OFC World Cup qualifying tourney - Qatar in March
OFC Oceania Football @OFCfootball
Qatar ready! Counting down to next month's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition.
#OceaniaQualifiers
#OceaniaQualifiers
Vanuatu named their 25-man squad a few days ago.
All but three based in Vanuatu; those three being Jared Clark (Croydon Kings, NPLSA), Mitch Cooper (Hume City, NPLVIC) and Brian Kaltack (Auckland City). Cooper has 40 A League games under his belt for Gold Coast and Newcastle and was an Australian U17 and U20 international. Ronaldo Wilkins also spent the 15/16 season in the Phoenix academy, alongside guys like Bell, Singh, Rogerson, McGarry, but he didn’t make an appearance in the national league that season.
Aside from the three foreign-based players, they are all in camp, like the other island teams. They won a friendly last week 3-2 against local club side Galaxy.
So now, I believe, it’s just us and Cook Islands who are yet to name their squads. Can’t be far away now if they are set to begin camp in Qatar on the 13th.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/tahiti-confirm-23-strong-group-for-oceania-qualifiers-in-qatar/
Members of last year’s Coupe de Polynesie champions AS Venus account for almost half of Tahiti’s final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition, while four Europe-based players have also been included.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/brothers-in-arms-komolong-siblings-set-to-play-key-role-for-png/
Meanwhile the PNG squad are finding ways to gain match fitness and test their combinations in competitive conditions, despite the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League being heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic at the back end of last year.
Members of last year’s Coupe de Polynesie champions AS Venus account for almost half of Tahiti’s final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition, while four Europe-based players have also been included.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/brothers-in-arms-komolong-siblings-set-to-play-key-role-for-png/
Meanwhile the PNG squad are finding ways to gain match fitness and test their combinations in competitive conditions, despite the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League being heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic at the back end of last year.
Most recently the Marcos Gusmao-coached group took part in a match against a President’s selection last month.
New Caledonia have named their 37 man preliminary squad, cutting down from the 50 man squad they had named a couple weeks ago. As you’d expect, the majority are based in New Caledonia, though five are based in Europe.
There are a few familiar names in the squad: Schmidt, Wadriako, Sansot, Wakanumune, Bearune, Zeoula and Gope-Fenepej all played in the last two games, a 2-0 loss at North Harbour and 0-0 draw at home in Kone. Jean-Philippe Saïko also spent the 19/20 season at Tasman Utd, scoring 8 goals in 14 games. There isn’t a place for ex-Team Wellington Roy Kayara nor veteran Bertrand Kai.
Of the five European-based players, four play in France: Zeoula, Kenon, Jeno and Gope-Fenepej, the fifth (Hnamuko) plays in Luxembourg. Zeoula and Kenon play at fifth tier UA Cognac, one of 170 teams at that level of the French pyramid, and Hnamuko for Alisontia Steinsel in the Luxembourgish second tier.
Jeno and Gope-Fenepej play at higher levels however, with Gope-Fenepej having 14 appearances this season at third tier Concarneau, and also 50 Ligue 2 and 4 Ligue 1 games under his belt. Jeno (who’s 21) has two appearances in the two most recent Ligue 2 games for Grenoble this season, having just broke into the first team it seems. The New Caledonia game falls inside the window so they should be available to play.
37 man squad cut down to 30, but they’ve notably added 34-year-old Ligue 1 veteran Wesley Lautoa who’s finally set to make his debut for New Caledonia after more than a decade of speculation. 126 games for Lorient and 92 for Dijon spread over Ligue 1 and 2, very talented CB/DM.
2012 - 16 with Troyes: 18 appearances in Ligue 1 but mainly with the reserves; 20 games on loan to Boulogne, third tier;
Amiens 2015 - 17: back- to- back promotions with Amiens from third tier to Ligue 2 to Ligue 1; 2017-18: back in Ligue 1 for one more season.
2018-19: Le Mans third tier - won promotion to ligue 2;
2019-21: Ligue 2
Wesley Lautoa is a very solid Ligue 1 player where he has played all his football 2012 - 21 for first Lorient 2012 - 17 (who were a Ligue 1 club when he played for them) and then Dijon from 2017 until they were relegated from Ligue 1 last season. The last time Lautoa played in Ligue 2 was 2010 - 12 for Sedan.
He's currently without a club after Dijon's relegation from Ligue 1 last season.
Jakob Jeno, Grenoble (Ligue 2): According to this report from days ago he has not been called up by New Caledonia for the Qatar qualifiers and made his first start for Grenoble in Ligue 1 last week:
https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2022/02/17/jekob-jeno-starts-a-ligue-2-match-for-the-first-time-ever/
Vanuatu named their 25-man squad a few days ago.
All but three based in Vanuatu; those three being Jared Clark (Croydon Kings, NPLSA), Mitch Cooper (Hume City, NPLVIC) and Brian Kaltack (Auckland City). Cooper has 40 A League games under his belt for Gold Coast and Newcastle and was an Australian U17 and U20 international. Ronaldo Wilkins also spent the 15/16 season in the Phoenix academy, alongside guys like Bell, Singh, Rogerson, McGarry, but he didn’t make an appearance in the national league that season.
Aside from the three foreign-based players, they are all in camp, like the other island teams. They won a friendly last week 3-2 against local club side Galaxy.
So now, I believe, it’s just us and Cook Islands who are yet to name their squads. Can’t be far away now if they are set to begin camp in Qatar on the 13th.
Don't know the Cook Islands squad, but they've notably called up Ben Mata who's really impressed for Wellington Olympic and TW recently. Few others from the top regional leagues expected too
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/wacalie-hopes-adversity-will-steel-new-caledonia-for-oceania-qualifiers/
New Caledonia competitions were put on hold in September last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a rethink around preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition in Qatar.
New Caledonia competitions were put on hold in September last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a rethink around preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition in Qatar.
Since the back end of November the national squad’s programme has involved three sessions a week, while eight matches were organised in lieu of club games to give players a chance to gain match fitness.
https://www.fijitimes.com/morale-high-in-camp/
Yusuf said morale remained high in camp despite the dismissal of experienced pair Beniamino Mateinaqara and Dave Radrigai for “unacceptable behaviour.”
Two senior Fijian squad members have been cut from their squad to travel. Both started the qualifier at Westpac in 2017, and have 50 or so appearances between them, which is a lot for an island team. Mateinaqara is a goalkeeper and Radrigai a defender.
Yusuf said morale remained high in camp despite the dismissal of experienced pair Beniamino Mateinaqara and Dave Radrigai for “unacceptable behaviour.”
Two senior Fijian squad members have been cut from their squad to travel. Both started the qualifier at Westpac in 2017, and have 50 or so appearances between them, which is a lot for an island team. Mateinaqara is a goalkeeper and Radrigai a defender.
I'm not trying to play to stereotypes here, but Fijian squad members being dropped for indiscipline seems to be a fairly common thing... I'm sure it happens in many teams, but it seems to happen to them a bit... way back in 1981 their coach actually quit because so many of his players went AWOL on a trip to Aus and had 10 stuck past them by the Socceroos soon after...
Preparation for Solomons sounds very very average.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/australian-tests-await-solomon-islands-en-route-to-oceania-qualifiers/
With the Telekom S-League having concluded in November last year, and February’s planned Solomon Islands President’s Cup being cancelled due to the pandemic, the national team have not only been away from competitive football for the best part of three months, but unable to train as a group for long periods as well.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/australian-tests-await-solomon-islands-en-route-to-oceania-qualifiers/
With the Telekom S-League having concluded in November last year, and February’s planned Solomon Islands President’s Cup being cancelled due to the pandemic, the national team have not only been away from competitive football for the best part of three months, but unable to train as a group for long periods as well.
“With the latest restrictions in the Solomon Islands we had to stop practice and couldn’t do anything for three weeks,” Vega-Arango said.
“We didn’t even leave our houses. After that we could only practice with groups of five players, but there’s not much you can do with that.
“On top of that three players tested positive and then had to be isolated for another 10 days, so they were sitting in their house for over a month.
Bad weather in Queensland saw the Solomon Islands’ first match against a local club side cancelled last weekend, meaning they’ll now play three matches between March 1-8.
They’ll face local sides Caboolture SFC and Brisbane Strikers, along with a selection from A-League club Brisbane Roar.
Preparation for Solomons sounds very very average.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/australian-tests-await-solomon-islands-en-route-to-oceania-qualifiers/
With the Telekom S-League having concluded in November last year, and February’s planned Solomon Islands President’s Cup being cancelled due to the pandemic, the national team have not only been away from competitive football for the best part of three months, but unable to train as a group for long periods as well.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/australian-tests-await-solomon-islands-en-route-to-oceania-qualifiers/
With the Telekom S-League having concluded in November last year, and February’s planned Solomon Islands President’s Cup being cancelled due to the pandemic, the national team have not only been away from competitive football for the best part of three months, but unable to train as a group for long periods as well.
“With the latest restrictions in the Solomon Islands we had to stop practice and couldn’t do anything for three weeks,” Vega-Arango said.
“We didn’t even leave our houses. After that we could only practice with groups of five players, but there’s not much you can do with that.
“On top of that three players tested positive and then had to be isolated for another 10 days, so they were sitting in their house for over a month.
Bad weather in Queensland saw the Solomon Islands’ first match against a local club side cancelled last weekend, meaning they’ll now play three matches between March 1-8.
They’ll face local sides Caboolture SFC and Brisbane Strikers, along with a selection from A-League club Brisbane Roar.
Wonder how much parent club Bayern have a say in how Singh is being managed at Jahn Regensburg
Likely makes Oli Whyte a certain pick now. And maybe even someone like Owen Parker-Price if Bell, Thomas & Stamenic are all unavailable for first 2 pool games. Or the very experienced Cam Howieson as a stop gap. He’s a PT isn’t he, so should be fit even if basically out of season.
Lewis could also find himself in the 10 role (Garbett also?) with Rufer as a DM, for early pool games. Then later on Just to slip into that spot??
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127918661/all-whites-highly-likely-to-be-without-sarpreet-singh-for-oceania-world-cup-qualifying
Hay will soon name his squad for the qualifying tournament, where they have been drawn with Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Caledonia, and begin their campaign on March 18.
With the tournament starting prior to the March international window, where players have to be released from their clubs, Hay is set to name a squad of somewhere north of 30 players, around a dozen of whom will be available the whole time.
Likely makes Oli Whyte a certain pick now. And maybe even someone like Owen Parker-Price if Bell, Thomas & Stamenic are all unavailable for first 2 pool games. Or the very experienced Cam Howieson as a stop gap. He’s a PT isn’t he, so should be fit even if basically out of season.
Lewis could also find himself in the 10 role (Garbett also?) with Rufer as a DM, for early pool games. Then later on Just to slip into that spot??
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127918661/all-whites-highly-likely-to-be-without-sarpreet-singh-for-oceania-world-cup-qualifying
Hay will soon name his squad for the qualifying tournament, where they have been drawn with Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Caledonia, and begin their campaign on March 18.
With the tournament starting prior to the March international window, where players have to be released from their clubs, Hay is set to name a squad of somewhere north of 30 players, around a dozen of whom will be available the whole time.
Any indication on who the player will be out of the UK?
Any indication on who the player will be out of the UK?
Did I read once that Max Crocombe as CI heritage? Never played a competitive game for AWs?
Any indication on who the player will be out of the UK?
Did I read once that Max Crocombe as CI heritage? Never played a competitive game for AWs?
Considering the paucity of half decent keepers in the island nations, he would be a good pick up for them. If that is indeed the player involved.
Any indication on who the player will be out of the UK?
Did I read once that Max Crocombe as CI heritage? Never played a competitive game for AWs?
Considering the paucity of half decent keepers in the island nations, he would be a good pick up for them. If that is indeed the player involved.
Not sure Crocombe is eligible, but FIFA eligibility rules are confusing legal documents so I could be wrong. He was in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup final squad, so I think that makes him ineligible to switch.
Article 9, s2(c(iv)) of FIFA’s eligibility rules has: “has never participated in any kind of football at “A” international level in the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup or a final tournament of a confederation competition” as a requirement to be fulfilled to change association. So I guess it comes down to whether that considers being on the bench and not playing at all as “participating”, because he meets all the other requirements as far as I know.
England is a big country and I don’t imagine you’d have to be playing too high to get in the Cook Island team so every chance it could be someone playing in the 8th tier or something.
Yeah I just threw the name out there. Unlikely to be him I imagine.
AWs are a genuine 30-40% chance of going to a WC this year?? And he's only maybe 2-3 keeper injuries & a continued anti vax status, from being the 3rd squad keeper. Stanger things have happened.
AWs are a genuine 30-40% chance of going to a WC this year?? And he's only maybe 2-3 keeper injuries & a continued anti vax status, from being the 3rd squad keeper. Stanger things have happened.
Any indication on who the player will be out of the UK?
Did I read once that Max Crocombe as CI heritage? Never played a competitive game for AWs?
Considering the paucity of half decent keepers in the island nations, he would be a good pick up for them. If that is indeed the player involved.
Not sure Crocombe is eligible, but FIFA eligibility rules are confusing legal documents so I could be wrong. He was in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup final squad, so I think that makes him ineligible to switch.
Article 9, s2(c(iv)) of FIFA’s eligibility rules has: “has never participated in any kind of football at “A” international level in the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup or a final tournament of a confederation competition” as a requirement to be fulfilled to change association. So I guess it comes down to whether that considers being on the bench and not playing at all as “participating”, because he meets all the other requirements as far as I know.
England is a big country and I don’t imagine you’d have to be playing too high to get in the Cook Island team so every chance it could be someone playing in the 8th tier or something.
Goalkeeper Keegan Inia has lived in England for the past couple of years, I'd guess it's him. Starting GK for Manukau United in 2019, and Glenfield before that, spent some time with Auckland City in the NYL. Not sure if he's got a club over there tho. Crocombe would be an awesome pickup if it's him
edit: forget it, he recently moved back to NZ lol. Interestingly, there is one Cook Islander playing in Germany - Bruce Bien is a regular for Kohlscheid in the German sixth tier. Played in a few youth internationals for them I think
Has the roster for the qualifying tourney been disclosed??
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
Has the roster for the qualifying tourney been disclosed??
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
Padova being cheeky... not for the first time
Has the roster for the qualifying tourney been disclosed??
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
Padova being cheeky... not for the first time
Sounds pretty harmless in this instance. But from memory Hay revealed in the Jan window that he'd found the Italian club Sporting Directors (Kirwan & Garbett) the most difficult to deal with.
Hopefully Padova & Torino help him out this time, given Hay called up neither Garbett or Kirwan in Jan.
Garbett especially Hay will want for the whole Tourney. He's still only playing U19 football in Italy, yet he now shapes up as someone important for AWs this month. With likely Thomas & Singh both out. Bell & maybe Stamenic missing first 2 pool games. Hopefully Torino do the right thing.
Any indication on who the player will be out of the UK?
Did I read once that Max Crocombe as CI heritage? Never played a competitive game for AWs?
Considering the paucity of half decent keepers in the island nations, he would be a good pick up for them. If that is indeed the player involved.
Not sure Crocombe is eligible, but FIFA eligibility rules are confusing legal documents so I could be wrong. He was in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup final squad, so I think that makes him ineligible to switch.
Article 9, s2(c(iv)) of FIFA’s eligibility rules has: “has never participated in any kind of football at “A” international level in the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup or a final tournament of a confederation competition” as a requirement to be fulfilled to change association. So I guess it comes down to whether that considers being on the bench and not playing at all as “participating”, because he meets all the other requirements as far as I know.
England is a big country and I don’t imagine you’d have to be playing too high to get in the Cook Island team so every chance it could be someone playing in the 8th tier or something.
Participation in FIFA's eyes means getting on the pitch.
IE Dura sat on the bench for an Ozzie team (can't remember if full or age group) but as he never made it on to the pitch he was eligible to be selected for NZ
Has the roster for the qualifying tourney been disclosed??
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
Surely they wouldn't release him for the first 2 games? Be great if they do but I reckon we'll be using Kalua/Payne at RB for the first 2 games. Or even Ingham?
Has the roster for the qualifying tourney been disclosed??
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
The Padova official website wrote a story about Niko Kirwan being called up for the tournament.... Surely official comms from NZF will be forthcoming now?
Surely they wouldn't release him for the first 2 games? Be great if they do but I reckon we'll be using Kalua/Payne at RB for the first 2 games. Or even Ingham?
Well Hay did them a favour by not calling him up in the Jan window, which Serie C played through. So Padova owe him. But you a probably right.
Though maybe Talay has asked that Payne only be called up from 3rd pool game onwards, if he's to lose likes of Lewis, Sail, Rufer & Sutton for the earlier games??
All a massive jigsaw puzzle for Hay, and will probably explain why squad naming not yet released.
Cook Islands named their squad. Probably pretty inconsequential for the AWs, but might as well post it anyway.
Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Anthony Samuela (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Avi Enoka (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Tahiri Elikana (Nikao Sokattak)
Toru Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak)
Tamaiva Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak)
Dwayne Tiputoa (Puaikura)
Jarves Aperau (Puaikura);
NZ-based
Daryl Areai
Lee Harmon
Ben Mata (Wellington Olympic)
Ishaq Nazeem
Maro Bonsu-Maro (Manukau Utd)
Harlem Simiona
Orin Ruaine-Prattley
Emiel Burrows;
Sydney-based:
Kerim Kumsuz
Ismail Hadife
Taylor Saghabi
Melbourne-based:
Thane Beal
London-based: Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri
Most of the guys don’t have up to date clubs on Transfermarkt, and they’ve only listed the clubs for those who play in Raro, so I imagine they’re at a low level.
Interestingly, Kerim Kumsuz seems to be a relation of Taci Kumsuz of Phoenix reserves fame. He has one tweet and it’s the highlights of a game Taci played vs Team Wellington.
Also interesting is that the first thing that shows up when you Google is that Ismail Hadife (or at least another Sydney-based guy of the same name) is listed as part of ex-WSW Kerem Bulut’s ‘gang’ and co-defendant in a case about threatening witnesses in 2010.
Ben Mata is a fairly decent national league player, so he would help a bit. Mata was even part of Danny Hay’s U17s that made the RO16 at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Bell, McCowatt, McGarry, Woud, Bell, Rogerson. Bonsu-Maro is a reasonable player at Northern League level too, but I don’t know much about the others.
Most of the guys don’t have up to date clubs on Transfermarkt, and they’ve only listed the clubs for those who play in Raro, so I imagine they’re at a low level.
Interestingly, Kerim Kumsuz seems to be a relation of Taci Kumsuz of Phoenix reserves fame. He has one tweet and it’s the highlights of a game Taci played vs Team Wellington.
Also interesting is that the first thing that shows up when you Google is that Ismail Hadife (or at least another Sydney-based guy of the same name) is listed as part of ex-WSW Kerem Bulut’s ‘gang’ and co-defendant in a case about threatening witnesses in 2010.
Ben Mata is a fairly decent national league player, so he would help a bit. Mata was even part of Danny Hay’s U17s that made the RO16 at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Bell, McCowatt, McGarry, Woud, Bell, Rogerson. Bonsu-Maro is a reasonable player at Northern League level too, but I don’t know much about the others.
Cook Islands named their squad. Probably pretty inconsequential for the AWs, but might as well post it anyway.
Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Anthony Samuela (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Avi Enoka (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Tahiri Elikana (Nikao Sokattak)
Toru Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak)
Tamaiva Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak)
Dwayne Tiputoa (Puaikura)
Jarves Aperau (Puaikura);
NZ-based
Daryl Areai
Lee Harmon
Ben Mata (Wellington Olympic)
Ishaq Nazeem
Maro Bonsu-Maro (Manukau Utd)
Harlem Simiona
Orin Ruaine-Prattley
Emiel Burrows;
Sydney-based:
Kerim Kumsuz
Ismail Hadife
Taylor Saghabi
Melbourne-based:
Thane Beal
London-based: Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri
Most of the guys don’t have up to date clubs on Transfermarkt, and they’ve only listed the clubs for those who play in Raro, so I imagine they’re at a low level.
Interestingly, Kerim Kumsuz seems to be a relation of Taci Kumsuz of Phoenix reserves fame. He has one tweet and it’s the highlights of a game Taci played vs Team Wellington. Cook Islands citizenship, in FIFA terms at least, I think is analogous with NZ citizenship, in the same criteria as the UK nations, and apparently Taci was never NZ-eligible, so if Kerim is a relation then maybe there could be some eligibility issues there.
Also interesting is that the first thing that shows up when you Google is that Ismail Hadife (or at least another Sydney-based guy of the same name) is listed as part of ex-WSW Kerem Bulut’s ‘gang’ and co-defendant in a case about threatening witnesses in 2010.
Ben Mata is a fairly decent national league player, so he would help a bit. Mata was even part of Danny Hay’s U17s that made the RO16 at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Bell, McCowatt, McGarry, Woud, Bell, Rogerson. Bonsu-Maro is a reasonable player at Northern League level too, but I don’t know much about the others.
Most of the guys don’t have up to date clubs on Transfermarkt, and they’ve only listed the clubs for those who play in Raro, so I imagine they’re at a low level.
Interestingly, Kerim Kumsuz seems to be a relation of Taci Kumsuz of Phoenix reserves fame. He has one tweet and it’s the highlights of a game Taci played vs Team Wellington. Cook Islands citizenship, in FIFA terms at least, I think is analogous with NZ citizenship, in the same criteria as the UK nations, and apparently Taci was never NZ-eligible, so if Kerim is a relation then maybe there could be some eligibility issues there.
Also interesting is that the first thing that shows up when you Google is that Ismail Hadife (or at least another Sydney-based guy of the same name) is listed as part of ex-WSW Kerem Bulut’s ‘gang’ and co-defendant in a case about threatening witnesses in 2010.
Ben Mata is a fairly decent national league player, so he would help a bit. Mata was even part of Danny Hay’s U17s that made the RO16 at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Bell, McCowatt, McGarry, Woud, Bell, Rogerson. Bonsu-Maro is a reasonable player at Northern League level too, but I don’t know much about the others.
Ex Ellerslie players Avi Enoka and Lee Harmon in the squad - cool to see!
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/vanuatu-confirm-squad-for-oceania-qualifiers/
Auckland City FC defender Kaltak will wear the captain’s armband in his third World Cup qualifying campaign, joining Australia-based players Jared Clark and Mitch Cooper, as the overseas additions to a group otherwise made up of players from the Vanuatu domestic scene.
Auckland City FC defender Kaltak will wear the captain’s armband in his third World Cup qualifying campaign, joining Australia-based players Jared Clark and Mitch Cooper, as the overseas additions to a group otherwise made up of players from the Vanuatu domestic scene.
Midfielder Cooper plays for Hume City FC in Melbourne, while Clark hails from Adelaide’s Croydon FC.
Tangis, who sits in the top 10 for all-time appearances and goals for Vanuatu, is one of five Galaxy FC players selected.
The Etienne Mermer-coached side will open their campaign against Tahiti in Group A, before taking on the Solomon Islands and Cook Islands.
Cook Islands named their squad. Probably pretty inconsequential for the AWs, but might as well post it anyway.
Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Anthony Samuela (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Avi Enoka (Tupapa Maraerenga)
Tahiri Elikana (Nikao Sokattak)
Toru Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak)
Tamaiva Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak)
Dwayne Tiputoa (Puaikura)
Jarves Aperau (Puaikura);
NZ-based
Daryl Areai
Lee Harmon
Ben Mata (Wellington Olympic)
Ishaq Nazeem
Maro Bonsu-Maro (Manukau Utd)
Harlem Simiona
Orin Ruaine-Prattley
Emiel Burrows;
Sydney-based:
Kerim Kumsuz
Ismail Hadife
Taylor Saghabi
Melbourne-based:
Thane Beal
London-based: Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri
Most of the guys don’t have up to date clubs on Transfermarkt, and they’ve only listed the clubs for those who play in Raro, so I imagine they’re at a low level.
Interestingly, Kerim Kumsuz seems to be a relation of Taci Kumsuz of Phoenix reserves fame. He has one tweet and it’s the highlights of a game Taci played vs Team Wellington.
Also interesting is that the first thing that shows up when you Google is that Ismail Hadife (or at least another Sydney-based guy of the same name) is listed as part of ex-WSW Kerem Bulut’s ‘gang’ and co-defendant in a case about threatening witnesses in 2010.
Ben Mata is a fairly decent national league player, so he would help a bit. Mata was even part of Danny Hay’s U17s that made the RO16 at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Bell, McCowatt, McGarry, Woud, Bell, Rogerson. Bonsu-Maro is a reasonable player at Northern League level too, but I don’t know much about the others.
Most of the guys don’t have up to date clubs on Transfermarkt, and they’ve only listed the clubs for those who play in Raro, so I imagine they’re at a low level.
Interestingly, Kerim Kumsuz seems to be a relation of Taci Kumsuz of Phoenix reserves fame. He has one tweet and it’s the highlights of a game Taci played vs Team Wellington.
Also interesting is that the first thing that shows up when you Google is that Ismail Hadife (or at least another Sydney-based guy of the same name) is listed as part of ex-WSW Kerem Bulut’s ‘gang’ and co-defendant in a case about threatening witnesses in 2010.
Ben Mata is a fairly decent national league player, so he would help a bit. Mata was even part of Danny Hay’s U17s that made the RO16 at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Bell, McCowatt, McGarry, Woud, Bell, Rogerson. Bonsu-Maro is a reasonable player at Northern League level too, but I don’t know much about the others.
Out of the NZ-based players there:
Daryl Areai - plays for Otago University's reserves iirc
Lee Harmon - played for Ellerslie's reserves last season
Ishaq Nazeem - plays for Manurewa's reserves
Harlem Simiona - Ngongotaha, good goalscorer
Orin Ruaine-Prattley - Brooklyn Northern United
Emiel Burrows - Oratia I think, another good goalscorer
so yeah, definitely not high levels. the one with most experience there outside of Bonsu-Maro and Mata is probably Nazeem, he's 30 now and played for Manukau City/United for a while, gets the odd game for Manurewa's first team now but is well and truly a depth piece. Burrow's been a reliable player in NRFL Div 1 and 2 for a while too.
Only guys in the squad with national league experience are Mata (TW), Bonsu-Maro (ACFC) and Barringer-Tahiri (Tasman), who now plays in the local Wimbledon Saturday league.
so yeah, definitely not high levels. the one with most experience there outside of Bonsu-Maro and Mata is probably Nazeem, he's 30 now and played for Manukau City/United for a while, gets the odd game for Manurewa's first team now but is well and truly a depth piece. Burrow's been a reliable player in NRFL Div 1 and 2 for a while too.
Only guys in the squad with national league experience are Mata (TW), Bonsu-Maro (ACFC) and Barringer-Tahiri (Tasman), who now plays in the local Wimbledon Saturday league.
CI squad naming confirmed on OFC's website. Just leaves the AWs to name their squad. Think all other squads have been confirmed around 22-25 players, when looks like Hay will be naming 30 plus.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/cook-islands-confirm-squad-for-oceania-qualifiers/
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/cook-islands-confirm-squad-for-oceania-qualifiers/
CI squad naming confirmed on OFC's website. Just leaves the AWs to name their squad. Think all other squads have been confirmed around 22-25 players, when looks like Hay will be naming 30 plus.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/cook-islands-confirm-squad-for-oceania-qualifiers/
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/cook-islands-confirm-squad-for-oceania-qualifiers/
Mata can play in goal so might be the RGK
same with Enoka, who only switched to CB a couple years ago but was a regular GK in their national league. Crazy to think this happens in world cup qualifiers, but shows the level
So most of the Nix guys to be back by Glory game 26th March?? Missing just Roar (12th March) & Jets (18th March) games??
Seems Payne will be arriving for later half of the tourney, as a RB. Should be earlier RB coverage from Kirwan, Kalua (maybe Ingham/Elliott in need).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127975997/all-whites-set-to-arrive-in-three-waves-for-oceania-world-cup-qualifying-tournament
All Whites players will arrive in Qatar for the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in three waves, with captain Winston Reid set to be one of around a dozen present the entire time.
Seems Payne will be arriving for later half of the tourney, as a RB. Should be earlier RB coverage from Kirwan, Kalua (maybe Ingham/Elliott in need).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127975997/all-whites-set-to-arrive-in-three-waves-for-oceania-world-cup-qualifying-tournament
All Whites players will arrive in Qatar for the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in three waves, with captain Winston Reid set to be one of around a dozen present the entire time.
The ever-presents will be joined by a group mainly drawn from A-League Men for the national men's football team's first match, against Papua New Guinea [kickoff 3am March 19 NZ time].
A second wave of players is set to arrive ahead of their second match, against Fiji [6am March 22], while the third will arrive ahead of their final group stage match, against New Caledonia [6am March 25].
Some players, including most of those from A-League Men, will also leave at that stage, with around 30 to be named in total when the squad is announced this week.
Hay said a key factor in finalising the squad had been ensuring there was a core group present for most, if not all, of the tournament, and he suggested some players whose availability had been limited might have missed out.
Some players, including most of those from A-League Men, will also leave at that stage, with around 30 to be named in total when the squad is announced this week.
Hay said a key factor in finalising the squad had been ensuring there was a core group present for most, if not all, of the tournament, and he suggested some players whose availability had been limited might have missed out.
“There's been some tough decisions, because there are some players that were only available for one or two games and so you have to make that decision around is it worth bringing them all the way over for that?
Reid is yet to find a new club since leaving English Premier League side West Ham United last September, but has been training in Dubai, where he now lives, and should be a reliable presence at the back for the All Whites throughout the qualifiers, which will be his first matches against Pacific island opposition since early 2013.
Reid is yet to find a new club since leaving English Premier League side West Ham United last September, but has been training in Dubai, where he now lives, and should be a reliable presence at the back for the All Whites throughout the qualifiers, which will be his first matches against Pacific island opposition since early 2013.
Other players likely to be in the ever-present group are defender Francis de Vries and forward Logan Rogerson, whose club seasons in Sweden and Finland don’t start until April.
Right back Niko Kirwan is also set to be there the whole time, having stayed with his Italian club during the January international window, while Hay pointed to centre back Nikko Boxall as a player whose club coach, former United States international Landon Donovan, had been understanding of what was at stake.
Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail is in line to make his All Whites debut early in the tournament, while there could also be maiden callups for midfielder Ben Old and forward Ben Waine, who were in Hay’s OlyWhites squad at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail is in line to make his All Whites debut early in the tournament, while there could also be maiden callups for midfielder Ben Old and forward Ben Waine, who were in Hay’s OlyWhites squad at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay had indicated several players from his team would be called up for the first two matches, while one – most likely right back Tim Payne – would be away for matches two to five.
Reid really really really needs a gig.
He'll be so unmatch fit come continental playoff time. His fitness is ok for friendlies against Jordan and games against PI sides but he will struggle against the best.
He'll be so unmatch fit come continental playoff time. His fitness is ok for friendlies against Jordan and games against PI sides but he will struggle against the best.
yeah training in Dubai is all well and good but nothing is better than actual game time. I'm guessing that his asking price might be too high, or teams are worried about his fitness. Given that his most recent gig was as one of the most expensive injured reserves for quite sometime.
So most of the Nix guys to be back by Glory game 26th March?? Missing just Roar (12th March) & Jets (18th March) games??
Seems Payne will be arriving for later half of the tourney, as a RB. Should be earlier RB coverage from Kirwan, Kalua (maybe Ingham/Elliott in need).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127975997/all-whites-set-to-arrive-in-three-waves-for-oceania-world-cup-qualifying-tournament
All Whites players will arrive in Qatar for the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in three waves, with captain Winston Reid set to be one of around a dozen present the entire time.
Seems Payne will be arriving for later half of the tourney, as a RB. Should be earlier RB coverage from Kirwan, Kalua (maybe Ingham/Elliott in need).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127975997/all-whites-set-to-arrive-in-three-waves-for-oceania-world-cup-qualifying-tournament
All Whites players will arrive in Qatar for the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in three waves, with captain Winston Reid set to be one of around a dozen present the entire time.
The ever-presents will be joined by a group mainly drawn from A-League Men for the national men's football team's first match, against Papua New Guinea [kickoff 3am March 19 NZ time].
A second wave of players is set to arrive ahead of their second match, against Fiji [6am March 22], while the third will arrive ahead of their final group stage match, against New Caledonia [6am March 25].
Some players, including most of those from A-League Men, will also leave at that stage, with around 30 to be named in total when the squad is announced this week.
Hay said a key factor in finalising the squad had been ensuring there was a core group present for most, if not all, of the tournament, and he suggested some players whose availability had been limited might have missed out.
Some players, including most of those from A-League Men, will also leave at that stage, with around 30 to be named in total when the squad is announced this week.
Hay said a key factor in finalising the squad had been ensuring there was a core group present for most, if not all, of the tournament, and he suggested some players whose availability had been limited might have missed out.
“There's been some tough decisions, because there are some players that were only available for one or two games and so you have to make that decision around is it worth bringing them all the way over for that?
Reid is yet to find a new club since leaving English Premier League side West Ham United last September, but has been training in Dubai, where he now lives, and should be a reliable presence at the back for the All Whites throughout the qualifiers, which will be his first matches against Pacific island opposition since early 2013.
Reid is yet to find a new club since leaving English Premier League side West Ham United last September, but has been training in Dubai, where he now lives, and should be a reliable presence at the back for the All Whites throughout the qualifiers, which will be his first matches against Pacific island opposition since early 2013.
Other players likely to be in the ever-present group are defender Francis de Vries and forward Logan Rogerson, whose club seasons in Sweden and Finland don’t start until April.
Right back Niko Kirwan is also set to be there the whole time, having stayed with his Italian club during the January international window, while Hay pointed to centre back Nikko Boxall as a player whose club coach, former United States international Landon Donovan, had been understanding of what was at stake.
Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail is in line to make his All Whites debut early in the tournament, while there could also be maiden callups for midfielder Ben Old and forward Ben Waine, who were in Hay’s OlyWhites squad at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail is in line to make his All Whites debut early in the tournament, while there could also be maiden callups for midfielder Ben Old and forward Ben Waine, who were in Hay’s OlyWhites squad at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay had indicated several players from his team would be called up for the first two matches, while one – most likely right back Tim Payne – would be away for matches two to five.
So even better from a Nix angle?? Most just missing the Jets game 18th March??
Hopefully both Rojas and Barba are also available/picked.
Hopefully both Rojas and Barba are also available/picked.
So Old, Waine, Sail, and Lewis will miss 2 games Roar & Jets. Then Payne will miss the Perth match and potentially the City one too? Not too bad then as we do have good replacements for all those positions, will be thin on the bench for those first two games tho.
So Old, Waine, Sail, and Lewis will miss 2 games Roar & Jets. Then Payne will miss the Perth match and potentially the City one too? Not too bad then as we do have good replacements for all those positions, will be thin on the bench for those first two games tho.
Payne is set to leave after the Jets match, and will miss the Perth match next weekend, and the City match on Friday, April 1, as he will only arrive back in Australia that day (if the All Whites make the final – if they don't he, will be back for it).