time team talk was. 

The technical area was very flat. No energy. Seemed content to go through the motions. I was sitting behind them and it left me really frustrated to be honest. 

Khalil Media

Venue was in good nick, pitch looked solid, had great seats with a good view, took six people along to their first ever live All Whites match - and what an absolute debacle that was.  I haven't been this angry/frustrated after an AWs match in a while.  We were completely bossed by a third string Aussie lineup that realistically should've scored at least 4.  Wood going off was significant (losing wood is never a positive, to be fair...) but in that first half we had absolutely no clues in responding to a high press.  There were more backward passes that during the Mick Waitt era.  But the fact that they emerged for the second spell with what appeared to be no adjustment at all in terms of formation, energy or ideas was appalling.

I'll watch the All Whites again, cos I always do, but right now I'm in a "I'm never watching that dross ever again" type mood.  And the people who came along sure as hell won't be returning.  The All Whites had a golden opportunity today to make a statement and capture the public's imagination - and they absolutely *** the bed...

And am absolutely in no rush to sit through footage of that match again to make "hilites".  Arghh that was so annoying :( 

Agree. So underwhelming. Those of us on here that get up at 4am to watch the away games and care about this team deserved better than that. The kids who have been told “this is the generation that play” deserved better. 

I don’t actually blame the players. There were no clear patterns, no energy. We didn’t change things up when it was clear 5 at the back was not working. I think Hay couldn’t sun Reid and Reid became a liability because we couldn’t go to a 4-3-3? 

nufc_nz

Bell ain’t up to it. Just was out beat player and been subbed.

Hay has to go tbh. We haven’t score in how many games now?

My feeling watching up to the first goal is that it is a team that mostly played a full game on Thursday night backing up against a fresh team. Still playing well, but with a bit less zip and surprise factor than they had. 

Cacace didn’t need to foul there for the goal-Sail had it covered. Ahh well. 

My other observation was that the Aussie commentary which I got went on about the Socceroos losing the physical battle. The upshot of that was Garbett didn’t seem to get a call all game. 
They also talked about two hits on Waine- and despite Aussie maybe losing duels they clearly put in strong challenges on our young creative players- Mooy, Irvine, Dellbridge, Hrustic and Sainsbury put in cynical challenges on Just, Garbett and Waine. We didn’t at all return the favour, with the exception of Waine! Maybe that’s good if we’re outplaying them or if we think, like Payne on Leckie, it’s only going to be counter productive. But I don’t think it’s something Ryan Nelsen would have accepted…

First half we held some of our shape. Second half we were just exhausted and lost composure and control that have been a feature of our football since the Olympics. 

Last last observation- Old should have got more time. He’s better than de Jong and possibly better able to create something than our other midfielders and FBs outside Cacace and Just. 

coochiee

Crowd 34,985.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/129989684/all-whites-star-chris-wood-says-it-would-be-silly-if-danny-hay-isnt-kept-on-as-coach

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/129986115/all-whites-lose-to-socceroos-in-captain-winston-reids-farewell-from-international-football

Third-largest football attendance in New Zealand history, after the World Cup playoff draw with Peru in 2017 (37,034) and the World Cup playoff win over Bahrain in 2009 (35,179).

The big picture
NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell has pledged to have the All Whites home at least once a year going forward, which is a promise that will take some work to keep, but worth it when you get a crowd like Sunday’s. There’s also now the matter of whether Hay will be continuing as coach heading into a new World Cup cycle.

Is it worth it if we’re playing a tired team against a fresh one? Can’t see how that game, with no spark compared to the excellent showing in Brisbane will have won any fans at all.

martinb

coochiee

Crowd 34,985.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/129989684/all-whites-star-chris-wood-says-it-would-be-silly-if-danny-hay-isnt-kept-on-as-coach

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/129986115/all-whites-lose-to-socceroos-in-captain-winston-reids-farewell-from-international-football

Third-largest football attendance in New Zealand history, after the World Cup playoff draw with Peru in 2017 (37,034) and the World Cup playoff win over Bahrain in 2009 (35,179).

The big picture
NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell has pledged to have the All Whites home at least once a year going forward, which is a promise that will take some work to keep, but worth it when you get a crowd like Sunday’s. There’s also now the matter of whether Hay will be continuing as coach heading into a new World Cup cycle.

Is it worth it if we’re playing a tired team against a fresh one? Can’t see how that game, with no spark compared to the excellent showing in Brisbane will have won any fans at all.

well in 2024 and 2025 we should get home games against island nations

2ndBest

564 minutes since we scored from open play against a non-ofc side. Danny Hay's brave/courageous/attacking play is just talk. What a waste of World Cup cycle.

Didn't see anything remotely brave, courageous or attacking today.

Really disappointed with that game. Seems like same old problems stalk NZF. No money, no preparation, no viable program for the AW,s, no culture for improvement. It all just seems so amateur. The poor AW fans have to put up with the same lack of direction every year. As much as I support the AWs it seems undeserving that they will qualify directly for future World Cups simply by beating a bunch of teams from coral atolls. I would rather they had a proper program of regular matches than being cannon fodder at the WC.

Agree, I don’t get the criticism I’ve read on here about him (although I think its only 1 or 2 posters). Sure there is the odd mistake but he really puts himself about and often I would applaud some of the 100+% stuff he achieves. 

Elemenop

Smeltz4PM

Maybe it's just a holding CM scapegoat thing with Rufer's history on this forum but I don't think Bell deserves the amount of grief he's getting on here.
He certainly wasn't great but no one was today

I was 100% agree. He gets rubbish passes or random one touches and everyone is expecting him to do miracles on his own. If we had a team of Bells's we would be doing bloody well. 

I think there is something in what you say about being cannon fodder but it will all come down to our attitude and that of NZF. if we just take it for granted that we automatically qualify and get the $ that comes with that without a quality programme for the AWs, then it will almost be pointless from a fans viewpoint. Our players will try their very best and they have all got to this point through their own skill and hard graft but NZF needs to do more than rake in any cash and make statements about how important this and that is. 

austin111

Really disappointed with that game. Seems like same old problems stalk NZF. No money, no preparation, no viable program for the AW,s, no culture for improvement. It all just seems so amateur. The poor AW fans have to put up with the same lack of direction every year. As much as I support the AWs it seems undeserving that they will qualify directly for future World Cups simply by beating a bunch of teams from coral atolls. I would rather they had a proper program of regular matches than being cannon fodder at the WC.

Was really disappointing, not because of the nepotism but because Hay keeps selecting players that aren't performing or being selected for their club teams. Not playing at their best but going through the motions. The tactics just don't work.
There are plenty of talent playing across the world who will never get a look in.
Get away from the Ole/Suburbs, Hay & Wintersgirl.