https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2065953285258051796
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2065953285258051796
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2065603358120153186
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2065603358120153186
All Whites vs Iran | Tues 16th June | 1:00pm (NZT) | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
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Jazzy Jeff wrote:Castar wrote:Surely Bliss gets blasted
Probably a small thing that not a lot of people are going to care about, but I like the idea that the World Cup organizers are going to the various football federations to select celebration tunes, goal music that represent the nations culture etc. That being said, I really hope that we don't have Freed from Desire as our goal song (given we actually score), it's overplayed and doesn't feel kiwi.
Or some Supergroove
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2066005330337931674
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2066005330337931674
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2066005330337931674
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Burgess reporting Garbett has a hamstring issue - extent unknown.
All Whites famously conservative about easing players in when theyre not fully fit, I think there is a very good chance that Garbett and Thomas dont start vs Iran. Still leaves us absolutely flush with options for the attacking midfield spots. Just Singh McCowatt Old Randall Bayliss.
All Whites famously conservative about easing players in when theyre not fully fit, I think there is a very good chance that Garbett and Thomas dont start vs Iran. Still leaves us absolutely flush with options for the attacking midfield spots. Just Singh McCowatt Old Randall Bayliss.
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Well the Aussi coach put his balls on the line selecting a young A league keeper with 2 seasons of pro football over an experienced La Liga keeper with hundreds of games at a high level including the premiership.
Baz going to go crazy and select Tommy tomorrow?
Baz going to go crazy and select Tommy tomorrow?
Auckland will rise once more
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imanixsupporter wrote:
Burgess reporting Garbett has a hamstring issue - extent unknown.
All Whites famously conservative about easing players in when theyre not fully fit, I think there is a very good chance that Garbett and Thomas dont start vs Iran. Still leaves us absolutely flush with options for the attacking midfield spots. Just Singh McCowatt Old Randall Bayliss.
The AWs play friendlies for 3 years plus a one high stakes OFC final against New Caledonia (comfortable 3-0 win in the end).
There is really zero reason over all those games for Baze to play anyone who has a slight injury. Not with short 1 week FIFA windows plus long haul travel in the midst of club seasons. Aggravating an injury does neither the player or his club no favours.
But this is the big dance, the 4 yearly World Cup, and for many of the players it will be their only one. For most of them their club seasons don't begin again until August. Most likely we will just have the 3 pool games. You just play through a niggle if you you can, take a needle or whatever. Though yes if it's a hammy type injury you most certainly will have to rest that, any human would.
But there is now almost zero correlation to what Bazeley has been doing prior. I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas starts, even if his last football game was 3rd of May (6 weeks ago).
There is really zero reason over all those games for Baze to play anyone who has a slight injury. Not with short 1 week FIFA windows plus long haul travel in the midst of club seasons. Aggravating an injury does neither the player or his club no favours.
But this is the big dance, the 4 yearly World Cup, and for many of the players it will be their only one. For most of them their club seasons don't begin again until August. Most likely we will just have the 3 pool games. You just play through a niggle if you you can, take a needle or whatever. Though yes if it's a hammy type injury you most certainly will have to rest that, any human would.
But there is now almost zero correlation to what Bazeley has been doing prior. I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas starts, even if his last football game was 3rd of May (6 weeks ago).
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Old appears to have become the chief deputy for Liberato Cacace at left back, moving ahead of Francis de Vries.
Cacace only played 45 minutes and 61 minutes in the All Whites’ warm-up losses to Haiti and England and it is not yet clear if he is capable of playing a full 90.
Old could be needed to cover him, making Randall – who started against Haiti but was replaced by Garbett in the starting XI against England – the most likely replacement.
https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2066272367668797829https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2066272367668797829
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Singh will likely start then? Or will we see Thomas or McCowatt in the midfield?
Think Rufer isn’t 100% as well. Might not get minutes tomorrow.
Think Rufer isn’t 100% as well. Might not get minutes tomorrow.
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For what it's worth, today's Ivory Coast starting lineup (beat Ecuador 1-0) had only one player in Nicolas Pepe, that also started against the AWs last June in Toronto.
So it does look very much like we beat an Ivorian 'B' side 12 months ago, in one of our very rare victories against a top 50 side.
So it does look very much like we beat an Ivorian 'B' side 12 months ago, in one of our very rare victories against a top 50 side.
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coochiee wrote:
For what it's worth, today's Ivory Coast starting lineup (beat Ecuador 1-0) had only one player in Nicolas Pepe, that also started against the AWs last June in Toronto.
So it does look very much like we beat an Ivorian 'B' side 12 months ago, in one of our very rare victories against a top 50 side.
If that. I did a similar check, and apart from Pepe only one other player in the starting 11 actually made the Ivorian WC 2026 squad. Maybe being in a team that lost to NZ didn't help their chances haha.
Edit: As an aside 10 of NZ's 11 starters made the squad - Tuiloma the unlucky one. Even more amazing, only 2 of the 23-man NZ squad for the game did not make the 2026 squad - Tuiloma and Tzanev. Stability or stagnation?
Edit: As an aside 10 of NZ's 11 starters made the squad - Tuiloma the unlucky one. Even more amazing, only 2 of the 23-man NZ squad for the game did not make the 2026 squad - Tuiloma and Tzanev. Stability or stagnation?
I know, I know, its serious!
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So more like an Ivorian 'C' side last June, one player excepted.
Them picking from a very deep talent pool, compared to ours lapping around the ankles.
Them picking from a very deep talent pool, compared to ours lapping around the ankles.
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coochiee wrote:
So more like an Ivorian 'C' side last June, one player excepted.
Them picking from a very deep talent pool, compared to ours lapping around the ankles.
Off topic, but the "very deep talent pool" comment made me wonder what would the difference be if all the good NZ athletes that choose to play competitive, say, rugby chose to play football.
We might have a higher level NZ domestic competition, and more our players playing abroad, and perhaps three A League teams if money from commercial owners / sponsors stretched that far.
But as for the World Cup, we might aspire to the achievements of perhaps Denmark at most or Norway (similar population sizes), and they also not always qualify or win games. Even Czech Republic, 10 mln people since their split with Slovakia, only appeared once (2006) before this year.
We might have a higher level NZ domestic competition, and more our players playing abroad, and perhaps three A League teams if money from commercial owners / sponsors stretched that far.
But as for the World Cup, we might aspire to the achievements of perhaps Denmark at most or Norway (similar population sizes), and they also not always qualify or win games. Even Czech Republic, 10 mln people since their split with Slovakia, only appeared once (2006) before this year.
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Mainland FC wrote:coochiee wrote:Off topic, but the "very deep talent pool" comment made me wonder what would the difference be if all the good NZ athletes that choose to play competitive, say, rugby chose to play football.
So more like an Ivorian 'C' side last June, one player excepted.
Them picking from a very deep talent pool, compared to ours lapping around the ankles.
We might have a higher level NZ domestic competition, and more our players playing abroad, and perhaps three A League teams if money from commercial owners / sponsors stretched that far.
But as for the World Cup, we might aspire to the achievements of perhaps Denmark at most or Norway (similar population sizes), and they also not always qualify or win games. Even Czech Republic, 10 mln people since their split with Slovakia, only appeared once (2006) before this year.
Croatia and Uruguay populations?
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Population versus access and space as well. I think it's a lot more complex than simple numbers.
Look at Australia and the Olympics.
I think it's more about investment than anything.
Look at Australia and the Olympics.
I think it's more about investment than anything.
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!! wrote:
Croatia and Uruguay populations?
Punch well above their weight but worth considering when Uruguay's two World Cups were won and the circumstances surrounding tournaments almost 100 years ago.
Three for me, and two for them.
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Just to let myself down slowly and early or anti-jinx if you prefer: against a team of 68,011 we are most likely gonna get pumped right?
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Buffon II wrote:Banzai!...AIEEE!!! wrote:
Croatia and Uruguay populations?
Punch well above their weight but worth considering when Uruguay's two World Cups were won and the circumstances surrounding tournaments almost 100 years ago.
And made a semi final recently and with several world class players during the past two decades. Are you purposely antagonistic, mate?
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Toothless 1-0 loss for me. Same scoreline as Egypt. 2-0 Belgium win to round it off. We’ll be fantastic defensively in every game, but silly giveaways will cost us
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!! wrote:Buffon II wrote:And made a semi final recently and with several world class players during the past two decades. Are you purposely antagonistic, mate?Banzai!...AIEEE!!! wrote:
Croatia and Uruguay populations?
Punch well above their weight but worth considering when Uruguay's two World Cups were won and the circumstances surrounding tournaments almost 100 years ago.
Literally said punch well above their weight you moronic gobshite.
Three for me, and two for them.
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Please look at Australia opening game vs Turkey- they have everything the AWs are lacking even it’s not pretty football but successful: experienced innovating HC who trust his very young starting 11/ squad overall and more important a very clear identity as a team and didn’t play the same old guard again. Unfortunately nothing will change with NZF as it is still jobs for the mediocre same staff now for over 10 years from all age groups onwards.
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mrsmiis wrote:
Toothless 1-0 loss for me. Same scoreline as Egypt. 2-0 Belgium win to round it off. We’ll be fantastic defensively in every game, but silly giveaways will cost us
Yipe I sense a 1-0 loss as well.
Baze needs some sort of Poppa tactical master plan, to fashion a goal from somewhere.
But hey the history of World Cup football is littered with upsets, so we live in hope.
Baze needs some sort of Poppa tactical master plan, to fashion a goal from somewhere.
But hey the history of World Cup football is littered with upsets, so we live in hope.
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Because I lack football skill I won’t endorse the last part. I feel like Bazeley is doing the best he can and making optimal or at least good use of the knowledge in the squad. And I remember how much of a poverty outfit NZF has been. At one point I remember approaching them with someone who had high-ish level US experience and they basically asked them to volunteer coach…
Popovic has had his moments as a coach, but also had his struggles to score goals with his teams. But he’s been through the Aussie system as a player and a coach, here and overseas. How do we condition coaches’ egos to keep going? We don’t have an NZ coaching pathway, really. The ticket system is against us a bit.
Hopefully the A league teams and NZF can sort their crap out and get development teams in NZ leagues, as I’m not sure that the O league is ideal. But two teams is guna increase the number of NZ players in professional environments.
Perhaps we should take in more refugees? 😉Australia takes significantly more than we do I believe.
The number of players available to Popa is down to the number of spots for players. Respect Adelaide, CC…well all of them really against the difficulties they have getting young guys to play football.
We benefit too- we get Bayliss and Gibson (iirc). And Randall is young talent. Most of Declan’s crop is young talent.
I don’t feel like anyone is in the AWs on anything less than merit, apart from…you know…so the real issue in your post is pathways, playgrounds and opportunities for NZ coaches. What happened to Chris Zorosich? (Oh Jets Academy!) Okay. Is he ambitious to be a head coach? Declan hasn’t shown interest in being the Kiwi Biesla.
Do we need someone perhaps need to pump their ego up a bit! Get them the Ange belief. Win trophies at big teams. Win tournaments. We’ll see how Danny goes. But even he isn’t qualified to take an A league team I believe?
Anyway….
Off topic. We need a cultural cringe and self flagellation thread for all these things! And I worry we’ll need it more than ever after tomorrow…
Popovic has had his moments as a coach, but also had his struggles to score goals with his teams. But he’s been through the Aussie system as a player and a coach, here and overseas. How do we condition coaches’ egos to keep going? We don’t have an NZ coaching pathway, really. The ticket system is against us a bit.
Hopefully the A league teams and NZF can sort their crap out and get development teams in NZ leagues, as I’m not sure that the O league is ideal. But two teams is guna increase the number of NZ players in professional environments.
Perhaps we should take in more refugees? 😉Australia takes significantly more than we do I believe.
The number of players available to Popa is down to the number of spots for players. Respect Adelaide, CC…well all of them really against the difficulties they have getting young guys to play football.
We benefit too- we get Bayliss and Gibson (iirc). And Randall is young talent. Most of Declan’s crop is young talent.
I don’t feel like anyone is in the AWs on anything less than merit, apart from…you know…so the real issue in your post is pathways, playgrounds and opportunities for NZ coaches. What happened to Chris Zorosich? (Oh Jets Academy!) Okay. Is he ambitious to be a head coach? Declan hasn’t shown interest in being the Kiwi Biesla.
Do we need someone perhaps need to pump their ego up a bit! Get them the Ange belief. Win trophies at big teams. Win tournaments. We’ll see how Danny goes. But even he isn’t qualified to take an A league team I believe?
Anyway….
Off topic. We need a cultural cringe and self flagellation thread for all these things! And I worry we’ll need it more than ever after tomorrow…
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I’m sure Bazeley is doing his best but unfortunately his best isn’t good enough.
I get the impression that he’s scared to change anything and ends up sticking with tactics that don’t work as well as he hopes. We’ve been hearing about the team “ironing out the creases” for the last couple years yet no notable progress has been made. Pretty much every match against decent opposition goes the same way.
I’m optimistic that we can get a result against either Iran or Egypt but realistically it’s looking a bit bleak. But hey, Bazeley could always throw a curveball and pull out a tactical masterclass. We’ll see tomorrow, time to enjoy the World Cup!
I get the impression that he’s scared to change anything and ends up sticking with tactics that don’t work as well as he hopes. We’ve been hearing about the team “ironing out the creases” for the last couple years yet no notable progress has been made. Pretty much every match against decent opposition goes the same way.
I’m optimistic that we can get a result against either Iran or Egypt but realistically it’s looking a bit bleak. But hey, Bazeley could always throw a curveball and pull out a tactical masterclass. We’ll see tomorrow, time to enjoy the World Cup!
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mrsmiis wrote:
Toothless 1-0 loss for me. Same scoreline as Egypt. 2-0 Belgium win to round it off. We’ll be fantastic defensively in every game, but silly giveaways will cost us
Yeah, I'm scared we're not going to score. Agree that we should be fairly solid at the back but we always seem to have a mistake/moment where we switch off.
I just want to see Wood bang one in.
I just want to see Wood bang one in.
Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.
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Baz has been fine. We've played some good football under him and atleast dont simply rely on long ball.
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Doesnt seem the right time to me to be gnashing our teeth about the coach. And we don't have the money or even challenging/interesting games to offer a coach so why would we ever get a good one anyway.
To the game itself, with Garbett & Thomas apparently not starting, seems to me that 10 players are locked in. Singh will start even though he shouldn't, and I highly doubt he will have any discernable impact on the game. One of McCowatt/Randall will join Singh & Just behind Wood. Rest of the team is set.
My prediction is we win 1-0 to a Stamenic/Boxall/Surman header from a set piece, or (more likely) a 2-0 win to Iran where we concede a soft one early, appear to boss a lot of the game without being much threat to Iran, then they finish the contest sometime between 55 and 75 minutes.
To the game itself, with Garbett & Thomas apparently not starting, seems to me that 10 players are locked in. Singh will start even though he shouldn't, and I highly doubt he will have any discernable impact on the game. One of McCowatt/Randall will join Singh & Just behind Wood. Rest of the team is set.
My prediction is we win 1-0 to a Stamenic/Boxall/Surman header from a set piece, or (more likely) a 2-0 win to Iran where we concede a soft one early, appear to boss a lot of the game without being much threat to Iran, then they finish the contest sometime between 55 and 75 minutes.
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I'm pretty sure we were all feeling fairly bleak last time we were in this position (2010) and then we drew with Slovakia, the again with Italy, and finally we held Paruguay to a draw. We would have beaten Italy had the ref not been fooled into awarding a pen. Since then Italy have been doghouse!
Sorry distracted, what Im tryna say is that perhaps we shoudl at elast wait and see what happens tomorrow before we slag off the coach and team for tactics and perfomance.
Sorry distracted, what Im tryna say is that perhaps we shoudl at elast wait and see what happens tomorrow before we slag off the coach and team for tactics and perfomance.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Feeling very negative, brooding, confidence completely shot. Please 🙏🏽 dear Lord 🙏🏽
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I’m still feeling confident! I’m just trying to puncture that confidence a bit now so I don’t fall so far tomorrow…
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Buffon II wrote:Banzai!...AIEEE!!! wrote:
Croatia and Uruguay populations?
Punch well above their weight but worth considering when Uruguay's two World Cups were won and the circumstances surrounding tournaments almost 100 years ago.
Uruguay is tiny and has not really grown since early 1980s (3 mln then, 3.5 mln now).
Croatia is also similar in that regard. Both have aging populations and lots of young people going abroad if they can, and hardly ever returning. Australia is one of the favourite destinations for both countries.
But, but: both are footballing countries first and foremost. While there is also cycling, basketball and athletics as minor competitive sports, none of these attract the kind of following football does. Watching Nacional play Penarol in Montevideo was... well, almost like watching the NZ derby.... just a bit louder, and the game was a bit closer / more even / than our NZ derbies have been so far.
Croatia is also similar in that regard. Both have aging populations and lots of young people going abroad if they can, and hardly ever returning. Australia is one of the favourite destinations for both countries.
But, but: both are footballing countries first and foremost. While there is also cycling, basketball and athletics as minor competitive sports, none of these attract the kind of following football does. Watching Nacional play Penarol in Montevideo was... well, almost like watching the NZ derby.... just a bit louder, and the game was a bit closer / more even / than our NZ derbies have been so far.
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