WCQ vs Tahiti | Monday 28th Mar | 6:30am | SS7

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/128178358/all-whites-reminded-of-footballs-volatility-as-run-of-winorgohome-fixtures-begins

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/1508125905897590792

Heavy challenges, and lots of arms/elbows coming in so far from Tahiti. 2 yellows for them inside the first 15. Bell, Kirwan and Garbett have been on the end of some questionable challenges. Will be surprised at this rate if Tahiti keep 11 on the field.

Both teams still feeling each other out.

Kirwan and Cacace finding good space down both flanks. We're dominating without being overly threatening so far.

Tahiti trying to kick and elbow us out of the match. As well as a win let's hope no one gets seriously hurt. 

YoungHeart

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/1508125905897590792

Heavy challenges, and lots of arms/elbows coming in so far from Tahiti. 2 yellows for them inside the first 15. Bell, Kirwan and Garbett have been on the end of some questionable challenges. Will be surprised at this rate if Tahiti keep 11 on the field.

Both teams still feeling each other out.

Kirwan and Cacace finding good space down both flanks. We're dominating without being overly threatening so far.

Shades of the last time we played them, that time the ref called off the game early (2min into a 3min injury time) after he lost control. 

That's 3 in the book. All down that left hand defensive side. Good chance to exploit that if we can get in behind them and they are compelled to throw themselves into the tackle.

Where's Stamenic? 

Garbett! Should have been 1-0.

I feel like we are a little rattled by the intensity and physical challenges, not going as easy as expected. It's has to be a matter of time before one of the Tahiti team gets a red though.. Already 3 on yellows. 

Unfortunately their game plan is working and we haven't created a lot of clear cut chances. Need to focus on our game, get those passes under control and ideally get 1-0 before half time. 

Chances starting to mount. Nothing clear cut apart from Garbett's. But a lot of space forming out on the flanks. Feel it's only a matter of time before we get one here. Just as I say that, McCowatt shoots straight at the keeper...

Oska

Where's Stamenic? 

Slight Hamstring niggle. Glad he's not on the field right now as these Tahiti challenges would surely make his injury worse.

At what point can we start feeling nervous?

siac

At what point can we start feeling nervous?

 not even worth joking about, we're winning this game lol

Niggly half. We've dominated possession as expected, but to Tahiti's credit they've kept us to only one real clear cut opportunity. If we can get on the end of a few more 2nd phase balls in and around the box I think we'll end up burying a couple past them. They've clearly set up their stall. 

Let's come out with some intensity to start this 2nd half and put them to the sword.

siac

At what point can we start feeling nervous?

 Now.

Hay needs to pull one of the CBs and bring on someone who can run at the defence and open this game up, like Champness. Ridiculous playing 3 CBs at this stage.

Jeepers All Whites. I'm already 10 minutes late for work. Not sure I could afford this match going to extra time.

How does Reid not bury that? Straight at the keeper from 3 yards...

Do cards carry through to the CONCACAF playoff? E.g is there danger if guys get cards in this match/and final they miss that game?

Ninja

Hay needs to pull one of the CBs and bring on someone who can run at the defence and open this game up, like Champness. Ridiculous playing 3 CBs at this stage.

Wouldn't mind seeing Greive either. Might help to create some space for Wood too.

Yellow cards now becoming an issue for us. 

siac

Do cards carry through to the CONCACAF playoff? E.g is there danger if guys get cards in this match/and final they miss that game?

Yes

Come on All Whites! 

Can anyone explain to me why Hay is persisting with 3 CBs?

Double standard with this referee is quite something...

Grieve ➡️
McCowatt ⬅️

Time wasting at its finest from Tahiti...

Wow so much diving andctime wasting.

Ranix

siac

Do cards carry through to the CONCACAF playoff? E.g is there danger if guys get cards in this match/and final they miss that game?

Yes

 Classic ofc stitch up, same thing happened in qualifying for 2018 when the reset was after the preliminary tournament (Cooks/Tonga etc). The point which is most likely to result in an  OFC team qualifying is before the intercontinental but that would most likely benefit NZ so never gonna happen

This game is starting to piss me off now.

About fudgeing time!!!
Congrats on the first senior goal Libby!

Phew!

Thank you Libby! 

Yahoo Libby!

Think I had a bigger sigh of relief cheer for that than I did the Pennington goal the other night. Praise be to you Libby!

Now we need to avoid any contact anywhere near our box.... best to score again.

For all our possession this morning, some of our passing has been right rank.

This refereeing is atrocious. If someone gets seriously injured, I swear. How has he not only not stamped Tahiti’s behaviour out, but tolerated it?

Tahiti #18 looks a right Twit of a player. No attempt at the ball there. Just straight through the back of Grieve.

YoungHeart

Tahiti #18 looks a right Twit of a player. No attempt at the ball there. Just straight through the back of Grieve.

No foul, either, when some stricter referees might have considered a red.

Tahiti realistically should have 30+ fouls - this is untenable