OFC World Cup qualifying tourney - Qatar in March

So apart from those who are missing from injury etc bit surprised neither Rojas or Rufer have been called up. Looks like Howieson has got in ahead of Rufer and prob helps he’s available for all the games. 
Good for the Nix tho.

Not sure about Rojas seems a bit strange he hasn’t been called up? He’s been looking decent this season. 

Does anyone know what the quality of pitches are expected to be like over in Doha? Hopefully we don't lose anyone to a twisted ankle in a pothole or anything

 

Does anyone know why Michael Boxall hasn't made the squad?

dunnix

Does anyone know what the quality of pitches are expected to be like over in Doha? Hopefully we don't lose anyone to a twisted ankle in a pothole or anything

The stadiums aren’t World Cup stadiums, but they are used by Qatar league teams, and they look in decent shape so it should be fine

Yeahcoulddo

So apart from those who are missing from injury etc bit surprised neither Rojas or Rufer have been called up. Looks like Howieson has got in ahead of Rufer and prob helps he’s available for all the games. 
Good for the Nix tho.

Not sure about Rojas seems a bit strange he hasn’t been called up? He’s been looking decent this season. 

article reads like Rojas was wanted but Victory needed him due to ACL and A-league games to be played. AW's in discussions so he may be a late call up?

Maaaaaaatt

 

Does anyone know why Michael Boxall hasn't made the squad?

Apparently injured though currently close to be recovering according to the article 

Anyone willing to speculate how we may line up vs PNG then?
I'm not too familiar with some of the full back options in particular 

Howieson over Rufer on current form is a big call, unless it was a special arrangement to help out the Phoenix.  But even then, big call.

Howieson being called up came a bit out of the blue to be honest. That said, there is a good extended squad there. 

Don't quite know how we're going to lineup, but there is more than enough quality in that group to get us to where we need to go.

Smeltz4PM

Anyone willing to speculate how we may line up vs PNG then?
I'm not too familiar with some of the full back options in particular 

The midfield and forwards are harder to guess, but assuming it's a back four the defence will probably be (from left to right): De Vries - Smith - Reid - Kirwan. Boxall could get the start at CB, but Wilkins will definitely be back-up left back.

Looking at it further, little bit surprised Oliver Whyte missed the cut to be honest. Although he could still be getting bedded in in Finland.

Shame about Rojas but nice to see Kosta is available and keen to get back into the fold.

I’d wager vs PNG it’ll look like;

Sail;
Kirwan, Reid, Smith, De Vries;
Lewis, Howieson, Garbett;
Barbarouses, De Jong, Champness

The lineup vs Fiji will probably raise more questions, as I have little faith in Reid to play back-to-back, as he has completed 90 once since March last year (vs South Korea at the Olympics). There could be runs for Ingham, Rogerson, Old etc in that game, potentially starts even. There’ll be reinforcements for that game, but they’d also be on short turnarounds from their club games, plus jetlag/travel time mitigators, so it’d be difficult to count on them.

As for Oli Whyte, he was probably in a shoot out with Ben Old, as they’re similar enough in that attacking midfield role.

YoungHeart

Howieson being called up came a bit out of the blue to be honest. That said, there is a good extended squad there. 

Don't quite know how we're going to lineup, but there is more than enough quality in that group to get us to where we need to go.

Actually mentioned last week Howieson a possibility with Singh being unavailable.

Think Whyte is unlucky but let’s face it standard in Finland probably ain’t much above Handy Prem. 

Rufer also unlucky but he’s unlikely to make a future top AWs 23 man squad, so I guess why further weaken Uffie’s squad, when Howieson can probably do a pretty similar job.

Howieson's definitely surprising, but with Whyte gone he's well and truly the best midfielder in New Zealand. More talented than Rufer, but hasn't played at a high standard for years - I'd like to hear Hay's thinking behind leaving Rufer and Whyte out

Sam Sutton also unlucky. He’s in top form, and unlucky to miss out to De Vries and Wilkins.

Hopefully AWs door not shut on him yet for 2022, and more a compromise sort of deal with Uffie - who’s already going to be missing 5 players ie neither Wilkins or De Vries impress greatly in Qatar, Sutton to get a run in a friendly pre Intercontinental playoff.

Lastly I think Gould is lucky to be there ahead of Crocombe, just based on where their UK club careers are at. You’d  hate to think is some Gould family nepotism in that decision. Tzanev obviously still unvaccinated 

But nice to have a large 30 man squad picked and still be talking about pro footballers unlucky to miss out.

mrsmiis

Howieson's definitely surprising, but with Whyte gone he's well and truly the best midfielder in New Zealand. More talented than Rufer, but hasn't played at a high standard for years - I'd like to hear Hay's thinking behind leaving Rufer and Whyte out

CH does have a lot of experience incl playing OFC teams before for the AWs. The early AWs squad for PNG and Fiji will be a bit light on experience, so CH I think is a pretty smart selection as long as he’s match fit ready to go. 

He’ll be all about slowing the game down if needed, dominating  possession, keeping structure and using his experience. Preventing Island teams doing dangerous transition football

He’s good enough to be playing in the A League, just doesn’t want to live in Welly apparently 

Not a fan of the Howieson call up.

Rufer deserves to be there on form.

coochiee

Sam Sutton also unlucky. He’s in top form, and unlucky to miss out to De Vries and Wilkins.

Hopefully AWs door not shut on him yet for 2022, and more a compromise sort of deal with Uffie - who’s already going to be missing 5 players ie neither Wilkins or De Vries impress greatly in Qatar, Sutton to get a run in a friendly pre Intercontinental playoff.

Lastly I think Gould is lucky to be there ahead of Crocombe, just based on where their UK club careers are at. You’d  hate to think is some Gould family nepotism in that decision. Tzanev obviously still unvaccinated 

But nice to have a large 30 man squad picked and still be talking about pro footballers unlucky to miss out.

Being unjabbed is a bit of a "meh" thing in the UK now and I know through work that UAE and Qatar are going to soon scrap their Covid rules.  Would be very surprised to see Taznev not in the AWs later this year.

coochiee

mrsmiis

Howieson's definitely surprising, but with Whyte gone he's well and truly the best midfielder in New Zealand. More talented than Rufer, but hasn't played at a high standard for years - I'd like to hear Hay's thinking behind leaving Rufer and Whyte out

CH does have a lot of experience incl playing OFC teams before for the AWs. The early AWs squad for PNG and Fiji will be a bit light on experience, so CH I think is a pretty smart selection as long as he’s match fit ready to go. 

He’ll be all about slowing the game down if needed, dominating  possession, keeping structure and using his experience. Preventing Island teams doing dangerous transition football

He’s good enough to be playing in the A League, just doesn’t want to live in Welly apparently 

how long has it been since any Nix players lived in Welly?!

Tommy Semmy was on today’s Kiwi Football Fix to give a bit of a PNG view on the game against the AWs next Saturday. Interesting to hear he mentioned David Browne as part of their squad, so his visa issues might have been sorted out, because he’s a good player, especially against a very much understrength team in that first game.

This article mentions his documents are being looked over;

“Ealedona said Europe based David Browne has sent his documents and he will be working with PNG Im-migration for Browne's eligibility to play for the Kapuls. 

MetalLegNZ

Not a fan of the Howieson call up.

Rufer deserves to be there on form.

As someone else mentioned fact Howieson could stay for all 5 matches and Rufer couldn’t, likely the deal breaker. Hay himself mentioned this as a factor in some selection decisions.

Neither CH or Rufer will make a future full strength smaller 23 man squad. They would need injuries to get a look in.

Be nice to see Howieson trial for the Nix, but imagine that horse has bolted ie Auckland is his home

Are these upcoming OFC games going to be televised in NZ on sky? 

siac

Are these upcoming OFC games going to be televised in NZ on sky? 

 Yes

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/baby-bens-set-for-golden-chance-to-learn-from-all-whites-veterans/

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2022/3/11/labyrinthine-squad-yarns-for-the-all-whites-ofc-world-cup-qualifiers
You think Hay would play hardball with Poppa and demand Rojas be released for OFC Tourney games within March window dates.

Bit late to integrate him into the squad just prior Intercontinental Playoff, when his last AWs game was Nov 2019! Marco still definitely has something to offer the AWs. Corica was okay to release Barba, why not Poppa Rojas.


Bringing us to Marco Rojas who has been playing fantastic footy for Melbourne Victory and would for sure have something to offer to this team but MVC have Asian Champions League games coming up and reading between the lines it sounds like Tony Popovich might’ve been rather forceful in those negotiations. That’s a delicate thing for Danny Hay to balance. He can’t pick Rojas for the first two games without club permission. He could for the next few... but the A-League doesn’t break so he’d be pissing off Poppa. And Niko Kirwan’s a nice example of how diplomacy can work: unavailable for the last tour because his club didn’t want to let him go and yet this time he’s here for the full tour. Do me a favour now and I’ll owe you one later.

.@gomvfc coach Tony Popovic seemed pretty firm just now in his presser after their draw with the Mariners that Marco Rojas is heading off to Japan with his club on Friday, ahead of their Asian Champions League playoff next Tuesday https://t.co/sR56WcGDVO

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) March 9, 2022

Maybe Hay has decided that if Marco is unavailable then he isnt needed for the AW's long term? He is 30 after all and we have younger options in his position.

theprof

Maybe Hay has decided that if Marco is unavailable then he isnt needed for the AW's long term? He is 30 after all and we have younger options in his position.

That would be disappointing. Rojas is still a high quality player. I hope we see him at this tournament. Popovic is a prick if he's standing in the way of Rojas joining up with the NZ NT. MV have so much depth, they have guys like Ikonomedes and Folami on the bench. They could do without Rojas for a game or two.

Ranix

theprof

Maybe Hay has decided that if Marco is unavailable then he isnt needed for the AW's long term? He is 30 after all and we have younger options in his position.

That would be disappointing. Rojas is still a high quality player. I hope we see him at this tournament. Popovic is a prick if he's standing in the way of Rojas joining up with the NZ NT. MV have so much depth, they have guys like Ikonomedes and Folami on the bench. They could do without Rojas for a game or two.

I believe its a injury thing, Not that he is injured but he would prob get injured playing against these island teams. Rojas or his father did say he wont be playing any micky mouse games for the AW a few years back.

Poco

Ranix

theprof

Maybe Hay has decided that if Marco is unavailable then he isnt needed for the AW's long term? He is 30 after all and we have younger options in his position.

That would be disappointing. Rojas is still a high quality player. I hope we see him at this tournament. Popovic is a prick if he's standing in the way of Rojas joining up with the NZ NT. MV have so much depth, they have guys like Ikonomedes and Folami on the bench. They could do without Rojas for a game or two.

I believe its a injury thing, Not that he is injured but he would prob get injured playing against these island teams. Rojas or his father did say he wont be playing any micky mouse games for the AW a few years back.

WC qualifying tourney isn’t Mickey Mouse stuff.

Sounds like Hay is trying to do the right thing, and not enforcing Poppa to make Rojas available. But fudge it, he’s still quality with a tonne of experience, and coming in post this tourney is too late. He needs to come in now

I doubt he has made himself unavailable for the tourney, but if he has then yes AWs career over. You can’t pick and choose when you play in a WC year. Thomas is different as he’s still battling injury (not playing for PSV), and higher class - whilst yes a few younger players now will push Rojas for his spot in any AWs squad 

Fiji beat Vanuatu 3-0 in a friendly in Qatar on Friday. Haven’t seen the lineups so I don’t know if Vanuatu had their NZ/Aus players but I know Krishna didn’t play for Fiji. Sairusi Nalaubu scored all three for Fiji.

Also worth noting Krishna’s ATK lost the away leg of their ISL semifinal 3-1 this morning, with Krishna scoring their only goal. The return leg is on Thursday NZ time, so if they don’t manage to turn it around he’ll be available for the game against the AWs on the 22nd. If they do make the final, he won’t be available for that game however.

Kia ora Qatar 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/hM8z96t5Ga

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) March 13, 2022

Sky has the rights for NZ but is anyone aware of whether it wil be on TV in Australia and Europe at all as OFC has nothing about broadcasting on its website.

Marto

Sky has the rights for NZ but is anyone aware of whether it wil be on TV in Australia and Europe at all as OFC has nothing about broadcasting on its website.

Also trying to find if there's going to be any official stream/broadcast in Aus, not getting a lot of joy

Smeltz4PM

Marto

Sky has the rights for NZ but is anyone aware of whether it wil be on TV in Australia and Europe at all as OFC has nothing about broadcasting on its website.

Also trying to find if there's going to be any official stream/broadcast in Aus, not getting a lot of joy

Sky sport now do a streaming service. Which I assume you can watch anywhere. But its $40 for one month access.
Or they do a 7 day free trial and a one week pass for $20.

You have the think the next 9 months could be huge for some of these guys, particularly if we manage to qualify.
We all know how excited scouts get in a WC year.

Are they going to come to the party and put a package deal together for non subscribers???

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/1503713411846262790

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/match-officials-for-the-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-oceania-qualifiers-appointed/
Would be nice if AWs got Qatari refs a few times.

Match officials for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Oceania Qualifiers

Referees:
HJ Ali Saoud AL-ADBA (QAT)
Ahmed Mohammed AL-SHAMMARI (QAT)
Matthew CONGER (NZL)
Ahmad Salman FALAHI (QAT)
Nortbert HAUATA (TAH)
Joel HOPKEN (VAN)
Mederic LACOUR (NCL)
Nick WALDRON (NZL)
David YAREBOINEN (PNG)
Al Ruaile Abdulhadi ALASMAR (QAT)

Assistant referees:
Noah KUSUNAN (PNG)
Avinesh NARAYAN (FIJ)
Mark RULE (NZL)
Isaac TREVIS (NZL)
Brial BERTRAND(NCL)
Jeremy GARAE (VAN)
Tevita MAKASINI (TGA)
Folio MOEAKI (TGA)
Philippe REVEL (TAH)
Hilmon SESE (VAN)

Sky Sport NZ @skysportnz   16h

 The All Whites road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ begins this weekend with the Oceania Qualifiers - LIVE on Sky Sport 7 | beIN SPORTS! Predictions?