Probably the 3 positions that haven't been decided yet is Stamenic/Lewis, Sail/Marinovic, and then Rojas/Just/Grieve I think the rest picks itself. Personally, i'll be leaning towards Lewis, Rojas, Sail.
I still lean towards Marinovic. His big-game experience and chemistry with the back line means he is less likely have a howler like Oli did the other day.
I still lean towards Marinovic. His big-game experience and chemistry with the back line means he is less likely have a howler like Oli did the other day.
But the howler was between Payne and Sail? Literally the player Oli would have the most chemistry with out of anyone
Sail has said he thrives on close games and tense moments. I can just see him more likely to make some wonder saves compared to Marinovic. Those howlers happen to every top keeper doesn't mean it's gotta happen again, I can probably only think of 1 maybe 2 that happened during the Nix season.
5 at the back is a sub-par formation and strategy IMO. I'm 100% convinced Hay will play 5 at the back. And sure, we might win with this formation, but I don't rate it.
I think we risk sacrificing too many attack-minded players that can take control of this match, create chances, and score goals. I think we also risk giving the impetus and possession to Costa Rica just by default from sitting deep and playing defensively. I worry that we're just going to try and hit CR on the counter attack and rush/waste our opportunities.
It's likely we'll see something like 65% - 35% possession in favour of Costa Rica.
5 at the back is a sub-par formation and strategy IMO. I'm 100% convinced Hay will play 5 at the back. And sure, we might win with this formation, but I don't rate it.
I think we risk sacrificing too many attack-minded players that can take control of this match, create chances, and score goals. I think we also risk giving the impetus and possession to Costa Rica just by default from sitting deep and playing defensively. I worry that we're just going to try and hit CR on the counter attack and rush/waste our opportunities.
It's likely we'll see something like 65% - 35% possession in favour of Costa Rica.
This is one game where I couldn't less about the formation, style or possession - the only thing that matters is the result. The record books show that Red Star Belgrade won the European Cup by beating Marseille - not that they played arguably the worst final in history. Result is everything in this - we can debate nice football and stuff after we've qualified...
5 at the back is a sub-par formation and strategy IMO. I'm 100% convinced Hay will play 5 at the back. And sure, we might win with this formation, but I don't rate it.
I think we risk sacrificing too many attack-minded players that can take control of this match, create chances, and score goals. I think we also risk giving the impetus and possession to Costa Rica just by default from sitting deep and playing defensively. I worry that we're just going to try and hit CR on the counter attack and rush/waste our opportunities.
It's likely we'll see something like 65% - 35% possession in favour of Costa Rica.
This is one game where I couldn't less about the formation, style or possession - the only thing that matters is the result. The record books show that Red Star Belgrade won the European Cup by beating Marseille - not that they played arguably the worst final in history. Result is everything in this - we can debate nice football and stuff after we've qualified...
I agree. The only thing that matters is the result. And the best chance we have of winning the match, is setting up with a team that can control the game and create chances. 5 at the back, in my opinion, reduces the probability that we will win this match.
I don't mind a 5 at the back to start the game. If that's what's needed to get off to a solid start and settle into the game I'm fine with that. But as the game goes on, if we're behind we obviously need to change it, and even if it's level, I'd like to see us change it to take control of the game especially when Costa Rica will be feeling the nerves.
Football isn't a game where you have to always go gung ho and be desperate to score early - sometimes a bit of patience is required.
Sail has said he thrives on close games and tense moments. I can just see him more likely to make some wonder saves compared to Marinovic. Those howlers happen to every top keeper doesn't mean it's gotta happen again, I can probably only think of 1 maybe 2 that happened during the Nix season.
I think anyone saying this is forgetting Marinovic's excellent first season at the Nix and also how he performed against Peru in 2017 and at the Confeds Cup. More likely to make wonder saves compared to Marinovic? Short memory?
I like Sail but when he got his big chance he didn't look comfortable whole game (and I don't just mean the mistake). Marinovic has been excellent in an All Whites jersey in the past and frankly I trust him more in this big game playoff than Oli.
Unfortunately I think Danny is still going to opt for Oli however... which is harsh on Marinovic.
⚽💥 This is it! Just two spots remain for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Qualification! Who will make it? Don't miss the biggest game in New Zealand football as the All Whites shoot for glory against Costa Rica - Wednesday 5.00am LIVE on Sky Sport 1! pic.twitter.com/hTxvhsU2wU
Both Sail and Marinovic are very good keepers. I think it’s a coin toss. Agree with the arguments in favor of either.
"Very good keepers"? I choked on my gluten free Weet-Bix! "Barely adequate" might be more accurate. A shame Tzanev puts himself before his community. Or that Hay didn't take a chance on Crocombe. But I do hope that either Marinovic or Sail pull one out of their arses and keep a clean sheet!
I think if Danny was offered these results and no inuries to speak of at the beginning he would have taken it
There is only 1 result that matters. Pity that OFC tourney wasn't held earlier like the Jan FIFA window, so a couple of more tough friendlies could have been in March - though yes most of the better teams were still in their own WC qualifying phases.
But another 1-2 Peru type warm up games would have been really handy. Shame Jan's Uzbekistan game never happened, though again would have been sans fans.
The government of the republic in Costa Rica have given an executive order that all public employees get an extended lunch break on Tuesday to watch the match. That seems only fair since I gave myself an executive order that I am also taking at least a two-hour lunch on Tuesday.
The government of the republic in Costa Rica have given an executive order that all public employees get an extended lunch break on Tuesday to watch the match. That seems only fair since I gave myself an executive order that I am also taking at least a two-hour lunch on Tuesday.
I usually start work at 7am but already put in that I'd have to start late due to unforeseen circumstances meaning I'd have to do the kiddos school run that morning which isn't until 9. I could barely say it with a straight face and my boss absolutely knew there were no "unforeseen circumstances" but they happily accepted my request.
The government of the republic in Costa Rica have given an executive order that all public employees get an extended lunch break on Tuesday to watch the match. That seems only fair since I gave myself an executive order that I am also taking at least a two-hour lunch on Tuesday.
One of Peruvian players missed a first half pen, when they lost their WC pool game against eventual champions France in 2018. He was crucified publicly. You don't want to be that guy in this playoff game!
Yes we have the talent to try and control the game against decent opposition, but Peru is a bit better than that.
People blaming Payne for the goal in any shape or form is laughable. Sail could have hit it first time if he wanted to. He obviously thought the pass was fine and that he had time otherwise he wouldn't of taken a touch.
Bad touches happen, this cost us. simple.
Hay has proven with Woud (on multiple occasions) that he is willing to forgive mistakes.
The goal was right in front of me at the stadium and from what I've seen of the replay the cameras did not show what was really happening on the pitch at the time.
Just like he does at the Nix, Payne kept looking to play back even though he had lots of other choices. It was clear to the Peruvians who chased him down knowing he was going to pass it to Sail. This put Sail under pressure and lead to his mistake.
Yes Sail should have cleared better but it was obvious to everyone at the stadium it was a dumb ball by Payne that put us under the knife.
Payne makes too many silly errors like this and played a big part in a lot of the goals we conceded this year.
Was a great vibe in Barcelona, the Peruvians I met there all wished us luck on Tuesday.
Literally can't wait until Monday to fly out and support the team. I've watched us play all over the world (Pacific, Asia, Russia, America's, India) but I've never been this pumped before. I have a good feeling about this match.
C'mon you Whites!
Oh if it's really 18 degrees inside the Ticos will freeze to death!
0-0 halftime. Solid first half from All Whites who should probably be ahead, having had better of the chances. Particularly effective down the left with De Vries and Rojas.@NZ_Football@nzheraldsportpic.twitter.com/z4ZiO9I21u
One thing that’s clear from perusing Costa Rican interviews over the last few weeks is that they’ve got Chris Wood firmly in their minds. Lots of study going into how to deal with his presence, which could also play a role in which central defenders get picked to start (ie, the tallest and strongest ones). Ideally that’ll mean that others can thrive with less attention on them... but let’s be honest the All Whites have been reliant upon Woodsman goals for a long time so he’s still going to need to overcome all that attention somehow.
In a funky way, this NZ team is a tough one to scout. Lots of young players whose reputations don’t yet match their potential. Plus any footage of Oceania qualifying is kinda irrelevant given the contrast in levels. That could be a hurdle for La Sele.
Even the Peru footage could be misleading. The All Whites dominate possession against OFC teams but only had about 37% against Peru. Costa Rica are without a doubt much closer to Peru in style and quality but they’re a team that operates best when they don’t have a lot of ball. That’s a huge bonus for a kiwi team that struggled to create much against Peru. More time in possession means more chances to build things up.
Predictions are a reckless pursuit... but it would be a brave fellow who bet on the overs for total goals scored in this game. Both teams come in with confident defensive records but unconvincing attacking form. If Danny Hay picks the formation that played against Peru then that leaves the All Whites with only one genuine wide player on each side, thus cramming the middle of the pitch. That’s not necessarily an issue on attack but defensively it could leave them vulnerable. Nevertheless it feels like Libby Cacace could be a decisive player in this match.
A lot will come down to that set piece battle where both teams probably feel they can find success. Free kicks and corners are also a reliable source of creativity that can be endlessly drilled in trainings, therefore a helpful outlet if you’re not sure where else the goals may come from. It was a header from a corner that decided the playoff tie the last time the All Whites qualified for a World Cup, you may recall.
Other than that there’s nothing left to say. This is the biggest spectacle the All Whites have found themselves involved in for at least four years, possibly more like twelve years given there’s a genuine chance of a winning. Savour it. Enjoy the moment in the spotlight that football in Aotearoa is about to get. See you on the other side.
Qualifying by beating Costa Rica would make the third appearance more special. Something will be lost once the World Cup involves almost a quarter of the world and teams are only guaranteed two matches instead of three.
And some praise for the maligned Huddo. Since he was appointed as head coach in 2019, Hay has tried to take what he learned from being part of Herbert’s setup, however briefly, and from watching it at its peak, then add some of what he learned from working with Anthony Hudson, who succeeded Herbert in 2014.
“I learned a hell of a lot from Anthony when I was working under him as the under-17 coach around his level of detail and professionalism,” says Hay.
