Not sure the Socceroos have a mental hold over the All Whites. Unlike say cricket we don't play them enough for there to really be one. Though I'm sure there are always mental barriers to try overcome, when the AWs play any team in say the top 30 FIFA rankings.
But with their greater depth they can just select in form, highly experienced tough players. 32 year old Martin Boyle has 10 years in the SPL (plus a short spell in Saudi). He's seen it all. Compared to him Eli Just looks like he should still be at school, and gets bumped off easily in contact. Sarpreet has grown some facial hair but that ain't fooling anyone.
McCowatt was quoted in an article before the June games, that it's often the toughest challenge as a young Kiwi heading north. The need to develop that mental toughness. You can have similar good technical skills but the mental part of the game is a giant leap. We are yes a bit too nice.
This AWs squad is a mostly young group, so the headspace stuff will only improve. I reckon you can see real growth there now with Joe Bell. Confidence and a bit more in your face niggle in June.
Bazeley is talking about rivalry & edge for these September games. If the teams are full strength, I think that's what we want to see from the AWs (compared to those 3 dud games 2022 & 2023) - greater self belief, and not backing down.
Edit - someone above said Surman & Bindon make a Socceroos squad. That's no guarantee. They had a Serie A CB in Circati (yes not long returned frm an ACL) on the bench against Saudi. The 3 old heads Burgess, Geria & Degenek all started. Degenek has played Bundesliga 2, J League, MLS plus years at Red Star Belgrade.
They left Kyle Rowles who like Surman is a MLS starting CB, on the pine with Circati. They had Souttar who's a Championship/EPL player unavailable. Yeah sure the AWs have lots of young highly promising kids coming through. But have a close look at who Australia actually have as well.
But with their greater depth they can just select in form, highly experienced tough players. 32 year old Martin Boyle has 10 years in the SPL (plus a short spell in Saudi). He's seen it all. Compared to him Eli Just looks like he should still be at school, and gets bumped off easily in contact. Sarpreet has grown some facial hair but that ain't fooling anyone.
McCowatt was quoted in an article before the June games, that it's often the toughest challenge as a young Kiwi heading north. The need to develop that mental toughness. You can have similar good technical skills but the mental part of the game is a giant leap. We are yes a bit too nice.
This AWs squad is a mostly young group, so the headspace stuff will only improve. I reckon you can see real growth there now with Joe Bell. Confidence and a bit more in your face niggle in June.
Bazeley is talking about rivalry & edge for these September games. If the teams are full strength, I think that's what we want to see from the AWs (compared to those 3 dud games 2022 & 2023) - greater self belief, and not backing down.
Edit - someone above said Surman & Bindon make a Socceroos squad. That's no guarantee. They had a Serie A CB in Circati (yes not long returned frm an ACL) on the bench against Saudi. The 3 old heads Burgess, Geria & Degenek all started. Degenek has played Bundesliga 2, J League, MLS plus years at Red Star Belgrade.
They left Kyle Rowles who like Surman is a MLS starting CB, on the pine with Circati. They had Souttar who's a Championship/EPL player unavailable. Yeah sure the AWs have lots of young highly promising kids coming through. But have a close look at who Australia actually have as well.