All Whites vs South Africa

Did you put money on it or is that just mouth?

1-0 at halftime to us and 2-1 final score with Brown to score the winner from a corner!!!!

worth a punt.

I am hoping for a win to Bafana Bafana. Anything will do, but hopefully at least 2-0 to improve goal difference

Sorry to all All White supporters

Well, we had shots - all from well outside the box that were never gonna be scored from. If you call that chances, then fair enough. We did try to pass the ball around, and I think every All White fan is proud of that fact. But calling it attractive is a bit of a stretch...there was a lot of wildly inaccurate stuff there. But it's a good sign.

As for Iraq, I actually think they'll be a tough opponent for us. Haven't seen much of them, but they seem to be a counterattacking side, like a lot of the Middle Eastern teams are. It's not really a style that would suit us, although we should be able to trouble them from set-pieces.

But the game against Saffas is the key - they have a lot of pressure on them now after failing to beat Iraq in the first game, and that could be a good thing for us.

Iraq are a good team that haven't played to their potential since the 2007 Asian Cup

S.A. and Iraq are both going to be a huge handful for the boys, but at least they are on the same planet, un like Spain who looked like champs

Yeah. I think people have gotton a little over confident. If we are to beat or draw with S A it would be a HUGE effort.

But you never know. Cannot wait for the game.

don't think its over confidence it s just keeping the faith, its just what we have to do 

All good warm up matches  for the WCQ's ... good luck guys... Midfielder2009-06-17 01:14:45

after watching the SA v Iraq game I can honestly say I wasn't impressed with either. Both teams defended well and upset each others rhythm but neither looked solid on attack. Sure SA were pushing a lot but their final touch was sh*te and their shooting was terrible. A bit of pressure from us and we could well come away with a draw and a win.

Yeah both teams looked f**ked, SA will be lucky to get a draw with the AW's. I'm hoping they get punished buy Smeltz and go on to cripple any chance of Iraq or SA had of 2'nd placing in the group.
Go the All Whites in black!!!

Gold Coast have already purchased him.

seems like Siggy centre back perhaps, Christie for Brockie

If Siggy does make it on to the field, it will be an interesting comparison with how Vicelich/Boyens ran the  cb's v Spain.Who's he likely to replace?

OK I think its going to be 3-1 to SA but am praying for a draw or win. We have everything against us in the SA game but nothing to lose. Fingers crossed. I think we have a better chance against Iraq.

If Siggy does get a run he will be very, very rusty. I just hope he doesn't seriously injure himself.

Bloody Saffas

Me too. We know how committed he is in the tackle usually.If he gets on, good luck to him.

Please no Christie. He is terribly average. 

 good call, but we are hoping that Smeltz performs well enough to pick up a big Euro contract.

Christie is very versatile and probably would do Brockie's job better.

Christie sucks. herbert obviously can't separate himslef from being Phoenix coach and All Whites coach, we need two separate coaches, this just doen't work. Surely Chris James or Oughton can offer more than Jeremy Christie.....pretty disappointed with that selection... 

+1, but what would you have Herbert do? Oranges maybe? Do agree we have to modernize our appoach, one coach for two teams is a bit amateur. And is he good enough for either job?

Keep Ricki, Axe Christie 

TAB odds - AW's paying $10 to win $4.50 for the draw - Saffers at $1.10.

Yes but with Mulligan at right back, we are not getting defensive cover from Brockie, hence why Christie came on for Brockie against Spain.

Personally I thought that Boyen has a better chance than Mulligan at right back because he can backtrack well enough and able to support up a bit on occasions. I know that he was always been centre back but he has the natural traits to cover the right back if need. He may not have the speed to push forward (and i don't believe we need to) but he is able to defend better.

I am look forward to maybe a Vicelich/Siggy CB combo.

Anyway I say we start with a 4-4-2 and if the boys up front aint get much ball have a 4-4-1-1 with Smeltz as a deep forward. Smeltz is the only player that can play in that position as he can hold the ball and change direction pus it would given him more room to make late runs that would suit him, I see him similar to Teddy Sheringham role. Whereas Killen is able to hold physically in the front more than Smeltz would, more like a Alan Shearer. Well that what I would mind seeing.

don't rate South Africa at all.

BTW although we like to have James to replace Brockie rather than Christie, he's more a centre midfielder or a striker, I thought. So I can see where Ricki is trusting the experience of the players in the positions.

Then again, I have mention to try Boyen at right back before Mulligan.

It is quite obvious that we are mighty weaker on the right side of the field than the left side, which is strange considering it is usually on the left side that is weaker with most national teams with the left back the hardest to master against right wingers.AllWhitebelievr2009-06-17 18:16:24

If I were a betting man I'd seriously consider having a go with odds like that.

My line-up
                      Moss
Boyens    Vicelich   Sigmund   Lochhead
        Bertos   Elliot   Brown
                   James
             Killen      Smeltz

Gee NZ power,

I would touch the Xmas formation for this game. Maybe it has value against Spain and work for the counterattack but this invites a team, who is in my estimation are similar strength range, to play in our half too much more than they should be. Also, such a formation has not been effective in scoring enough goals. It may be more than likely that there would be a draw or a lost as there are very low percentages for a win. The statistics on running such a formation is less than satisfactory against a similar strength team.

If we don't rate South Africa (a dangerous thought) enough, then 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 or even 4-2-3-1 (4-5-1) may have better grounds for the midfield further up the middle of the park. It's the midfield which will make a determine the outcome in this game. (As well as the finishing)

Yeah that is as fine as line-up that you can have. Although I swap Bertos and Brown around as it seems that Bertos and Lochead has a good understand of each other on the left. But then I am not sure about Boyen and Brown understand on the right as it would be fairly new to them. I tend to think that putting James where Bertos is, Bertos where Brown is and Brown where James is. Just turn them clockwise by one position. If sort of depends on the other team really.

I'll get back to you after a bit of a think.

Also without a decent look at the South Africa vs Iraq game, I can't really comment much in the team make up should be. Other than what we like to be happening.AllWhitebelievr2009-06-17 18:39:54

South Africa will be a HUGE handful.

Just heard on Tv3 Ricki saying there playing 2 up front. Good positive intent. 

                       Moss

Mully to RM and maybe Oughton to RB - Thought Mully got caught out of position a bit but his work rate and delivery would be good to have

oughton can play dm

Yep. You know it's bad when the only time you notice him on the field is when he inevitably makes a stupid tackle and gets duly penalised.