All Whites, Ferns, and other international teams

OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 (Vanuatu)

594 replies · 85,197 views
over 1 year ago
I won't be the first to mention it but Old was very poor again today, generally either anonymous or wasteful. Glad he at least contributed to the 5th goal, deserved an assist, Grieve very unlucky to not score, it was a great save.

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. 
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over 1 year ago
Jazzy Jeff
AucklandPhoenix
Was pleasantly surprised by Jesse Randell’s brief 25 mins.

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.
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over 1 year ago
coochiee
Jazzy Jeff
AucklandPhoenix
Was pleasantly surprised by Jesse Randell’s brief 25 mins.

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.
I would be surprised if he's their starting centre forward though, particular if like 90% of teams they only have one striker.
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over 1 year ago
Only found out recently that at Shrewsbury Town he played as almost a winger. No wonder he barely scored there. He's an out & out targetman striker. And yeah he maybe 2nd choice at AFC to a visa player.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Easily our best performance of the comp so far, didn't get tired near the end like in the other matches, think the squad is well conditioned to the heat now. Could've had many more goals too. 

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
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over 1 year ago
Apparently the heat hasn't been too bad, compared to other destinations in OFC. 
And of course it rained in the first half, so that would have lowered the temps a bit.
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over 1 year ago
AucklandPhoenix
Was pleasantly surprised by Jesse Randell’s brief 25 mins.

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.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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over 1 year ago
Marto
AucklandPhoenix
Was pleasantly surprised by Jesse Randell’s brief 25 mins.

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
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over 1 year ago
imanixsupporter
I won't be the first to mention it but Old was very poor again today, generally either anonymous or wasteful. Glad he at least contributed to the 5th goal, deserved an assist, Grieve very unlucky to not score, it was a great save.

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
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Definitely his subconscious will be telling him at the moment 'whatever happens don't get fudgeen injured now'.

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
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over 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago
Banzai!...AIEEE!!!
"Can Tahiti score 6 goals in 10 minutes?"

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"
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over 1 year ago
Ninja
Banzai!...AIEEE!!!
"Can Tahiti score 6 goals in 10 minutes?"

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.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
The guys was a pleasure and helped make all the games I have seen a decent watch. Would prefer him over any kiwi commentator doing the circuit. If you are a player in Vanuatu then sure the first step in your career may well be overseas as it was once for a kiwi to play for Sydney Olympic. 

Auckland will rise once more

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over 1 year ago
lthomas20
Marto
AucklandPhoenix
Was pleasantly surprised by Jesse Randell’s brief 25 mins.

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.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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over 1 year ago
Marto
lthomas20
Marto
AucklandPhoenix
Was pleasantly surprised by Jesse Randell’s brief 25 mins.

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.
Sure but when you create a lot of chances and score a lot of goals, odds are you're always going to miss some. Acting like we should've had 10+ is nuts
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over 1 year ago
What ever happened to that commentator? Gordon Glen Watson I think was his name? He was the best.
But I agree...the current dude is doing a fine job, apart from wondering if unlikely comebacks are going to take place..


VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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over 1 year ago
Does anyone know of a pub/bar in Wellington showing the OFC final on Sunday 4pm.  The usually reliable 4 kings are not showing the game….. 
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over 1 year ago
I can't see it in the thread...

Help!


What is the commentator's name? 


Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe. 
20/5/20

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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
I think it will be a tough game for us. The crowd will be on our backs and Brian Kaltak is more than capable of roughing it up a bit particularly in a game which is a milestone event for Vanuatu football.
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over 1 year ago
Hope we get a Tim Payne fitness update in any press/interviews around the final 
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
imanixsupporter
Hope we get a Tim Payne fitness update in any press/interviews around the final 

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.



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over 1 year ago
I really don't want to see Brian Kaltak with a other trophy, 3 is plenty enough for him. 

Peverell
I think it will be a tough game for us. The crowd will be on our backs and Brian Kaltak is more than capable of roughing it up a bit particularly in a game which is a milestone event for Vanuatu football.
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over 1 year ago
Roux would be a great replacement. Payne's injury might be a blessing in disguise if it gets him back involved in NZ teams that way.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Procrastinixing
I really don't want to see Brian Kaltak with a other trophy, 3 is plenty enough for him. 

Peverell
I think it will be a tough game for us. The crowd will be on our backs and Brian Kaltak is more than capable of roughing it up a bit particularly in a game which is a milestone event for Vanuatu football.

NZ to win by 3+ goals. The Island teams haven't even been close to AWs level this tourney.



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over 1 year ago
Uncle N
Does anyone know of a pub/bar in Wellington showing the OFC final on Sunday 4pm.  The usually reliable 4 kings are not showing the game….. 

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 

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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over 1 year ago
You can still watch it without creating an account. And you don't need to download an app either which is great. 
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over 1 year ago
Congratulations to Tahiti for taking out third place, coming from a goal down to win 2-1. 
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History


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. 🏆
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Yes that's an interesting pointer for the Olympics, Sutton at RB.

Crocombe stays in goal. Paulsen just the one game this tourney. Surprise to me.

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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
coochiee
Yes that's an interesting pointer for the Olympics, Sutton at RB.

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.
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Confirmation that Crocombe is the 1 and Paulsen likely played the first game due to travel & recovery time, not hurt by the fact he's hardly a downgrade.

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.

Valley FC til I die?

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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Anyone else having problems with the stream?

Never mind it's working again.

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over 1 year ago
Quite a few (not including you in this coochie) on this forum were quite ready to anoint Paulsen #1 on the basis of him signing a youth deal with Bournemouth. I am glad that Bazeley has stuck with Max, for the first time in a while I'm starting to have some confidence that our national team coach actually has something of a clue. 
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over 1 year ago
Given that the Olympics are weeks away, Paulsen will be the keeper there, and today's backline could well be the back 4 in France, would have thought some strong value in Alex P being between the sticks. 

Doubt Crocombe will be too busy today.


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over 1 year ago
If Ben Waine can get a goal today he will share  the Golden Boot with Krishna, if he gets more he can have it to himself
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over 1 year ago
imanixsupporter
Quite a few (not including you in this coochie) on this forum were quite ready to anoint Paulsen #1 on the basis of him signing a youth deal with Bournemouth. I am glad that Bazeley has stuck with Max, for the first time in a while I'm starting to have some confidence that our national team coach actually has something of a clue. 

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.
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over 1 year ago
Packed to the rafters by the looks.
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!
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over 1 year ago · edited over 1 year ago · History
Great start 1-0  Howieson
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over 1 year ago
Screamer from Howieson! Pick that out!
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