Sounds like the bulk of squad will arrive in Vanuatu tomorrow to prepare for Friday's match. Some late arrivals though won't get to Port Vila until Wednesday.
I'm guessing the Johnny-come-latelys will be those who played in Europe overnight. Wood, Stamenic, Just & Libby. Coming in so late may mean they start on the bench against Tahiti.
This is the team that started the Nations Cup Final and got the job done (a 3-0 win) back in June against Vanuatu.
Crocombe, Cacace, Sutton (RB), Surman, Bindon, Howieson, Rufer, Just, Old, Barbarouses, Waine
Possible starting 11 on Friday (7 ALM guys)
Crocombe, Sutton, Roux, Boxall, Pijnaker, Howieson, Rufer, Garbett, Rogerson, Barbarouses, Waine
Garbett & Boxall should be well rested even after their long travel. Neither played on the weekend.
The Nations Cup squad had a good long camp together, and often scored a goal(s) early in games in that tourney to kill off any hope the Island teams had of an upset. The performance this Friday may start off a bit scratchy with the short sharp lead in. But if likes of Libby, Stamenic, Old, Wood are coming off the bench should over run the tiring part time Tahitians.
From what I can see Tahiti still haven't named their squad yet.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/tahiti-prepare-for-a-challenging-start-to-fifa-world-cup-26-oceania-qualifiers/
That’s the challenge facing Tahiti coach Samuel Garcia, as they take on Darren Bazeley’s New Zealand in their opening match in Port Vila next week.
I'm guessing the Johnny-come-latelys will be those who played in Europe overnight. Wood, Stamenic, Just & Libby. Coming in so late may mean they start on the bench against Tahiti.
This is the team that started the Nations Cup Final and got the job done (a 3-0 win) back in June against Vanuatu.
Crocombe, Cacace, Sutton (RB), Surman, Bindon, Howieson, Rufer, Just, Old, Barbarouses, Waine
Possible starting 11 on Friday (7 ALM guys)
Crocombe, Sutton, Roux, Boxall, Pijnaker, Howieson, Rufer, Garbett, Rogerson, Barbarouses, Waine
Garbett & Boxall should be well rested even after their long travel. Neither played on the weekend.
The Nations Cup squad had a good long camp together, and often scored a goal(s) early in games in that tourney to kill off any hope the Island teams had of an upset. The performance this Friday may start off a bit scratchy with the short sharp lead in. But if likes of Libby, Stamenic, Old, Wood are coming off the bench should over run the tiring part time Tahitians.
From what I can see Tahiti still haven't named their squad yet.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/tahiti-prepare-for-a-challenging-start-to-fifa-world-cup-26-oceania-qualifiers/
That’s the challenge facing Tahiti coach Samuel Garcia, as they take on Darren Bazeley’s New Zealand in their opening match in Port Vila next week.
The Group B opener features two sides who contested the semi-finals of the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in June at the same venue, a match convincingly won 5-0 by the Kiwis.
Garcia is adamant that this being a World Cup Qualifier is a completely different situation for his team and has expressed his excitement about facing New Zealand, a team he acknowledges as the favourites to secure direct entry to the FIFA World Cup 26™.
“It’s not a simple game because New Zealand is the big team,” he said. “But I believe this match will give us a clear idea of where we stand. It’s an opportunity to measure our level against the best.”
Drawing from the OFC Men’s Nations Cup semi-final defeat, Garcia felt his side has learned plenty and will make the necessary adjustments to be competitive in Port Vila.
“In that match, we struggled with possession,” he noted. “This time, we need to focus on defence and play with intensity and concentration. We’ve studied New Zealand’s recent games, and I’m confident we can put up a strong fight.”
He’s also pleased to be facing the All Whites in Port Vila where the conditions are trickier than playing New Zealand on a smoother playing pitch in their own backyard.
“We have a chance,” Garcia remarked.
Looking beyond the New Zealand match, the affable coach highlighted the significance of the subsequent games against Samoa in Hamilton (November 15) and Vanuatu in Auckland (November 18).
“Those matches are crucial,” Garcia said. “The competition is tight, and all the teams, Vanuatu, Samoa, and us are closely matched. If we can secure points early on, it will set a strong foundation for the qualifiers.”
Garcia’s squad will closely resemble the team he took to the Nations Cup but with one or two additions
“We’re preparing a strong team. Injuries are always a concern, but I believe we have what it takes to compete.”