Genuinely wouldn't be surprised to never see MDD in a white shirt ever again. Don't mind missing out on MG & MS if it keeps their clubs happy with them going to Paris
Edit: why was no Singh expected? Hasn't exactly been playing a lot of minutes recently
Yeah, weirdly thin midfield, and the fact we've selected LKH behind Sutton and Cacace makes me think he's slated to be a CB.
God forbid, these factors may combine to mean a 5-2-3.
Being that we're currently at a squad of 21, I'd guess there's still one or two players to be named/are on standby (and like maynardf says, Lewis' exclusion may explain the lack of midfield depth and numbers)
Yeah, surely Rojas would bring just as much as Randall for the next couple of years. Makes me wonder now if he is going to sign for AFC. Maybe he was asked and said football has passed me by.
Would be nice to hear the coach’s take on the many reasons why players are not playing
Who else could we theoretically pick in midfield? With Singh Bell Stamenic Lewis Dibley-Dias Garbett all out
Edit: surely Rojas could have done a job as a #8 or #10
Riley Bidois has been playing a LM/LW type role for Loudoun in the USL Championship. If Randall is getting his call-up, then Bidois would be a worthwhile look in.
Although I feel we need someone who can play more centrally. So maybe he's missing out because of that.
He's also adept up top - as seen in the Olympic qualifiers.
I think the hysteria around '5atb' is a bit much (as always). If he plays three centre-backs I hardly think Cacace or Payne or whoever else are going to be stuck in their own box against OFC teams; realistically they're going to be even higher up as they don't have to be as mindful of a counter-attack when caught high. Back fours are no guarantee of attacking play either; the Phoenix played a back four and sat ten men (even in the box at times) behind the ball at any opportunity.
Also, I'd take Howieson over Conchie. Conchie may well progress in future but right now it's Howieson for me - I think local players get underrated/underappreciated a bit when they don't have 'Wellington Phoenix' (or even 'Reserves') next to their name.
Look at the French Olympics squad. Let’s be realistic 5atb is a very real prospect in what will be a very tough day at the office in Marseille
Esp if Bindon/Payne and Cacace are the full backs. We will need Libby to have licence to bomb forward to have any real chance of creating a goal or two
Why is Singh out. He's more in need of minutes then nearly anyone else in the greater AW fold.
Best he gets his club future sorted out ASAP. Otherwise could miss the Olympics if he's still off trialling at various clubs in July.
Isn't Singh still contracted to his existing club. You'd think getting some real game time would be valuable for him and his confidence. Even if its only OFC Nations cup.
Why is Singh out. He's more in need of minutes then nearly anyone else in the greater AW fold.
Best he gets his club future sorted out ASAP. Otherwise could miss the Olympics if he's still off trialling at various clubs in July.
Isn't Singh still contracted to his existing club. You'd think getting some real game time would be valuable for him and his confidence. Even if its only OFC Nations cup.
He was indeed on a three year contract, but the smart money would be on there being a release clause upon relegation.
If he ends up playing German 3rd tier at the start of next season then he might as well come back and play in the A-League. I have however seen a couple of suggestions through the Twittersphere that he may have left Hansa Rostock already, but alas, nothing official from Hansa or any reputable source for the meantime, but it is definitely a piece of news I'd be keeping an eye on...
I do have faith that some smart cookie in the European footballing landscape will want to take a look into acquiring his services though. I'm forever hopeful these cookies lie in wait in either Belgium or the Netherlands, but we will see.
What's the Dibley-Dias story? Is he still keen to join up with the All Whites next time they have friendlies, even if he isn't keen to cap-tie himself right now?
Why no McCowatt, Singh, Roux & Rojas? I know people have speculated that Singh may be focusing on sorting his club future but this doesn't really make sense, he doesn't really need a lot of physical rest, and deals don't need to be negotiated in person. He could always fly over to finalise a deal at any point.
Were Sheridan, Hughes & Herdman under consideration, particularly with the Olympics coming up? (I know Herdman is midseason but he isn't playing first team stuff right now).
Understandable for the likes of Bell (who is on a short break, not a full offseason), Stamenic & Garbett (who will be playing the Olympics so fair enough not playing two summer tournaments), Tuiloma & Boxall (mid-season), Pijnaker (injured) to be missing.
Head coach Darren Bazeley highlighted the importance of the tournament to his side this year and the opportunities it provides for players to test themselves at international level:
“This tournament is a really important competition for us and forms part of a big year starting with the OFC Nations Cup, followed by the Olympics and the start of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
“The timing of this Nations Cup has made it quite difficult to select this final squad.
“Over the last month, I have spoken to all of the players around their personal situations, with some of our potential players still mid-season, some coming off the back of long European seasons, and some in various personal or contract situations.
“With the Olympics also being so close to the Nations Cup, with them being pretty much back-to-back tournaments, we have had to take that into consideration as well, managing player club and country commitments.
“This is a strong All Whites squad, with a large number of young U-23 players who will be part of the Olympic campaign, so having this time together is a real benefit leading into Paris 2024.
“We now regularly monitor over 60 professional players who are all in the All Whites mix showing the strength in depth we are building, so for this Nations Cup squad we have delved into our depth and it is an opportunity for players to push themselves forward and stake a claim for regular selection.
“It is really exciting to see some of our younger players receive their first call up, it is a great opportunity for them to taste senior international football.
“What we need is to be playing as many games as possible which is why this competition, with challenging international games in quick succession, is great for our development.”
The All Whites enter the tournament as the defending champions after lifting the trophy in 2016 and the 2020 edition being cancelled due to COVID-19.
New Zealand has been drawn in Group A at the tournament alongside New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and co-hosts Vanuatu, and will play all group games at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
UPCOMING OFC NATIONS CUP GAMES:
15 June 2024 KO 1pm NZT [KO 12pm local time] All Whites vs New Caledonia OFC Men’s Nations Cup - Group Stage VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu
18 June 2024 KO 1pm NZT [KO 12pm local time] All Whites vs Solomon Islands OFC Men’s Nations Cup - Group Stage VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu
21 June 2024 KO 4pm NZT [KO 3pm local time] All Whites vs Vanuatu OFC Men’s Nations Cup - Group Stage VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu
It is a grueling tournament to only have 21 players. It will be interesting to see if Cacace plays the Olympics as well. Bindon has had a long season and now has two tournaments in a row. Another defender and midfielder in the squad would be beneficial.
It is a grueling tournament to only have 21 players. It will be interesting to see if Cacace plays the Olympics as well. Bindon has had a long season and now has two tournaments in a row. Another defender and midfielder in the squad would be beneficial.
Maybe Bazeley is waiting to see if Stamenic & Singh could yet be last minute additions, if they get their club futures sorted in the next few days. But then again if that was the case, Baze should have mentioned it.
Matt Garbett is still hungover, and Dibley-Dias we have no idea. This tourney & the Olympics so close together means yeah some clubs will insist the likes of Garbett skip the least important one (Nations Cup), to give themselves at least one month off from football.
Thought Bell may have played, given the Norwegian season is now on a 4 week summer break. Maybe he's off to the UK, talking to a few clubs? Looking at you Oxford United.
It is a grueling tournament to only have 21 players. It will be interesting to see if Cacace plays the Olympics as well. Bindon has had a long season and now has two tournaments in a row. Another defender and midfielder in the squad would be beneficial.
I do wonder if Kyle Adams wasn't injured, if he would have likely got a phonecall?
All ifs and buts I guess, but you're right. It will be interesting to see if there are any injuries, who are the likely backup options going to be? Assuming we're allowed to replace or call players up mid tournament that is.
