My memories of the 2 big pressure games last year. Tuiloma alongside a few others like Stamenic looked very nervous against Peru in front of their 35,000 fans. Billy T sprayed a number of passes off target, which just heaped more pressure on the AWs. Pijnaker came on at HT (for Smith) and things started to improve. Especially down the left side Pijnaker finding Libby & Garbett who had a big game.
Now in an intimidating atmosphere like that (the AWs playing sans crowds up to that point) it's likely easier to get a feel for the pressure watching from the pine, than immediately starting. But was disappointing to see Tuiloma with all his big game experience in the MLS (he had been on goal scoring fire with Portland up to then as well) sort of freeze.
Then in the huge CR playoff, Tuiloma gets burnt badly by the 18 yr old kid (a selection that may have caught the AWs staff off guard), and Campbell somehow scruffs his shot in. There were a number of AWs at fault for the goal (incl Pijnaker) but BT was the biggest culprit. Pijnaker does need to be playing at a higher level, but from what I've seen he seems to have a pretty calm big match temperament.
Be interesting to see who Bazeley picks for the Friends Arena.
FYI - that 18 yr Ticos winger Jewison Bennette, went on to sign for Sunderland and play 15 games n The Championship, before injuring himself with CR in the March FIFA window. Turns 19 next week.
Now in an intimidating atmosphere like that (the AWs playing sans crowds up to that point) it's likely easier to get a feel for the pressure watching from the pine, than immediately starting. But was disappointing to see Tuiloma with all his big game experience in the MLS (he had been on goal scoring fire with Portland up to then as well) sort of freeze.
Then in the huge CR playoff, Tuiloma gets burnt badly by the 18 yr old kid (a selection that may have caught the AWs staff off guard), and Campbell somehow scruffs his shot in. There were a number of AWs at fault for the goal (incl Pijnaker) but BT was the biggest culprit. Pijnaker does need to be playing at a higher level, but from what I've seen he seems to have a pretty calm big match temperament.
Be interesting to see who Bazeley picks for the Friends Arena.
FYI - that 18 yr Ticos winger Jewison Bennette, went on to sign for Sunderland and play 15 games n The Championship, before injuring himself with CR in the March FIFA window. Turns 19 next week.