Yep - definitely agree there. Verbeek must have been absolutely furious - all the effort to get teams together and to the big arena, and then have stupid play like that potentially crippling any chance they have. He'd be glad that it happened now and not in SA. The Aussies better behave themselves in the rest of their friendlies otherwise they'll arrive in SA with a reputation as hackers - which I'm sure refs do notice if its in the press - which it certainly is for now....
By contrast our guys were very professional about the whole thing. Good job guys.
All Whites v Socceroos Match Thread
any updates on Brown's and Bertos' injuries?
Any thoughts on the off-side situation for that second goal? One Aussies was definitely in an off-side position and the only question can be was he part of the play or not? I would have thought that running towards the play and the ball across the face of the goal and directly in line-of-sight of the goalie at the critical time might have qualified... maybe on another day it would have.
New Zealand leave for an altitude camp in Austria today as the next phase of their World Cup preparation begins. They are monitoring the fitness of Leo Bertos (leg), Tim Brown (shoulder), who went to hospital after the match last night, and Ivan Vicelich (ankle), but none of the injuries are thought to be serious.
Elsewhere, I think I saw that Tim had an x-ray on his shoulder.
Aside from all that - I think we have clearly made our case for an formal competitive Trans-Tasman cup, to be played home-and-away (home leg at the RoF, of course) - yearly if at all possible, bi-yearly if necessary.
any updates on Brown's and Bertos' injuries?
"Bertos was seen walking comfortably on the sideline later in the game"
"Meanwhile, midfielder Tim Brown had an x-ray on a shoulder injury last night, but is also expected to be fit for the European camps."
Any thoughts on the off-side situation for that second goal? One Aussies was definitely in an off-side position and the only question can be was he part of the play or not? I would have thought that running towards the play and the ball across the face of the goal and directly in line-of-sight of the goalie at the critical time might have qualified... maybe on another day it would have.
No chance. Sadly, awarding the goal was the right decsion.
Two-footed tackles in a WC warm up? You dirty Aussie bastards.
Disappointed in you, Timmy.
Disappointed in you, Timmy.
The Cahill foot in back climb for the ball should have seen him off.
Thing that really gets me is all this "if this hadn't been a friendly they would have been sent off" type stuff. The Laws of The Game regarding serious foul play don't change because it isn't a 'competitive' match.
If Grella and/or Cahill had been sent off, we would have probably won. But would we have learned as much?
As far as I can tell, we've learned: (a) our strikers are sh*t-hot in the air; (b) do NOT repeat NOT let Simon Elliot take long-range shots; (c) do NOT repeat NOT let Andy Boyens on the park at all; (d) refs always favour the stronger team (in terms of foul play, mysteriously extending injury time, etc), so do not fall asleep after time's up on the clock.
As far as I can tell, we've learned: (a) our strikers are sh*t-hot in the air; (b) do NOT repeat NOT let Simon Elliot take long-range shots; (c) do NOT repeat NOT let Andy Boyens on the park at all; (d) refs always favour the stronger team (in terms of foul play, mysteriously extending injury time, etc), so do not fall asleep after time's up on the clock.
what annoys me about this game
1) how we changed to constant long balls in the 2nd half (like to think it has something to do with brown and bertos off tho)
2) those tackles
3) the aussies reaction after we scored (why you guys so happy it only a friendly - result doesn't matter kinda stuff, then comes now....)
but the main annoyance is the long ball tactic, we were great in the first half, some of the best football i've seen the all whites play. but the 2nd half we were awful... australia wasn't much better in 2nd half, i think they scored because we just kept giving ball back
1) how we changed to constant long balls in the 2nd half (like to think it has something to do with brown and bertos off tho)
2) those tackles
3) the aussies reaction after we scored (why you guys so happy it only a friendly - result doesn't matter kinda stuff, then comes now....)
but the main annoyance is the long ball tactic, we were great in the first half, some of the best football i've seen the all whites play. but the 2nd half we were awful... australia wasn't much better in 2nd half, i think they scored because we just kept giving ball back
two leg TTC would be good
Chch can make as strong a claim to host as ROF though
were a bit unlucky but you got to take ya chances
Sigmund had a good game, that's important for me
Chch can make as strong a claim to host as ROF though
were a bit unlucky but you got to take ya chances
Sigmund had a good game, that's important for me
Not sure who's more disappointed about Holman scoring, us or the Aussie fans.
We are still not strong enough in the middle of the park...i feel that playing three up fron, all players of the same style leaves us open to be ripped apart in the middle. I thought that fallon and killen linked well but didnt see shane too much in the game
First half great, competitive deservedly in fron t at the break....second half...what happened? long balls, sitting too deep letting the aussies attack through the middle...and whaqt happened to the defence for the winning goal? somebody was not doing their job
First half great, competitive deservedly in fron t at the break....second half...what happened? long balls, sitting too deep letting the aussies attack through the middle...and whaqt happened to the defence for the winning goal? somebody was not doing their job
6 substitutions happened.
The game should have, at the least, been a draw. Pim's comments about his players make the result a bit easier to take though. Hopefully a positive to come out of this is that it motivates the squad even more to out perform Oz at the WC.
Something else to come out of this might be that Grella doesn't make the cut for the final squad. Aside from the, ahem, tackle, he was very poor and Verbeek's comments about him being sent off if that was a finals game might mean he won't take a chance on the thug. That would be the ultimate justice.
Craig Moore will probably miss out too. Again, he was poor and he's been trading on his repuataion for quite a while now.
I liked what I saw in Reid once he settled and went more central. Maybe a but too log on the ball a few times but looked the goods. Smith was quality as well. That ball for Fallon in the second was quality. Just a shame he couldn't finish it (poor effort to be fair). I was impresed with what I saw but we need to up the pace of our game if we want to have a chance in SA. 6/10.
I don't think we can criticise our team too much for the second half performance. We were missing Bertos, Brown, Locky etc.....when you drag in 6 subs then you often lose your shape a bit.
All in all a very positive hit out. Our first eleven looks great. WE have good strength and depth in strikers and in defenders. Midfield looks a bit weak. Elliot was very good.....but without Brown and Bertos we fell away dramatically in the second half. Wee mac is too small to play holding midfielder....he would be better up the park behind the strikers or maybe a bit wider.
We are one quality midfielder short. Smeltz is a poaching striker.....he does not look good tucked in behind the front two. We need someone quicker and more mobile in there.
Fallon and Killen are fantastic.....they had the Oz defense under pressure all match. Shame we can't get someone to deliver quality balls into them regularly. As I was watching the second half I thought what a shame we couldn't have fast tracked "kiwi " Daniel into the side. He is exactlly the sort of player that would complement this team.
So all in all a very positive showing. We can go into the world cup with some confidence. If we can field our first eleven every game then we will give teams a good run. The only player I see who would force their way into the team that started tonight would be Reid and Smith.
Browns coming home....fractured shoulder 
Browns coming home....fractured shoulder
:( who's going to take his place. Duncan Oughton?
Not looking good for Brown.
Observations for me -
1) Our fortunes are directly linked to how much time Simon Elliot spends on the ball. First half he was all over it and we dominated them. Went off the boil at the start of the 2nd (maybe adjusting to not having Browny there) and we looked poor. Got back on it in patches. He is absolutely vital to how we play.
2) Why did we have so many CBs on by the end? For me when they bought Brockie on I would have taken Boyens or Siggy off and we still would have had Reid - Smith - Nelsen - Boyens/Sigmund. Even if they hadn't done it for Brockie why not give Clapham or Plodder a run on the right where Boyens was supposedly playing?
3) I hadn't thought about the different role he was playing but for most of tonight you could see why Killen/Fallon play in Europe and Smeltz plays in Australia. Maybe the way we play suited them more but for me Smeltzy didn't seem dangerous at all.
4) Reid/Smith - Reid had his moments, did some incredible things that reeked of class but then did some daft things aswell. Smith looked good, how good was that cross to Fallon!
Really very proud of the guys last night, showed we wont be pushovers in Africa although did it also show how inflated Australias ranking is! ASked before the game, when was the last time Australia played a non-Asian team? They certainly didn't handle our style last night.
All in all really proud of the guys
Browns coming home....fractured shoulder
:( who's going to take his place. Duncan Oughton?
linds2010-05-25 13:03:36
Browns coming home....fractured shoulder�
Any verification on this?
New Zealand midfielder Tim Brown's prospects of playing at the FIFA World Cup are in grave doubt after a shoulder injury suffered against Australia last night has forced him to return home for possible surgery.
[...]
Brown has already undergone scans but faces further assessment after suffering a fracture to his right shoulder.
[...]
Brown has already undergone scans but faces further assessment after suffering a fracture to his right shoulder.
(source)
Browns coming home....fractured shoulder
:( who's going to take his place. Duncan Oughton?
For me, last night showed one thing that is glaringly obvious compared to Aussie. We don't have anyone with genuine pace that can chase passes or just create havoc. If Browny is to miss out, bring Costa in to add a new dimension.
contrary to some others, i thought mcglinchey did well when he came on. got on the ball and linked up, didnt turn it over, touces were neat and tidy, took some pressure off elliott. he is a completely different player to Brown though - so it will change things a lot if Brown out.
Why did Boyens come on for Bertos? I know it was a wingback role Bertos was initially playing but I thought Herbert may have put on another attack minded player such as Brockie, or even another midfield for that matter. Boyens played poorly but to be fair he was played well out of position. He looked lost further up field. Unsurprisingly like a centre back.
By subbing on Boyens I thought we took the foot off the throat a bit, as Boyens would naturally sit deeper and offer less in attack, allowing Australia to play higher up and string some passes through the midfield.
By subbing on Boyens I thought we took the foot off the throat a bit, as Boyens would naturally sit deeper and offer less in attack, allowing Australia to play higher up and string some passes through the midfield.
proud of the effort by the boys last night, we are never going to get as many chances of scoring than our opposition so really have to nail them - Killen hit the post, Brown inchs wide in 1st 10 minutes, Elliot had open goal in front of him but on wrong foot, Rory's header - we created chances which is great to see.
Smeltz was quiet - do we bench him for Wood.
We are competitive, held our own . Thought Reid looked good when he played in central defence. Would have liked to see how Clapham would have fared - will get his chance to impress.
Felt so sorry for them when Aussie took the lead, deserved a draw but lets learn from it - better it happens now than in the wc.
I know Grella should have been red carded, but better for the All Whites preparation that they play against 11.
boyens coming on on the right was definitely peculiar. dont think you can judge him at all as a centreback based on having to play out there. He is probably 5th in the cb pecking order - but he did a very admirable job against Mexico.
Brown has fractured shoulder. See other thread.
without Brown we are f**ked. I feel so much for him, if he is indeed going to miss out on WC. He's the most consistant player both at the Nix and AW's. He runs himself into the ground every week and has scored heaps last season. Elliott is more classy but you saw yesterday that he can't take the full 90' at that level.
Timmy I feel for you mate. You deserved to go. Tough break big guy. Tough break indeed
Why did Boyens come on for Bertos? I know it was a wingback role Bertos was initially playing but I thought Herbert may have put on another attack minded player such as Brockie, or even another midfield for that matter. Boyens played poorly but to be fair he was played well out of position. He looked lost further up field. Unsurprisingly like a centre back.
By subbing on Boyens I thought we took the foot off the throat a bit, as Boyens would naturally sit deeper and offer less in attack, allowing Australia to play higher up and string some passes through the midfield.
By subbing on Boyens I thought we took the foot off the throat a bit, as Boyens would naturally sit deeper and offer less in attack, allowing Australia to play higher up and string some passes through the midfield.
I thought Winston Reid came on for Bertos.
without Brown we are f**ked. I feel so much for him, if he is indeed going to miss out on WC. He's the most consistant player both at the Nix and AW's. He runs himself into the ground every week and has scored heaps last season. Elliott is more classy but you saw yesterday that he can't take the full 90' at that level.
Timmy I feel for you mate. You deserved to go. Tough break big guy. Tough break indeed
The basic rules of magic suggest that instead of going "OH NOES TIMMEH IS FUXXORED" we should be all saying "GET WELL QUICK TIMMEH" and sending him positive vibes.
The basic rules of magic suggest that instead of going "OH NOES TIMMEH IS FUXXORED" we should be all saying "GET WELL QUICK TIMMEH" and sending him positive vibes.
This ^^^
GET WELL SOON TIMBO, FROM THE CRONUSES
without Brown we are f**ked. I feel so much for him, if he is indeed going to miss out on WC. He's the most consistant player both at the Nix and AW's. He runs himself into the ground every week and has scored heaps last season. Elliott is more classy but you saw yesterday that he can't take the full 90' at that level.
Timmy I feel for you mate. You deserved to go. Tough break big guy. Tough break indeed
Backed. Total garbage
contrary to some others, i thought mcglinchey did well when he came on. got on the ball and linked up, didnt turn it over, touces were neat and tidy, took some pressure off elliott. he is a completely different player to Brown though - so it will change things a lot if Brown out.
Brown and Elliot work well as Brown does a lot of work off the ball and puts opposing midfielders under pressure with his physicality. WeeMac did play well, but doesnt get into peoples faces like Brown does. So how well does a combination of McGlinchey and Elliot fit our current tactics?
its quite a different combo. on one hand we do lose Brown's defensive presence and constant hassling, on the other hand mcglinchey give us a lot more in posession. Brown gets goals for the Phoenix but has never got one for the AWs (the fact his his role in slightly different and deeper is probably a factor), WeeMac is not a goalscorer. It might not make us any worse, but it will change the way we play and it also leaves us very thin in the midfield.