All Whites vs Egypt | Mon 22nd June | 1:00pm (NZT) | BC Place, Vancouver

301 replies · 10,161 views
3 days ago
One thing that gives me confidence is that we usually play better in our second game (see Haiti/England, Finland/Chile, Poland/Norway).
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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History
Not always. 
We were poorer Game 2 in each window of Colombia/Ecuador, and Socceroos x2 (Canberra v Auckland).

But the World Cup is a whole different beast, not sure those trends in friendlies mean much, where there is so much chopping and changing. Managing niggles and workloads plus keeping the clubs happy.  

Though Boxy is talking like the aim is to approach Egypt a bit like that England game. Shut down those EPL attackers as much as possible, limit the space, defend as a unit.
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Marto
3 days ago
I think we will play like we did against England. Thats the vibe from Boxhall and Wood. Egypt will destroy us if we play as open as we did against Iran.
Egypt will be all over Wood to cut that outlet from our game. If he is double marked that might create space for Just. But he will need others to step up on attack.
It will be a tough tough game but if we play it right we could get a result. Our biggest problem over the last few years is we play well for long periods then have a defensive lapse and conceed a dumb goal. Salah, Mamoush and Ashour are top quality attackers. The key will be to keep them quiet for 90 minutes. Im going for a 1-1
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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History
I just hope we can settle into the game and avoid any of those early game jitters and defensive brain fades. You'd be gutted if after all the hype of the Iran performance normal service resumes and we let one in, in the first few minutes and collapse from there.

Its a tall ask and different tactics are more suitable agaisnt different team but I think part of our success of growing into the Iran game was the rare privilege of being able to get on the front foot early.
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3 days ago
Once again critical that we score first. 

Am thinking with the focus on the Wood and Just combo, that McCowatt may sneak a cheeky goal.

Auckland will rise once more

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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!coochieeLGtheprof
3 days ago
austin111 wrote:
I think we will play like we did against England. Thats the vibe from Boxhall and Wood. Egypt will destroy us if we play as open as we did against Iran.
Egypt will be all over Wood to cut that outlet from our game. If he is double marked that might create space for Just. But he will need others to step up on attack.
It will be a tough tough game but if we play it right we could get a result. Our biggest problem over the last few years is we play well for long periods then have a defensive lapse and conceed a dumb goal. Salah, Mamoush and Ashour are top quality attackers. The key will be to keep them quiet for 90 minutes. Im going for a 1-1
Stamenic or Bell both players who might be able to drive forward out of the midfield. 

Being all over Wood means space elsewhere. But also he is a very experienced striker used to PL tricks. Might be he can get the flick on, throw or free kick anyway. 

Not feeling nervous, but partly cos the family has been full of colds and snuffles for a week and I’m currently the last domino! No spare energy for imagining.

I hope we keep our standards up and play another high quality game. 

I didn’t see game one going the way it did. Hopefully game two we have something similar to surprise them with. It’s been a reasonable break between games so hopefully we can keep firing tomorrow! 


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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!Oi Oi Edgecumbe
3 days ago
AucklandPhoenix wrote:
Once again critical that we score first. 

Am thinking with the focus on the Wood and Just combo, that McCowatt may sneak a cheeky goal.
He’s a guy that I feel is due, and is capable. Fingers crossed 
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!martinb
3 days ago
With the draw between Iran and Belgium, we need to win this to be at the right part of the table, score early and keep the pressure on and we could even get out of this round, what a dream it would be.
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!
3 days ago
Fire up, game day. Come on New Zealand, if ever you had a chance to progress, this is it. "Just do it."
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!
3 days ago
Hoping for a red card or two for Egypt today

Auckland will rise once more

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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!MeSouthernixtheprof
3 days ago
Arguably our biggest ever game, a win and we’re through. I’m picking a McCowatt goal from the edge of the box, and a late Bindon header to win it.
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!LG
3 days ago
Friar Tuck wrote:
Arguably our biggest ever game, a win and we’re through. I’m picking a McCowatt goal from the edge of the box, and a late Bindon header to win it.
I had the same thought about the possibility of McCowatt smashing one in from outside the box like he does for his club side so often. 
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!
3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History
Great stuff. There are always a number of Kiwis living in BC and Canada in general.

Just now
Phillip Rollo
Incredible scenes in Vancouver. The Flying Kiwis have taken over the street. There’s gotta be thousands of them marching to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like it.
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!BraveheartHattyCWhepatitis+6
3 days ago
Need to watch Salah and Marmoush like a hawk.

So nervous but so fired up. Come on lads, let’s go make history!
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Half a Pintkwlap
3 days ago
60 mins to kick off, getting very nervous!!!

Queenslander 3x a year.

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3 days ago
Not shocked with no changes.
Hopefully are back line is up for this!
Iran and Cape verde have shown its possible make life difficult for the better teams.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
Our biggest game in decades, a win would see us through to knockout phase.
Very nervous, not expecting a win, but ever hopeful
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!coochieeHalf a Pintkwlap+3
2 days ago
fire up gentlemen!!!

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
Come on lets go!!!
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2 days ago
bright start from both teams, this could be entertaining

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
unlucky that it hit him, do that a couple more times and he's in on goal!

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
Even Singh with a decent shot!
first goal to whoever is gonna light this game up!

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
Who called a Surman header?!!!
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!Southernix
2 days ago
GET IN!!!!!!
Surman!!

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
SURMANNNN! What a peach of a header
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2 days ago
YES SURMAN! 
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2 days ago
that's poor from Egypt!
Surman left completely unmarked!

probably the only time Im happy to hear Dobbyn!

Queenslander 3x a year.

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2 days ago
Someone called a Finn Surman header earlier in the thread. Fair play. Just gave the neighbour's a heart attack with my screaming and yelling.
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!coochieekwlapSouthernix
2 days ago
We need to keep heaping the pressure on and build a lead. We can't go goal for goal like with Iran

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kwlap
2 days ago
I honestly don't know what I am watching. Keep this up!!
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
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coochieetheprof
2 days ago
Egyptians already getting heated with the ref, this is what we want.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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coochiee
2 days ago
I can't believe that's a yellow! Complete bullshit given how important they are for getting out of the group

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Marto