Halpin's rant

 

I file this in the 'no sh*t sherlock' list of columns and suggest this guy knows little about the game. Much of what he writes is true at the basic level, but his reasoning and lack of the 'full picture' is disappointing to say the least.

 

For starters Ricki is a proud NZer with a great record in the game and deserves more than the dismissive slagging from Halpin. He flew through his top coaching credentials, surpassing all others on the course - some of whom are more 'household' names than our 'little known local.' Halpin's suggestion is the NZ FA should break the bank and hire a profile international coach - quite how that is going to turn us into world beaters with our limited playing resources i'm not sure. Ricki may not have the longest or most successful coaching CV in the game but i personally think he is a good fit for the All Whites and should be given due respect for the work he has done and the results he has achieved while in control.

 

Then to the quality of the squad. Guess what Brian, it is what it is! Not all teams can go to tournaments with a chance of winning - and by the way, i think your assesment of 4 of 8 is not a bad ratio for teams that are of 'quality'. NZ is a minnow, wow, stop the presses Brian Halpin has hit on something incredible - NZ struggles at international level to compete with football powerhouses!!

 

But to suggest Ryan is our only 'international class player' is wrong. Yes, Nelsen is the 'class' player in this squad but others can and have performed internationally before and we must hope they do again. Ivan Vicelich will hold his own in most games, Chris Killen is indeed more than capable when fit, Glenn Moss proved during the A-League he is as good a shot stopper as any going - even if a little dodgy under a high ball, Dave Mulligan grows another foot when playing for NZ, Chris Wood is an exciting talent, Simon Elliott an experienced pro (i'm hoping his legs haven't totally gone!) and i think Ben Sigmund if fit will play well alongside Vicelich. Tony Lochhead also has a good record at international level, even if his game fell away at club level last year.

 

But without getting into that debate too much, because as i say we are minnows, we will struggle at this tournament, that is obvious for all observers and yes our players are lacking in the class of the Italians, Spanish and most other teams in South Africa.

 

But Halpin as usual writes with blinkers on. Don't look at NZ from the perspective of Italy, Spain, or Brazil. Consider NZ from our perspective and what this tournament and these matches do for us, ranked a lowly 87 in the world. When seen from our perspective the tournament offers a chance to improve, a chance to gain vital international experience against some of the best players in the world, a chance for our players to be on the world stage in front of clubs and scouts.

 

And as for this: (They have also found success hard to come by in age grade tournaments; their best result being a 1-1 draw with Olympic hosts China in Beijing.  Recent competitive results also include losses to Tanzania, Fiji and Thailand.  Such mediocrity is a concern.)

 

Get off your high horse Halpin with your condascending bullsh*t and write something that the entire world's population with an IQ over 10 doesn't already know. How about writing that NZ in recent times has performed well at age group tournaments (U17 and U20 women); that NZ did the game worldwide proud in our hosting of the U17 girls World Cup; that in the Confederations Cup we have been 'thrashed' onlly once - and that against a French side at the top of their game with 2 goals in the closing moments.

 

In Mexico we were the darlings of the tournament, generating great press and coverage for the disciplined and gutsy efforts against Brazil (2-0 with Ronaldino scoring in the final minutes), 2-1 against the USA and 2-0 against a Lothar Matheaus led Germany.

 

In France we battled bravely despite frankly being disfunctional off the field. We led against Colombia before Chris Killen was sent off, faded against the French as mentioned with two injury time goals and in all honesty were disappointing against Japan but still did not disgrace ourselves in losing 3-0.

 

In fact against France we enjoyed 44% of possession and had 9 shots to the French 19! Trainspotting i know but the fact is we were not embarassed until conceding the two injury time goals to blow the score line out - unfairly on that night in my view.

 

Oh and by the way, on both occasions in 1999 and 2003 we were at Confederation Cup tournaments courtesy of victories over Australia.........

 

Sorry, but if we were to follow the doctrine according to Halpin, we would have tournaments played between the same ten teams, there would be no room for underdogs, minnows or weaker nations and we would all be coached by Gus Hiddink.

 

Go the minnow-underdog All Whites with a Kiwi coach i say!