OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 (Vanuatu)

"Garbett has been rested to allow him to recover from niggles he has been managing all season, but is expected to be available to play for the Oly Whites at the Paris Olympics. Marco Rojas was said by Bazeley to be recovering from injury, while Bill Tuiloma was lacking match fitness and right back Storm Roux was unable to accept a call-up for personal reasons."

So Baze did call up Roux, who declined to participate. A shame about Rojas being injured.

imanixsupporter

"Garbett has been rested to allow him to recover from niggles he has been managing all season, but is expected to be available to play for the Oly Whites at the Paris Olympics. Marco Rojas was said by Bazeley to be recovering from injury, while Bill Tuiloma was lacking match fitness and right back Storm Roux was unable to accept a call-up for personal reasons."

So Baze did call up Roux, who declined to participate. A shame about Rojas being injured.

Bad blood between the two due to not calling him up earlier when in form? 

What's the reason for no ADJ?

Looking at the squad, if yes not like for like, seems Greive edges out De Jong. Bit tough on ADJ. It's always hard to compare leagues etc, but Greive to be honest has done sweet FA of late.

I'm being a conspiracist by suggesting Alex G is off to Auckland, so Baze is doing Corica a favour. I'm sure it's all unfounded. Who knows ADJ after a long club season, like a few others may have just been unavailable.

Very early days, but seems signing for AFC, could be good for one's AWs prospects.

Dunno how Rojas could be injured

Training injury?

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Dunno how Rojas could be injured

Darren Bazeley: "I spoke to Marco a couple of days ago. He's currently recovering from injury, so not available for selection due to injury. He had a good experience with Brisbane, played some good football and then dropped off towards the end because he was carrying a slight injury. He's not fully fit and at the moment is taking time to recover before he decides where to play next".

Vaguely surprised they didn't register a full 23 man squad given the conditions in the islands. With the midfield fairly light, I'm surprised someone like Jackson Manuel wasn't called up (not sure how he's gone so far in Central League this year). Even for a run in the third group game when everything is all tied up, touch wood. Or someone else performing well in National League that may worth a call-up. If the spot's there I feel like it should be filled, especially in the islands where anything can happen.

If Randall can make the squad, Luis Toomey who's rumoured to have also signed for AFC, could be on standby as a backup midfielder. Other backups could be likes of Dane Ingham, Callan Elliot, Nikko Boxall, FDV, Niko Kirwan, Rogerson, ADJ. All known to Bazeley

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350300422/all-whites-without-host-big-names-oceania-nations-cup

Bazeley confirmed he had been in contact with (Clayton) Lewis since his arrest on May 17, but otherwise declined to comment on the 27-year-old’s situation, except to say he had been deemed unavailable for selection.

Pijnaker is unable to fly at the moment as he recovers from a rib injury sustained in early April. Garbett has been rested to allow him to recover from niggles he has been managing all season, but is expected to be available to play for the Oly Whites at the Paris Olympics. Marco Rojas was said by Bazeley to be recovering from injury, while Bill Tuiloma was lacking match fitness and right back Storm Roux was unable to accept a call-up for personal reasons.

coochiee

If Randall can make the squad, Luis Toomey who's rumoured to have also signed for AFC, could be on standby as a backup midfielder. Other backups could be likes of Dane Ingham, Callan Elliot, Nikko Boxall, FDV, Niko Kirwan, Rogerson, ADJ. All known to Bazeley

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350300422/all-whites-without-host-big-names-oceania-nations-cup

Bazeley confirmed he had been in contact with (Clayton) Lewis since his arrest on May 17, but otherwise declined to comment on the 27-year-old’s situation, except to say he had been deemed unavailable for selection.

The other seven frontline players absent, for a range of reasons, mostly relating to workload management and clashes with club commitments are defenders Michael Boxall and Nando Pijnaker, midfielders Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Sarpreet Singh and Marko Stamenic and forward Callum McCowatt.

Pijnaker is unable to fly at the moment as he recovers from a rib injury sustained in early April. Garbett has been rested to allow him to recover from niggles he has been managing all season, but is expected to be available to play for the Oly Whites at the Paris Olympics. Marco Rojas was said by Bazeley to be recovering from injury, while Bill Tuiloma was lacking match fitness and right back Storm Roux was unable to accept a call-up for personal reasons.

The 21-man All Whites squad is two players short of the maximum allowed, a decision Bazeley put down to not wanting to carry players who were unlikely to take the field. A small, unnamed group of players are on standby in case of injury.

I wonder if this is financial aswell? Carry 2 less players to save some $ at NZ football? 

It may be the cynic in me - but NZ and saving $ is a hard correlation to break

NZ Footy in the black last season, so things are going alright there and memberships are at all time highs across the country.

NZFooty is on a little wave at the moment - the new Auckland team, Macey Fraser and Paulsens signings making the news etc, to the good coverage Wood got towards the end of the season.

New Caledonia have withdrawn from the OFC Nations Cup...

Our first match is now June 18th v Solomon Islands at 1pm.

So it begins. OFC is a joke.

I realise the country is going through some political and social upheaval, but last minute withdrawals generally are a feature of OFC tournaments. Was it two or three countries who withdrew last time?

New Caledonia loves football, and it's fairly well resourced there - if they've withdrawn then you know the reason is serious.

Screenshot_2024-06-06-10-00-40-54_680d03679600f7af0b4c700c6b270fe7.jpg 189.53 KB

The English translation of their press release.

Khalil Media

New Caledonia loves football, and it's fairly well resourced there - if they've withdrawn then you know the reason is serious.

This - they don't usually withdraw from OFC tournaments, that has more tended to be PNG/Cooks/Vanuatu/Samoa/Tonga

On another note - a bit tired of all the talk about the Auckland FC callups, they are not even their players yet no?

At least officially, Howieson is at ACFC and Randall at Olympic. 

lthomas20

Khalil Media

New Caledonia loves football, and it's fairly well resourced there - if they've withdrawn then you know the reason is serious.

This - they don't usually withdraw from OFC tournaments, that has more tended to be PNG/Cooks/Vanuatu/Samoa/Tonga

Given what's been going on over there lately, we probably should have anticipated this at some point to be honest. 

Doesn't make it any less disappointing, but that's the way of the world at the moment isn't it. Chaos and uncertainty to the fore.

At the risk of bringing up what has been done to death already, how much more of this does FIFA tolerate before disbanding OFC or do they just not really care?

loyalgunner

At the risk of bringing up what has been done to death already, how much more of this does FIFA tolerate before disbanding OFC or do they just not really care?

Fifa dont care that much to even be bothers - IMO, disbanind OFC would cause more of a headache than one team pulling out of the tourney - especially when they know there's only ever gonna be one winner.

YoungHeartHM

lthomas20

Khalil Media

New Caledonia loves football, and it's fairly well resourced there - if they've withdrawn then you know the reason is serious.

This - they don't usually withdraw from OFC tournaments, that has more tended to be PNG/Cooks/Vanuatu/Samoa/Tonga

Given what's been going on over there lately, we probably should have anticipated this at some point to be honest. 

Doesn't make it any less disappointing, but that's the way of the world at the moment isn't it. Chaos and uncertainty to the fore.

The country is basically under martial law at the moment. Large parts of the country no longer under govt control. Close to 10 people dead maybe, and it’s not a big place. Expats very scared if still there. Widespread looting and property destruction. Economy basically frozen until order is restored.  Food shortages with the supply chain completely broken

So yes you can imagine very difficult to organise a competitive football team at the moment 

My question is will this impact the number of ranking points we’ll get from the tournament? Like we’ll win the whole thing anyway but we miss out on a free win here.

Little bit concerned that AWs will go into the first Solomons game now under prepared.

SI made the 2022 OFC tourney final, and Raphael Lea'i in Island conditions will be threat. SI also having the benefit of already having played against Vanuatu, so a game under their belts, before playing the understrength AWs.

Wouldn't want it to be a do or die match against home team Vanuatu, in the last pool game. Home crowd getting behind Brian Kaltak and his boys.

At least with one pool game less, a smaller squad of only 21 players should be less a concern.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-new-solomon-islands-coach-confident-of-a-strong-showing-at-ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024/

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-experience-the-key-for-co-hosts-vanuatu-at-ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024/

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-new-solomon-islands-coach-confident-of-a-strong-showing-at-ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024/

Micah Le’alafa is not part of the squad due to personal reasons, however Atkin Kaua and Joses Nawo from Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC have been included and will be joining the team in Honiara.

Additionally, Leon Kofana from Fiji’s Rewa FC is returning to the squad, along with Raphael Lea’i, who is currently in Australia for trials.

coochiee

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-new-solomon-islands-coach-confident-of-a-strong-showing-at-ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024/

Micah Le’alafa is not part of the squad due to personal reasons, however Atkin Kaua and Joses Nawo from Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC have been included and will be joining the team in Honiara.

Additionally, Leon Kofana from Fiji’s Rewa FC is returning to the squad, along with Raphael Lea’i, who is currently in Australia for trials.

Rapha has apparently joined a South Australian NPL team.

The squad is so annoyingly unbalanced and thin. Too many left backs, not enough right backs, centre backs & midfielders.

No good reason was given for McCowatt's absence. I suppose at the end of the day there probably is a good reason he isn't in the squad, and his club team didn't even have to let him go. But adding him, Hughes & Sheridan and leaving LKH at home would have made the squad so much better. 

LKH’s long term career for the All Whites will be at CB in any case. Would have him in the squad as  he could be gold

Looks like Samoa will struggle in Group B in Suva.
The other teams Papua New Guinea, Tahit and Fiji.

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗬 | 𝗔𝗖𝗙𝗖 𝗨𝟮𝟯 𝟮-𝟭 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗔

The Navy Blues youngsters defeat the Samoa National Team 2-1 in their friendly at Nixon Park thanks to a Samoan own goal and another strike by in-form forward Ryan Revill.#WeAreNavyBlue 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/EdTnBR6i7L

— 🇳🇿 Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) June 6, 2024

imanixsupporter

The squad is so annoyingly unbalanced and thin. Too many left backs, not enough right backs, centre backs & midfielders.

No good reason was given for McCowatt's absence. I suppose at the end of the day there probably is a good reason he isn't in the squad, and his club team didn't even have to let him go. But adding him, Hughes & Sheridan and leaving LKH at home would have made the squad so much better. 

Cacace is suspended for the first match. Kelly-Heald is CB3 for the first match and will be CB3 at the Olympics. Players do have to be released for this tournament.
 
Darren Bazeley: "Callum has had a long season and done really, really well. Because his club won the Danish Cup, they go into European qualifiers quite early, so they're coming back into preseason earlier than normal – mid-June they're back in preseason, building into quite early European qualifiers. He felt like because it had been such a long season, that he just needed to have a little bit of a break, because he's coming back in early with his club and next year is another important year for him".

The question then is - who will be CB2 at the Olympics, Hughes or Bindon (possible RB)? Surman of course as CB1

coochiee

The question then is - who will be CB2 at the Olympics, Hughes or Bindon (possible RB)? Surman of course as CB1

Darren Bazeley (speaking about Michael Boxall): "I went to see him a couple months ago in Minnesota, which was cool. He'd miss five games for his club, because weirdly, the same time as this tournament, they've got midweek games twice in a row, which is really unusual. I spoke to him, I said, look, we've got Tyler Bindon and Finn Surman that we want to play – we want to give them game time together, because we feel that's our Olympic pairing and this is an opportunity for them two to play together. So whilst we're really happy for you to come and be part of it as well, you would probably end up playing more games for your club, than the country in that little period. We agreed that it probably isn't best timing for him. He was keen, but when we've got this opportunity to put Tyler and Finn together for a sustained period, building into the Olympics. I think it was probably the right decision to leave Boxy out for this one".

Okay cheers. So taking the speculating further, that would seem that Payne will be going to the Olympics as RB. As surely Bindon is the only viable U23 player to have at RB? Very green Matt Sheridan could be torn apart by the French, Americans and even Guinea.

So who misses out between Singh & Cacace? 
Libby has been to an Olympics, Sarpreet not. Libby is going to Vanuatu & Sarpreet not.

If Singh has his club future sorted soon - I'm going to guess Wood, Singh & Payne for France  as 3 o/a guys.

Edit - OVH might be a wild card to play RB at the Olympics?? Lets see where he plays in Vanuatu

Singh must be surely way out of form and match fitness, and thus contention. Libby has to be our second best player at this point in time so surely its Wood, Payne and Cacace.

Sarpreet his to sort out his career this European summer.  Maybe moving back to Akl etc?

The above js a long bow to draw. Doesn’t take into account playing three CB’s, Bindon, Surman and LKH.

I would take Darren’s comments with a grain of salt, in any case. just trying to justify for many many players why they are absent.

Beazley does seem to be fairly open with the media about what he is saying and to whom, which I actually quite like.

I don't want to see Bindon play RB personally. I don't like watching players play out of position, and personally I am excited to see how he and Surman shape up. The third CB spot is an interesting one. Hughes of LKH? Hughes played more there this season for the NIX, LKH had the most game time, so it's a toss up IMO unless you do bring in Boxall.

Carcace is our 2nd best player, but I don't see his inclusion offering as much to the side as say Singhs. Sutton is a good player and will hold his own at LB IMO, but we still lack a creative player in the middle outside Singh - and we do want to score goals.

Payne at RB looks the most likely to me - Sheridan is too green to start there and we don't have anyone else in the youth set up (under 23) banging down the door in this position.

Marto

Singh must be surely way out of form and match fitness, and thus contention. Libby has to be our second best player at this point in time so surely its Wood, Payne and Cacace.

Sarpreet his to sort out his career this European summer.  Maybe moving back to Akl etc?

Last Liga 2 game he played he scored. Then yes did get sent off. Without him is a risk Olywhites are a bit toothless in France, as is often the way with the AWs

But yeah his club future and commitments are the big unknown. So Bazeley has to wait

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2024/6/7/all-whites-at-the-2024-oceania-nations-cup-squad-yarns-amp-preview

By the way, most of the goals in this squad were all against Oceania nations. Greive, Just, Waine, Cacace, Smith, Payne... and three of Barbarouses’ four goals. Meaning that the goal Kosta scored in a 2-2 draw against El Salvador in 2012 is the only one in this entire squad from outside the confederation. That’s obviously not about to change on this tour but that’s fine, different tours require different approaches and this group, along with a number of emerging options, has plenty of soldiers who have travelled these same paths many a-time.

Thanks AV for that McCowatt tidbit and clarifying that players must be released for this tournament, I somehow had got the impression that OFC had put this comp outside the international window or something. Interesting that you suggest LKH is considered 3rd in the Olympics CB pecking order, given I don't recall him playing much (at all?) at CB this season at the Nix and Hughes was preferred to him when a back 3 was played & Sutton was at LWB.

"we've got Tyler Bindon and Finn Surman that we want to play – we want to give them game time together, because we feel that's our Olympic pairing and this is an opportunity for them two to play together" from Bazeley seems to suggest that he isn't going to move away from a back 4 for this tournament or the Olympics, which I am glad to hear. Excited to see them as a pairing. But that likely means we will be playing 3 central midfielders in each game, so hopefully Rufer, Howieson, Conchie & Old all avoid injury throughout. 

imanixsupporter

Thanks AV for that McCowatt tidbit and clarifying that players must be released for this tournament, I somehow had got the impression that OFC had put this comp outside the international window or something. Interesting that you suggest LKH is considered 3rd in the Olympics CB pecking order, given I don't recall him playing much (at all?) at CB this season at the Nix and Hughes was preferred to him when a back 3 was played & Sutton was at LWB.

"we've got Tyler Bindon and Finn Surman that we want to play – we want to give them game time together, because we feel that's our Olympic pairing and this is an opportunity for them two to play together" from Bazeley seems to suggest that he isn't going to move away from a back 4 for this tournament or the Olympics, which I am glad to hear. Excited to see them as a pairing. But that likely means we will be playing 3 central midfielders in each game, so hopefully Rufer, Howieson, Conchie & Old all avoid injury throughout. 

Maybe RB? 
He's played there as much this season for the Nix as CB (ie 0 minutes). 

Baze has clearly ruffled a few RB feathers so if LKH is third off the rank at CB and behind Suts and Libby at LB, play him at RB instead of all this talk about Bindon at RB. Maybe he could be useful long term down the left and right.

LKH isn't two footed - don't play him on the right. If we are going to develop a RB its Sheridan for me.

If we are talking the Olympics, Payne plays at RB if Bazeley decides to use an overage player on that problematic position.

If Baze goes with an U23 player at RB for me it's Bindon first choice, and then likely OVH 2nd choice. OVH has played there a bit for the Nix, is a good defender, gets up & down, and has a some big game experience now.

Sheridan looks very promising but is incredibly green. Never played in a major tourney before. He could be carved up on a big stage in front of 60,000 screaming French fans. LKH doesn't even enter the conversation, doubt he's played RB in his life.