All Whites vs Colombia | Sun 16th Nov | 1:00pm (NZT) | Chase Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA)

Mods - please adjust KO time if I have it wrong.

Colombia's October squad. Beat Mexico 4-0 & 0-0 draw with Canada.
Lots of players from Argentinian, Brazilian and Mexican Liga MX clubs, as well as Europe.

Goalkeepers:
David Ospina (Atlético Nacional), Álvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield) &
Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul)

Defenders:
Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Yerson Mosquera (Wolves), Yerry Mina (Cagliari Calcio), Álvaro Angulo (Atlético Nacional), Johan Mojica (RCD Mallorca), Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Andres Román (Atlético Nacional)

Midfielders:
Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Kevin Castaño (River Plate), Richard Ríos (Benfica)
James Rodríguez (captain) (León), Yáser Asprilla (Girona), Juan Portilla (Talleres), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central), Kevin Serna (Fluminense)

Forwards:
Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suarez (Sporting CP), Cucho Hernández (Real Betis), Johan Carbonero (Internacional), Rafael Santos Borré (Internacional)

I lived in Colombia for a few years, How do I describe their people relationship to the national team?Immense pride. The country had a bad image for some time which was directly tied to soccer and the civil war during the 90s, and they also missed three world cups for a period of time not long ago so now that theyre a forced to be reckoned with they tend to be a little extra. Fans eat “picada” which is a mix of arepas, chicharrón, carne asada, chorizo, papa, etc and drink aguardiente. They watxh either with family or get together with more colombiana at traditional restaurants. As for the the team itself, they have a reputation of being epic chokers and losers in South America. They lose games they shouldn’t, and when things go bad during the game, it can get pear shaped very fast, they lose their cool and temper, and tend to get violent if needed, in saying that they’re a very good team, all whites will be in for a long 90 minutes 

?Donde tu vives en Colombia?

I was studying Spanish in Medellin during the 2018 WC. I went to class straight after we watched Colombia lose to Japan. The teacher a mad football fan, but he wasn’t sad for too long

It’s my favourite country in Sth America. Has a great happy energy despite all it’s issues 

Also went to two Nacional matches in Medellin. The true die hard hinchas are insane.

FIFA ranked 17th and fresh off smashing Mexico 4-0 stateside, they must be very very decent.

Likely AWs toughest game for a few years if they roll out close to a full side. Nigeria is their 2nd match in the window

I was working for the Argentina consulate in Bogóta, huge city and very vibrant, similar to Medellin but has a more big city feel.

They’re very good, got players in top levels in Europe and in South American clubs, they’re not as strong as the 2014 edition but will challenge any of the top 10 teams more often then not 

coochiee

?Donde tu vives en Colombia?

I was studying Spanish in Medellin during the 2018 WC. I went to class straight after we watched Colombia lose to Japan. The teacher a mad football fan, but he wasn’t sad for too long

It’s my favourite country in Sth America. Has a great happy energy despite all it’s issues 

Also went to two Nacional matches in Medellin. The true die hard hinchas are insane.

FIFA ranked 17th and fresh off smashing Mexico 4-0 stateside, they must be very very decent.

Likely AWs toughest game for a few years if they roll out close to a full side. Nigeria is their 2nd match in the window

Interesante. Yo sabes Bogota. The Rollas verus Medellin's Paisas.

Yeah Bogota is more a big city, but the traffic is awful with it's geography in a cold, wet valley between the hills.

Each big city/region very different in Colombia. The strong heat of the Caribbean coast in Cartagena. Cali and it's salsa dancing. Pasto in the south with it's volcano and high altitude. Bogota and Medellin both different again.

Closest I’ve come to Colombia was drawing them in the 2023 WWC sweepstake at work, but watching their games I had to admire the passion and noise their fans brought to the stadium - who knew Aussie had such a large Colombian expat population?

So for all I don’t know much about their men’s team I’m definitely looking forward to the atmosphere.

Colombia in the 2022 World Cup cycle was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They looked like a top team in world football… and they couldn’t score. They played seven straight World Cup qualifiers and didn’t score a goal. It’s hard to put into words the manner in which they out-played opponents and created chances and repeatedly, match after match, didn’t finish them. They out-shot Peru 30-4, Peru had one shot on goal… and scored and won 1-0.

In addition to that 4-0 win over Mexico, they beat the US 5-1 just before Copa America. Their squad isn’t full of names that jump off the page, but for me they are better than the sum of their parts, a true team, and on their day they can beat anyone.

Luis Diaz on the left wing is the big danger, but they have plenty of threats. Jhon Arias from Wolves wasn’t even in the squad last window. I felt like James Rodriguez is showing his age with his club in Mexico, but he turned back the clock in the friendly against them. He was dominant. Lerma from Palace, along with either Castano or Rios are really difficult to play against in the middle of the park, great work rate, pace and quality. There are some questions up front and that legacy of underachieving, but I am not betting against this team in 2026.

I was in a Oaxaca, Mexico hostel and watched that 2022 qualifier Peru beating Colombia in Barranquilla, against the odds. I have Peruvian family, and there was a young Colombian football fan working in the hostel. He was crestfallen, cursing their inability to score. False Qatar WC hopes for Peru, losing to the Socceroos and the grey wiggle's antics a few months later.

I remember he said something along the lines that Colombians feel James Rodriguez has never met the expectations he promised back at that 2014 Brazil WC, as a young kid. Now he's the experienced old head captain, playing in Liga MX.

2nd game announced in the November window for Colombia as the Socceroos, in New York.

Might mean we get the slightly weaker of two Colombian selections if they do a bit of rotation.

https://socceroos.com.au/news/commbank-socceroos-take-venezuela-and-colombia-united-states

Payne won't be flying to the USA, guessing it'll be Tuiloma & Elliot again at RB for this camp, though Storm Roux has started both of the Mariners' games so must be in with chance. Probably too late for Loke to have a chance to impress enough to get a callup, will only get one full game before the squad is named. 

Bet me to it. Logically Roux should be next cab off the rank. Experienced, and was playing well at the Mariners when they won their consecutive titles.

But his form seems to flucuate. How well is he playing for CCM this season?
I watched him in a pre season match verus McGarry & the Roar, and Storm R was poor.

Both Tuiloma & Elliot are barely playing for their clubs at the moment.

Personally I'd go with a makeshift combination of Bindon starting for 60 mins, and then Tuiloma as the finisher for 30 mins. That's if both Boxy & Surman are fit as the CBs.

Again we know RB is not Bindon's best role, but he's a quality footballer, and he ain't playing ahead of the two MLS CBs at the moment unless one of them is injured or rested. 

I don't rate Elliot much. Out muscled too easily. Tuiloma has the advantage of lots of years playing with & against tricky Latino players in the MLS. Handy up against Colombia & Ecuador.


Very left field selection idea is Piper. But really his crossing is too poor to be a top level full back. But I can see him being better with the defensive responsibilities than say Elliot.

coochiee

Bet me to it. Logically Roux should be next cab off the rank. Experienced, and was playing well at the Mariners when they won their consecutive titles.

But his form seems to flucuate. How well is he playing for CCM this season?
I watched him in a pre season match verus McGarry & the Roar, and Storm R was poor.

Both Tuiloma & Elliot are barely playing for their clubs at the moment.

Personally I'd go with a makeshift combination of Bindon starting for 60 mins, and then Tuiloma as the finisher for 30 mins. That's if both Boxy & Surman are fit as the CBs.

Again we know RB is not Bindon's best role, but he's a quality footballer, and he ain't playing ahead of the two MLS CBs at the moment unless one of them is injured or rested. 

I don't rate Elliot much. Out muscled too easily. Tuiloma has the advantage of lots of years playing with & against tricky Latino players in the MLS. Handy up against Colombia & Ecuador.


Very left field selection idea is Piper. But really his crossing is too poor to be a top level full back. But I can see him being better with the defensive responsibilities than say Elliot.

I'd go with Tulioma and Roux. Tulimona as the started and Roux to add some fresh legs at the end. Plus he deserves a chance to show where he's at.

AWs squad apparently be named next week

This was the 23 man squad named in October - noting all the ALM guys bar Payne, FDV and LKH (replaced Wilkins) were left at their clubs.

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Nik Tzanev

Defenders: Francis de Vries, Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Tim Payne, George Stanger, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma, Dalton Wilkins (pulled out replaced by LKH)

Midfielders: Joe Bell (missed both games injured), Matt Garbett, Eli Just (pulled out replaced by Tommy Smith), Ben Old, Owen Parker-Price, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas

Forwards: Andre de Jong, Callum McCowatt, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

The guys in bold I think are at the most risk of being dropped for the November games


Out - Payne, Wilkins?
In - Cacace
Possible Outs - Tzanev, Stanger, Smith, LKH, OPP, ADJ and Waine
Possible Ins - Sims, Gray, Sail, Elliot, Kirwan, Roux, McGarry, Rufer, Barbarouses, LBS, Randall, Rogerson and Ben Gibson (Jets) -  some others I can't think of
Unavailable - Pijnaker, Payne, Wilkins? and Mata


Note given his injury niggles of late (knee) and number of games he's missed for Forest, suspect Wood will be on restricted mins. His mins could even be really low like the June window against Ivory Coast & Ukraine.

That means potential lifelines for some of Waine, ADJ, Randall, Rogerson, Barba and maybe even a Gibson debut callup.

I think Bindon comes in at right back and Tuiloma will be the backup.

My predictions
Outs - Payne, Wilkins and De Jong
Ins - Barberouses, Rufer and Randall.

I think OPP will be selected again as I reckon Baze will go with Bell, Thomas and Stamenic in the midfield together. Rufer and OPP to provide cover.

90% of this squad is starting to pick itself which is quite nice. Just need to figure out our best combinations because I think we know who our best 11 players are in terms of quality now.

coochiee

AWs squad apparently be named next week

This was the 23 man squad named in October - noting all the ALM guys bar Payne, FDV and LKH (replaced Wilkins) were left at their clubs.

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Nik Tzanev

Defenders: Francis de Vries, Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Tim Payne, George Stanger, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma, Dalton Wilkins (pulled out replaced by LKH)

Midfielders: Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Eli Just (pulled out replaced by Tommy Smith), Ben Old, Owen Parker-Price, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas

Forwards: Andre de Jong, Callum McCowatt, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

The guys in bold I think are at the most risk of being dropped for the November games


Out - Payne, Wilkins?
Possible Outs - Tzanev, Stanger, Smith, LKH, OPP, ADJ and Waine
Possible Ins - Sims, Gray, Sail, Elliot, Kirwan, McGarry, Rufer, Barbarouses, LBS, Randall, Rogerson and Ben Gibson (Jets)
Unavailable - Pijnaker, Payne, Wilkins?, Mata (some others I can't think of)


Note given his injury niggles of late (knee) and number of games he's missed for Forest, suspect Wood will be on restricted mins. His mins could even be really low like the June window against Ivory Coast & Ukraine.

That means potential lifelines for some of Waine, ADJ, Randall, Rogerson, Barba and maybe even a Gibson debut callup.

Edited the above to have Libby as an 'In' (missed last 2 windows). Plus have added Roux as a possible 'In'

Yes Baze said for the October window he does want to try a Bell, Thomas & Stamenic starting midfield trio. With Stamenic injured in September & then Bell in October, November might be the opportunity to trial the idea.

So you maybe right OPP, retains his squad spot. But Rufer deserves to come back in as well.

I was in Lyon to watch AW's v Colombia in 2003 Confed Cup. Screamer from Raf de Gregorio put us ahead but we lost 3 - 1. Will be hoping for someone else to put their head up - Ben Old... your time has come...

Jessie Merino

I was in Lyon to watch AW's v Colombia in 2003 Confed Cup. Screamer from Raf de Gregorio put us ahead but we lost 3 - 1. Will be hoping for someone else to put their head up - Ben Old... your time has come...

Great goal that was as well. One of the best in an All White shirt for sure.

I don’t think we can pick Kosta as an international 9. Not if Crocombe is starting and even with AP I can’t see us building up from the back. 

We hit long to Kosta and we lose the ball if he’s up against a decent CB right?

I wouldnt mind Stanger getting to retain his spot. Even if its just for 20 minutes off the bench to see if he can offer something Tuiloma or Nando can't  as preparation for a disaster hypothetical where Boxy and Surman both get injured before the big dance. He didnt get a chance in the last window to show what he can do and now time is running out before the pointy end of WC lead up. Like wise im not going to be opposed if OPP also gets another look just to confirm where he sits in the pecking order.

I did like Coochie's Corban Piper call. Is he a bolter to get a look in during one of the windows between now and June or is he still well off?

martinb

I don’t think we can pick Kosta as an international 9. Not if Crocombe is starting and even with AP I can’t see us building up from the back. 

We hit long to Kosta and we lose the ball if he’s up against a decent CB right?

Yipe a lot of truth in this. I think over his near 15 year international career, Kosta has only one goal against a non OFC opponent. It's a very average AWs record. But then Payne and him did combine nicely against NC in a surprisingly difficult match at Eden Park.

In a squad of 26, I think Kosta makes it. In a squad of 23 he's one of those 6 line ball, toss a coin calls - given that if there are no injuries 17 players seem very much locked in.

Rock Hopper

I wouldnt mind Stanger getting to retain his spot. Even if its just for 20 minutes off the bench to see if he can offer something Tuiloma or Nando can't  as preparation for a disaster hypothetical where Boxy and Surman both get injured before the big dance. He didnt get a chance in the last window to show what he can do and now time is running out before the pointy end of WC lead up. Like wise im not going to be opposed if OPP also gets another look just to confirm where he sits in the pecking order.

I did like Coochie's Corban Piper call. Is he a bolter to get a look in during one of the windows between now and June or is he still well off?

could say the same for de jong. Starting to score goals again, worth a further look

Wouldn’t mind them selecting Gibson and having a proper look at him.  He seems the most like for like replacement striker for Wood, if Mata isn’t doing much playing wise.

While I know these friendlies don’t automatically tie him to NZ, it also puts a bit of doubt in Australian minds selecting him in the future. 

Would hate it if he matured into a gun when he would have been eligible for us.

Scored today, two goals in 2 games before the squad is announced, must be a chance (if he is willing to accept such a callup)

5 goals in 7 games including the AC.

Do really hope that Aussie U23 squad was in fact just a take it while it’s there scenario.

I think Roux might have done enough for a recall tonight. Loke maybe not quite ready

imanixsupporter

I think Roux might have done enough for a recall tonight. Loke maybe not quite ready

I’ve appreciated that about Bazeley. His selections are rarely a mystery. He’s had a look at all 3 or 4 players pushing for each position. Most of them have been in camp. He has an up to date hierarchy and picks according to that. His reasoning and logic is usually perfectly clear. 

I wonder if we will see Bindon or even Boxy at RB, or it will be from Elliot and Roux to start. Elliot had a big game replacing the captain…um last round? Wait, just yesterday. 

Really rate Bindon but he was tried at RB before and was shown up in that role - and that was when he was playing regularly in L1.

Hes not playing so a) wont have the lungs and b)  we have others like Elliot who play that as a specialist postion. 

Sh817

I think Bindon comes in at right back and Tuiloma will be the backup.

My predictions
Outs - Payne, Wilkins and De Jong
Ins - Barberouses, Rufer and Randall.

I think OPP will be selected again as I reckon Baze will go with Bell, Thomas and Stamenic in the midfield together. Rufer and OPP to provide cover.

90% of this squad is starting to pick itself which is quite nice. Just need to figure out our best combinations because I think we know who our best 11 players are in terms of quality now.

coochiee

AWs squad apparently be named next week

This was the 23 man squad named in October - noting all the ALM guys bar Payne, FDV and LKH (replaced Wilkins) were left at their clubs.

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Nik Tzanev

Defenders: Francis de Vries, Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Tim Payne, George Stanger, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma, Dalton Wilkins (pulled out replaced by LKH)

Midfielders: Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Eli Just (pulled out replaced by Tommy Smith), Ben Old, Owen Parker-Price, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas

Forwards: Andre de Jong, Callum McCowatt, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

The guys in bold I think are at the most risk of being dropped for the November games


Out - Payne, Wilkins?
Possible Outs - Tzanev, Stanger, Smith, LKH, OPP, ADJ and Waine
Possible Ins - Sims, Gray, Sail, Elliot, Kirwan, McGarry, Rufer, Barbarouses, LBS, Randall, Rogerson and Ben Gibson (Jets)
Unavailable - Pijnaker, Payne, Wilkins?, Mata (some others I can't think of)


Note given his injury niggles of late (knee) and number of games he's missed for Forest, suspect Wood will be on restricted mins. His mins could even be really low like the June window against Ivory Coast & Ukraine.

That means potential lifelines for some of Waine, ADJ, Randall, Rogerson, Barba and maybe even a Gibson debut callup.

Elliot is a great option. Has high football IQ Nd workrate. Showed good physicality yesterday- hes small yes but mobility  and technique are good 

Elemenop

coochiee

Bet me to it. Logically Roux should be next cab off the rank. Experienced, and was playing well at the Mariners when they won their consecutive titles.

But his form seems to flucuate. How well is he playing for CCM this season?
I watched him in a pre season match verus McGarry & the Roar, and Storm R was poor.

Both Tuiloma & Elliot are barely playing for their clubs at the moment.

Personally I'd go with a makeshift combination of Bindon starting for 60 mins, and then Tuiloma as the finisher for 30 mins. That's if both Boxy & Surman are fit as the CBs.

Again we know RB is not Bindon's best role, but he's a quality footballer, and he ain't playing ahead of the two MLS CBs at the moment unless one of them is injured or rested. 

I don't rate Elliot much. Out muscled too easily. Tuiloma has the advantage of lots of years playing with & against tricky Latino players in the MLS. Handy up against Colombia & Ecuador.


Very left field selection idea is Piper. But really his crossing is too poor to be a top level full back. But I can see him being better with the defensive responsibilities than say Elliot.

I'd go with Tulioma and Roux. Tulimona as the started and Roux to add some fresh legs at the end. Plus he deserves a chance to show where he's at.

I'd say for the Nov squad Tuiloma and Bindon are both picked, as almost utilities. With the option for either one, to at least finish the two matches at RB. Neither has played much football the last 1-2 months, so yeah could be quickly a bit gassed even in the first half if they started in that up & down full back role.

Bindon might start one game at CB. That likely depends on if either Portland or Minny have MLS semi final playoff games after the FIFA window.

Then either Roux or Elliot are picked as the specialist RB. Maybe both are picked, and it becomes a shoot out in camp to see who starts.

Elliot got mins against both Ukraine & Ivory Coast in June, but my memory is he was a bit average, too easily body checked by larger players. Roux has really only played the OFC teams of late - pretty worthless games as a measure for WC selection.

Squad naming likely tomorrow.

Doesn't seem that Stuff allow one to copy and paste comments from their articles anymore.

But as well as Wood also some doubt about Garbett, who missed the Posh's FA Cup win on the weekend.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360873271/chris-wood-serious-doubt-all-whites-face-toughest-tests-yet-road-world-cup

Michael Burgess said he had heard that Randall was not in this squad on the Football Fever podcast

Squad named. No huge surprises really. Randall the most unlucky for me. And what's happening with Ben Gibson?? Surely with no Wood this was his best chance to get a look in.

Glad to see Roux in the mix. He's been solid for years and should have had more chances. 

Storm Roux? Im sorry, but he's honking.. if hes the next best right back off the cab, then the so-called greatest ever depth NZ football has ever had is really lacking.

Elemenop

Squad named. No huge surprises really. Randall the most unlucky for me. And what's happening with Ben Gibson?? Surely with no Wood this was his best chance to get a look in.

Glad to see Roux in the mix. He's been solid for years and should have had more chances. 

Has anyone ever claimed we have depth at right back? It's commonly discussed as our weakest position. 

With Payne out I imagine it was a choice between Elliot and Roux, but I'm surprised Roux won out.

Waine is lucky we have no depth. In most international teams he'd be nowhere near the squad.

Hope for him (and us) he gets some gametime, somewhere... very soon. 

Seems that Bazeley has opted for older more experienced heads.
Roux over Elliot, ADJ/Barba/Waine over Randall/Gibson.

Elliot got his chance back in June against Ivory Coast & Ukraine.
Now Roux's time to get a crack on a Stateside tour, verus two very tough opponents.

Had thought OPP might keep his spot. But maybe it was decided it's best he stays with Örgryte IS  for their upcoming promotion playoff games.

Only 4 ALM players named.

Will Baze start Bell, Thomas and Stamenic all together? Without Wood I'd say it is now more likely.

Shame about Gibson, guess he’s just not keen to play for us or is still deciding.

With Woodsy out, I guess our most likely outlet for goals will be McCowatt as well as maybe Just.

Nelfoos

• Kosta Barbarouses (70/9) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
• Joe Bell (28/1) Viking FK, Norway
• Tyler Bindon (20/2) Sheffield United, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
• Michael Boxall (60/1) Minnesota United, USA
• Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales
• Max Crocombe (19/0) Millwall, England
• Andre de Jong (11/2) Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Francis de Vries (15/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
• Matt Garbett (34/5) Peterborough United, England
• Eli Just (38/8) Motherwell, Scotland
• Callum McCowatt (28/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
• Ben Old (18/1) AS Saint-Étienne, France
• Alex Paulsen (5/0) Lechia Gdańsk, Poland (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
• Alex Rufer (22/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
• Storm Roux (16/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
• Kees Sims (debut) GAIS, Sweden
• Sarpreet Singh (24/3) FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia
• Marko Stamenić (33/3) Swansea City, Wales
• George Stanger (0/0) Kilmarnock, Scotland
• Finn Surman (13/2) Portland Timbers, USA
• Ryan Thomas (23/3) PEC Zwolle, Netherlands
• Bill Tuiloma (45/4) Charlotte FC, USA
• Ben Waine (26/8) Port Vale, England
  
  https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/159518?newsfeedId=1223399

What scares me the most about that list is that there is noone in double digits in the goals scored section!
Shows how reliant we have been on Wood so so many years!

HattyCW

Shame about Gibson, guess he’s just not keen to play for us or is still deciding.

With Woodsy out, I guess our most likely outlet for goals will be McCowatt as well as maybe Just.

Don't think boyish Gibson has done enough yet to be picked. He's not doing anything that an older Waine wouldn't also be doing in the ALM. And Ben W with far more experience banging up against big bodies in the UK and international football.

Garbett, Singh, McCowatt, Just, ADJ have all been scoring goals in club land recently.

This is basically the squad that played Ivory Coast and Ukraine in June. Payne was absent then, and Wood on restricted mins barely played as a late sub.

We scored through Just (midfield turnover and lovely Marko through ball) and Stamenic (header tennis at a corner). That's likely how we will threaten again, set pieces and strong pressing in midfield.