Stoked for roux, if anyone he has deserved a call up! Surprised that Bell missed out - not unhappy about it though. Maybe Bazeley has finally seen the issues in midfield and identified who was not doing their role? Tommy Smith clearly has something on the gaffer - even with no minutes Surman should have been picked ahead of him,
Given Rogerson has come into the last couple squads off what we presume is a strong pre-season, I wonder how far away Liam Gillion would be. He looks to have scored a couple goals in their friendlies and is a player I'm big on.
Eli Just has been a mainstay for the last five years, but if he's in an uninspiring team in Austria's second tier, then the A League guys could well overtake him.
I think Surman is being given a chance to establish himself Stateside. Yes he's not playing yet, but this is a crucial time for the MLS so staying put will help his cause more than jetting around the world. I'm happy with the squad given the timing of the matches and the opposition. My only wish would be to have seen De Jong instead of Rogerson.
I think Surman is being given a chance to establish himself Stateside. Yes he's not playing yet, but this is a crucial time for the MLS so staying put will help his cause more than jetting around the world. I'm happy with the squad given the timing of the matches and the opposition. My only wish would be to have seen De Jong instead of Rogerson.
Probably some sort of similar story with Bell as Viking are in a tight race for the European spots. Doubt either has been dropped by Bazeley.
Really surprised Boxy is available given his tough schedule this week (3 MLS games) and De Jong is unlucky. Still the return of Roux after 2 years out, gives ADJ hope that if you perform for your club you can eventually get a recall.
Edit - Boxall got a late 91st min yellow for Minny when they were 3-0 up against the Rapids. His 8th yellow of the season, means he is suspended for the midweek trip to Real Salt Lake. Looks a smart (intentional?) play by the wily old dog, with MLS playoffs & a long AWs trip downunder looming.
Given Rogerson has come into the last couple squads off what we presume is a strong pre-season, I wonder how far away Liam Gillion would be. He looks to have scored a couple goals in their friendlies and is a player I'm big on.
Eli Just has been a mainstay for the last five years, but if he's in an uninspiring team in Austria's second tier, then the A League guys could well overtake him.
Ditto Jesse Randall. There are a number of young Kiwis in the ALM this season, that if they have breakout campaign like Old did with the Nix - goals & assists - will be pressing Just, McCowatt & Barba for a squad spot this WC cycle.
OVH, Champness, Gillion, Randall, Rogerson & Lachlan Bayliss. Likely still too early for GSR. But by 2026 if you ain't playing at a higher level than the Austrian or Portuguese 2nd tier you won't be going to the World Cup. That even includes Sarpreet.
Centre back Finn Surman has been left out to allow him to spend a sustained period at his new Major League Soccer club, the Portland Timbers, while midfielder Joe Bell has been left out as part of an agreement with his club to manage his travel.
Forward Callum McCowatt and midfielder Sarpreet Singh aren’t present as they are only just returning from injuries, while fullback Dalton Wilkins remains sidelined.
I expect Tahiti to resort back to parking the bus, which went very well for them against us at the 2022 Qatar tourney. Tough slog for the AWs and only Libby's late goal for the win.
They tried to be more attacking against us back in June at the Nations Cup, and we cantered to a 5-0 win, with agrubaly a weaker run on team than we had in 2022.
3 min chat about the squad with Bazeley. No issues with Storm Roux at all it seems. He's 'been unlucky' and then unavailable a few times when Baze wanted to pick him by the sounds of it. OFC Nations Cup in June I remember was one instance.
After announcing the All Whites squad for the @FIFAWorldCup qualifier against Tahiti, and the home match at North Harbour Stadium against Malaysia, we caught up with head coach Darren Bazeley on his team and upcoming games 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/EjqLx3GjTR
Hmm. Rather suspect this means that Smith is locked in for the next World Cup on the basis of who he was rather than anything he’s done recently.
And also just a hint of a bit of local politics from Baze with Smith /Howieson/Pijnaker/Rogerson v Payne/Kosta/Rufer/Sutton and Paulsen.
Hope Rogerson does okay. He’s been around the world and back. Looking at Rufer, it’s fine to be a late bloomer, though perhaps unusual in a winger.
Perhaps we should be selecting FB/W partnerships too. Old and Libby looks a strong one on the left. Just need something reliable on the right as a supporting act…The guys are penciled in, but with erasers at the ready!
I wonder if Just and Kosta would be looked at as fairly locked in for 2026 too? You feel there is a lot of players who could potentially be knocking on the door.
I thought the Bell/Rufer double act was a good one, but perhaps we’ll see this game as a chance for Rufer/Stamenic to get used to each other’s games.
No one got anything on why Garbett didn’t play for Breda last game?
Going to be interesting to see who takes responsibility for the Singh playmaker role. I suspect Libby, but hopefully it’s better than last time that was the case.
Or is this, Roux aside, a case of a squad to get a job done and there’s not too much to read into the future plans there?
I did say that there wasn’t a lot of money in football in NZ. But if the new Auckland franchise is successful, with its owners and partners, perhaps off the back of the two clubs and the successful women’s World Cup we could launch a bid for a co-hosted World Cup.
NZ/Aus and a couple of games in the islands and then leverage that to pressure the powers that be to sort the confederation out. Maybe. If.
Grasping at straws, but who knows perhaps some durable ones?
I think technically Oceania has a potential ‘turn’ in 2038?
Yes from memory you need a min 40,000 seat stadium to host a mens WC game??
Smith is not a lock in for the WC which is still 2 years away, a lot can happen between now and then. He’s likely ranked the 5th CB at the moment as it is
Do you think there’s nowhere in the islands that could build a 20k plus an extra 15k temporary? With lots of FIFA dispensation?
Or just an NZ/Aus co-hosting.
I’ve had the idea that if we win 4-0 rather than 2-0 against island teams somehow that’s going to get the Asian confederation to take on Oceania argued and backed by folk.
If the Fever believes that, then a stadium of some kind in the islands in 14 years time can’t be a biggie.
Was saying Rufer was a late bloomer and perhaps Rogerson, returning to the a league, can improve in a similar way. However, it is usually considered easier to improve in a DM role. Wingers who are more reliant on pace are less likely to improve as they get older.
Do you think there’s nowhere in the islands that could build a 20k plus an extra 15k temporary? With lots of FIFA dispensation?
Or just an NZ/Aus co-hosting.
I’ve had the idea that if we win 4-0 rather than 2-0 against island teams somehow that’s going to get the Asian confederation to take on Oceania argued and backed by folk.
If the Fever believes that, then a stadium of some kind in the islands in 14 years time can’t be a biggie.
Australia cohosting with NZ, and maybe Indonesia was the idea mooted for a bid at a mens World Cup. As it stands now in NZ only Eden Park could host mens WC games. Zero chance of one of the Island nations being involved.
With Australia and Indonesia being in the AFC, and Saudi (also in AFC) hosting the 2034 WC - the earliest chance of a mens WC being hosted in this part of the world is likely 2050. That's based on FIFA rotating the World Cups through the various confederations. I'd be surprised if there isn't a strong bid from China for the 2050 WC, or another Middle Eastern destination.
Maybe in 2050, China will host a pool in one of their many Pacific Protectorates. Games at the 50,000 seater Peoples Republic China Provincial Stadium in Apia.
Oh and I think some missed Fitzy's intended sarcasm about Tahiti
As you say some island involvement would be needed to consider it an Oceania hosting and make it 2038.
And it would need foreign benefactors, both to build stadia and to advocate for the Cup, perhaps to allow some concessions on rules which would apply elsewhere for a limited number of marquee games. But getting foreign investment is part of the hope of the project.
Anyhou. Some football to talk about in less than a week, yeh?
As you say some island involvement would be needed to consider it an Oceania hosting and make it 2038.
And it would need foreign benefactors, both to build stadia and to advocate for the Cup, perhaps to allow some concessions on rules which would apply elsewhere for a limited number of marquee games. But getting foreign investment is part of the hope of the project.
Anyhou. Some football to talk about in less than a week, yeh?
I jest about an Island nation being part of any mens WC, ever.
A 2038 bid is impossible with Australia still in AFC, as a AFC nation in Saudi is hosting the 2034 WC. FIFA aim to rotate WCs through the different Confeds. It's likely back to Nth America or Sth America (minor cohost in 2030) in 2038. Aussie would need to leave AFC and rejoin OFC to make a joint bid possible for 2038.
As it is I think NZ & Australia solely hosting a 48 team WC is a long shot. A 48 team WC consists of 104 games in total. It's like 40 games more than were played in Qatar - a country a shortist flight from most of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa. 104 is just too many matches for our two nations, at the bottom of the world. There will be less travelling fans than other World Cups. I think you need someone like Indonesia (popn 276M), Malaysia or whoever also in as a co host. And those countries ain't ever leaving AFC.
Depends how guilty FIFA et al feel about the islands. And as we’ve concluded likely 2/5ths of f all.
You only need to look at the US shenanigans with CONCACAF and hosting various tournaments to see what can be done with clout.
And New Zealand and Australia do have significant Pasifika populations, as well as Hall, Krishna and Kaltak having played professional football through their competition. Jaushy too I guess!
On percentage chances (though both are not high) I feel there is a larger chance of us securing some part in a WC co-hosting deal than changes to the confederations system. The more islanders performing in the A league and beyond, the greater the case for a better deal.
What sort of lineup do people want to see vs Tahiti? For me:
Crocombe Roux Boxall Bindon Cacace Rufer Stamenic Just Garbett Old Waine
Obviously not the best available XI. I'm keen to get a good look at Roux (and would rather not see Payne do his hammy in Vanuatu again) and I'm keen to see 34 year old Kosta play less so he can be at his best for the Nix's opening game. And see less of Wood in Vanuatu so we can see more of him in the flesh vs Malaysia.
Wouldn't mind if Crocombe & Waine headed home early, it's a long way home & their clubs may be playing games through the window. We really don't want to see Crocombe losing his club spot, he's our best keeper and it's important he keeps playing, and of course we all want to see Waine kick on at club level too. Also wouldn't be fussed if Old also didn't make the trip to NZ, he needs to be especially protected so that he doesn't become another Thomas/Singh story, given the fitness struggles he has already had in his career.
What sort of lineup do people want to see vs Tahiti? For me:
Crocombe Roux Boxall Bindon Cacace Rufer Stamenic Just Garbett Old Waine
Obviously not the best available XI. I'm keen to get a good look at Roux (and would rather not see Payne do his hammy in Vanuatu again) and I'm keen to see 34 year old Kosta play less so he can be at his best for the Nix's opening game. And see less of Wood in Vanuatu so we can see more of him in the flesh vs Malaysia.
Wouldn't mind if Crocombe & Waine headed home early, it's a long way home & their clubs may be playing games through the window. We really don't want to see Crocombe losing his club spot, he's our best keeper and it's important he keeps playing, and of course we all want to see Waine kick on at club level too. Also wouldn't be fussed if Old also didn't make the trip to NZ, he needs to be especially protected so that he doesn't become another Thomas/Singh story, given the fitness struggles he has already had in his career.
Don't need to worry about getting Waine and Crocombe home early. Like in the last window, Mansfield's game has been postponed because other players like Baccus will also be on international duty. Same thing for Burton's game.
League One will resume again for both of them on the 20th of October (19th for the UK) and our match against Malaysia is on the 14th.
Ditto Bindon's Reading, they also now have their scheduled game against Reading in the FIFA window postponed.
Balancing act for Bazeley yipe keeping the European clubs happy. Plus the ALM kicks off 4 days post the Malaysia game - Friday night Roux's CCM verus the VUC at Gosford. Payne's Nix don't play until the Sunday in Welly. So yeah starting Storm R against Tahiti makes sense.
Expect alot of squad rotation between the 2 games. Very few players to start both. All the 5 Auckland FC guys (Paulsen, Pijnaker, Smith, Howieson & Rogerson) to start against Malaysia? That game is at their club's training base, so no travel at all for them post the window.
As you say some island involvement would be needed to consider it an Oceania hosting and make it 2038.
And it would need foreign benefactors, both to build stadia and to advocate for the Cup, perhaps to allow some concessions on rules which would apply elsewhere for a limited number of marquee games. But getting foreign investment is part of the hope of the project.
Anyhou. Some football to talk about in less than a week, yeh?
I jest about an Island nation being part of any mens WC, ever.
A 2038 bid is impossible with Australia still in AFC, as a AFC nation in Saudi is hosting the 2034 WC. FIFA aim to rotate WCs through the different Confeds. It's likely back to Nth America or Sth America (minor cohost in 2030) in 2038. Aussie would need to leave AFC and rejoin OFC to make a joint bid possible for 2038.
As it is I think NZ & Australia solely hosting a 48 team WC is a long shot. A 48 team WC consists of 104 games in total. It's like 40 games more than were played in Qatar - a country a shortist flight from most of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa. 104 is just too many matches for our two nations, at the bottom of the world. There will be less travelling fans than other World Cups. I think you need someone like Indonesia (popn 276M), Malaysia or whoever also in as a co host. And those countries ain't ever leaving AFC.
Just shows how stupidly big AFC is - Australia/Indonesia are barely on the same continent as the gulf nations (and watch Qatar bid again) so it's stupid they get disadvantaged by it.
FIFA has also gone a bit nuts with the rule - it's a big tournament that is very hard to afford hosting, and the bids are going to be fewer perhaps than ever. If there are more bids from Asia/Europe than other continents then so be it when they host more!
Bonnie on the FF said that she heard that there was some sort of deal with Bell's club that if he went to the Olympics that he wouldn't travel for this window
Thankfully Tahiti in Vanuatu the only qualifier that will be played in the Islands.
This will be the first time the All Whites have started an in-season FIFA window in the Pacific Islands since March 2017 and they have had to navigate the challenges thrown up by the scarcity of direct flights to Vanuatu.
They will assemble there from Tuesday next week, with the bulk of the squad flying in from Auckland that morning, and the last players arriving from Europe via Brisbane next Wednesday, ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Tahiti on Friday, October 11 (kickoff 3pm NZ time).
The All Whites are then set to return to Auckland on a chartered flight that night before preparing for a friendly against Malaysia at North Harbour Stadium on Monday, October 14 – their first home match in 19 months.
Bonnie on the FF said that she heard that there was some sort of deal with Bell's club that if he went to the Olympics that he wouldn't travel for this window
Bazeley had tried to call the 31-year-old up earlier this year, but a combination of injury and personal reasons at the player's end had prevented him from joining the fold until now.
“He'll add to the squad," Bazeley said of Roux. "He's a good option. Payney's done really well in that position, but it's sometimes hard to have Payney making all those runs for 90 minutes, so it could be a good opportunity for Storm."
Centre back Finn Surman, who impressed in a 90-minute outing against the US, has been left out to allow him to spend a sustained period at the Portland Timbers, the Major League Soccer club he joined in mid-July.
The 21-year-old went away to the Paris Olympics almost immediately after that, then spent nine days in early September on international duty, and is yet to be handed a debut by coach Phil Neville, a former England international.
"We thought this was a really good opportunity for him to really integrate himself at the club," Bazeley said.
"We want him to be given an opportunity by Phil Neville over there and spending this time there will give him the chance to do some fitness and really integrate at the club and hopefully gets an opportunity for them in their run-in to the playoffs.“
Midfielder Joe Bell was left out as part of an agreement with his Norwegian club Viking FK, which took into the account their willingness to release him for the Olympics even though they were under no obligation to.
“We looked at these next three windows in regards to flying back to New Zealand each time," Bazeley said.
“The club are very conscious of the effect that that has on on Joe when he comes back from travelling, so between us we've agreed that he would miss this one, but they've already committed to him coming in November, which is great."
Forward Callum McCowatt, midfielder Sapreet Singh and fullback Dalton Wilkins are all yet to return to first-team action after recent injuries.
McCowatt has played for the reserves at Danish club Silkeborg, but didn't make it off the bench last weekend; Singh is yet to debut for his new second-tier Portuguese club U.D. Leiria; Wilkins has been sidelined since the last international window at Sønderjyske in Denmark.
Auckland FC midfielder Cam Howieson has come into the squad in Bell's absence, with Reading centre back Tyler Bindon returning from injury to replace Surman. McCowatt, Singh and Wilkins were injured in September, with Auckland’s Logan Rogerson and Wellington Phoenix left back Sam Sutton taking the places of the latter two then and retaining them now.
Usual good stuff from Niche Cache, incl an interesting breakdown of the Malaysian team (eclectic mix of players, a bit like neighbours Indonesia) who certainly look like being the tougher game on paper if they are near full strength.
Highlights of Malaysia's 3-3 draw against Sth Korea at the Asian Cup earlier this year. A dead rubber last round pool game, but the Malays most notable result of late.
It is honestly so bizarre that Rogerson keeps his spot with someone like de Jong available. He's done nothing of note in quite a while in club football and didn't dazzle in the last window for which he was a last second injury call-up. I guess it shows how strong the incumbency bias is for Baze. That'd also explain why Pijnaker has kept his spot for so long.
It is honestly so bizarre that Rogerson keeps his spot with someone like de Jong available. He's done nothing of note in quite a while in club football and didn't dazzle in the last window for which he was a last second injury call-up. I guess it shows how strong the incumbency bias is for Baze. That'd also explain why Pijnaker has kept his spot for so long.
Makes it almost equal from each local club. Plus he’s a genuine wide player, whereas de Jong perhaps isn’t. Been chatter he’s had a decent preseason.
And Bazeley isn’t someone who’s particularly radical with his selections or playing style. He’s not going to go anti-positional or even Lee Carseley-ish. Heck, he’s not even yet had a go with playing out from the back with the AWs and with Paulsen in goal.
With no Singh, I feel we’ll get it out wide to Libby and the rest and hit crosses to Wood. Possibly we’ll see a bit through the centre from Old or Garbett, but that’d be my guess. Big switches of play from Rufer and Stamenic.