Fiji are really up for this! The lack of control from the ref is likely to see some sort of explosion. I feel the noise/pressure from both sets of coaches isnt helping the players on the field to keep their heads.
Real shame for them they lost their first pool game against the Solomons.
They clearly look the 2nd best team at this tourney, and the best equipped outside NZ, to go to a World Cup. Got some useful players for sure. Moraica a big threat (though my stream cuts in & out). Guys in NZ & Aussie.
Jesus, that's a red. Fijian #8 (Moraica, probably their best player) booted the ball as hard as he could into Coveny, who had his back turned, and ref couldn't care less. Same guy who swung his arm at Coveny after a professional foul
There was some unnecessary behaviour from both sides and poor refereeing, but good job to Fiji. They had some dangerous chances, looked the better team numerous times throughout the match, and had their chances played out differently, could've won.
Needed some luck to win that. Fiji probably mores chances in the 2nd half.
Jayden Singh who plays for Onehunga Sports will be torturing himself, about not converting that pen. Not often kids from the Islands get that close to going to a World Cup.
1 deliberate elbow to the ribs. The violent shove and the Covney incident. The lad who did the shove got yellow and should of git another one later for a blatant late tackle to stop a counter.
And the pen would have been rescinded.
All that said, I was impressed by FIji. Genuinely unlucky and pushed our team all the way.
We lacked a sparkling the middlenof the park to make things happen... not that the pitch helped at all.
Our Goalkeeper made some good saves, but did not dominate his box on corners at all.
The niggle started in the first half. Ukich baiting one of their players because he won a free kick. Then one of our players in the face of Singh after AK-H saved the pen. Not cool
We were far from shrinking violets, the game had a huge amount at stake (WC qualification), and the ref was struggling. Not surprised to see emotions blow over a bit.
The niggle started in the first half. Ukich baiting one of their players because he won a free kick. Then one of our players in the face of Singh after AK-H saved the pen. Not cool
We were far from shrinking violets, the game had a huge amount at stake (WC qualification), and the ref was struggling. Not surprised to see emotions blow over a bit.
None of the verbal stuff justifies the ridiculously physical stuff going on! The Fijians were way hyped up from the bench to their players, all you could here was their bench yelling and screaming for who knows what - but it certainly wasn't calm! I don't mind these kids being competitive and showing that fighting spirit but the overtly physical tackling and niggle is what should be st4opped and that is on the ref.
Curious to hear from someone with more knowledge than I on the subject - why don't OFC nations/FIFA invest in turf pitches in these nations with poor pitch standard? I play footy regularly at Auckland Grammar and their bottom turf field (where ACFC play friendlies and where their youth train) is wonderful quality.
Would surely be beneficial for technical development too. I know Samoa's had a lot of FIFA investment directed its way in the past, so I'm sure facilities like that exist
Curious to hear from someone with more knowledge than I on the subject - why don't OFC nations/FIFA invest in turf pitches in these nations with poor pitch standard? I play footy regularly at Auckland Grammar and their bottom turf field (where ACFC play friendlies and where their youth train) is wonderful quality.
Would surely be beneficial for technical development too. I know Samoa's had a lot of FIFA investment directed its way in the past, so I'm sure facilities like that exist
Timely. This recent Niche Cache wrap of the Nations Cup, mentioned some of the challenges groundspeople face in the Islands, and likely other underdeveloped countries with a tropical like climate.
My limited understanding (I did do a Turf Management paper at University but that's 25 years ago!) is that thin perennial hardy ryegrasses that you get on most quality sports fields, do better in a cooler climate.
Maybe that's why the best training pitch the AWs found in Vanuatu, was in the hills above Port Vila. A bit cooler perhaps.
A few years back was a guy that posted on here that worked on the stadium grounds staff at Utrecht FC in Holland (Groundskeeper Willie??). He'd know.
“Aside from the FIFA-funded Freshwater Stadium, other venues are run by the [Vanuatu] government and the pitches are not always their top priority, while the broadleaved island grass makes it difficult to create a smooth surface. The ground staff at Freshwater tried to grow a pitch with thinner grass like players are used to in New Zealand, only to see the local grass take over in a matter of weeks.
The best training pitch on the main island of Efate turned out to be at the Montmarte School, far in the hills above Port Vila, surrounded by dense tropical bush which can only be reached after some serious off-roading. The All Whites used Montmarte as their training base, where the support staff got a bit of a fright in their first session, retrieving wayward balls from the bushes and being confronted by huge spiders, allegedly the size of small dogs. As a result, some of the balls were left behind in the bush for the local school kids to retrieve, and the shooting drills were moved to the other goal.”
Now leading 1-0 think it was Lachlan Candy (or LACKlan Candy!) who scored for us
It was.
Kinda keen to see what Nathan Walker could offer for the Nix. Pretty raw talent, but he's got a good burst of pace on him and a half decent delivery too. Not afraid to take on his man either (albeit with varying levels of success so far at this tournament).
Have said it before but he could definitely be a bolter for at least a scholarship deal.
Coveny & Bulkeley making for a decent CB pairing as well, so it will be interesting to see if Bulkeley ends up heading back to the UAE after this tournament or if Greenacre has been in his ear about a potential spot in the academy, good frame on the lad. To add to that, I can see Coveny cracking Matchday squads for Western United this upcoming A-League season.
Lol, was the New Caledonia player arguing it shouldn't be a red (2nd yellow card - admittedly on replay that looked a bit soft tbh!) because the penalty was awarded???
Someone should tell them that only applies to straight red cards. 😅
Pattern I've noticed which is interesting - at mens international levels, the runner up of NZs group is consistently getting to the final, even though we have expected otherwise pretty much every time.
Olympic qualis - Solos topped their group with 9pts but were beaten by Fiji from our group OFC Nations Cup - Fiji topped their group with 9pts but were beaten by Vanuatu from our group U19s - Solos topped their groups with 9pts but were beaten by New Caledonia from our group
Curious to hear from someone with more knowledge than I on the subject - why don't OFC nations/FIFA invest in turf pitches in these nations with poor pitch standard? I play footy regularly at Auckland Grammar and their bottom turf field (where ACFC play friendlies and where their youth train) is wonderful quality.
Would surely be beneficial for technical development too. I know Samoa's had a lot of FIFA investment directed its way in the past, so I'm sure facilities like that exist
I don't think you really got an answer to this question.
I too thought FIFA had throw huge wads of cash at the islands and I've seen reports of high quality artificial surfaces being invested in. Why are they not being used? Has corruption eaten up all that money so they never eventuated or have they not been looked after very well?
But
I have a high quality artificial turf in my back yard as the previous owner was quite lazy mowing his lawn (common offence here in the UK). I have noticed it gets very hot when the sun shines on it (much like Raglan's black sand), so maybe that's a factor.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
Ricky Fransen (17) NZ born on the bench for WSW for their cup game tonight. A chance to make his debut.
Big 6ft 5 CB.
Good to see some young Kiwi CB's emerging behind the likes of Surman, Bindon, Hughes, and even the likes of Coveny & Bulkeley from the recent U19's tournament.
What's the inside word you've got on him mate? And how'd he come to end up at WSW?
He moved to Australia about 10 years ago with his family.
He has been there (WSW) for 2-3 years now, having turned down Sydney to go there. Before that he was playing and standing out in their local NSW competition. Family is very sporty, one of his sister represent NSW in triathlons etc, something he has competed in as well and the other players up multiple grades in footy (albeit, is still very young).
Despite been a big lad, he is actually quite mobile, and is a 800m school record holder for running etc, and has played DM whilst at WSW when needed. Technically not bad with the ball either. I believe he has also captained at times the various youth teams he has played for - so a bit of a natural leader as well.
Dedicated player, would go to the park everyday after training by himself to practice against a brick wall etc, working on his touch. Missed a bit of last year with concussion issues.
He came and trained with the U17 team last year when on a family holiday - and felt comfortable with the level, and got good praise. His dad reached out to WPX a little while ago about their program, but got radio silence. Not sure if looking to move, or just get him some training ops whilst away on holiday etc.
Very much a kiwi and certainly would not be out of place when compared to the other u20 CB's. Whether he is deemed to young this time round, and is more of a contender for the 2026 WC I don't know, but NZF is aware of him at least.
Definately worth closer inspection by NZF... and arguably WPX and Auckland if interested in quality youth prospects.
I expect it will be the biggest weakness of this year's team. Not even a Conchie from the 2023 squad it seems, and certainly no Bell or Singh from 2019.
Fergus Gillion (Liam's younger bro) who's not even on a Nix scholarship contract, but I think captains the Weenix side might be an important midfield cog.
McKenlay & Middleton at AFC. Leuluai at Burnley.
Finn McKenlay got one start for Auckland against Melb City (AFC had lots of midfield injuries), and apparently was going great in their ALM pre season. So maybe he can step up like Conchie did in Argentina.
I do reckon it will be better than the 2023 team, just because of the emergence of Auckland so having guys like Middleton, McKenlay, Coubilay training day in day out in a pro environment with top coaching. Plus the Nix having a host of U20 kids who have been in around the ALM this season.
Virtually the whole squad will be in pro environments. Even Des's quality 2019 squad had many players still in the National League (Handy Prem). Big number at Eastern Suburbs (Declan's Ole brigade - so semi pro!).
This version will have 2 quality keepers in AKH & Gray who were both also at the 2023 U20 WC. Gray you suspect with be first choice.
Early very rough guess at a 21 man squad. No doubt I've missed some -
GKs - Alby Kelly-Heald (Nix), Henry Gray (Ipswich), Matt Foord (Weenix)
Defenders - James Bulkeley (North Texas), Adama Coulibaly (Auckland FC) Luka Coveny (Western United), Tze-Xuan Loke (Nix), Codey Phoenix (Auckland FC), Noah Dupont (West Brom youth), Lucas Kelly-Heald (Nix)
Midfield - Fergus Gillion (Weenix), Finn McKenlay (Auckland FC) Oliver Middleton (Auckland FC), Marley Leuluai (Burnley youth)
Forwards - Lachlan Candy (Nix), Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues (Nix), Luke Supyk (Nix), Stipe Ukich (Istra FC, Croatia), Nathan Walker (Nix), Luke Brooke-James (Nix), Adam Watson (Stoke City youth)
Some others on the fringe Joe Wallis - GK (West Brom youth), Dylan Gardiner (Weenix), Matthew D'Hotman de Villiers (Auckland FC Reserves), Daniel Makowem (Weenix), Anaru Cassidy (Weenix), Keegan Kelly (US College), Ryan Watson (Weenix)
Couple of unlucky guys who missed out on the age cutoff by days or months. Joe Knowles, Jonty Bidois and Dublin Boon. Boon by 7 days. Likely more with an unfortunate DOB