On This Day...

MARCH 24

Two matches from this date - back in 2007 there was a loss to Costa Rica on an ill-fated tour, and then in 2018 a friendly against Canada in Spain.

MARCH 25

On this day back in 2011 the All Whites went to Wuhan (not a trip I imagine they'll repeat any time soon...) and earned a creditable 1-1 draw with China.  In 2017, they played a World Cup qualifier in Lautoka, with Wood and Rojas our goalscorers.

MARCH 27

On this day in 1988, the All Whites hosted Israel in an Olympic qualifier.  Game was notable for being played at Eden Park (which made the lack of crowd even more obvious, and meant players had to deal with a cricket wicket through the middle of the pitch), a full debut for Chris Zoricich at right back, an excellent performance from Clint Gosling, and a couple of people in the crowd being surrounded by police when they held up a Palestinian flag... oh and we lost.

MARCH 28

A busy day in All Whites history!  In 2007 they had their butts handed to them by Venezuela with a 5-0 thumping; two years later there was a trip to Bangkok and another loss, despite Kris Bright scoring his sole All Whites goal; and then jump forward to 2017 when Ryan Thomas scored twice in a 2-0 win over Fiji in Wellington. 

MARCH 30

Back in 1977 the Socceroos visited Newmarket Park for a World Cup qualifier.  Ended up as a 1-1 draw with a goal from Keith Nelson (in the middle of his then-record scoring run of 6 matches in a row).  Different era when men were men and shorts were short...

MARCH 31

In 2015, the All Whites travelled to Seoul, and put in a decent performance despite coming out on the wrong side of the scoreline.  Game was notable for a number of debuts - some starting long international careers, and some to never be seen again!

 

APRIL 2

An awesome day in All Whites history back in 1989, when the Socceroos were defeated 2-0 at Mt Smart Stadium in World Cup qualifying.  It was not long after they'd destroyed us 4-1 in Sydney, so was quite the turnaround.  Adshead deployed a very attacking formation, with de Jong and Ironside back in the team, and it all payed off.  Malcolm Dunford scored while gushing blood from an eye cut, and Billy Wright slotted an excellent long range effort.  This was New Zealand's first win over Australia in World Cup qualifying in New Zealand (our only other win had been that famous 2-0 in Sydney in 1981), and continued our run of never losing to Australia in WCQs in NZ to that point.

And on a "wtf?" note, this match was a curtain raiser to a festival rugby match - no actually... the NZFA at the time thought they'd get a bigger crowd, because of course hard core Auckland rugby fans definitely want to sit through 90 minutes of football prior to their game kicking off...

But at the end of the day, who cares - we won and won well!

 

APRIL 9

On this day back in 1989, the All Whites faced Israel at Mt Smart, a week after their famous victory over Australia.  The corresponding fixture in the previous World Cup campaign in 1985 had seen New Zealand prevail 3-1, with arguably one of their best ever home soil performances, but their four meetings with Israel since then had all been defeats.  The All Whites put in another sterling shift, and both Dunford and Wright scored again to help earn a 2-2 draw, which was probably fair on the day - although how Israel kept 10 men on the park is a mystery after a brutal first half foul on Mike Ridenton.

 

APRIL 25

ANZAC Day celebrates two milestones in All Whites history.  Firstly, the iconic match in 1981 that started the qualifying campaign for Spain '82 - vs Australia at Smart (first time we ever played at that venue), with a back and forth, end-to-end contest ending 3-3.
Secondly, a trip to Chile in 2006 where the All Whites lose heavily, but notable for the first ever All Whites goal from Shane Smeltz (he'd get a few more after this...)

APRIL 27

On this day back in 2006, the All Whites played their second match in Chile in 3 days.  It was a much better performance defensively, with Che Bunce putting in one of his best shifts in a white shirt, but they still came out the wrong side of the scoreline.

MAY 11

On this day back in 1981, the All Whites played Indonesia in Jakarta in front of a massive, hyped-up crowd.  They earned a well-deserved 2-0 win thanks to 2 excellent, but different, headed goals.  At the time Indonesia were actually the second favourites in the Oceania group after Australia, so it was a real statement result.

MAY 16

Not much to say about this game that hasn't been said already!  One of the most iconic events in our history - I'll let the pictures do the talking :)

MAY 23

Two matches on this day - back in 1981, the newly-minted All Whites played their first match back in Auckland after their successful away trip, and gave the crowd plenty to cheer about by walloping Indonesia 5-0, including an Adrian Elrick screamer.  
Then in 2012, the All Whites warmed up for the Nations Cup by playing El Salvador in the US - a debut goal for Ian Hogg, and a second from Costa Barbarouses, saw a creditable 2-2 draw.

MAY 24

On this day back in 2006, the All Whites opened their European tour with a match against Hungary and Budapest.  Killen should've scored, Moss saves a pen, but in the end the scoreline goes against us.
Then in 2010, we started the warmup for the World Cup by playing the Socceroos in Melbourne.  Killen scores this time, Bertos was a victim of GBH, and we damn well should've got more out of this than the scoreline showed (see Nelsen after final whistle as evidence...)

At 'The G' for the 2nd game. First introduction to the White Noise brigade. Shame about the ending in that one. Vinny Grella always a thug.

MAY 26

This day back in 2007 was arguably the beginning of the 2010 World Cup story, as an inexperienced, new-look All Whites side earned a surprise 2-2 result against Wales in Wrexham, with several players grabbing their international lifeline with aplomb.
In 2012, they continued their build-up to the Nations Cup with a second match in the US, this time earning the victory against Honduras.

MAY 27

On this day in 2003 the All Whites warmed up for their Confederations Cup campaign with a visit to Edinburgh, and earned a highly creditable 1-1 draw, thanks to another Ryan Nelsen far post finish.

MAY 28

On this day back in 2016 the All Whites opened their Nations Cup campaign in PNG with a 3-1 win over Fiji, including a first international goal for Themi!

MAY 29

On this day back in 2010, a warm-up match for the World Cup yielded one of NZ's best results ever - a 1-0 win over Serbia.  Great strike from Shane Smeltz, and the team keep their heads in the midst of shenanigans in the crowd lead to interruptions.

MAY 30

Back in 1981, the All Whites continued their unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over Taiwan at Mt Smart, with a very Steve Wooddin goal, and a very Grant Turner goal.
And then in 2014, Mt Smart was the venue again as the All Whites hosted South Africa - some exciting young players making their mark, a couple of debuts thrown in from interim coach Neil Emblen, and Tim Payne not endearing himself to the visitors...

Also on this day, in 2015, was the opening match of the U20 World Cup, as NZ played Ukraine. A great crowd of 25,000 went down to since-very-changed North Harbour Stadium on a sunny winter afternoon, and got to witness a respectable 0-0 draw against European opposition. Must have been some occasion for the players to play in a match like that in front of a home crowd like that.

The lineup that day was (and where they are now):

1. Oli Sail (Phoenix)

2. Jesse Edge (Lunds BK)

3. Deklan Wynne (Detroit City)

4. Sam Brotherton (Auckland City)

5. Adam Mitchell (Auckland City)

6. Bill Tuiloma (c) (Portland)

7. Joel Stevens (Oskarshamns AIK)

8. Moses Dyer (Valour)

9. Alex Rufer (Phoenix)

10. Clayton Lewis (Phoenix)

11. Matthew Ridenton (Lions FC)

Substitutes

15. Monty Patterson (Manurewa) for Stevens

16. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (Auckland United) for Tuiloma

20. Noah Billingsley (unattached) for Rufer

Of the players used, I believe only Edge is uncapped at senior level, though he might have been called up and unused in the early days of Hudson’s reign.

carlind

Also on this day, in 2015, was the opening match of the U20 World Cup, as NZ played Ukraine. A great crowd of 25,000 went down to since-very-changed North Harbour Stadium on a sunny winter afternoon, and got to witness a respectable 0-0 draw against European opposition. Must have been some occasion for the players to play in a match like that in front of a home crowd like that.

The lineup that day was (and where they are now):

1. Oli Sail (Phoenix)

2. Jesse Edge (Lunds BK)

3. Deklan Wynne (Detroit City)

4. Sam Brotherton (Auckland City)

5. Adam Mitchell (Auckland City)

6. Bill Tuiloma (c) (Portland)

7. Joel Stevens (Oskarshamns AIK)

8. Moses Dyer (Valour)

9. Alex Rufer (Phoenix)

10. Clayton Lewis (Phoenix)

11. Matthew Ridenton (Lions FC)

Substitutes

15. Monty Patterson (Manurewa) for Stevens

16. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (Auckland United) for Tuiloma

20. Noah Billingsley (unattached) for Rufer

Of the players used, I believe only Edge is uncapped at senior level, though he might have been called up and unused in the early days of Hudson’s reign.

and they should've won it too, missed a glorious chance...

MAY 31

On this day in 2006 the All Whites faced Estonia and Tallinn and earned a 1-1 draw thanks to a strike from one D. Hay, captaining the side from defence.
And then in 2016, the All Whites played the second match of the Nations Cup in Port Moresby and put Vanuatu to the sword, scoring all five goals in the first half...

On this day in 2019, New Zealand played Uruguay in Łódź in the final group match of the U20 World Cup. Having already qualified for the round of 16, the lineup was fully rotated, with only Stanger and Pijnaker keeping their starting spots, although Joe Bell was subbed on inside 10 minutes. Uruguay won 2-0, with the second coming at 90+5, with a very strong side, featuring current Benfica star Darwin Nuñez (34 goals this season), and Barcelona star Ronald Araújo.

The lineup that day was (and where they now):

12. Cam Brown (Auckland City)

2. George Stanger (Dumbarton)

3. Dalton Wilkins (Kolding)

5. Nando Pijnaker (Sligo Rovers)

6. Dane Schnell (Western Springs)

9. Max Mata (c) (Sligo Rovers)

11. Matt Conroy (Auckland United)

14. Leon van den Hoven (Bay Olympic)

15. Trevor Zwetsloot (NE Revolution II)

16. Dominic Wooldridge (Torslanda)

20. Willem Ebbinge (Harvard)

Substitutes:

8. Joe Bell (Brøndby) for Zwetsloot (‘9)

4. Gianni Stensness (Viking) for Stanger (‘46)

10. Sarpreet Singh (Jahn Regensburg) for Pijnaker (‘77)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h9eGACcFNuM&feature=onebox

Khalil Media

MAY 29

On this day back in 2010, a warm-up match for the World Cup yielded one of NZ's best results ever - a 1-0 win over Serbia.  Great strike from Shane Smeltz, and the team keep their heads in the midst of shenanigans in the crowd lead to interruptions.

I’m not really able to remember ‘82, but this team just had the best players.  Wood, Killen, Elliot, Vicelich, Nelsen and Reid all with top flight experience. McGlinchey, Rory, Smith, Bertos, Paston and Smeltzy all with some time at the next level down. Then you add in the US college boys- Lochy, Tim Brown. We haven’t come close to replicating that since. 

Smeltz was in his prime as a goal scorer. Left, right, headed - he could do it all. (Back across the keeper, back where it came from with the head and just a little dink to the right before shooting to give him the advantage.)
Maybe the others played at a higher level, but without him this era of the AWs and Nix wouldn’t have ignited as spectacularly as it did. 

martinb

Khalil Media

MAY 29

On this day back in 2010, a warm-up match for the World Cup yielded one of NZ's best results ever - a 1-0 win over Serbia.  Great strike from Shane Smeltz, and the team keep their heads in the midst of shenanigans in the crowd lead to interruptions.

I’m not really able to remember ‘82, but this team just had the best players.  Wood, Killen, Elliot, Vicelich, Nelsen and Reid all with top flight experience. McGlinchey, Rory, Smith, Bertos, Paston and Smeltzy all with some time at the next level down. Then you add in the US college boys- Lochy, Tim Brown. We haven’t come close to replicating that since. 

Smeltz was in his prime as a goal scorer. Left, right, headed - he could do it all. (Back across the keeper, back where it came from with the head and just a little dink to the right before shooting to give him the advantage.)
Maybe the others played at a higher level, but without him this era of the AWs and Nix wouldn’t have ignited as spectacularly as it did. 

I'd argue we are in the mix for matching or beating that 2010 side now, looking at the 2010 World cup starting 11 vs who would take their spot now. (5-2-3 formation, as we played in 2010)

Goalie - Paston v Sail - Draw
Left Back - Lochead v Cacace - 2022
Centre Back - Smith v Tuiloma - 2022
Centre Back - Nelsen v Reid (2022) - 2010
Centre Back - Reid (2010) v Boxall- 2022
Right Back - Bertos v Payne - 2022
Midfield - Vicelich v Bell - 2010
Midfield - Elliot v Stamenic - 2010
Right Forward - Fallon v Barbarouses - 2022
Centre Forward - Smeltz v Wood - 2022
Left Forward - Killen v Rojas - 2010

Overall -  2010 4, 2022 6, Draw 1 

Paston was a much more experienced goalie than Sail at that time. But also his legacy was built by his WC performance.

Reid 2010 is clearly ahead of Boxall. Captaining a European side in European competition. Being linked to Serie A and the EPL. 

I think Bell is better than 2010 Vicelich. This is the problem- the formations don’t match. Bell, with his assist record, wouldn’t be asked to mark space essentially. 

Fallon and Killen are clearly playing different roles to Barbs and Rojas. But both players had more success at higher levels. Barbs and Rojas have done well to be A league imports, but haven’t succeeded away from there. 

Wood is up against Smeltz in what is a toughie. Smeltz creates more than Wood, or at least differently. It’s his pass for Reid’s goal in the opening game.

I think Wood or Fallon is a fairer comparison, which Wood wins.

Smith v Tuiloma is a draw at best. Bill is in great scoring form, but Smith was starting in the Championship at this point. It’s more challenging than the MLS. 

Payne v Bertos is another confused one. Payne is the better RB, but Bertos the better RWB, which is what he played. 

I think 2010 had better players with better experience.  I can’t figure out what a fairer comparison is, but as well as not agreeing entirely with all your assessments, the 2010 team were much more cohesive having played together a lot in an international context as well as several players and the coach at the Phoenix together.

Cohesion wins clutch games. 

The only clear wins for 2022 are Wood and Cacace, as well as whichever of Stamenic or Bell is adjudged to be adjacent to Vicelich in the formation, as they play much more progressive football than Ivan was asked to do in that tournament.

JUNE 1

Back in 2011 the All Whites faced Mexico in Denver and took a bit of a hammering.  Was so long ago that Michael Fitzgerald, Ivan Vicelich and Simon Elliott were playing...

 

In 2017, the U20s had their World Cup Round of 16 match against the United States. The team was slightly under-strength, as both Dane Ingham and captain Clayton Lewis were called up by Anthony Hudson to be involved in the build up for the Confederations' Cup. Expectations were probably reasonably promising, given they had a decent group stage, finishing second with four points, behind France (drawing to Vietnam 0-0, beating Honduras 3-1, and losing to France 2-0). However, all that went out the window in a very disappointing night in Incheon, losing 6-0, the biggest ever defeat for a New Zealand U20 side.

The lineup that night was:

1. Michael Woud
3. Sean Liddicoat
5. Hunter Ashworth
6. Joe Bell
8. Moses Dyer (c)
9. Noah Billingsley
13. James McGarry
14. Jack-Henry Sinclair
15. Reese Cox
17, Logan Rogerson
19. Myer Bevan

Substitutes;
11. Henry Cameron for Billingsley ('53)
18. Sarpreet Singh for Ashworth ('65)
16. Callum McCowatt for Bell ('82)

Maaaaaaatt

martinb

Khalil Media

MAY 29

On this day back in 2010, a warm-up match for the World Cup yielded one of NZ's best results ever - a 1-0 win over Serbia.  Great strike from Shane Smeltz, and the team keep their heads in the midst of shenanigans in the crowd lead to interruptions.

I’m not really able to remember ‘82, but this team just had the best players.  Wood, Killen, Elliot, Vicelich, Nelsen and Reid all with top flight experience. McGlinchey, Rory, Smith, Bertos, Paston and Smeltzy all with some time at the next level down. Then you add in the US college boys- Lochy, Tim Brown. We haven’t come close to replicating that since. 

Smeltz was in his prime as a goal scorer. Left, right, headed - he could do it all. (Back across the keeper, back where it came from with the head and just a little dink to the right before shooting to give him the advantage.)
Maybe the others played at a higher level, but without him this era of the AWs and Nix wouldn’t have ignited as spectacularly as it did. 

I'd argue we are in the mix for matching or beating that 2010 side now, looking at the 2010 World cup starting 11 vs who would take their spot now. (5-2-3 formation, as we played in 2010)

Goalie - Paston v Sail - Draw
Left Back - Lochead v Cacace - 2022
Centre Back - Smith v Tuiloma - 2022
Centre Back - Nelsen v Reid (2022) - 2010
Centre Back - Reid (2010) v Boxall- 2022
Right Back - Bertos v Payne - 2022
Midfield - Vicelich v Bell - 2010
Midfield - Elliot v Stamenic - 2010
Right Forward - Fallon v Barbarouses - 2022
Centre Forward - Smeltz v Wood - 2022
Left Forward - Killen v Rojas - 2010

Overall -  2010 4, 2022 6, Draw 1 

Quite impressive to get virtually every comparison wrong.

2 JUNE

On this day in 2012, the All Whites opened their Nations Cup campaign in a sweltering Honiara against Fiji, grinding out a 1-0 win thanks to a Tommy Smith header.
And then in 2017, they commenced their buildup for the Confederations Cup in Russia with a visit to Belfast to take on Northern Ireland.

JUNE 3

On this day in 1991, the NZFA celebrated its centenary by hosting a match against England at Mt Smart stadium - the first time the All Whites had played a full England side.  NZ battled well, absolutely should've scored through Malcolm Dunford, and were denied a heroic draw right at the death by Gary Lineker...

 

On this day 3 years ago, New Zealand went out on 5-4 penalties to Colombia in the U20 World Cup Round of 16 in Łódź, Poland, after a 1-1 draw. It was the closest a men's side had come to progressing past the first knockout round of an international tournament, but unfortunately wasn't to be. Despite going down early, they equalised through Eli Just, and certainly had their chances to win it, especially Max Mata's header in extra time. 

In the shootout Singh, Mata, McCowatt and Cacace scored, while Bell (saved), Stensness (skied) and Conroy (saved) didn't. Michael Woud saved the first three Colombian penalties, before controversially being booked for leaving his line on the third, after consultation with VAR, meaning he had to be extra cautious to not be sent off and it's no coincidence Colombia scored all the subsequent penalties. 

They finished equal on shots (19 a piece) and had 54% possession, so it was by no means a smash and grab against a solid Colombia team, featuring current Feyenoord star Luis Sinisterra, USA international Andres Perea, Watford striker Cucho Hernandez and Genk defender Carlos Cuesta. 

Lineup was:
1. Michael Woud
2. George Stanger
4. Gianni Stensness
5. Nando Pijnaker
7. Elijah Just
8. Joe Bell (c)
10. Sarpreet Singh
13. Liberato Cacace
17. Callan Elliot
18, Ben Waine
19. Callum McCowatt

Substitutes:
('54) 9. Max Mata for Waine
('112) 11. Matt Conroy for Just

carlind

On this day 3 years ago, New Zealand went out on 5-4 penalties to Colombia in the U20 World Cup Round of 16 in Łódź, Poland, after a 1-1 draw. It was the closest a men's side had come to progressing past the first knockout round of an international tournament, but unfortunately wasn't to be. Despite going down early, they equalised through Eli Just, and certainly had their chances to win it, especially Max Mata's header in extra time. 

In the shootout Singh, Mata, McCowatt and Cacace scored, while Bell (saved), Stensness (skied) and Conroy (saved) didn't. Michael Woud saved the first three Colombian penalties, before controversially being booked for leaving his line on the third, after consultation with VAR, meaning he had to be extra cautious to not be sent off and it's no coincidence Colombia scored all the subsequent penalties. 

They finished equal on shots (19 a piece) and had 54% possession, so it was by no means a smash and grab against a solid Colombia team, featuring current Feyenoord star Luis Sinisterra, USA international Andres Perea, Watford striker Cucho Hernandez and Genk defender Carlos Cuesta. 

Lineup was:
1. Michael Woud
2. George Stanger
4. Gianni Stensness
5. Nando Pijnaker
7. Elijah Just
8. Joe Bell (c)
10. Sarpreet Singh
13. Liberato Cacace
17. Callan Elliot
18, Ben Waine
19. Callum McCowatt

Substitutes:
('54) 9. Max Mata for Waine
('112) 11. Matt Conroy for Just

 I was apoplectic after that shootout, the Colombian keeper went as early as Woud and wasn't called on it! Robbery

Buffon II

Maaaaaaatt

martinb

Khalil Media

MAY 29

On this day back in 2010, a warm-up match for the World Cup yielded one of NZ's best results ever - a 1-0 win over Serbia.  Great strike from Shane Smeltz, and the team keep their heads in the midst of shenanigans in the crowd lead to interruptions.

I’m not really able to remember ‘82, but this team just had the best players.  Wood, Killen, Elliot, Vicelich, Nelsen and Reid all with top flight experience. McGlinchey, Rory, Smith, Bertos, Paston and Smeltzy all with some time at the next level down. Then you add in the US college boys- Lochy, Tim Brown. We haven’t come close to replicating that since. 

Smeltz was in his prime as a goal scorer. Left, right, headed - he could do it all. (Back across the keeper, back where it came from with the head and just a little dink to the right before shooting to give him the advantage.)
Maybe the others played at a higher level, but without him this era of the AWs and Nix wouldn’t have ignited as spectacularly as it did. 

I'd argue we are in the mix for matching or beating that 2010 side now, looking at the 2010 World cup starting 11 vs who would take their spot now. (5-2-3 formation, as we played in 2010)

Goalie - Paston v Sail - Draw
Left Back - Lochead v Cacace - 2022
Centre Back - Smith v Tuiloma - 2022
Centre Back - Nelsen v Reid (2022) - 2010
Centre Back - Reid (2010) v Boxall- 2022
Right Back - Bertos v Payne - 2022
Midfield - Vicelich v Bell - 2010
Midfield - Elliot v Stamenic - 2010
Right Forward - Fallon v Barbarouses - 2022
Centre Forward - Smeltz v Wood - 2022
Left Forward - Killen v Rojas - 2010

Overall -  2010 4, 2022 6, Draw 1 

Quite impressive to get virtually every comparison wrong.

Actually I think it's 80/20.

The wrong ones being:
Reid (2010) vs Boxy 2022.  I think Reid 2010 still better then any defender in the team today including Reid himself.

Fallon is the other wrong call.  He's better then then a 2022 Barbs.  Was playing in the Championship and scoring/creating a lot of goals club and country whereas Barbs has what 4 goals and a few more assists after nearly 50 games in White.

And as usual RB is our weakest link and has been since time immemorial.  I really can't remember a great NZ RB over the last 25+ years.  We've had many try but no one really shine.

Are there any young RB prospects on the horizon at all? I feel like we’ve got an exciting young player in pretty much every position but that at the moment. I do think Kirwan and Payne are great players but they’re 26 and 28 respectively so unlikely to kick on to a much higher level - Kirwan a chance for upper table Serie B though? 

Players like Elliot, Ingham, Kalua and Billingsley are all decent enough prospects but at their current level and aged 22-24 they’re not nearly as exciting as the likes of Cacace, Bell, Stamenic, Garbett, Singh, Pijnaker, Paulsen/Woud etc.

Marto

Buffon II

Maaaaaaatt

martinb

Khalil Media

MAY 29

On this day back in 2010, a warm-up match for the World Cup yielded one of NZ's best results ever - a 1-0 win over Serbia.  Great strike from Shane Smeltz, and the team keep their heads in the midst of shenanigans in the crowd lead to interruptions.

I’m not really able to remember ‘82, but this team just had the best players.  Wood, Killen, Elliot, Vicelich, Nelsen and Reid all with top flight experience. McGlinchey, Rory, Smith, Bertos, Paston and Smeltzy all with some time at the next level down. Then you add in the US college boys- Lochy, Tim Brown. We haven’t come close to replicating that since. 

Smeltz was in his prime as a goal scorer. Left, right, headed - he could do it all. (Back across the keeper, back where it came from with the head and just a little dink to the right before shooting to give him the advantage.)
Maybe the others played at a higher level, but without him this era of the AWs and Nix wouldn’t have ignited as spectacularly as it did. 

I'd argue we are in the mix for matching or beating that 2010 side now, looking at the 2010 World cup starting 11 vs who would take their spot now. (5-2-3 formation, as we played in 2010)

Goalie - Paston v Sail - Draw
Left Back - Lochead v Cacace - 2022
Centre Back - Smith v Tuiloma - 2022
Centre Back - Nelsen v Reid (2022) - 2010
Centre Back - Reid (2010) v Boxall- 2022
Right Back - Bertos v Payne - 2022
Midfield - Vicelich v Bell - 2010
Midfield - Elliot v Stamenic - 2010
Right Forward - Fallon v Barbarouses - 2022
Centre Forward - Smeltz v Wood - 2022
Left Forward - Killen v Rojas - 2010

Overall -  2010 4, 2022 6, Draw 1 

Quite impressive to get virtually every comparison wrong.

Actually I think it's 80/20.

The wrong ones being:
Reid (2010) vs Boxy 2022.  I think Reid 2010 still better then any defender in the team today including Reid himself.

Fallon is the other wrong call.  He's better then then a 2022 Barbs.  Was playing in the Championship and scoring/creating a lot of goals club and country whereas Barbs has what 4 goals and a few more assists after nearly 50 games in White.

And as usual RB is our weakest link and has been since time immemorial.  I really can't remember a great NZ RB over the last 25+ years.  We've had many try but no one really shine.

There is no way Bill is better than 2010 Tommy Smith given the respective leagues they play(ed) in.

JUNE 4

Busy day in All Whites history!  Starting with 2006, when the All Whites played a glamour friendly against Brazil in Geneva, as part of the Selecao's World Cup build-up - and a repeat of the result from 1982:

Then in 2010, the All Whites faced Slovenia as part of their own WC buildup, but couldn't match their great result against Serbia and went down 3-1 despite a Rory Fallon goal:

Jump forward to 2012 and they earned their second win of the Nations Cup with a 2-1 result over Papua New Guinea (where conditions took their toll):

And lastly it was Nations Cup action again in 2016, as a lineup with plenty of second stringers earned a 1-0 win over the Solomons thanks to a headed goal from Luke Adams, set up by Matthew Ridenton...

JUNE 5

On this day back in 2011 was the last time the All Whites have played Australia, and it not go our way in Adelaide with pelting rain and a 3-0 result going the hosts way.  Was all a bit weird - even featured Jeremy Brockie at left back...

7 years ago today, New Zealand U20s played debutants Myanmar U20s in front of 15,000 in Wellington in the third group match of the 2015 U20 World Cup. Having suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to the United States a few days earlier, a big result was the minimum to ensure a chance of qualification into the Round of 16 for the first time. After such a defeat, it was unsurprising that Bazeley made several changes, bringing in Tzanev, Messenger, Hudson-Wihongi, Rufer and Patterson for Sail, Edge, Mitchell, Ridenton and Stevens.

After going behind to a really nice goal, and Myanmar crashing a shot off the woodwork, it looked like more of the same. However, Noah Billingsley finished a nice ball from Wynne from close range, scoring their first goal after 220 minutes. That goal, and also probably half-time talk, was the catalyst for a big second half, with Patterson tapping in a nice move from Lewis, Rufer and Billingsley from close range, followed by Stevens adding a third when he dispatched Billingsley's cut back to the penalty spot. When Brotherton powered home a header from a Lewis corner, progression was all but assured, and a fifth was added late when Lewis tapped in a Wynne cross that was inexplicably missed by the keeper.

The 5-1 win was a record for a men's New Zealand team at a FIFA tournament, surpassing the 4-1 win by the U17s vs Uzbekistan in 2011, though it has since been surpassed itself by the 2019 U20s 5-0 win vs Honduras. It also meant that the team had 4 points, 5 goals and a neutral goal difference, putting them third in the group, but with the strongest placing of the 6 teams to finish third in their groups, ensuring progression to the Round of 16 to face Portugal.

The lineup was:
12. Nik Tzanev
3. Deklan Wynne
4. Sam Brotherton
6. Bill Tuiloma (c)
8. Moses Dyer
9. Alex Rufer
10. Clayton Lewis
13. Brock Messenger
15. Monty Patterson
16. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi
20. Noah Billingsley

Substitutes:
('68) 17. Andrew Blake for Patterson
('77) 7. Joel Stevens for Messenger
('84) 18. Andre de Jong for Billingsley