If Rojas isn’t selected above the chap who plays in the danish league one tier below the danish league that Rojas played, while he was on loan from a Bundesliga club, then something is wrong.
This is also the same player who prior to joining a first division danish club, played for the nix and never set the a league on fire or even a slight spark.
Rojas meanwhile showed at a very young age he was the Kiwi Messi.
The only way we are going to get to the World Cup is by playing our best players.
If Rojas isn’t selected above the chap who plays in the danish league one tier below the danish league that Rojas played, while he was on loan from a Bundesliga club, then something is wrong.
This is also the same player who prior to joining a first division danish club, played for the nix and never set the a league on fire or even a slight spark.
Rojas meanwhile showed at a very young age he was the Kiwi Messi.
The only way we are going to get to the World Cup is by playing our best players.
We are not good enough to do anything but.
Rojas’ stint in Denmark was on his second European voyage, he was there permanently until Jan 2020, not on loan from Stuttgart.
Also, whilst he did get signed to a big club in the BL, he never played a minute for Stuttgart, was sent on loan to Fürth in the 2. Bundesliga to get accustomed, and only managed 3 appearances for 26 minutes. His only other minutes in Germany were for Stuttgart II (in the 3. Liga in 14/15 (67 minutes) and in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Südwest in 16/17 (180 minutes)) and for Fürth II in the Regionalliga Bayern (360 minutes). For what he does in the A League that is surprisingly, perhaps even worryingly low, even accounting for the gulf between the leagues.
Outside of the A League he has 17 league goals/assists in 103 matches, compared to 62 goals/assists in 89 A League games since 12/13. He also has only 5 goals in 41 All Whites caps and only 1 against non-OFC opposition, so it’s not unfair to say he hasn’t exactly carried his A League form elsewhere. That being said, what happened in 2014, 2015, 2016 etc shouldn’t mean he doesn’t get picked now, I’d still start him if we’re up to me, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it hasn’t crossed the coaches minds.
McCowatt and Just both have double digit league G/A this season (13 in 24 games and 10 in 25 respectively), so I think they definitely deserve at least a place in the squad. Whilst it’s not top tier, it is probably comparable to the A League in some respects, and different players perform differently in different environments. Whereas McCowatt probably had a disappointing A League season (4 G/A in 26 games), Rojas’ time in Denmark wasn’t his best either. He was in a side who played in the relegation-playoffs and recorded ‘only’ 6 G/A in 33 games, and the gap between the first tier relegation-playoff and the second tier is probably not gargantuan.
McCowatt, Just & Rojas all make an initial large 30 man training squad. Others like Old, De Jong, Howieson, Waine, Rogerson & Champness are all at more risk of missing the initial naming.
McCowatt, Just & Rojas all probably make the final 23 as well especially if Singh is ruled out. But Rojas is definitely handicapped by coming in so late in the piece. Likes of McCowatt & Just have been playing & training with Wood, Bell, Cacace, Reid, Pijnaker, Garbett etc under Hay regularly now since Tokyo last year. Combinations have formed. Rojas will need to hit the ground running at that initial camp (probably in Spain it seems)
If Rojas isn’t selected above the chap who plays in the danish league one tier below the danish league that Rojas played, while he was on loan from a Bundesliga club, then something is wrong.
This is also the same player who prior to joining a first division danish club, played for the nix and never set the a league on fire or even a slight spark.
Rojas meanwhile showed at a very young age he was the Kiwi Messi.
The only way we are going to get to the World Cup is by playing our best players.
We are not good enough to do anything but.
the "kiwi messi" tag is a gross over exaggeration of Rojas' abilities. I wouldn't even classify him as NZ's best player in the current crop.
NZ AM/Winger rankings as of May 2022 in my opinion (providing everyone was theoretically fit): 1. Thomas 2. Singh 3. Rojas 4. Barbarouses 5. Just 6. Champness 7. McCowatt 8. Rogerson 9. Mata/Old/Whyte
Lewis & Garbett are deeper players for me and the likes of Waine, Greive, Collier etc are more out and out strikers.
This isn’t based on any stats or anything so feel free to chime in with your own opinions if you want.
One thing we did learn is that without Singh we do lack creativity in the middle. Rojas would help address that.
Personally I like the idea of Singh having two mobile players like Grieve and Rojas making attacking runs in behind, whilst Wood hold the defensive line up as the target.
That would be quite a few smaller less physical guys going forward though.
Agree with others that Rojas is really not that impressive and has not done much outside of the A-League (both at a club and international level). He gets into our 23 on quality IMO but if Dannys got issues with either his attitude or that he has not been available once since 2019, then willing to trust his judgement on that.
For a player that is not that high up in the pecking area anymore as it is, Rojas has struck his own chances a big blow by not going to OFC qualifiers. Almost all of our other players selected for that tourny found a way to make it work with their important club commitments, he isn't the only one whose team had important games.
I've got no doubt that Popovic off what he has said had significant influence on Marco choosing not to go, but ultimately by law of international window, it was Marcos' decision not to go.
Agree with others that Rojas is really not that impressive and has not done much outside of the A-League (both at a club and international level). He gets into our 23 on quality IMO but if Dannys got issues with either his attitude or that he has not been available once since 2019, then willing to trust his judgement on that.
For a player that is not that high up in the pecking area anymore as it is, Rojas has struck his own chances a big blow by not going to OFC qualifiers. Almost all of our other players selected for that tourny found a way to make it work with their important club commitments, he isn't the only one whose team had important games.
I've got no doubt that Popovic off what he has said had significant influence on Marco choosing not to go, but ultimately by law of international window, it was Marcos' decision not to go.
Well ultimately sounds like Hay made the call not to call him up once the March window started as by then he already had a wealth of attacking options. Only Payne of the ALM guys actually arrived at the start of the window
Hay wanted Rojas - like Barba, Lewis, Ingham, Waine, Old & Sail for those 2 pool games pre the window starting, when of course you need a club coach to agree. And Poppa said no. We can only speculate what Rojas said to Popovic
If Rojas turns up with a humble good attitude at the first training camp, works hard and embraces all the team first stuff, I’d say you keep him in for the final 23. If not bye bye. As I think Carlind pointed out he has barely missed an OFC qualifier in the past.
But he’d need to work hard in camp, as he is coming in so late in the piece. I reckon Wood will have a bit of a say in what happens. The 2 Tron lads go way back
Shoot I understand the Spanish connection aspect but that's still pretty wild considering a friendly at a neutral venue with one side being a nation of not much renowned footballing pedigree. Will be a cracker experience for the lads. And perfect practice for what to expect come November if all goes according to plan. Touch wood.
Shoot I understand the Spanish connection aspect but that's still pretty wild considering a neutral venue with one side being a nation of not much renowned footballing pedigree. Will be a cracker experience for the lads. And perfect practice for what to exodus come November if all goes according to plan. Touch wood.
"not much renowned football pedigree" Hey! That's very unfair on Peru.
It’s a AM and winger list. De Jong (not really an out out striker) and Collier (definitely more a winger) should be floating around 8. & 9.
Good shout, it’s been nice to see Collier performing well at San Antonio and De Jong looking good at the OFC tourney after a disappointing last year for them
Was expecting to get tickets relatively easily for this match. Must be a lot of Peruvians in Spain as I've not met many anywhere else and I work for IAG so have a lot to do with Spanish speakers and South America.
Have just contacted NZF to find out ticket availability for NZ fans as that might be a kick in the teeth for a lot of Euro Kiwis.
NZ AM/Winger rankings as of May 2022 in my opinion (providing everyone was theoretically fit): 1. Thomas 2. Singh 3. Rojas 4. Barbarouses 5. Just 6. Champness 7. McCowatt 8. Rogerson 9. Mata/Old/Whyte
Lewis & Garbett are deeper players for me and the likes of Waine, Greive, Collier etc are more out and out strikers.
This isn’t based on any stats or anything so feel free to chime in with your own opinions if you want.
Just was average in his last 3 - 4 matches for NZ. HIs club team is on a horror run, so his club form as an attacking player is questionable, with no goals of assists in his last 4 - 5 games.
Compare this with Rojas who is on a roll.
Just might become the better footballer but at the moment, he is not.
Not surprising that the Peru NZ game is sold out, over 200,000 Peruvians live in Spain and the national team is incredibly popular thanks to super coach Ricardo “El Tigre” Garace after almost 40 years of mediocrity…. Not surprising at all…
Not surprising that the Peru NZ game is sold out, over 200,000 Peruvians live in Spain and the national team is incredibly popular thanks to super coach Ricardo “El Tigre” Garace after almost 40 years of mediocrity…. Not surprising at all…
I'm in Lima for a few months. Knew the Peruvian diáspora in Spain was big, but not that big. There are also plenty of Peruvians (or Latinos generally) across Europe, especially Italy where the language and culture pretty similar.
Coach Gareca, yes nicknamed el Tigre and el Flaco ("Tiger" and "Slim"), is a god like figure in Peru. Generally Argentinians ain't so well liked in other Sth American countries - perceived as a bit arrogant/wanting to be more European than Latino - but he's adored in Peru. Good dude as well as a master coach. No WC qualification in 36 years, then Russia and now on the verge of Qatar, without any real big star players.
Tough times of late for Peru as a country (uncertain economy/inflation, world's highest Covid per capita death rate, incompetent politicians etc), but performance of their football team, is one thing that cheers them up.
A lot of the guys AWs faced in 2017 are still there. They have also uncovered a very useful striker in 32 yr old Gianluca Lapadula (with Benevento in Serie B, but previously with some Serie A clubs). Italian born Lapadula, was on the fringes of the Azurri (capped in a friendly verus San Marino), but threw his lot in with Peru, and is a handy replacement for the retired all time Peru goal scorer Paolo Guerrero.
Initially I though Hay might want a closed doors friendly trying to limit Cost Rica's intel on the AWs, but looking at it now why not go for a 'big' game (crowd 40,000) that should have a bit of edge about it. Some of AWs who were there in 2017, are still likely a bit grumpy about losing then.
The Costa Rica game is going to have a mountain of tension, playing Peru in front of 40,000 of 'Blanca y Roja' fans, will give the AWs players (especially younger ones), a good simulation of what lies ahead. All they have had since the Olympics in Tokyo is virtual empty stadiums, whilst the Costa Ricans know all about high stakes internationals with crowds. Great news the game in Barcelona sold out.
For what it's worth, FIFA World Rankings Peru 22 Costa Rica 31 Australia 42 All Whites 101
Oh and Iran 21 - if that becomes AWs other friendly (closed doors)
Not surprising that the Peru NZ game is sold out, over 200,000 Peruvians live in Spain and the national team is incredibly popular thanks to super coach Ricardo “El Tigre” Garace after almost 40 years of mediocrity…. Not surprising at all…
And it's NZ - not every day a team like Peru would have such desirable opposition, after the humdrum routine of facing the likes of Brazil and Argentina...
Ha! Indeed. How many times can you say you watched a game where the goalkeeper is leading the relegation fight from the Israeli first League for a newly promoted team? Or a footballer turned R&B singer? That’s how they should promote the game jn Peru Khalil Media
Nixieboys222
Not surprising that the Peru NZ game is sold out, over 200,000 Peruvians live in Spain and the national team is incredibly popular thanks to super coach Ricardo “El Tigre” Garace after almost 40 years of mediocrity…. Not surprising at all…
And it's NZ - not every day a team like Peru would have such desirable opposition, after the humdrum routine of facing the likes of Brazil and Argentina...
Not surprising that the Peru NZ game is sold out, over 200,000 Peruvians live in Spain and the national team is incredibly popular thanks to super coach Ricardo “El Tigre” Garace after almost 40 years of mediocrity…. Not surprising at all…
I'm in Lima for a few months. Knew the Peruvian diáspora in Spain was big, but not that big. There are also plenty of Peruvians (or Latinos generally) across Europe, especially Italy where the language and culture pretty similar.
Coach Gareca, yes nicknamed el Tigre and el Flaco ("Tiger" and "Slim"), is a god like figure in Peru. Generally Argentinians ain't so well liked in other Sth American countries - perceived as a bit arrogant/wanting to be more European than Latino - but he's adored in Peru. Good dude as well as a master coach. No WC qualification in 36 years, then Russia and now on the verge of Qatar, without any real big star players.
Tough times of late for Peru as a country (uncertain economy/inflation, world's highest Covid per capita death rate, incompetent politicians etc), but performance of their football team, is one thing that cheers them up.
A lot of the guys AWs faced in 2017 are still there. They have also uncovered a very useful striker in 32 yr old Gianluca Lapadula (with Benevento in Serie B, but previously with some Serie A clubs). Italian born Lapadula, was on the fringes of the Azurri (capped in a friendly verus San Marino), but threw his lot in with Peru, and is a handy replacement for the retired all time Peru goal scorer Paolo Guerrero.
Initially I though Hay might want a closed doors friendly trying to limit Cost Rica's intel on the AWs, but looking at it now why not go for a 'big' game (crowd 40,000) that should have a bit of edge about it. Some of AWs who were there in 2017, are still likely a bit grumpy about losing then.
The Costa Rica game is going to have a mountain of tension, playing Peru in front of 40,000 of 'Blanca y Roja' fans, will give the AWs players (especially younger ones), a good simulation of what lies ahead. All they have had since the Olympics in Tokyo is virtual empty stadiums, whilst the Costa Ricans know all about high stakes internationals with crowds. Great news the game in Barcelona sold out.
For what it's worth, FIFA World Rankings Peru 22 Costa Rica 31 Australia 42 All Whites 101
Oh and Iran 21 - if that becomes AWs other friendly (closed doors)
Out of interest here's the ELO rankings of those nations (which I definitely reckon are way more accurate when the AWs are concerned):
Peru 15 Iran 23 Costa Rica 33 Australia 46 All Whites 67
Really interesting to see what nations are around us in that 67 spot. We're just behind Iraq, Albania, Northern Ireland and Tunisia; we're just ahead of teams like South Africa, Ghana, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
Just was average in his last 3 - 4 matches for NZ. HIs club team is on a horror run, so his club form as an attacking player is questionable, with no goals of assists in his last 4 - 5 games.
Compare this with Rojas who is on a roll.
Just might become the better footballer but at the moment, he is not.
My impressions of Just is he is not as composed/technically gifted as Rojas, or even McCowatt, but has a very high work rate.
Just was average in his last 3 - 4 matches for NZ. HIs club team is on a horror run, so his club form as an attacking player is questionable, with no goals of assists in his last 4 - 5 games.
Compare this with Rojas who is on a roll.
Just might become the better footballer but at the moment, he is not.
My impressions of Just is he is not as composed/technically gifted as Rojas, or even McCowatt, but has a very high work rate.
Defo far, far more technically gifted than McCowatt. Incredible dribbler given space, his drawbacks are in other areas
Just was average in his last 3 - 4 matches for NZ. HIs club team is on a horror run, so his club form as an attacking player is questionable, with no goals of assists in his last 4 - 5 games.
Compare this with Rojas who is on a roll.
Just might become the better footballer but at the moment, he is not.
My impressions of Just is he is not as composed/technically gifted as Rojas, or even McCowatt, but has a very high work rate.
Defo far, far more technically gifted than McCowatt. Incredible dribbler given space, his drawbacks are in other areas
Definitely, also a far more consistent player. McCowatt has actually not produced the goods for a lot of his pro career even though he is having a good season (ordinary at Nix, took ages to break in at Helsingoer)
Just was average in his last 3 - 4 matches for NZ. HIs club team is on a horror run, so his club form as an attacking player is questionable, with no goals of assists in his last 4 - 5 games.
Compare this with Rojas who is on a roll.
Just might become the better footballer but at the moment, he is not.
My impressions of Just is he is not as composed/technically gifted as Rojas, or even McCowatt, but has a very high work rate.
Defo far, far more technically gifted than McCowatt. Incredible dribbler given space, his drawbacks are in other areas
Definitely, also a far more consistent player. McCowatt has actually not produced the goods for a lot of his pro career even though he is having a good season (ordinary at Nix, took ages to break in at Helsingoer)
Yeah I’d say McCowatt was definitely the stand out at NZ amateur level but Just has adjusted to the pros much better so far
I presume this is one of their new stadiums built by Bangladeshi indentured labour, that has aircon for a 30 degree Celsius night time temp.
The All Whites’ World Cup playoff v Costa Rica will take place at the 50,000-seat Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 6am on June 15 NZT. The winner will get to play Japan there in November too. pic.twitter.com/VQoNGOpDh2
I presume this is one of their new stadiums built by Bangladeshi indentured labour, that has aircon for a 30 degree Celsius night time temp.
The All Whites’ World Cup playoff v Costa Rica will take place at the 50,000-seat Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 6am on June 15 NZT. The winner will get to play Japan there in November too. pic.twitter.com/VQoNGOpDh2
Aren't they all? And if you're lucky you can also pay a few hundred dollars a night to live in the same barracks as the indentured Bangladeshis use. Really complete the Qatar World Cup experience.
On the upside the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is one of the more enclosed stadiums which may help keep it cooler. It's also way out in the sticks if anyone is thinking about making the trip. You would play Japan there if/when you get past the Ticos.
I can't decide if I think there will be no one there or if I think the Costa Ricans will travel and help fill the place. The truth is surely somewhere in the middle, but I am curious what the atmosphere is like.
I presume this is one of their new stadiums built by Bangladeshi indentured labour, that has aircon for a 30 degree Celsius night time temp.
The All Whites’ World Cup playoff v Costa Rica will take place at the 50,000-seat Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 6am on June 15 NZT. The winner will get to play Japan there in November too. pic.twitter.com/VQoNGOpDh2
Aren't they all? And if you're lucky you can also pay a few hundred dollars a night to live in the same barracks as the indentured Bangladeshis use. Really complete the Qatar World Cup experience.
On the upside the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is one of the more enclosed stadiums which may help keep it cooler. It's also way out in the sticks if anyone is thinking about making the trip. You would play Japan there if/when you get past the Ticos.
I can't decide if I think there will be no one there or if I think the Costa Ricans will travel and help fill the place. The truth is surely somewhere in the middle, but I am curious what the atmosphere is like.
I don't think will be many Costa Ricans, but I guess you never know.
Only 5M people (so same as NZ), and for Latin America it's a pretty good economy (per capita GDP $12,690), quality place to live, so maybe not many Ticos have emigrated aboard to USA/Europe. On other hand a country like poorer Peru (per capita GDP $5,845) with 34M folks, has about 10% of it's popn (so 3-4M) living as expats overseas, chasing a better life.
There you go GDP figures in a football blog.
I know there is at least one charter flight from Lima via Madrid to Doha for their playoff game in June. But then Lima alone (10M) has double CR's popn. If I was middle class Costa Rican, I might save my lucre for 48 team Mexico/USA/Canada 2026 when I imagine CR will definitely be there, and your travel expenses should be cheaper.
My guess is there will be a sprinkling of Ticos (more) & All Whites (less) supporters, fleshed out by a host of free tickets for local Qataris, with little NZ/CR flags to wave. Peru verus Socceroos/UAE to have a large section of loud Peruvians. Playoff games should have been played in London or Paris or Barcelona - but hey FIFA know best.
See that Rojas has made himself available for the All Stars. As have Sutton & Waine.
But yeah admirable commitment from Sail, for thae national team. He really seems motivated to grab the keeper's spot from Marinovic. I guess he's done it before at the Nix. Going to be a big call for Hay to make.
Once the squad has been named, Hay said the All Whites would start assembling in Europe from May 23 with players arriving in dribs and drabs as their respective club seasons come to an end.
He hoped to have everyone there for the first official training on May 31. “The first official training session will be the 31st once the window is underway and we've got all the players but there will be sessions for all the players as they start to finish their seasons and come in,” Hay said.
“Particularly for any A-League players that make that final squad, trying to get them there as soon as we possibly can, as soon as they've been eliminated from the finals, is going to be important because they're travelling a fair distance and the jet lag and the time zone change.
“But that's why we're giving ourselves a really long lead in time as it’s an opportunity for players to train at intensity but not at the intensity and focus that we would have around meetings and preparing for games.”
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2022/5/6/all-whites-vs-costa-rica-the-scouting-report Pretty obvious that Costa Rica are not a team that scores a heap of goals. Only bagged 13 of them in 14 qualifiers, not even one per match. Top scorers were Celso Borges, Joel Campbell, Anthony Contreras, and Bryan Ruiz who were all tied with two. But they also don’t concede many either and that’s where the strength of this team lies. Eight goals conceded with seven clean sheets from fourteen games. Never allowed more than two in a match.
Granted, that work was all against familiar teams from their own region whom they regularly meet in qualifiers, Gold Cup matches, and even a few friendlies and can therefore prepare in meticulous detail for them. Familiar foes. Outside of their own qualifiers, the All Whites have been getting back into the swing of things with friendlies against mostly Asian and African teams (albeit all of a much lower standard than what Costa Rica will offer), whereas the condensed nature of CONCACAF qualifying means that Costa Rica haven’t played a game outside their confederation since drawing 0-0 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2021 (as well as an unofficial game against Basque Country in November 2020).
Last qualifying cycle it was a top six league format for CONCACAF and it took them a full year to complete. This time they added four more rounds and completed it in seven months. Something to keep in mind, there. Plus any hope of non-CONCACAF games before the playoff have been dashed by the scheduling of the first to Nations Cup matches (against Panama and Martinique) in early June – round about the same time as the All Whites will be playing Peru in Spain. That’s their preparation.
After the sold out rumours, I contacted NZF directly who confirmed it has not.
NZF has reserved me some tickets for the game too.
We are pretty quick to slam NZF on these forums but sometimes they are pretty good (they took care of me in India as well).
Yip, most important thing for Doha is that we do it through NZF and an away zone, can't have any kiwis here dotted around the stadium in different areas or zones. (Globally in football this is hardly ever an issue - fans are segregated in club and national team football so there is no 'general' seats), it's harder for us with not being able to see them or get much momentum in supporting.
