Think Smithy and I reckoned 10k when discussing it yesterday.
All Whites V South Africa | 30 May 7:30pm | The Zookeeper's Son | SS3
In fact if it was in Nelson it'd bring a lot of Wellington supporters too so yeah 10,000 would be very realistic. Which will make the 6000 odd that show up to Auckland look silly.
In fact if it was in Nelson it'd bring a lot of Wellington supporters too so yeah 10,000 would be very realistic. Which will make the 6000 odd that show up to Auckland look silly.
If NZF promoted this game properly e.g. posted pics of RYAN THOMAS : ALL WHITES WUNDERKID/THE NEXT WYNTON R ... etc.etc. around town then 10,000 plus would be easy. Shame no Reid tho.
I think one of the issues could be the Super 10/12/15/16/whatevernumberitis. NZ is generally a rugby public that pay an interest in football, save their pennies for the Blues then Warriors. The football supporters are the minority. It really makes a mockery of Auckland to be honest that in a population this size, they may not crack 10k? Jesus.... You can't get angry (as a set of fans) at players for not turning up if you don't care to go watch in the first place (although I accept the attendance of one can lead to the other)
In fact if it was in Nelson it'd bring a lot of Wellington supporters too so yeah 10,000 would be very realistic. Which will make the 6000 odd that show up to Auckland look silly.
An international in Napier or Nelson yeah right
How about this: tell South Africa to suck a fat one and have a home and away series with Aussie on the same dates?
Woops posted in the wrong thread. What are the chances of this match actually being cancelled?
No chance because SA would then have to pay compensation of hundreds of thousands of dollars to NZ Football and the FFA in Australia and this would include TV rights money which no doubt would have to go to Sky TV in NZ, Fox in Australia and SA television plus any international broadcasters taking the game.
Contracts will have been signed some time ago.
Some SA clubs want to withdraw players they say are injured - the SA FA are giving them medical tests in the next 12 hours and will merely substitute them with others if their own medical staff assess them as unfit.
My reading is these players have accepted the call-up to the squad and will only be allowed to pull out if assessed as medically unfit.
Here is a more detailed report from earlier today via Aussie media re: SA player availability:
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/05/20/south-africa-dire-straits-ahead-socceroos-game
"While South Africa's coach Gordon Igesund refused to confirm that up to seven players would be unavailable for the internationals in Sydney and Auckland, Kaizer Chiefs revealed that three of its players were set to pull out of the squad.
Igesund's preferred goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, striker Bernard Parker and midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala need surgery, according to Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter, after the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) finished on earlier this month.
"All three of our players will go for surgery," Baxter said on Monday.
"Parker's knee looks like he should not be playing. We gave them painkillers in our last matches. We have spoken to Igesund and their technical team and he understands the situation.
"Look, it's the doctors who made these decisions not the coaches. We have always supported Bafana by making our players available whenever they were needed."
South Africa is set to take on the Socceroos at ANZ Stadium while New Zealand will play Igesund's team four days later in Auckland.
Reports in South Africa's media claim the other four injured players are from Orlando Pirates, which would leave a significant hole in Igesund's squad, with both clubs having finished in the top four of the PSL this season.
The seven injured players have joined Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi (calf) and Rostov defender Siyanda Xulu (ankle) on the sidelines....
[South Africa coach Gordon Igesund said:]"I can't mention their names at the moment as I'm still looking for replacements," the 57-year-old former South Africa international said.
"I have about seven players reported to be injured and they will undergo medical test tomorrow.
"I have been in this situation before and survived.
"I'm hopeful I will get the right players for those who are injured."
Incredibly unlucky that many getting injured between the squad being named and now...
Incredibly unlucky that many getting injured between the squad being named and now...
Say... they sound like they have the same issues we have. So many players 'injured'
should be a chance to climb the world ranking table then
I take my hat off to Ricki.
This underlines the hitherto unappreciated genius of picking players from Unattached FC.
Courtesy Relay
South Africa Football Association (SAFA) Media Release: Bafana Bafana coach upbeat despite injuries to some players
Bafana Bafana have been forced to make a number of changes to the squad scheduled to play Australia and New Zealand next week.
Bafana Bafana take on the Socceroos of Australia on 26 May in Sydney and travel to Auckland for a date with New Zealand on 30 May 2014.
Coach Gordon Igesund said while the withdrawals had somehow affected his plans, he was still confident that those selected would do the country proud.
“I have put together a big squad of around 34 which is young and excited about playing for the country, so those who I have called as replacements are part of that broader squad. They are very capable players.
“All these players are part of the group that should participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches for 2015 in Morocco. This is an opportunity for those selected to raise their hands and be counted. They are young and should compete,” said Igesund.
The Bafana Bafana coach said there was little he could do about the withdrawals but added he had confidence in those selected.
“It has been a long season for most of these players and there is little I can do about injuries. Injuries are part of the game of football and there is no one to be blamed for this,” he said.
Bafana Bafana leave for Australia on 22 May and play the Socceroos on 26 May before proceeding to New Zealand for a date with the New Zealanders on 30 May. The matches will be played in Sydney and Auckland respectively.
The squad returns home on 1 June 2014.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD LIST VS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
NO. |
PLAYER'S NAME |
CLUB |
GOALKEEPERS: | ||
1. |
Ronwen Hayden WILLIAMS |
Supersport United FC (SA) |
2. |
Senzo Robert MEYIWA |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
DEFENDERS: |
||
3. |
Benett Thabo NTHETHE |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
4. |
Buhlebuyeza Wilson MKHWANAZI |
University of Pretoria FC (SA) |
5. |
Thato MOKEKE |
Supersport United FC (SA) |
6. |
Anele Calvin NGCONGCA |
Racing Genk FC (BELGIUM) |
7. |
Thabo MATLABA |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
8. |
Erick MATHOHO |
Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
MIDFIELDERS: | ||
9. |
Teko MODISE |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
10. |
Oupa Matthew MANYISA |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
11. |
Bongani ZUNGU |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
12. |
Themba ZWANE |
Mpumalanga Black Aces FC (SA) |
13. |
Thulani Caleb SERERO |
Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland) |
14. |
Thuso PHALA |
Supersport United FC (SA) |
15. |
Hlompho Alpheus KEKANA |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
16. |
Ayanda PATOSI |
FC Lokeren (BELGIUM) |
STRIKERS: | ||
17. |
Kermit ERASMUS |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
18. |
Tokelo Anthony RANTIE |
AFC Bournemouth FC (ENG) |
Not that bad considering. Modise is a bit on the wane but has been a very good player for South Africa. Serero is good and there was a lot of hype around Kermit Erasmus when he was younger and signed to Feyenoord.
Courtesy Relay
South Africa Football Association (SAFA) Media Release: Bafana Bafana coach upbeat despite injuries to some players
Bafana Bafana have been forced to make a number of changes to the squad scheduled to play Australia and New Zealand next week.
Bafana Bafana take on the Socceroos of Australia on 26 May in Sydney and travel to Auckland for a date with New Zealand on 30 May 2014.
Coach Gordon Igesund said while the withdrawals had somehow affected his plans, he was still confident that those selected would do the country proud.
“I have put together a big squad of around 34 which is young and excited about playing for the country, so those who I have called as replacements are part of that broader squad. They are very capable players.
“All these players are part of the group that should participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches for 2015 in Morocco. This is an opportunity for those selected to raise their hands and be counted. They are young and should compete,” said Igesund.
The Bafana Bafana coach said there was little he could do about the withdrawals but added he had confidence in those selected.
“It has been a long season for most of these players and there is little I can do about injuries. Injuries are part of the game of football and there is no one to be blamed for this,” he said.
Bafana Bafana leave for Australia on 22 May and play the Socceroos on 26 May before proceeding to New Zealand for a date with the New Zealanders on 30 May. The matches will be played in Sydney and Auckland respectively.
The squad returns home on 1 June 2014.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD LIST VS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
|
NO. |
PLAYER'S NAME |
CLUB |
|
GOALKEEPERS: | ||
|
1. |
Ronwen Hayden WILLIAMS |
Supersport United FC (SA) |
|
2. |
Senzo Robert MEYIWA |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
|
DEFENDERS: |
||
|
3. |
Benett Thabo NTHETHE |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
|
4. |
Buhlebuyeza Wilson MKHWANAZI |
University of Pretoria FC (SA) |
|
5. |
Thato MOKEKE |
Supersport United FC (SA) |
|
6. |
Anele Calvin NGCONGCA |
Racing Genk FC (BELGIUM) |
|
7. |
Thabo MATLABA |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
|
8. |
Erick MATHOHO |
Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
|
MIDFIELDERS: | ||
|
9. |
Teko MODISE |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
|
10. |
Oupa Matthew MANYISA |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
|
11. |
Bongani ZUNGU |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
|
12. |
Themba ZWANE |
Mpumalanga Black Aces FC (SA) |
|
13. |
Thulani Caleb SERERO |
Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland) |
|
14. |
Thuso PHALA |
Supersport United FC (SA) |
|
15. |
Hlompho Alpheus KEKANA |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
|
16. |
Ayanda PATOSI |
FC Lokeren (BELGIUM) |
|
STRIKERS: | ||
|
17. |
Kermit ERASMUS |
Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
|
18. |
Tokelo Anthony RANTIE |
AFC Bournemouth FC (ENG) |
We got a game! Bring it on!
Given the news reports of the last couple of days, I feel the AWs could be on a hiding to nothing.
If we lose, the media will be all over the fact we could not even beat a SA team that was literally thrown together a la above posts, and at home to boot.
If we win, it will be because their best players didnt come etc.
But our best players are not there either - that will be quietly forgotton
Given the news reports of the last couple of days, I feel the AWs could be on a hiding to nothing.
If we lose, the media will be all over the fact we could not even beat a SA team that was literally thrown together a la above posts, and at home to boot.
If we win, it will be because their best players didnt come etc.
But our best players are not there either - that will be quietly forgotton
South African football doesn't have huge amount of top quality players at the moment (arguably NZ is at least equal with Reid, Wood, Smith, Thomas, Rojas) but below that it is fairly even. So a lot of those players that have been replaced are being replaced with a player close to their level of ability, it's not like in NZ when a pro player is unavailable we bring in a Christie.
Though, it still seems like the trip is a shambles:
Luckily we play them second, who knows what is going to happen leading up to the Australian game.
Given the news reports of the last couple of days, I feel the AWs could be on a hiding to nothing.
If we lose, the media will be all over the fact we could not even beat a SA team that was literally thrown together a la above posts, and at home to boot.
If we win, it will be because their best players didnt come etc.
But our best players are not there either - that will be quietly forgotton
South African football doesn't have huge amount of top quality players at the moment (arguably NZ is at least equal with Reid, Wood, Smith, Thomas, Rojas) but below that it is fairly even. So a lot of those players that have been replaced are being replaced with a player close to their level of ability, it's not like in NZ when a pro player is unavailable we bring in a Christie.
Though, it still seems like the trip is a shambles:
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/bafana-scramble-players-ahead-socceroos-friendly
Luckily we play them second, who knows what is going to happen leading up to the Australian game.
I agree with what you are saying. It is just me thinking of the rugby biased media in this country not knowing anything about SA football and demanding that we must win because their best players are not here
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
Given the news reports of the last couple of days, I feel the AWs could be on a hiding to nothing.
If we lose, the media will be all over the fact we could not even beat a SA team that was literally thrown together a la above posts, and at home to boot.
If we win, it will be because their best players didnt come etc.
But our best players are not there either - that will be quietly forgotton
South African football doesn't have huge amount of top quality players at the moment (arguably NZ is at least equal with Reid, Wood, Smith, Thomas, Rojas) but below that it is fairly even. So a lot of those players that have been replaced are being replaced with a player close to their level of ability, it's not like in NZ when a pro player is unavailable we bring in a Christie.
Though, it still seems like the trip is a shambles:
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/bafana-scramble-players-ahead-socceroos-friendly
Luckily we play them second, who knows what is going to happen leading up to the Australian game.
I agree with what you are saying. It is just me thinking of the rugby biased media in this country not knowing anything about SA football and demanding that we must win because their best players are not here
Yes, Sam Worthington has been extra cringe worthy regarding this game. Writes off all home based players it seems when most of the squad and some of their best players are based in South Africa, even when full strength. Guys like Modise and Tshabalala are treated like gods and haven't seen the point testing themselves in Europe (unless a top level team came knocking), one thing I think has held back South African football recently.
can't wait for Dewhurst's attempts at pronouncing some of those names.
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
We would get absolutely hammered.
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
We would get absolutely hammered.
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
We would get absolutely hammered.
But what would happen on the pitch?
Revenge for 2010 they were dicks! Remember those tackles on Bertos?
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
We would get absolutely hammered.
Might be enough to tempt Wood and Reid out maybe?
LATEST CHANGES TO THE CHANGES IN THE SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD
Some of the replacement players have been unavailable or "injured" so the replacements have been replaced.
Actually still quite a lot of experienced internationals (see Wikipedia link below for details on each player).
Only two uncapped players. Three of the defence started against Brazil in March, plus Serero in midfield and Rantie up front; Zungu and Patosi came on as subs; three others were unused subs.
Ngcongca, Nthethe and Khumalo also started in defence in the 1-0 win vs. Spain last November; Rantie started up front; Zungu and Patosi came on as subs; Meyiwa and Mkhwanazi were unused subs.
http://www.safa.net/index.php?page=articles&id=2233
| BAFANA BAFANA COACH BRINGS IN NHLAPO, LETSHOLONYANE, KHUMALO, MTHEMBU |
| 2014-05-21 |
|
BAFANA BAFANA COACH, GORDON IGESUND HAS MADE FOUR CHANGES TO THE TEAM GOING ON THE AUSTRALASIA TOUR. He has brought in Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), veteran Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Sibusiso Khumalo (SuperSport United) and Siphelele Mthembu (Platinum Stars). They come in for Oupa Manyisa, Teko Modise, Thabo Matlaba and Kermit Erasmus who have pulled out for various reasons. "I am very happy with this squad. As I said before, I have identified around 34 players who form the core of my vision and all these replacements are part of that bigger group. We are going to Australia and New Zealand to compete,” said Igesund. |
NO. NAME CLUB CAPS
1. Ronwen Hayden WILLIAMS Supersport United FC (SA) 1 cap
2. Senzo Robert MEYIWA Orlando Pirates FC (SA) 1 cap
DEFENDERS:
3. Benett Thabo NTHETHE Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) 20 caps
4. Buhlebuyeza Wilson MKHWANAZI University of Pretoria FC (SA) 8 caps
5. Thato MOKEKE Supersport United FC (SA) 2 caps
6. Anele Calvin NGCONGCA Racing Genk FC (BELGIUM) 33 caps
7. Sibusiso Blessing KHUMALO Supersport United FC (SA) 42 caps
8. Erick MATHOHO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) 8 caps
MIDFIELDERS:
9. Reneilwe Letsholonyane Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) 46 caps
10. Siyabonga NHLAPHO Bidvest Wits FC (SA) 0 caps
11. Bongani ZUNGU Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) 7 caps
12. Themba ZWANE Mpumalanga Black Aces FC (SA) 0 caps
13. Thulani Caleb SERERO Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland) 14 caps
14. Thuso PHALA Supersport United FC (SA) 11 caps
15. Hlompho Alpheus KEKANA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) 13 caps
16. Ayanda PATOSI FC Lokeren (BELGIUM) 3 caps
STRIKERS:
17. Siphelele MTHEMBU Platinum Stars FC (SA) 1 cap
18. Tokelo Anthony RANTIE AFC Bournemouth FC (ENG) 18 caps
Updated too on Wikipedia with number of caps and goals for each player:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_football_team#Current_squad
Still a lot of experienced internationals in the revised squad. Players' caps:
46 caps, 42 caps, 33 caps, 20 caps, 18 caps, 14 caps, 13 caps, 11 caps, 8 caps, 8 caps, 7 caps, 3 caps, 2 caps, 1 cap (x 3)
Not many goals for SA in the new squad though - Rantie has scored four, Kekana three, Letsholonyane two, Zungu one, Nthethe one, Khumalo one.
Total of 12 goals scored for SA by this squad!
Previous squads from last 16 months:
8 of the players were in SA's African Cup of Nations squad Jan. 2013:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_squads#South_Africa
Team vs. Spain Nov. 2013:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/304758/teams
Team vs. Brazil March 2014:
Still that squad is getting a bit thin. Last i saw before this list they still had a combined 8 from Chiefs + Pirates (after others were unavailable), now theres only 3.
Still that squad is getting a bit thin. Last i saw before this list they still had a combined 8 from Chiefs + Pirates (after others were unavailable), now theres only 3.
Still a few from Sundowns, and they are the most successful side in the PSL and reigning champs.
Still that squad is getting a bit thin. Last i saw before this list they still had a combined 8 from Chiefs + Pirates (after others were unavailable), now theres only 3.
Actually the league winners eleven days ago were Mamelodi Sundowns and they have three players in the squad, Kaiser (second-placed) have two, Bidvest Wits University (third-placed) have one, Orlando (fourth-placed) have one, Super Sport (fifth-placed) have four.
So there are eleven players from the top five teams (plus four who play overseas) plus the best available from other SA Premier League teams. Of course, it was mainly Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates whose players withdrew.
So, there will still be four overseas players (and Serero of Ajax Amsterdam is their best one) plus many of the best players from the SA Premier League (minus a few stars like Bernard Parker).
Eleven players have seven caps or more; eight have caps in double figures.
SA have called up 64 players [edit: on top of those in the current squad touring here] to squads over the last 12 months - as their coach has said he has a wider group of 34 players in contention for places. He has called up different players and combinations for different tournaments - sometimes no overseas players have been available for regional tournaments like the African Nations Championship in January this year (not to be confused with the Africa Cup of Nations):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_football_team#Recent_call-ups
The SA Premier League finished thus (top half of 16 team league):
http://int.soccerway.com/national/south-africa/psl/20132014/regular-season/r22009/
1. Mamelodi Sundowns
2. Kaizer Chiefs
3. Wits University
4. Orlando Pirates
5. SuperSport united
6. Bloemfontein Celtic
7. Mpumalanga Black Aces
8. Platinum Stars
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
We would get absolutely hammered.
Might be enough to tempt Wood and Reid out maybe?
Notice you didn't mention smith, do you doubt his allegiance to the flag?
Scrap the Safa's and play home and away against Australia, that'll get good crowd turn outs!
We would get absolutely hammered.
Might be enough to tempt Wood and Reid out maybe?
Notice you didn't mention smith, do you doubt his allegiance to the flag?
I think out of the 3 of them, for me, he has the bigger reputation for only turning up for World Cup or the Olympics.
I'm planning on getting the train from Britomart to Penrose after work, are there any decent bars/food places between the train station at Penrose and Mt Smart?
What the hell is it with Auckland and stadiums in the middle of nowhere... Mt smart and Eden Park make Albany seem like a vibrant location...
I'm planning on getting the train from Britomart to Penrose after work, are there any decent bars/food places between the train station at Penrose and Mt Smart?
What the hell is it with Auckland and stadiums in the middle of nowhere... Mt smart and Eden Park make Albany seem like a vibrant location...
I'm planning on getting the train from Britomart to Penrose after work, are there any decent bars/food places between the train station at Penrose and Mt Smart?
What the hell is it with Auckland and stadiums in the middle of nowhere... Mt smart and Eden Park make Albany seem like a vibrant location...
Okay, Kingsland isn't too bad. Eden Park still feels like it is in the middle of nowhere though to me. Maybe I'm getting old and most of my memories from Kingsland are before it was as lively. Anyway, my main question about food places near Mt Smart still stands...
There is bugger all near Mt Smart. We are basing ourselves here. Owner will be ordering some taxi vans for us seen it is a bit of trek.
I'm planning on getting the train from Britomart to Penrose after work, are there any decent bars/food places between the train station at Penrose and Mt Smart?
What the hell is it with Auckland and stadiums in the middle of nowhere... Mt smart and Eden Park make Albany seem like a vibrant location...
Eat first. Some of the best restaurants in the country are right in Britomart. Some good bars too.
There is bugger all near Mt Smart. We are basing ourselves here. Owner will be ordering some taxi vans for us seen it is a bit of trek.
WTF sort of Englrish is this. Shocker.
Midnight posting....
I'm planning on getting the train from Britomart to Penrose after work,
Be sure to get an Onehunga train because you can then ride one of our shiny new Electrics. :)
Won't make it because, paradoxically, I'll be in Welly that night.
Kosta and Smeltz goooonnee. NZ B, NZ B, NZ B,...
arbarouses, Smeltz out of South Africa clash
Friday 23 May, 2014
For immediate release
Interim All Whites coach Neil Emblen has been forced to make two late changes to his side for next week’s clash with South Africa in Auckland with strikers Kosta Barbarouses and Shane Smeltz both ruled out on Friday.
The pair will be replaced by Wellington Phoenix 24-year-old Jason Hicks and South Melbourne FC defender James Musa (22).
Melbourne Victory attacker Barbarouses will miss the match with the 24-year-old still recovering from the effects of a lingering ankle problem after a long season with his club which included their seven-match Asian Champions League campaign.
Meanwhile, after his move from Perth Glory to Sydney FC was confirmed last week, Smeltz has been withdrawn by his new club following an A-League season which saw the striker hindered by injury.
Emblen, while disappointed for both Barbarouses and Smeltz, says the door opens for two young players looking to make an impression.
“Losing players from the squad at any time isn’t ideal,” said Emblen, “but that’s the nature of football.
“With Kosta, we’ve been closely monitoring his situation over the last two weeks and he and I were hopeful he’d be able to play, but unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way this time around.
“Shane has had a stop-start season due to injury and with him securing a deal at a new club, while we lose access to a top quality striker, I can understand the position he and the club are in ahead of a new campaign with a new coach.”
“But what this situation does provide is an opportunity for Jason and James who are hungry young players excited by the chance to prove themselves in the All Whites environment as we build the group towards Russia in 2018.”
The All Whites go into camp on Monday in Auckland ahead of next Friday’s match up with South Africa at Mt Smart Stadium at 7.30pm.