All Whites v Tunisia | Wed 27th March | 9:00am | FIFA+

Yikes, can't even score in a pen shootout 

Well that wasn't a good start.  4th place it is. 

Congrats on 3rd place Tunisia lol

Am grumpy - another game where we should have got a better result

Saw Ben waines face on the sub bench when Sarpreet missed. Ben didnt look impressed. Then his turn and couldnt even hit the target.

LondonChris

Saw Ben waines face on the sub bench when Sarpreet missed. Ben didnt look impressed. Then his turn and couldnt even hit the target.

 

That’s Waine for you…
 

Wish Kosta had taken the earlier pen. Him or Rufs

How kool from Kosta

2 class penalties from Tunisia, both right in the corners. Perfect PK's so far.

Never looked like scoring Just.

The Rashford/Sancho theory of giving the players just off the bench the pens not working so far. About their second touch.

Should have subbed on Paulsen

Ruuuuuuuuufer!

Again, why did Rufer not take the one in the game?

Great pen from Rufer. Should have taken the Penalty earlier on.

Brb erasing the last five minutes from my memory

MetalLegNZ

Again, why did Rufer not take the one in the game?

 
The captain/ coach decides the taker I’d guess? 

Would've taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

YoungHeartHM

Would've just taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

 
How? It's a nothing shootout with zero consequences.

Well that is the current way we play, dominate a game, get heaps of chances and cnt convert a single one, real shame with the talent we have, has to be down to the style we play and the plan of winning games 1-0 instead of trying to score more than that.

Overall a good tournament for the NZ team.

We were competative in both games, hade some good interchanges and created some decent changes. We can't hide from the fact we can't score and seem gun shy, but we are atleast competative and hard to beat. 

Baz will get grief, but I actully think he is doing ok. Is not his fault that outside Wood, NZ does not have another finisher in the team.

Buffon II

YoungHeartHM

Would've just taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

 
How? It's a nothing shootout with zero consequences.

 Because that was an abysmal shootout from us. 

Never mind!

To lose in a tense penalty shootout against world beaters Tunisia should be celebrated.

Baze ball will have goals flowing any day now…

Lol - sub goalkeeper got MOM. Tough on their #1 who made 3 excellent saves during the 90 mins.

Well good new is the Wellington phonex had a 100% penalty success, shame their goalie wasnt in the mix and getting his cap at the same time.

Was pleased with Rufer, Boxall, Kosta, and Staminic tonight. 

I like Rufer and Staminic playing in midfield together, screened the defence well.

Thought Smith had a good game too, nearly scored a great headed goal.

Not a great night for Libby all round.

Bindon really good talent but no RB.

Buffon II

YoungHeartHM

Would've just taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

 
How? It's a nothing shootout with zero consequences.

Shooting practice for us with two of our attacking players not even getting their shots on goal.

I though Bindon did ok, came up well to get a few intercepts and toes in. Generally recycled the ball well.

Didn't do much on attack, but more to do with us setting up on the left side with Carcace I persume.

Again subs felt pre-scripted and not at all in line with what was happening on the pitch. 

Kosta, Rufer and Stamenic deserved better. The thing with Libby was weird. Sarpreet and Garbett tired, and Sarpreet getting disheartened. We looked good when we tried to attack on the transition, but it was too rare. And the cavalry arrived too late. McCowatt a little anonymous too, but then he’s a player who tends to fly under the radar, before popping up with a crucial touch or finish. 

martinb

Again subs felt pre-scripted and not at all in line with what was happening on the pitch. 

Kosta, Rufer and Stamenic deserved better. The thing with Libby was weird. Sarpreet and Garbett tired, and Sarpreet getting disheartened. We looked good when we tried to attack on the transition, but it was too rare. And the cavalry arrived too late. McCowatt a little anonymous too, but then he’s a player who tends to fly under the radar, before popping up with a crucial touch or finish. 

 Hard to say. Wayne's not playing much for Argyle so I'd imagine they'd have been happy with him playing 180 mins of football. To only come on with 10 to go and players absolutely stuffed on the park is bewildering.

@Metalleg why do you think Bazeley is doing okay? 

Kosta is a good finisher. And is in form. And should’ve won us this game. Kosta and Rufer provided excellent leadership despite Bazeley’s intentions. 

Our best moments I felt came from the Nix training field, apart from the Smith header. 

Buffon II

YoungHeartHM

Would've just taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

 
How? It's a nothing shootout with zero consequences.

I don't know, maybe it'd just be nice to not lose. 🤔

YoungHeartHM

Buffon II

YoungHeartHM

Would've just taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

 
How? It's a nothing shootout with zero consequences.

I don't know, maybe it'd just be nice to not lose. 🤔

We drew.

I thought we played really well overall, particularly in the first half.  There was some quick exciting play and really pushing forward. The team can be proud of that.  Poor shootout, but I don't think that's symptomatic of anything. On another day we could have slotted all of them.

One thing not being mentioned is our defense is solid.  We only conceded penalties.  Crocombe had a solid few games penalty shootout aside.

Unless Cacace happened to say something you'd expect that red card to be wiped.

Buffon II

YoungHeartHM

Buffon II

YoungHeartHM

Would've just taken the 0-0 at 90 minutes.

Somehow this feels more embarassing.

 
How? It's a nothing shootout with zero consequences.

I don't know, maybe it'd just be nice to not lose. 🤔

We drew.

Screenshot_2024-03-27-11-43-46-33_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg 464.69 KB

No we definitely lost....
But to each their own.

Will it go down as a draw or a loss in FIFA rankings?

lthomas20

Will it go down as a draw or a loss in FIFA rankings?

Draw.

Also go down as a draw against our official national team record.

It's a draw.

newzealandpower

If this game (and the entire Series) showed us anything, it was that 
A) we can hold our own against anyone. We just need more of those games but we have the quality at the back and in the middle to compete
B) We are way too long reliant on Wood. Without him we're just aimless up there. Some good runs from Kosta but then we're basically trying to pass the ball into the goal.

Hopefully Waine continues to progress and becomes the new Wood...otherwise I don't really know how we will ever score goals.

But's it hardly surprising is it. Only Mata in the lowly LOI, and Barba in the ALM are scoring at the moment. 

It's absolutely crucial now that Singh gets to a new club at season end. A club where he fits in with how the coach wants to play, and he rediscovers his mojo. He can do it for sure. A few seasons ago he was on fire for Regensberg in Liga 2 (goals & assists galore), and so was just about to be signed by Bremen.

By NZ standards he's unique, and a potentially huge player for us. But that pen today just seemed to emphasize where he is currently at, not playing at all, and down on confidence. He's low key different to say a Garbett, who gives the impression he doesn't care where he is at club wise, he's going to always have a crack, and will mentally always have the self belief to do so.
 

MetalLegNZ

Earlier in the commentarty it said this tournament will be held every 2 years. Hopefully we get invited back again.

Would be cool if every country got a chance to host as well - but wont happen.

More that this worldwide FIFA Series will be held every even numbered year in the March window. There were other tourneys happening at the same time in Saudi Arabia (x2), Sri Lanka, Algeria & Azerbaijan.

Ours was the toughest tourney by team rankings. But the one in Algeria wasn't bad either.

Team  Confederation  FIFA Rankings
Algeria | CAF | 43
Andorra | UEFA | 164
Bolivia | CONMEBOL | 86
South Africa | CAF | 58

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_FIFA_Series

Marto

YoungHeartHM

Screenshot_2024-03-27-10-47-53-66_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg 44.38 KB

The goals are coming lads... 

FARKEN when!?

would have been one today had Tunisia not cheated.

Doesn't really help that every national coach we've have is an ex centre back going back to '05 (unsure what Hudson was).

Bazeley was a right full back or right-sided midfielder.
Huddo no idea, but his old man Alan Hudson was a gifted midfielder. Doubt it makes much difference where you played to how you coch.

Edit - Hudson is these days Technical Director of Al-Markhiya SC, who are currently bottom of the Qatari league.