May be being a bit selfish here as a Nix fan but I think the best thing for him might be to stay put for one more year. He looks like he could do with a break and moving to Europe or the USA straight after the Olympics won't allow much of one. The later start of the A-League would probably be ideal. A really decent preseason would minimise his chances in injury, his career up until this point has been a constant battle to stay match fit.
OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 (Vanuatu)
May be being a bit selfish here as a Nix fan but I think the best thing for him might be to stay put for one more year. He looks like he could do with a break and moving to Europe or the USA straight after the Olympics won't allow much of one. The later start of the A-League would probably be ideal. A really decent preseason would minimise his chances in injury, his career up until this point has been a constant battle to stay match fit.
I defend Mata more than most (I can see why Bazeley picks him when Wood is absent), but yes I get the feeling he will frustrate AFC fans.
He's better than Hamish Watson, but there maybe a similar level of criticism as their fans expect big things with Foley's dosh. It's the same with strikers the world over, you go on a scoring drought, fail to convert chances the fans pile in.
I know he shanked one shot but looks to have a bit of pace about him, a nice cross, close control, presses well and wants the ball.
Really doubted his initial selection but he may indeed be worth taking to the Olympics.
So was I - if I were a freshly minted AFC fan I'd be thrilled with his cameo, looked lively. Same can't be said about Mata imo
I defend Mata more than most (I can see why Bazeley picks him when Wood is absent), but yes I get the feeling he will frustrate AFC fans.
He's better than Hamish Watson, but there maybe a similar level of criticism as their fans expect big things with Foley's dosh. It's the same with strikers the world over, you go on a scoring drought, fail to convert chances the fans pile in.
Cacace's creativity was class today, Tahiti really didn't know how to stop him. Wish he got one of those early shots that hit the post.
Feel for Payne doing his hamstring, and most likely ruining his chance at the Olympics
Onto the final against Vanuatu now. Was hoping for Fiji so we could go against Krishna in the final and to just get another different opponent this tournament but oh well.
Maybe we did have the harder group all along? Or maybe the travel over from Fiji was a factor for them and Tahiti
And of course it rained in the first half, so that would have lowered the temps a bit.
I know he shanked one shot but looks to have a bit of pace about him, a nice cross, close control, presses well and wants the ball.
Really doubted his initial selection but he may indeed be worth taking to the Olympics.
I thought he showed more then Mata and Grieve combined.
We should have scored 10 there easily.
I know he shanked one shot but looks to have a bit of pace about him, a nice cross, close control, presses well and wants the ball.
Really doubted his initial selection but he may indeed be worth taking to the Olympics.
I thought he showed more then Mata and Grieve combined.
We should have scored 10 there easily.
No we shouldn't have
May be being a bit selfish here as a Nix fan but I think the best thing for him might be to stay put for one more year. He looks like he could do with a break and moving to Europe or the USA straight after the Olympics won't allow much of one. The later start of the A-League would probably be ideal. A really decent preseason would minimise his chances in injury, his career up until this point has been a constant battle to stay match fit.
I thought he was better than in previous games this tourney, at least showed some intent to drive towards goal, but when he got in position to shoot of play the final ball he seemed to go a bit limp.
I do think there's an element of almost subconscious 'taking it easy' with some players when you believe you're that much better than the opposition
These young guys all want to play in Europe. He will be excited by his agent's feedback about a club in France that wants him. He will already be thinking about Ligue 1, and have half a foot on a plane to France (incl Olympics).
I'm sure he's loved his time at the Nix, and is very grateful to the club, but once these transfer rumours start to circulate in their minds these young guys are already thinking about elsewhere. That's natural
The captains with the trophy they’ll play for in the OFC Men’s Nations Cup Final this Sunday 🇳🇿⚔️🇻🇺
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 28, 2024
🏆 OFC Men’s Nations Cup Final
⚔️ Vanuatu 🇻🇺
⏰ 4PM NZT / 3PM Local
📅 Sunday 30 June
📌 VFF Freshwater Stadium
📺 Watch live and free on FIFA+
📸 @OFCfootball pic.twitter.com/Eki01oQnv3
This was hilarious. At first I thought it was a joke. Then I realised he was dead serious when he said it.
What made it even more bizzarre, is that he seemed to know a lot about football and was a good commentator. I've heard way worse commentators.
He said the same thing in our match against the Solomon Islands.
"Can the Solomon Islands score 4 goals in 3 minutes to stay in the competition"
This was hilarious. At first I thought it was a joke. Then I realised he was dead serious when he said it.
What made it even more bizzarre, is that he seemed to know a lot about football and was a good commentator. I've heard way worse commentators.
He said the same thing in our match against the Solomon Islands.
"Can the Solomon Islands score 4 goals in 3 minutes to stay in the competition"
He said the same again with the OFC Womens Olympic tourney Final earlier this year, at HT. "Can the Solomons Women peg back the margin?" Ferns up by 4-5 goals and going on to win 11-1!
He also mentioned 'overseas interest' in a player in the Vanuatu verus Fiji match yesterday. Apparently Wellington Olympic being the overseas club.
I know he shanked one shot but looks to have a bit of pace about him, a nice cross, close control, presses well and wants the ball.
Really doubted his initial selection but he may indeed be worth taking to the Olympics.
I thought he showed more then Mata and Grieve combined.
We should have scored 10 there easily.
No we shouldn't have
Really?
We missed multiple chances we should have put away and there should have been a penalty for the keepers tackle on Waine.
I know he shanked one shot but looks to have a bit of pace about him, a nice cross, close control, presses well and wants the ball.
Really doubted his initial selection but he may indeed be worth taking to the Olympics.
I thought he showed more then Mata and Grieve combined.
We should have scored 10 there easily.
No we shouldn't have
Really?
We missed multiple chances we should have put away and there should have been a penalty for the keepers tackle on Waine.
But I agree...the current dude is doing a fine job, apart from wondering if unlikely comebacks are going to take place..
Help!
What is the commentator's name?
He won't play tomorrow. I'm guessing a 3-4 week min recovery, seeing him getting help limping off the field. Hammys are always tricky. He may already be in NZ getting treatment
Olywhites for France to be named early next week, I guess that's when the Payne update will happen. Maybe named in the squad pending fitness. Ingham or Roux on standy.
Sounds like Bindon will start at RB tomorrow. Smith in at CB. Alot could depend on how that goes, if Payne is now a longshot to be fit for the Olympics.
FINAL MATCHDAY MINUS ONE 🇳🇿⚔️🇻🇺
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 28, 2024
The All Whites face hosts Vanuatu in the Final, the winner taking home the OFC Nations Cup 🏆
🏆 OFC Men’s Nations Cup Final
⚔️ Vanuatu 🇻🇺
⏰ 4PM NZT / 3PM Local
📅 Sunday 30 June
📌 VFF Freshwater Stadium
📺 Watch live and free on FIFA+⬇️ pic.twitter.com/INf4ixYEM7
NZ to win by 3+ goals. The Island teams haven't even been close to AWs level this tourney.
The All Whites final training session in Vanuatu 🇳🇿🇻🇺 pic.twitter.com/h7rD8je27o
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 29, 2024
I don't but did you realise it's shown on FIFA+ for free?
All you need is an Internet connection, make sure you create an account ahead of time.
Hope this helps
The All Whites starting XI for the 2024 OFC Nations Cup Final 🏆
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 30, 2024
🎥 Watch live and free on FIFA+: https://t.co/lWX5tEgj0b pic.twitter.com/ZXEKZkXETt
Sutton starts at RB for the injured Payne.
Very happy to see they didn't move Bindon to the right and subsequently have Tommy Smith fill in at CB.
Predictions 4-0 AW's. 🏆
Crocombe stays in goal. Paulsen just the one game this tourney. Surprise to me.
Crocombe stays in goal. Paulsen just the one game this tourney. Surprise to me.
Tim Payne's injury aside, it's a good problem to have. Sutton isn't going to start over Libby, and RB has been a problem for us for forever and a day.
Time for him to make every post a winner.
As an side-note, I would have liked to have seen Paulsen in goal today. But given Crocombe hasn't let slip in his performances, then it's fair enough that he keeps the gloves for this one too.
It's probably Sutton at RB but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Libby played there either, could be another option for the Olympics. Bindon at RB would be such a waste.
Never mind it's working again.
Doubt Crocombe will be too busy today.
one day, maybe fairly soon, he will be number 1 yes. Crocombe has the position at this point in time. Up to Paulsen or Sail or Woud to take it off him.
Love to see it!
Also keen to see how many will be sitting on the roofs of the adjoining properties. 🤣
Suspect there will be more than a few!