One thing that interested me about City's lineup ahead of the Northern League is that they had only one under 20 in the 16, and that was Joe Wallis as substitute goalkeeper. The new rules don't require them to start U20s, instead give them 10% of all available minutes, but who will come in? Also, probably more intriguingly, who drops out? Almost all of their U20 minutes last year went to Lee, Lobo, Gillion and Bell, of which only Bell is still U20 and he wasn't involved today.
Maybe they're genuinely planning on running full strength until they have an insurmountable lead, then playing a full U20 squad to fulfil their quota. They could knock out all their minutes in 2.2 games, and I'd be surprised if they didn't wrap up the league earlier than that - though National League wouldn't really work with that method.
Auckland have got to be one of the most boring teams alive to watch. I guess it’s their tactic to just wear teams down by keeping the ball and being consistent, but it makes for awful watching. They didn’t look threatening at all until Lee and Tade came on.
One thing that interested me about City's lineup ahead of the Northern League is that they had only one under 20 in the 16, and that was Joe Wallis as substitute goalkeeper. The new rules don't require them to start U20s, instead give them 10% of all available minutes, but who will come in? Also, probably more intriguingly, who drops out? Almost all of their U20 minutes last year went to Lee, Lobo, Gillion and Bell, of which only Bell is still U20 and he wasn't involved today.
Maybe they're genuinely planning on running full strength until they have an insurmountable lead, then playing a full U20 squad to fulfil their quota. They could knock out all their minutes in 2.2 games, and I'd be surprised if they didn't wrap up the league earlier than that - though National League wouldn't really work with that method.
This game was actually an Oceania Champions League Match under OFC rules so NZF had nothing to do with it - so no stupid U20 rule.
Going to be interesting to see how many of those players are keen to ride the pine for large parts of the season, especially if they don't make Champions League.
I struggle to see Olympic progressing away, on the back of their 2nd half performance.
If they convert their chances the game could be over in the first half. Auckland had lots of attacking position but they didn't have the same clear cut chances.
Also I watched back the supposed foul Sinclair did that got the Auckland bench so hot and bothered. Looks like the GK jumped on his leg deliberately.
Really good half of football. Challenges flying in, bodies on the line, verbals from the sidelines and some nice goals in this one too.
All to play for in the 2nd half, the guy on commentary says Auckland need two goals from here, so I'm assuming the away goals rule is in effect for this one.
I guess it doesn’t matter but for what it’s worth Auckland’s 2nd goal was from a free kick when advantage had already been played. The penalty was was for a handball when Mata’s hand was in a natural position.
Doesn’t matter when you gift them two additional goals I guess. Death, taxes and Auckland City shifting gears
Terrible news: after watching that game, the Littlest Hooligan has declared that ACFC are now her second team and she wants to go to Kiwitea St "to watch Tade play in real life" >_<
Terrible news: after watching that game, the Littlest Hooligan has declared that ACFC are now her second team and she wants to go to Kiwitea St "to watch Tade play in real life" >_<
Olympic getting reffed out of the game is bad, but that really is an awful outcome. My condolences.
Good afternoons entertainment at Kiwitea Street. Crowd was a bit disappointing but probably quite a few pre season games going on. Thought Olympic were marginally the better side for the first 70 minutes and at 3-1 should have put it to bed But Tade !!! Seemed to be a bit of controversy about the free kick that led to the second goal but Tades finish was special Although from close to 100 yards away we could see exactly what he was going to do so some questions about Basalaj ? From 50-60 yards away I had no questions about the two penaltys but maybe TV showed a better view. I assume Mata was sent for dissent and at that stage there was only one winner. Certainly Auckland have always been past masters at playing the ref ,Vicelich was a master and has taught his players well. Auckland were a bit toothless up front. Watson gve the City defence a hard time but why was Tieku not given a run ?If you pay out for his services not using him is puzzling. Wonder how may of the Olympic players will still be around in a few months with no O League to hold them. Weekly wage bill at Wakefield must be large - maybe even close to Aucklands ?
Good afternoons entertainment at Kiwitea Street. Crowd was a bit disappointing but probably quite a few pre season games going on. Thought Olympic were marginally the better side for the first 70 minutes and at 3-1 should have put it to bed But Tade !!! Seemed to be a bit of controversy about the free kick that led to the second goal but Tades finish was special Although from close to 100 yards away we could see exactly what he was going to do so some questions about Basalaj ? From 50-60 yards away I had no questions about the two penaltys but maybe TV showed a better view. I assume Mata was sent for dissent and at that stage there was only one winner. Certainly Auckland have always been past masters at playing the ref ,Vicelich was a master and has taught his players well. Auckland were a bit toothless up front. Watson gve the City defence a hard time but why was Tieku not given a run ?If you pay out for his services not using him is puzzling. Wonder how may of the Olympic players will still be around in a few months with no O League to hold them. Weekly wage bill at Wakefield must be large - maybe even close to Aucklands ?
Good afternoons entertainment at Kiwitea Street. Crowd was a bit disappointing but probably quite a few pre season games going on. Thought Olympic were marginally the better side for the first 70 minutes and at 3-1 should have put it to bed But Tade !!! Seemed to be a bit of controversy about the free kick that led to the second goal but Tades finish was special Although from close to 100 yards away we could see exactly what he was going to do so some questions about Basalaj ? From 50-60 yards away I had no questions about the two penaltys but maybe TV showed a better view. I assume Mata was sent for dissent and at that stage there was only one winner. Certainly Auckland have always been past masters at playing the ref ,Vicelich was a master and has taught his players well. Auckland were a bit toothless up front. Watson gve the City defence a hard time but why was Tieku not given a run ?If you pay out for his services not using him is puzzling. Wonder how may of the Olympic players will still be around in a few months with no O League to hold them. Weekly wage bill at Wakefield must be large - maybe even close to Aucklands ?
Mata was sent for DOGSO
Bit harsh when your arms are by your side and the ball is blasted at you from four yards away. Then the fourth official is making the call from half a pitch away as well seems a bit stink.
That makes more sense if it was DOGSO as I wondered what the 4th official was getting involved for. In no way was that DOGSO from where I was standing.Looked like a bit of pinball.Certainly thought it was a handball but DOGSO is a nonsense.Olympic can be rightly agrreived at that.Fourth officila should time keep and run the sub boards.He was about the same distance away as me - in fact I was probably closer and had a better view as probably did the assistant referee and referee
That makes more sense if it was DOGSO as I wondered what the 4th official was getting involved for. In no way was that DOGSO from where I was standing.Looked like a bit of pinball.Certainly thought it was a handball but DOGSO is a nonsense.Olympic can be rightly agrreived at that.Fourth officila should time keep and run the sub boards.He was about the same distance away as me - in fact I was probably closer and had a better view as probably did the assistant referee and referee
Technically, its denying a goal,this was a shot on target, and if you see the view from the rear, the arm is well away from the body.
That makes more sense if it was DOGSO as I wondered what the 4th official was getting involved for. In no way was that DOGSO from where I was standing.Looked like a bit of pinball.Certainly thought it was a handball but DOGSO is a nonsense.Olympic can be rightly agrreived at that.Fourth officila should time keep and run the sub boards.He was about the same distance away as me - in fact I was probably closer and had a better view as probably did the assistant referee and referee
Technically, its denying a goal,this was a shot on target, and if you see the view from the rear, the arm is well away from the body.
Ah it must have been the ref to his rear that made the call then 😂
That makes more sense if it was DOGSO as I wondered what the 4th official was getting involved for. In no way was that DOGSO from where I was standing.Looked like a bit of pinball.Certainly thought it was a handball but DOGSO is a nonsense.Olympic can be rightly agrreived at that.Fourth officila should time keep and run the sub boards.He was about the same distance away as me - in fact I was probably closer and had a better view as probably did the assistant referee and referee
Technically, its denying a goal,this was a shot on target, and if you see the view from the rear, the arm is well away from the body.
Ah it must have been the ref to his rear that made the call then 😂
Honestly, its not that unusual that an assistant/fourthie will have a better view of a KMI. Sometimes the wide angle will see it better
