The more I think about it, the more I feel we should start Reid and Cacace on the bench tomorrow. We would still line up an XI of full time professionals, most of whom are playing in decent leagues, against a side with some ability and flair but not a single full time pro in their ranks - if we can't win in that equation, then we don't deserve to. We have to win tomorrow, and we should based on the squad we have.
If we're to have any chance in June, we have to be as close to full strength as possible. Losing two of our best players for that game due to dumb yellow card rules would be crazy.
Yeah, agree - being very familiar with the Solomons team and individual players, personally I'm not nervous in the slightest. Will be completely different to the Tahiti and PNG games, teams based on strong defenses; Solomons try to park the bus and they'll be killed. High-scoring affair, I'd guess, and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see us concede one or two to the best attack in the OFC by some distance (like we did in our last win, a 6-1 at North Harbour), but their frailty at the back is completely unsuitable for a park-the-bus mentality. Bench 'em.
If cacace plays he will 100% get a yellow and he is irreplaceable. They don't need him tomorrow, its overkill anyway.
I reckon you have to start him, if the game allows for him to be brought off, then you cross that bridge when you come to it. There’s no point keeping him for a game we don’t play.
If cacace plays he will 100% get a yellow and he is irreplaceable. They don't need him tomorrow, its overkill anyway.
I reckon you have to start him, if the game allows for him to be brought off, then you cross that bridge when you come to it. There’s no point keeping him for a game we don’t play.
I think the reverse is more applicable - start Cacace on the bench and only bring him on if we really need him. If we go down a goal in the first half or are not leading at half time, then bring him on. Too much of a risk to start him.
If you don't have Sky TV, note that the game is also live on Prime TV, coverage starting at 5.50 am. It's great that people can get to see this match for free either streaming online or on free-to-air TV.
Hmm I wish I didn't know about the free to air thing. I suppose now I'm obligated to go into work on time and maybe getaway with chucking itt on the tele in the smoko room in the background. I was quite enjoying the routine over the last couple of weeks of coming in half an hour late and blaming covid muck around with the school/daycare run....
Nah in all seriousness that's awesome stuff and hopefully it's gets a decent amount of casual viewers across the country intrigued over breakfast.
This is like al the physicality Tahiti threw with us but with an attacking intent from the opposition. Going to be a cracker hopefully only 70 minutes of football to come
referring standard has been low all tourney, the OFC refs arent up to much at all. Is there a kiwi ref over there?
So much for Solomons being a tough test for us, sure they are fast and skilful, but the keeper is poor under pressure and the solomons just lack the height to be able to defuse crosses.
Still don't rate McCowatt. Clearly not in our strongest 23. Still not sold on Just or Garbett either.
yeah I'd agree, 23 selected for the WC assuming we make it. Means 8 of the current 31 dont get a look in. McCowatt, De Jong, will be 2 that might miss selection.
I reckon Danny Hay will select McCowatt and Just without a doubt
They are key players for a team running away at the top of the Danish 1st division. Very good chance they are playing Superliga next season. I’m not sure who would come in ahead of them in a 23. I’d reckon Rogerson (Finnish league just isn’t as strong, so he’d need a brilliant season) and Champness (25 club minutes all year) are probably sooner on the chopping block.
For me, a fully fit 23 would be (obviously can’t tell what form will be like in future though) :
Marinovic, Sail, Tzanev/Woud
Boxall M, Cacace, De Vries, Kirwin, Payne, Pijnaker, Reid, Smith, Tuiloma
All the corner goals mentally I dismissed because it was schoolboy level defending & goalkeeping. Take those away and we did very little in the way of general play scoring, which is what scares me a bit. Not to mention a few stray passes that would have absolutely been punished from CRC. Does anyone else feel the same?
All the corner goals mentally I dismissed because it was schoolboy level defending & goalkeeping. Take those away and we did very little in the way of general play scoring, which is what scares me a bit. Not to mention a few stray passes that would have absolutely been punished from CRC. Does anyone else feel the same?
Yeah I definitely see what you’re saying, I’d imagine that with key players like Reid, Cacace, Singh and hopefully (but not necessary likely) Thomas coming in, that passing would sharpen up and Singh, Thomas and Stamenic are definitely capable of creating direct open play attacks on goal
Thought the Solomons were actually decent in parts despite the 5-0. Couple of decent saves from Marinovic to keep the sheet clean. They just could not defend corners to save themselves. Not sure how you leave Tuiloma unmarked for his second when he had already scored and the Keeper just not confident at all under the high ball.
All in all job done. No injuries, Hay's decision to rest the guys at risk of suspension paid off and we're potentially 90 mins away from the World Cup.
Now lets get some warm up games sorted and start the recon on Cost Rica!
On another front, Peru get the 5th spot in South America and therefore playoff against Asia. Colombia and Chile miss out.
So that means they play either Australia or UAE in their playoff decider. Something in me hope that it is Aussie v Peru and Peru win with us beating CR. Wouldn't that be fun
Still don't rate McCowatt. Clearly not in our strongest 23. Still not sold on Just or Garbett either.
yeah I'd agree, 23 selected for the WC assuming we make it. Means 8 of the current 31 dont get a look in. McCowatt, De Jong, will be 2 that might miss selection.
Singh, M Boxall and one of Woud or Tzanev also come into in the 23. Possibly also Thomas & Rojas. So 10-13 of the guys that were at this tourney, will miss out if everyone is available. Some tough decisions ahead for Hay. There will be some disappointed guys.
Very different to recent cycles of picking amateur players (Barron & Lewis in 2017) or likes of Jeremy Christie 2013 last minute callups.
