All Whites vs Ukraine | Wed 11th June | 8:00am (NZT) | BMO Field (Toronto, Canada)

martinb

YoungHeartHM

Matt Garbett needs to find a new club as soon as possible. Not sure what Singh is up to with his club in Portugal either. Could best describe them both this window as flat.

But both players are key for us, there's no doubt about that. They do need to find an environment where they're playing week in, week out though.

And Waine did 2/5 of f all too. The Ukranian defense was very good, but who would be the player worrying you in that first half if you were a Ukrainian defender? None of the All Whites…maybe Cacace or Bell unleashing a quick break, but nobody was getting at defenders or challenging them for strength…we were very blunt in our first half attack. 

The only reason I didn't name him is because I don't think he's what I'd call a key player.

Thankless job up top for him against a physical Ukraine side today though. Might have been better to drag him at H/T and give Woodsy 45 minutes to match that physicality. Moot point now anyway.

Watched the game delayed. Ukraine deserved the win, obviously had the better chances.

But we fought well, and have proved at this tourney we will be hard to beat next year at the big dance, apart from the very best sides. You have with luck a full strength run on side with Wood, Thomas and Payne all starting and things look promising.

Of course Ukarine weren't full strength either, but have far far greater playing depth than us. WC minnows like us really need all their best players available.

Don't think anyone had a bad game. Singh was better. Often our best moments beating the press were him on the ball. Bell lost the ball a few times in dangerous positions but his work rate was massive. 

Waine tried hard, one of his better games for AWs against a bigger nation. Holdup play was okay, noting he was marked by an EPL CB that's it's rumoured PSG are interested in. But I do wonder whether Wood (one of the world's best with headers), might have put Bindon's cross into the net.

Lets hope when the draw comes out we miss the hottest cities in a Nth American summer. I think it only being mid 20s in Toronto really helped us.

Forgot to mention wanted to give massive props to Joe Bell this window. As previously mentioned by others his workrate across the two games was phenomenal. Apologies for mixing up my sporting codes here Had that real gritty David Ball/Neil Wagner workhorse auroa about him. Appreciate he had some difficulties in the club world during his stint in Denmark and had lost some of the faith with our fanbase but jeez he's got some character to keep plugging away and recover. He looked like back to old form when he was a shining light in his younger days at the start of the Danny Hay/post covid NZ Men's team rebuild. Would definitely back him to take back the captaincy role in the future.

De Vries only took 10 minutes to display how lethal his service and crossing ability can be. Hoping he gets more game time in the starting XI going forward.

If only FDV was right footed! He's heavily marked and whips in at least 2 dangerous crosses. Elliott has open territory and space and sends his cross over the byline.

Interesting to see Boxall & Surman staying upfield as the team chased an equaliser.

And yes we wait to hear of any rumours about Bell this European transfer window.

A very good window for us.
I liked Waine up front, thought he had a better game then what some people are giving him credit for, wasn’t a stand out but he did no worse then Kosta did and Waine was up against a tougher back line.
Bell was impressive this window and surprised he didn’t get man of the match. Right back is a problem if Payne is hurt we have no decent cover for him….. hopefully Ronan Wynne progresses quickly.
I thought the combo of Surman/Bindon was more effective then Surman/Boxall but again the difference in quality of opposition may of made a difference, I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Boxall/Bindon next window then we (Baze) decides on his number 1 ce there back paring and we give them as much game time together in the build up to the wc as possible.
I’m not a De Vries fan personally, but I did like how Baze used him today, in front of Libby as an impact player whipping crosses in.
Obviously lots of our players need to get there club stuff sorted and get game time, as pointed out by others Singh has just been disappointing this window, I’m really hoping Thomas makes himself available from this point going forward.

If there are clubs interested in Bell, these last two games would have certainly helped his cause of winning a good move somewhere.

YellowAndBlack

A very good window for us.
I liked Waine up front, thought he had a better game then what some people are giving him credit for, wasn’t a stand out but he did no worse then Kosta did and Waine was up against a tougher back line.
Bell was impressive this window and surprised he didn’t get man of the match. Right back is a problem if Payne is hurt we have no decent cover for him….. hopefully Ronan Wynne progresses quickly.
I thought the combo of Surman/Bindon was more effective then Surman/Boxall but again the difference in quality of opposition may of made a difference, I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Boxall/Bindon next window then we (Baze) decides on his number 1 ce there back paring and we give them as much game time together in the build up to the wc as possible.
I’m not a De Vries fan personally, but I did like how Baze used him today, in front of Libby as an impact player whipping crosses in.
Obviously lots of our players need to get there club stuff sorted and get game time, as pointed out by others Singh has just been disappointing this window, I’m really hoping Thomas makes himself available from this point going forward.

What do you not like about De Vries?

HattyCW

YellowAndBlack

A very good window for us.
I liked Waine up front, thought he had a better game then what some people are giving him credit for, wasn’t a stand out but he did no worse then Kosta did and Waine was up against a tougher back line.
Bell was impressive this window and surprised he didn’t get man of the match. Right back is a problem if Payne is hurt we have no decent cover for him….. hopefully Ronan Wynne progresses quickly.
I thought the combo of Surman/Bindon was more effective then Surman/Boxall but again the difference in quality of opposition may of made a difference, I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Boxall/Bindon next window then we (Baze) decides on his number 1 ce there back paring and we give them as much game time together in the build up to the wc as possible.
I’m not a De Vries fan personally, but I did like how Baze used him today, in front of Libby as an impact player whipping crosses in.
Obviously lots of our players need to get there club stuff sorted and get game time, as pointed out by others Singh has just been disappointing this window, I’m really hoping Thomas makes himself available from this point going forward.

What do you not like about De Vries?

It’s my personal opinion I’m just not a fan and I don’t think he is defensively sound as Libby or McGarry or Wilkins but M&W both seem to be made out of glass which I feel is keeping them out (McGarry was back from injury and starting, not sure what Wilkins injury update is) but  he does have a great cross so if he’s in the team for that alone then he has to play further forward in front of the LB and for me again I’d rather Old or McCowatt starting and De Vries coming on near the end of the game like today where he just has to get the ball and cross it as quickly as he can

Couple of things I found interesting about the De Vries sub and how Baz coaches.

1: After he came on there were two wide dead ball situations out left. Libby took both of them. Really think that De Vries should be taking these with Libby sniffing around outside the box to nail anything that comes his way. While Libby did well earlier in the game with a nice corner, I don’t think deadball crossing is his forte. De Vries should be taking these when he is on the field. 

2: De Vries was about to launch a typical AFC long throw but ended up playing it short. Now, NZ is never going to outclass these sides and I really think that sometimes the unsexy route one and getting it into the box from set plays, where we have tall timber in our centre backs, Wood, Marko etc is the way to play. At the World Cup I really would like to see us try to get action in the box and shark hosey as often as possible from long throws. It isn’t going to win Baz a contract with Bayern Munich but I think is a valid and productive pathway to a goal.

I think yes FDV's lack of pace is why he was forward of Libby, reducing risk of a fast Ukraine counter. Smart play I reckon that worked pretty well. Gave Cacace a bit of a rest sitting deep, after nearly 2 full games up & down the touchline.

Agruably FDV should have come on earlier. But Wood was on heavily reduced mins, and without the Woodsman on the field de Vries's impact is less.

Canada & Ivory Coast drew 0-0.

Edit - re the non long throw by FDV. Didn't Libby receive the throw, play it immediately back to de Vries who whipped in a dangerous tasty cross? That's the smarter play if you can pull it off, rather than a long loopy throw which may or may not get to the pen box.

I didn’t mind that FDV and Cacace down the same wing, but Oldy too? Surely that was too crowded? Our three potentially most dangerous attackers clumped together. 

Yeh agree on Waine- not a particularly bad player, but to try to use him as if he was Chris Wood against 6 players towards the back for Ukraine and sling aerial long balls in is loopy tactics…

Wasn't Crocrombe a star though - wicked saves in both games to keep us in it. Paulsen might have to get used to warming the bench.......

Those De Vries crosses were certainly pretty well on the button...sign of things to come maybe especially is Wood is there.

All in all a pretty good couple of days!

Different to hear it with Canadian/Scottish commentators.

GOAL 🇳🇿

New Zealand respond quickly vs. Ukraine as Marko Stamenic restores a 1-1 scoreline with his header off a corner kick 🎯

🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer & TSN pic.twitter.com/fWxc0Mvk7q

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) June 10, 2025

MetalLegNZ

As a side piece, when the pushing and shoving occurred, who else noticed Boxall was like I've got this and pulled two of them into him.

Man is a beast!

Michael Boxall said I'll take the both of youz pic.twitter.com/xplAt015Ys

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) June 10, 2025

Disappointing result but a solid performance 🎙️💬

Goalscorer Stamenić’s post match thoughts on the game against Ukraine 🇳🇿🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/HUSVT2lgvV

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 11, 2025

“Now it’s what do we need to do to get to the next step and be beating these teams regularly” 💬

Darren Bazeley reflects on the performances in Canada and on the value of playing highly ranked opposition as the World Cup approaches 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pqKaeUxOfn

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 11, 2025

Gordinho

Wasn't Crocrombe a star though - wicked saves in both games to keep us in it. Paulsen might have to get used to warming the bench.......

Those De Vries crosses were certainly pretty well on the button...sign of things to come maybe especially is Wood is there.

All in all a pretty good couple of days!

Absolutely - I was firmly in the 'give AP a run in the team' camp as the young inevitable successor in goal for the AWs but crocs was pretty close to flawless across both games, surprisingly good distribution from him too

Just watched the highlights. 
- Croc did well. Those two goals they scored were very well taken. 
- Just looking he gets pushed off the ball again. 
- Looks like Bell, Marko, Surman put in a big shift. 
- Bindon not a bad RB option. Would we say Payne really much better?
- no gametime for Smith. That his last callup? Feel like it would have been better having Rogerson on the bench.. 

I still think Payne is our best option at right back after watching these games.

There are indications that there will be 26 man world cup squads, the Mirror reported there would be quite recently, and if that is the case, there is probably plenty of room for both Smith & Rogerson and also Ryan Thomas, without having to drop anyone from this squad. 

Runnersup!  Apparently is to become an annual event, so hopefully we get invited regularly. Next March would be noice as a final window pre the WC

7 min post game chat with Baze.
https://youtu.be/Jay9wZfRE3s
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/06/11/watch-all-whites-coach-darren-bazeley-takes-positives-from-canadian-shield/

11 mins match highlights
https://youtu.be/PxuAsJpPyBs

That you Marto in the Nix top, celebrating Stamenic's goal?

Boxall hanging in the air for that header. Bloody impressive!

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2025/6/11/all-whites-at-the-canadian-shield-tournament-defeat-vs-ukraine

Against Ivory Coast, it was protecting a one-goal lead. We saw Alex Rufer brought into the midfield with Marko Stamenic moving into the ten position, then later we saw Michael Boxall chucked on as a third centre-back in the old Tommy Smith Closer role. Not to mention a dose of Max Crocombe’s time-wasting crampage. They were able to get live real-game experience in that situation, helping establish a cohesive plan for if/when they happen to be protecting a late lead at the World Cup... as well as trust that they can get the job done.

Against Ukraine, it was chasing the game from a one-goal deficit. This time Bazeley bowled a doosra by bringing on Francis de Vries for his crossing ability... except rather than moving Cacace onto the wing with FDV at fullback, it was FDV who went directly onto the wing himself. Probably so that it was that little bit easier to get him into crossing positions with a higher starting point. Another little twist was Michael Boxall hovering alongside Chris Wood as an aerial presence, with Alex Rufer covering him at the back. This time the lads weren’t able to find success but the same truth applies about the value of being able to play through a situation like this. Maybe next time Baze approaches it slightly differently, who knows. But they’ve got something to work from now.

I’m stoked with how this tour has gone. Not only were we competitive but scored good goals against decent opposition. Future looks bright for our defensive line, goalkeeper included. Things to work on, but I’m a happy man.

Really hope to see Wayne, Just, Crocombe, and Garbett get picked up by good teams.

Two absolute smashings by Ivory Coast and Ukraine though, the pressure continues to pile on Bazeley and there should start to be some serious considerations around him.

Well that statement aged well lol.

I know there are people here that have their reservations about Bazeley and potentially are still unsure about him heading into the WC, but I think what we've achieved this window shows he's got something to give to this AWs squad.

Still early days in the road to the WC though.

I’m sure after we have made it out of the group stage at next years World Cup, that the true story will come out that Tommy Smith has been coaching the team the last two years.

These two matches have shown we can foot it against decent opposition. We now have plenty of options in most positions. If we can get our best eleven match fit on the pitch then we can be optimistic about next years WC. Especially if we get plenty of high quality games in the buildup.
For AW supporters just pray that the AWs WC pool is in Canada. When you see the shiite show going on in the USA you dont really want to have to go there

coochiee

11 mins match highlights
https://youtu.be/PxuAsJpPyBs

That you Marto in the Nix top, celebrating Stamenic's goal?

Nah, always in AW gear for the the AWs. That was actually a lad from Swindon who's spent a few years in the capital!

The security were bell ends and stopped us taking anything into the stadium. They even tried to stop me bringing in the big NZ flag!

Marto

coochiee

11 mins match highlights
https://youtu.be/PxuAsJpPyBs

That you Marto in the Nix top, celebrating Stamenic's goal?

Nah, always in AW gear for the the AWs. That was actually a lad from Swindon who's spent a few years in the capital!

The security were bell ends and stopped us taking anything into the stadium. They even tried to stop me bringing in the big NZ flag!

I'm sorry to hear that Marto. I am not surprised, but disappointed all the same. There's no consistency or common sense with BMO Field security. Hopefully they're all replaced by next summer.

This is the second time Canada have played a side a few days after they've played the AWs and they've come out and kicked us (to which we replied by kicking them back) and it ended it feisty and poor 0-0 draw.

I'll share a few thoughts on the All Whites when I have a minute, but I thought you were better against Ukraine than Cote d'Ivoire... but still two good performances.

For those of us who went to both games annoyingly the AW goals were scored at the wrong end of the stadium whereas Ukraine's goals were right in front of us. 

For those interested, I think Crocs should have saved the first goal and he swore as much at conceding it, as he picked the ball out of his net. He had no chance with the second one.

juneof86

Marto

coochiee

11 mins match highlights
https://youtu.be/PxuAsJpPyBs

That you Marto in the Nix top, celebrating Stamenic's goal?

Nah, always in AW gear for the the AWs. That was actually a lad from Swindon who's spent a few years in the capital!

The security were bell ends and stopped us taking anything into the stadium. They even tried to stop me bringing in the big NZ flag!

I'm sorry to hear that Marto. I am not surprised, but disappointed all the same. There's no consistency or common sense with BMO Field security. Hopefully they're all replaced by next summer.

This is the second time Canada have played a side a few days after they've played the AWs and they've come out and kicked us (to which we replied by kicking them back) and it ended it feisty and poor 0-0 draw.

I'll share a few thoughts on the All Whites when I have a minute, but I thought you were better against Ukraine than Cote d'Ivoire... but still two good performances.

Your not wrong there about BMO Field. I showed them footage from Saturday with my back pack and banner on display but they just said no. Highly annoying when right in front of me was a big Canada banner (which was class btw).

Had a good time at both games bar the super expensive food and drink ($20 for a beer, wtf!) and the security at the second game. I really wish there was a third game with us playing each other.

Canada should rock next year for the WC although I think a lot of Canucks don't really realise just how crazy things will be in 12 months.

Marto

For those of us who went to both games annoyingly the AW goals were scored at the wrong end of the stadium whereas Ukraine's goals were right in front of us. 

For those interested, I think Crocs should have saved the first goal and he swore as much at conceding it, as he picked the ball out of his net. He had no chance with the second one.

I feel your pain Marto. The Canadian supporters are always in the lake end at BMO Field and Canada is famous for not scoring in that goal. There have been some legendary goals for us in that stadium... none in that net.

There is no consistency with security either. One gate will let you in with anything and the other will be strict. We typically put 500 Canadian flags in the south end, put up the banners and bring in the drums and whatever else we have on the capo stand... but we do it all midday and everything is set up with the help of Canada Soccer. So we get things in without having to deal with security. But I've been to basically every stadium in the country at this point and BMO Field's are the worst. They are both petulant about things that should obviously be fine (like bringing in your national flag) and totally useless at preventing people from bringing things in (here is the south end for the MLS Cup final that Toronto hosted... VID_YouTube_6s_NTH_LPFIngFocusFruitsVeggies_EN_NIN_LFDD_SAS_NP_NL_BBC0407_LM_na )

We're a year out and I can't judge the mood. I remember USA94 well and the media landscape is vastly different, but even a year out there was a ton of hype. It just felt really prevalent and I felt that even without being in the US. I feel none of that right now. I think there's a fair bit of excitement in the Canada, but I think there was more palpable anticipation a year before Qatar because we had the qualifying campaign and there was momentum. I will say Toronto is one of the great World Cup cities. When Italy won in 82 200,000 people celebrated in the streets. The city almost stops during matches. We'll see what the draw gives them, but I think it could be one of the more engaged host cities. 

Rock Hopper

Forgot to mention wanted to give massive props to Joe Bell this window. As previously mentioned by others his workrate across the two games was phenomenal. Apologies for mixing up my sporting codes here Had that real gritty David Ball/Neil Wagner workhorse auroa about him. Appreciate he had some difficulties in the club world during his stint in Denmark and had lost some of the faith with our fanbase but jeez he's got some character to keep plugging away and recover. He looked like back to old form when he was a shining light in his younger days at the start of the Danny Hay/post covid NZ Men's team rebuild. Would definitely back him to take back the captaincy role in the future.

De Vries only took 10 minutes to display how lethal his service and crossing ability can be. Hoping he gets more game time in the starting XI going forward.

 Agree. He and stamenic were immense. 

Marto

For those of us who went to both games annoyingly the AW goals were scored at the wrong end of the stadium whereas Ukraine's goals were right in front of us. 

For those interested, I think Crocs should have saved the first goal and he swore as much at conceding it, as he picked the ball out of his net. He had no chance with the second one.

Well the golden rule for a keeper is to never be beaten at the near post. But he was likely unsighted being a rocket going between Surman's legs. The way Finn S had been blocking everything Crocs just wouldn't have expected that.

Denied 🧤🧱

What a save this was from Max Crocombe 🇳🇿🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/wr8hc6PQRW

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 11, 2025

Wow, I just realised we played two awesome high level games and there were no fax issues or passport issues, just two cracking games of football! 

Thanks Canada, Ukraine and Ivory Coast, we really enjoyed the party! 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360720058/all-whites-still-searching-attacking-answers-one-year-out-fifa-world-cup-return
a year to get things sorted up front

 

So I’ve seen 4 ½ All Whites matches in the past six months or so. And I feel like maybe I’m going too far in a negative direction, but here’s my thought…. 

 

I don’t think I’ll get much argument here that the best AW players are Bindon, Surman, Crocombe, Stamenic, Bell and Wood. After that I’d make a case for Cacace, Boxall and probably Rufer. I think come the World Cup there will be at least one match where I’d say Bazely should go 4-2-3-1 with three attacking players behind Wood. But I also think there will be at least one match where I’d get all of the above on the pitch together and go with a 5-3-2 with Rufer, Bell and Stamenic. 

 

It’s very conservative, but that’s going to be a hard midfield to play through. If you can force the opposition to the flanks, I like your odds with Surman, Boxall and Bindon in the air and they’re very sharp defending in and around the area either way. There won’t be a lot created in attack, but with Wood and the quality of your set pieces, you might be able to nick one. And I hopefully you can still hold your share of possession with that midfield. 

 

Secondary question… has Cacace or de Vries ever played right back? I love de Vries’ set piece delivery and crossing, but Cacace is the better player on the whole IMO. But it seems like there’s no obvious right back solution… could they both get on the pitch as fullbacks? And I don’t know who plays off of Wood. Just? Old? Garbett? I think I’d lean to one of those three with Old maybe being my favourite of that bunch at the moment. I’ve never seen Rogerson, but a fair few of you seem to rate him ATM. 

 

My two cents. Am I being too cautious and not rating your attacking players highly enough? As I say, I’m not saying do this every match, but I think there will be a time and a place for it next June. And I would rather find a way to get Boxall and Rufer on the pitch ahead of McCowatt or Singh (though I’ve seen flashes out of Singh). 

12 pools of 4 teams for the WC.

The 3 hosts and 9 top ranked teams in Pot A. 25% chance we draw one of Canada, USA or Mexico. A quiet prayer we do (esp the Americans).

But realistically from Pot A it's someone of Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Italy or Germany. That's the FIFA current top 10.

Against any of them setting up with a 5-3-2 would have to be looked at. Alot will depend on factors like who is our RB, and what sort of form/fitness is the Woodsman in. The Ivory Coast game finished as some sort of 5-3-2 (Boxall & Rufer coming on).

Edit - selfishly from an AWs perspective it wouldn't hurt if Wood missed a few Forest games to stay fresh. At least he won't have 3 long haul return flights to NZ from Europe like he had last season (OFC Qualifiers). Does he skip the Socceroos matches in Sept? We badly want him fit & firing next June.

It sounds like it won't happen until October, but really the arrival of Ryan Thomas can't come soon enough. He could really add something to the AWs attack.

Then hopefully 2-3 of Just, Garbett, Old & Singh go on to have very good 2025/26 seasons, so that in 12 months they are playing better than now. Rogerson isn't the answer.

I think our most important issue is to find a way to get Wood into scoring positions. We know he can score at the highest level and against the best so how do we get him the ball?

Napier Phoenix

I think our most important issue is to find a way to get Wood into scoring positions. We know he can score at the highest level and against the best so how do we get him the ball?

de Vries seems to be the best option for that form the left side at this stage.

We will also fingers crossed need to the Woodsman fit and free of any injuries. It's noticeable that after he landed on his hip at Eden Park against New Caledonia, he wasn't quite the same player at Forest as he managed that injury, until the end of the season.

Returning to play in NZ has been a bit jinxed for Wood. Bad injury also at EP verus Socceroos in 2022. Arriving to play China in 2023 with a thigh injury then doing the other thigh damage when training in NZ. The NC game in March.

But yeah the FDV subbed on as an advanced left winger definitely needs another go, and more than 10 mins next time.

Solid international window finished in Canada for the All Whites 🏆

Onto the next 📈🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/9nXMr6ukAc

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 12, 2025