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Posted February 07, 2026 09:24 · last edited February 07, 2026 09:35

YoungHeartHM
coochiee wrote:
Only just tuning in. No Raphael Le’ai for Sol Kings? Injured?

His career has been a major disappointment since that famous 5-0 win at the U16 OFC champs over NZ in 2018.

FYI - NZ team that day is below. A few have gone onto bigger things.
And then a few lesser so, incl playing in this Pro League comp

I don't know if you tuned in to the quick pitch side interviews after the match, but if you did you would have heard Ben Cahn mention that a bout of food poisoning/viral illness had swept through the squad this week and they didn't know even 24 hours before the match who would be available to play. As it was they had William Komasi stretched off with what looked like heat exhaustion at about 80 minutes. Not a good look in all honesty.

For Aucklands part Casserley said in his thoughts after the game that their two halftime subs (Normann and Faulds) were vomiting and were in no condition to soldier on and the switch had to be made. Both those lads obviously a very long way from Scandinavia.

It's very tough conditions if you're not used to it, genuinely soul sapping stuff - high humidity and 29/30°C would have felt closer to 35/36°C. Going back on windy.com to check weather details and it was 29°C and high 70's/early 80's for humidity at kickoff. Looking a little into the future for the fourth circuit, the same conditions down the road (and across the Solomon Sea) it was 27°C and 98% humidity for a similar kickoff time. Fudge that.

SIU would be somewhat relieved having played earlier in the week against the same side, but it was pissing down. It also sounds like its a bit cooler for their match this evening against PNG according to the commentators - You do need a little bit to go your way in the islands.
Only saw about 40 mins of the AFC II game but seemed like 3 water breaks alone in that time. No doubt a big factor in Auckland's troubles today. They were losing the midfield battle (where most of the running is done), a part of the pitch they had bossed in previous matches.

Surely that newly built Chinese funded stadium in Honiara has TV adequate floodlighting. Therefore can play matches in cooler night time slots.

I know home teams worldwide use local conditions to their advantage, but must be some duty of care by OFC to protect players. Especially with the tight 3 games in a week scheduling. 

The Fiji hub won't be easy either.

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Unknown editor edited February 07, 2026 09:35
YoungHeartHM
coochiee wrote:
Only just tuning in. No Raphael Le’ai for Sol Kings? Injured?

His career has been a major disappointment since that famous 5-0 win at the U16 OFC champs over NZ in 2018.

FYI - NZ team that day is below. A few have gone onto bigger things.
And then a few lesser so, incl playing in this Pro League comp

I don't know if you tuned in to the quick pitch side interviews after the match, but if you did you would have heard Ben Cahn mention that a bout of food poisoning/viral illness had swept through the squad this week and they didn't know even 24 hours before the match who would be available to play. As it was they had William Komasi stretched off with what looked like heat exhaustion at about 80 minutes. Not a good look in all honesty.

For Aucklands part Casserley said in his thoughts after the game that their two halftime subs (Normann and Faulds) were vomiting and were in no condition to soldier on and the switch had to be made. Both those lads obviously a very long way from Scandinavia.

It's very tough conditions if you're not used to it, genuinely soul sapping stuff - high humidity and 29/30°C would have felt closer to 35/36°C. Going back on windy.com to check weather details and it was 29°C and high 70's/early 80's for humidity at kickoff. Looking a little into the future for the fourth circuit, the same conditions down the road (and across the Solomon Sea) it was 27°C and 98% humidity for a similar kickoff time. Fudge that.

SIU would be somewhat relieved having played earlier in the week against the same side, but it was pissing down. It also sounds like its a bit cooler for their match this evening against PNG according to the commentators - You do need a little bit to go your way in the islands.
Only saw about 40 mins of the AFC II game but seemed like 3 water breaks alone in that time. No doubt a big factor in Auckland's troubles today. They were losing the midfield battle (where most of the running is done), a part of the pitch they had bossed in previous matches.

Surely that newly built Chinese funded stadium in Honiara has TV adequate floodlighting. Therefore can play matches in cooler night time slots.

I know home teams worldwide use local conditions to their advantage, but must be some duty of care by OFC to protect players. Especially with the tight 3 games in a week scheduling. 

The Fiji pod won't be easy either.

Unknown editor edited February 07, 2026 09:25
YoungHeartHM
coochiee wrote:
Only just tuning in. No Raphael Le’ai for Sol Kings? Injured?

His career has been a major disappointment since that famous 5-0 win at the U16 OFC champs over NZ in 2018.

FYI - NZ team that day is below. A few have gone onto bigger things.
And then a few lesser so, incl playing in this Pro League comp

I don't know if you tuned in to the quick pitch side interviews after the match, but if you did you would have heard Ben Cahn mention that a bout of food poisoning/viral illness had swept through the squad this week and they didn't know even 24 hours before the match who would be available to play. As it was they had William Komasi stretched off with what looked like heat exhaustion at about 80 minutes. Not a good look in all honesty.

For Aucklands part Casserley said in his thoughts after the game that their two halftime subs (Normann and Faulds) were vomiting and were in no condition to soldier on and the switch had to be made. Both those lads obviously a very long way from Scandinavia.

It's very tough conditions if you're not used to it, genuinely soul sapping stuff - high humidity and 29/30°C would have felt closer to 35/36°C. Going back on windy.com to check weather details and it was 29°C and high 70's/early 80's for humidity at kickoff. Looking a little into the future for the fourth circuit, the same conditions down the road (and across the Solomon Sea) it was 27°C and 98% humidity for a similar kickoff time. Fudge that.

SIU would be somewhat relieved having played earlier in the week against the same side, but it was pissing down. It also sounds like its a bit cooler for their match this evening against PNG according to the commentators - You do need a little bit to go your way in the islands.
Only saw about 40 mins of the AFC II game but seemed like 3 water breaks alone in that time. No doubt a big factor in Auckland's troubles today. They were losing the midfield battle (where most of the running is done), a part of the game they had bossed in previous matches.

Surely that newly built Chinese funded stadium in Honiara has TV adequate floodlighting. Therefore can play matches in cooler nightime slots.

I know home teams worldwide use local conditions to their advantage, but must be some duty of care by OFC to protect players. Especially with the tight 3 games in a week scheduling. 

The Fiji pod won't be easy either.