Apologies for the ignorance, but I'm on the other side of the world and the OFC website is dogshark - what's happening with the tournament/our first game
Even though they're losing 2-0 against Tahiti, it's good to see Samoa turning up and giving them a good game. It's not Barcelona v Madrid we're talking about here, but I remember years gone by where the likes of Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands would turn up and get whipped 8-9-10 - 0 and no one would bat an eyelid.
Definitely on the improve which is good for the confederation. Excellent scouting of the diaspora too. It's made a difference over these past couple of years.
Nabil Begg puts Fiji in to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd minute with a lovely goal - It's always good to see guys from Oceania with good close control and a willingness to take on their man.
Some big tackles and late tackles sliding in early too. Wouldn't be the OFC if there wasn't a bit of niggle and physicality, would it?
As someone else said expect a full strength lineup. Hopefully after a win, Bazeley to mix it up for the Vanuatu game, as both teams will already be confirmed semi finalists
Senior fullbacks Tim Payne and Liberato Cacace are favoured to join Wood as the over-age players, though selection decisions are only due to be finalised later this month, ahead of a (Olympics) squad announcement on July 2.
The Vanuatu and Solomon Island coaches this week acknowledged New Zealand was the benchmark for rival OFC nations, but OFC President Lambert Maltock was quick to remind everyone that the gaps are closing.
“In 2012, New Zealand lost to New Caledonia in the semis and in 2016 they only beat PNG after penalties in the final, so anyone can beat anyone here,” said the President during a welcome dinner.
Bazeley’s team are aware of the challenge ahead to retain their OFC Nations title.
“They’re going to come up into a different environment, different climate, different pitches and a different style of player than what they used to.
“We’ve got a lot of professional footballers in the squad, but anybody who has been to the islands to play football or watch football knows it’s a different challenge and not always as easy as what people may think.”
I feel like 2012 is an anomaly, I dont recall us being very well prepared - and got hit by a very good NC side fully of players playing in France.
It was also a bit of a furnace in Honiara. Seems the most steamy hot of the OFC major cities.
And from memory Herbert gambled a bit with playing Killen in midfield or something. But on paper it was a pretty strong AWs squad, most had been to the 2010 WC. Far more full strength than 2016 or this time. Reid & Nelsen the only big names missing??
No doubt in 2012 they were ill prepared, and a bad sign leading into the Mexico playoff games in 2013. Little wonder after those games Tommy Smith got the sharks with how piss poor NZF were with preparing the team properly, and made himself unavailable until a Hudson charm offensive.
Edit - That was the best legacy of the maligned Huddo reign. A far better prepared AWs team going into games, than the mess post Mexico, that Herbert left. Hudson had to fight tight arse NZF from memory, using the media to make threats - but he got his way with more resources. And his players seemed to respect that.
Same team drew with PNG in that tourney too. Some big names there but some of those names were 30ish at that stage, so not exactly one of the young star type players we have available at the moment.
Same team drew with PNG in that tourney too. Some big names there but some of those names were 30ish at that stage, so not exactly one of the young star type players we have available at the moment.
No Weenix Academy, and a national team coach not known for giving young players much playing time. Certainly if you are fit & younger you are less likely to wilter in the heat, than someone fit & older. But from hazy memories it was yes the lack of preparation (esp for the hot conditions), and some arrogant over confidence that were the main issues.
I wonder on what basis Cacace is "favoured" to be one of the over 23 players. Piney interviewed him week before last and didn't ask at all about the Olympics, and Cacace made no indication that it was in his thinking or plans.
I wonder on what basis Cacace is "favoured" to be one of the over 23 players. Piney interviewed him week before last and didn't ask at all about the Olympics, and Cacace made no indication that it was in his thinking or plans.
Maybe it's word filtering through to AV (and other journos) that Singh will bypass the Olympics to focus on finding a new club. Then having a full uninterrupted pre season with that club, so he is prepared as he can be for what again is a crucial next move in his career. That's just a complete guess.
If it's no Singh, then really Payne & Libby are the 2 standout overage candidates alongside Wood.
Some pretty lush vegetation sideline training, in Vanuatu. As golfers often say about the rough on Aussie courses. 'Snaketastic'. I'll just take the penalty shot
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Matchday minus one in Vanuatu 🇳🇿⚔️🇸🇧
Game one of the All Whites OFC Nations Cup campaign kicks off tomorrow 🔜
Yeah I wouldn't read too much into this tourney, re who starts ahead of who in goal. This squad was picked with one eye definitely on the Olympics.
If Payne, Surman, Bindon, Cacace are to be the back 4 in France (yes it maybe a back 3/5) then makes sense to have the Olympics keeper Paulsen behind them, for minimum 2-3 games in Vanuatu.
Who starts in goal for the AWs against Mexico in Pasadena on 6th Sept, that will be very interesting. That's if Crocombe is available. He may not be if Burton Albion have some games over that Sept window. But by then we will also have some idea of what Bournemouth have planned for Alex P in season 2024/25. It could be Cherries U21s or something not that exciting to start with, as he settles in.
Sun is shining in SE England (thank god) and it’s actually warm and summer like, Crowded House is about to play and I have the joy of watching the AWs in exactly 12 hours time. Life is sweet 😀
If only I had a Waikato Draught, Speights or Macs Gold to hand 😉
Sun is shining in SE England (thank god) and it’s actually warm and summer like, Crowded House is about to play and I have the joy of watching the AWs in exactly 12 hours time. Life is sweet 😀
If only I had a Waikato Draught, Speights or Macs Gold to hand 😉
Sun is shining in SE England (thank god) and it’s actually warm and summer like, Crowded House is about to play and I have the joy of watching the AWs in exactly 12 hours time. Life is sweet 😀
If only I had a Waikato Draught, Speights or Macs Gold to hand 😉
Wake up time isn't too bad for us UK lot either, all things considered
probably a dumb question, but is it possible to download to watch offline later? I'm guessing no, but if anyone has tech nous solution, please let me know :)
Trying to build excitement about this game with my 9 year old is tough going after watching euros being played...
Told my French flatmate, who was screaming the house down this morning, that the main event doesn't start until 4pm today. OFC football might give him an aneurysm, but I love it
