I will never get over watching players who've been playing in the EFL and Serie A, let alone the A-League, being outmuscled and outrun by Vanuatu's 10 top plantain salesmen (+ Brian Kaltak)
Great shot from Howieson for the opener but other than that I thought the same thing I've always thought when he's been in a white shirt - why is he there? Too casual on the ball, if he can't handle press triggers from an Island team I'll be interested to see how he goes in the A-League. Mind you, Rufer wasn't exactly controlling the midfield either.
Just and Cacace were really disappointing with their distribution today, and Waine barely had a touch. Easily our worst performance in a while. Saved face with those late goals but sheeeeesh
All eyes on the Olympics squad naming now. Looks like Randall has probably got his place on the plane sewn up now. Big thinh will be the RB issue. Will Sheridan be a bolter, will Payne recover in time, or can Bazeley convince Roux to come along? Though I guess CCM would be unlikely to release him, why should they?
Great result and a decent tournament. 4 games, 15 goals scored, zero conceded and a trophy in the bag. Despite all that I guarantee some people will be disappointed. Hard to please some people!
Didn’t get to see a lot- looking forward to this Howieson screamer. Recall he hit one against Liverpool in a preseason game or some such for Burnley. Perhaps we’ll see that in the A League!
Only got to see a bit of Randall at the end and he looked decent. Nice final goal.
Even before and now after with the tournament over, I just can't help but think had New Caledonia not pulled out, whether they would've been able to cause a upset against us like in 2012. I mean we were supposed to play them in our first group match.
It also took a Wood free kick for us to beat them in 2016.
Didn’t we put 7 past them in the last WC qualifiers?Wusty Wab
Even before and now after with the tournament over, I just can't help but think had New Caledonia not pulled out, whether they would've been able to cause a upset against us like in 2012. I mean we were supposed to play them in our first group match.
It also took a Wood free kick for us to beat them in 2016.
Didn’t we put 7 past them in the last WC qualifiers?Wusty Wab
Even before and now after with the tournament over, I just can't help but think had New Caledonia not pulled out, whether they would've been able to cause a upset against us like in 2012. I mean we were supposed to play them in our first group match.
It also took a Wood free kick for us to beat them in 2016.
Yeah, but I think our most recent losses against Pacific teams have all occurred in the Nations Cup. NC in 2012, Fiji in 2008, and Vanuatu in 2004.
We haven't loss to any of the Pacific teams in WC qualification since around the late 90s.
I agree, I think the loss of Payne was a big factor in how much poorer we were today. I'm really hoping that his injury was somehow not that serious and he can be fit for the Olympics
Edit: I will say that I don't think Sutton did too badly today but he is such a big downgrade at RB from somebody like Payne
Watched all four matches from the UK on FIFA+, although coverage terribly glitchy today.
Great result winning this tournament without a lot of the regular starters, and so many positives including dealing with the difficult island conditions, four consecutive clean sheets, blooding younger players and good preparation for Paris.
Agree that refereeing standards have improved, although the referee for the final let too much go at times.
Cacace quite rightly awarded Player of the Tournament, but also impressed by Elijah Just.
I agree, I think the loss of Payne was a big factor in how much poorer we were today. I'm really hoping that his injury was somehow not that serious and he can be fit for the Olympics
Edit: I will say that I don't think Sutton did too badly today but he is such a big downgrade at RB from somebody like Payne
I think England has shown in the Euros - how important it is to play FBs/WBs on their natural side to provide structure in width.
I don't mind Sutton as a back up LB and RB at a pinch, but think we need to prioritise a natural right footer to start at RB
Didn’t we put 7 past them in the last WC qualifiers?Wusty Wab
Even before and now after with the tournament over, I just can't help but think had New Caledonia not pulled out, whether they would've been able to cause a upset against us like in 2012. I mean we were supposed to play them in our first group match.
It also took a Wood free kick for us to beat them in 2016.
Yeah, but I think our most recent losses against Pacific teams have all occurred in the Nations Cup. NC in 2012, Fiji in 2008, and Vanuatu in 2004.
We haven't loss to any of the Pacific teams in WC qualification since around the late 90s.
Lost to Fiji in a dead rubber WC qualifier 2-0 in 2008. Krishna with a double. Infamous game where Moss got sent off making him ineligible for the 2009 Bahrain playoff games.
New Caledonia are no better than the other Islands, who are all very much 2nd best to NZ. A virtual 2nd string AWs won this tourney without conceding a goal after all. Though NC did win the Pacific Games football title back in December last year, beating Solomons on pens in the final (2-2 after ET).
Didn’t Moss run the length of the field to swear at the ref and that’s why he got sent off and missed the World Cup?
On the graph of utter stupidity to serious consequences that one rates highly.
Found the highlights for the match, Moss's incident starts at 3:53.Moss was in the World Cup squad but he was either on the bench or left out altogether.
Didn’t Moss run the length of the field to swear at the ref and that’s why he got sent off and missed the World Cup?
On the graph of utter stupidity to serious consequences that one rates highly.
Found the highlights for the match, Moss's incident starts at 3:53.Moss was in the World Cup squad but he was either on the bench or left out altogether.
Of note there is the same wonderful commentary. We have been blessed through the years.
Didn’t we put 7 past them in the last WC qualifiers?Wusty Wab
Even before and now after with the tournament over, I just can't help but think had New Caledonia not pulled out, whether they would've been able to cause a upset against us like in 2012. I mean we were supposed to play them in our first group match.
It also took a Wood free kick for us to beat them in 2016.
Yeah, but I think our most recent losses against Pacific teams have all occurred in the Nations Cup. NC in 2012, Fiji in 2008, and Vanuatu in 2004.
We haven't loss to any of the Pacific teams in WC qualification since around the late 90s.
Lost to Fiji in a dead rubber WC qualifier 2-0 in 2008. Krishna with a double. Infamous game where Moss got sent off making him ineligible for the 2009 Bahrain playoff games.
New Caledonia are no better than the other Islands, who are all very much 2nd best to NZ. A virtual 2nd string AWs won this tourney without conceding a goal after all. Though NC did win the Pacific Games football title back in December last year, beating Solomons on pens in the final (2-2 after ET).
A bit of a stretch to call it a second string side. Only Wood, Boxall, Stamenic and Singh missing as certain starters from this squad.
On current form, Rufer is ahead of Bell IMHO and it looked like he was the actual captain out there if you watch the pregame huddle and the way he controlled things during the matches.
Didn’t we put 7 past them in the last WC qualifiers?Wusty Wab
Even before and now after with the tournament over, I just can't help but think had New Caledonia not pulled out, whether they would've been able to cause a upset against us like in 2012. I mean we were supposed to play them in our first group match.
It also took a Wood free kick for us to beat them in 2016.
Yeah, but I think our most recent losses against Pacific teams have all occurred in the Nations Cup. NC in 2012, Fiji in 2008, and Vanuatu in 2004.
We haven't loss to any of the Pacific teams in WC qualification since around the late 90s.
Lost to Fiji in a dead rubber WC qualifier 2-0 in 2008. Krishna with a double. Infamous game where Moss got sent off making him ineligible for the 2009 Bahrain playoff games.
New Caledonia are no better than the other Islands, who are all very much 2nd best to NZ. A virtual 2nd string AWs won this tourney without conceding a goal after all. Though NC did win the Pacific Games football title back in December last year, beating Solomons on pens in the final (2-2 after ET).
A bit of a stretch to call it a second string side. Only Wood, Boxall, Stamenic and Singh missing as certain starters from this squad.
On current form, Rufer is ahead of Bell IMHO and it looked like he was the actual captain out there if you watch the pregame huddle and the way he controlled things during the matches.
Yes I agree. Thought Rufer was excellent at this tournament. Sure its only OFC. But you can only play what's in front of you. Could he be a wildcard for Olympic selection?
McCowatt has to start ahead of Barba & Just. His international scoring record is far better, and he's playing at a higher level. But yeah otherwise fair point, it wasn't a complete 2nd string lineup.
Not much between Garbett & Old, or Rufer & Bell. Though still feel Bell is a crucial cog to how a full strength AWs play, plus captain in waiting.
McCowatt has to start ahead of Barba & Just. His international scoring record is far better, and he's playing at a higher level. But yeah otherwise fair point, it wasn't a complete 2nd string lineup.
Not much between Garbett & Old, or Rufer & Bell. Though still feel Bell is a crucial cog to how a full strength AWs play, plus captain in waiting.
Bell's current form would have me question his appearance in any AW's squad, he'd have to go back to the player he was a season ago to get into the squad, and improve to push Rufer for the DM/CM spot.
Bell is going well this season in Norway. Already a number of assists. That league probably a bit above the ALM. He has a cluster of ex ALM Aussie players as team mates, who would be good judges of that.
McCowatt has to start ahead of Barba & Just. His international scoring record is far better, and he's playing at a higher level. But yeah otherwise fair point, it wasn't a complete 2nd string lineup.
Not much between Garbett & Old, or Rufer & Bell. Though still feel Bell is a crucial cog to how a full strength AWs play, plus captain in waiting.
Bell's current form would have me question his appearance in any AW's squad, he'd have to go back to the player he was a season ago to get into the squad, and improve to push Rufer for the DM/CM spot.
he's been fantastic lately at a higher level than the A-League
McCowatt has to start ahead of Barba & Just. His international scoring record is far better, and he's playing at a higher level. But yeah otherwise fair point, it wasn't a complete 2nd string lineup.
Not much between Garbett & Old, or Rufer & Bell. Though still feel Bell is a crucial cog to how a full strength AWs play, plus captain in waiting.
Bell's current form would have me question his appearance in any AW's squad, he'd have to go back to the player he was a season ago to get into the squad, and improve to push Rufer for the DM/CM spot.
he's been fantastic lately at a higher level than the A-League
Well that is promising, but he is now competing for his spot against Rufer who is by all accounts performing very well at international level.
The OFC Nations Cup is barely international football. So many times in Vanuatu the CBs & DMs could just bring the ball up at walking pace, they were under so little pressure. However yes I thought Rufer looked good in his start against Tunisia. Both him & Bell should be in the squad for September games in the US.
Though it wil get a little crowded in that DM space, if Dibley-Dias has a good Olympics and then properly declares for NZ. Not forgetting Stamenic of course. All bad news for Clayton Lewis even if his court case finds him innocent.
And well done Vanuatu for hosting a successful tourney. Hopefully a few kids there got inspired and want to be the next Kaltak. Likely the biggest football event many of them will have seen live.
Listening to a few of the AWs talk, sounds like they really enjoyed themselves. Nice refreshing change I guess from the more regimented 1st world, and bit less pressure. Back to reality, and the buildup to the Olympics now for most.
Niche Cache thinks the hard bumpy pitch made it hard for a fast dribbler like Old to shine. He's probably correct.
He found an interesting tale below on the challenges the local grounds staff face, to create quality pitches. It's a shame about the pitches, as hard to produce better technical players without true surfaces.
And funny thing about that school ground surrounded by dense bush where the AWs trained. When they posted photos training there, I speculated they may have to watch out for snakes. Turns out it was the huge spiders that gave the squad a fright in the undergrowth. Kiwis not used to those sort of large creepy crawlies.
“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.”
See, this is why these Oceania tournaments are great. There’s an amateurishness that most professional players would never have to experience (imagine the stories that Cacace can tell his Serie A mates now) but that also comes with an endearing jolt of genuine humanity. Just look at the crowds for those Vanuatu knockout games. This is what the world’s game looks like. To have this tournament going on at the same time as the Euros and Copa America is sporting joy in perspective... and to think the All Whites almost didn’t go.
