Game of few chances by the looks. Tunisia denied a 1st half goal by VAR, offside at a free kick. Seems they mostly played (had a back 3/5) on the fast counter, Modric & Co having most of the ball. Fair bit of the Tunisians milking fouls rolling around clutching their face.
They may setup a bit more attacking against lesser lights NZ.
It's all good and well to be competitive, but I'd love to see more intent in that final third. We created enough against Egypt to get a result, we're just lacking that killer instinct that the really good teams have. The frustrating thing is that I don't think we're a million miles away either.
Alas, another tough African opponent, but i'm buoyed by the fact that in the past couple of windows we've managed a positive result from at least one of our two matches. Would like to see a few of the younger lads get given some game time as well given a few in this squad will be in the Oly Whites for Paris later on this year too.
Bindon/Surman/Paulsen/Old/Waine to start would certainly be a trial by fire. Although I would understand if that's not the case and we're a bit more conservative on that front.
It's all good and well to be competitive, but I'd love to see more intent in that final third. We created enough against Egypt to get a result, we're just lacking that killer instinct that the really good teams have. The frustrating thing is that I don't think we're a million miles away either.
Alas, another tough African opponent, but i'm buoyed by the fact that in the past couple of windows we've managed a positive result from at least one of our two matches. Would like to see a few of the younger lads get given some game time as well given a few in this squad will be in the Oly Whites for Paris later on this year too.
Bindon/Surman/Paulsen/Old/Waine to start would certainly be a trial by fire. Although I would understand if that's not the case and we're a bit more conservative on that front.
The atmosphere will likely be a bit more sterile and less intimidating, than the Egyptian match. Looked a small crowd for the Tunisia v Croatia game
That will help the younger AWs. Old looked a bit spooked against Egypt. Lots of poor touches
Just let us score at least one decent goal! I wanna see a smile on Singh’s face. If we score I promise I won’t have any opinions after the game, I’ll just cheer!
Even though we're not scoring often, there is one positive change in recent years.
I feel like 10 years ago plus fans (and I'm guessing here, but probably the squad too) were happy to lose games as long as we played well overall/scored a goal/gave the opposition a good run. I.e. as long as we weren't pumped people were happy. People would not be upset losing only 1-0 to Egypt - one of Africa's best teams.
Nowadays we expect more, we want to get a result. And that comes from a greater expectation and belief, which in turn comes from the fact we know we have quality on the pitch.
I feel the results will start to come in the coming years, but there's positive signs.
While a clash with the team ranked No 10 (Croatia) in the world by FIFA would have been a big deal for the All Whites, it’s not what they need right now.
They would have found themselves defending like Tunisia, who mustered just 30% of possession and took four shots to 14, and they would have gained very little.
World No 103 New Zealand’s big work-on – the next step in their evolution, as coach Darren Bazeley and influential midfielder Sarpreet Singh put it after the defeat against Egypt – is turning the good football they are playing in the middle third and much of the attacking third into shots and goals.
New Zealand and Wellington Phoenix defender Finn Surman has been left out of Wednesday’s All Whites squad to play Tunisia after suffering an injury in training.
NZ Football say Surman (20) received a head knock during a training session.
Sucks for Surman, but don't think it will really affect the All Whites. I doubt Bazeley would have started with a Bindon/Surman partnership anyway, and Bindon would very likely have started if one of them was to.
I don't expect Surman will be able to play against Brisbane so it is fortunate that Bazeley isn't a fan of Rufer & that Cacace plays every minute as we will be wanting either Alex or LKH to be as fresh as possible to partner Wootton on Sunday.
I suspect Bazeley is going to go with a fairly unchanged XI, with all the talk about taking the next step to score and win against the sort of teams we are playing. Pretty hard to take he next step if you mix things up completely with a brand new side. I'm picking everyone who started against Egypt to keep their places, with the only possible exceptions being Mata, Pijnaker, McCowatt & Garbett (though I expect at least one of the latter two to keep their spot). Waine, Just & Bindon the most likely to come in.
I don’t like the idea of one up front. Or at least isolated and up against 2 or 3 defenders.
And I’m kinda of annoyed that we somewhat wasted our best chance of simulating a competitive knockout game with a big crowd playing a team which clearly isn’t our number one.
If the reason is Bazeley doesn’t know our number one team, maybe fair enough.
And I don’t like the idea of Bindon at RB, but we don’t seem to have selected any other cover there. Which a journo should be asking about? Roux and Wilkins are no hopes? Wonder if Boxy would fancy a gallop out wide again for auld lang syne?
If we play Kosta, we really should be trying to play to his strengths or not bother at all. As a forward, not midfield and trying to play on the transition.
Egypt v Croatia will be streaming live here and available after as a video on You Tube (Arabic commentary): https://www.youtube.com/@SportsUnitedeg/streams Highlights will also be there on that Sports United channel.
One news did run a story on tonight's bulletin which was good to see. But shame on you Newshub. Once again they are more interested in who is in the starting 13 for the Warriors and rugby to be bothered.
Edit: Starting XIII not IX and other formatting, grammar errors.
Pumped for this match. We did well against Egypt in transition. Lewis provided such clever passing to split the first line and should retain his spot.
We just relied on miracle passes in the final third. I rate Singh but I suspect that a conservative manager would find his style of play a little hit or miss. We find it exciting but others may not.
Hope to see Old and Kosta start -I think bringing club combinations into the team are helpful
Good ball in under pressure by McCowatt. What could have been?! He certainly hasn't been Mr. Invisible this morning. Keep the Fire up, lads. The goal is coming!
