Does the Stamenic withdrawal change Bazeleys thoughts regarding Thomas' involvement this window. With an adjustment in personal/positioning required coukd he be getting more minutes than orginally planned?
Absolutely ripper night of NZ sport with Warriors final game of the season and then the soccer ashes back to back. Been targeting this one for a while. This afternoon is going to go by so slowly at work!
Absolutely ripper night of NZ sport with Warriors final game of the season and then the soccer ashes back to back. Been targeting this one for a while. This afternoon is going to go by so slowly at work!
Yeah Stamenic out definitely changes everything. As per AV's article he is 2nd only to Libby, re mins played by any AW under Baze. Both big outs.
Thomas's return very very timely, esp when Rufer will be far from full match sharpness.
Socceroos record in Canberra is strong, but they usually play an AFC minnow there. And AWs record is very good at Mt Smart, which brings hope for next Tuesday.
Not sure if the below article quite has the eligibility facts correct re Jack Iredale. The spelling of his surname certainly raises eyebrows straight away. We now have our own SPL playing CB in Stanger developing nicely anyway.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/05/lets-bring-home-the-ashes-says-darren-bazeley/
Australia have a strong record when playing in Canberra, winning five of their six matches in the nation’s capital, and averaging 3.8 goals per game.
Australia go into Friday’s game looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine games.
Head to head, the trans-Tasman rivals have met 65 times, with Australia winning 41 times, compared to New Zealand’s 13 wins. Eleven games have been drawn.
Squad changes
Midfielder Marko Stamenić has withdrawn from the New Zealand squad due to tightness in his adductor muscles, which he experienced during training. He’s left the New Zealand camp in Canberra to return to his Swansea City club.
Midfielder Marko Stamenić has withdrawn from the New Zealand squad due to tightness in his adductor muscles, which he experienced during training. He’s left the New Zealand camp in Canberra to return to his Swansea City club.
The Socceroos have lost defender Fran Karacic to injury and replaced his with uncapped Jack Ireland, a player who was eligible for New Zealand but has opted to play for Australia.