Australia Cup Quarterfinal vs Macarthur FC | Wed 31st Aug | 9:30pm | YouTube

Too much attacking talent to keep out and they're dominating the midfield. Was always coming.

Bad defending in the end though and Sail probably would think he couldve done better. Only one place he was gonna hit that 

Damn. Need to stop the rot early - could easily be 2, 3 down by now

Well that was completely with the run of play.

Wonder if they’ll take off one of their attacking players at half time and sit back to protect their lead. Will give our players so more time on the ball to create something 

it was coming, but boo anyway

"Show me something else in the second half!"

Terrible defending from Laws. Just invited him to shoot ffs.

Need to bring on Payne at half time to help with the defence.

Some of our passing has been good, and I think we have scrambled well. Few too many giveaways though.

For me that goal comes from Sail coming out to header the ball. had he stayed back the defender would have headed it back to him... he seems to be trying to sweep, but looks awkward at it in the cup games.

Lewis and Pennington are not doing that well.

So far I have seen more attacking play from McGing, a defender that we have let go off some time ago, than from our front line. 

nufc_nz

Terrible defending from Laws. Just invited him to shoot ffs.

Lucky bounce to Toure, Laws had little time to react other than to try and shut down the angle. Ball found its way to him after a deflection.

Lots of players need to up their games second half. Kosta, Lewis, Pennington. Wootten lumps it long every time.

MetalLegNZ

Some of our passing has been good, and I think we have scrambled well. Few too many giveaways though.

For me that goal comes from Sail coming out to header the ball. had he stayed back the defender would have headed it back to him... he seems to be trying to sweep, but looks awkward at it in the cup games.

 I had a similar thought to this watching as well. I recall him trying out the sweeper role in  the All whites jersey particularly against Peru and more often than not it leading him into awkward situations.

Need more movement in the middle of the park, at times Old seemed to be standing still, when he didn't get the first pass. Needs to move more, create space for himself or others.

He is quick though!

Honestly, a shark half from us. Anyone see the half time stats graphic, yeah we had 58% of the ball, but 13 shots to 3 - not good reading. Not just the goal but Macarthur have had several better opportunities than anything we've had. 

Really need to see a lot more intensity and forward movement from our boys second half - Waine and Kosta getting a bit isolated while the midfield duo gets too deep at times. Oh and bring on Payne for either Laws and Elliot... he's just a better defender than both. 

Mainland FC

So far I have seen more attacking play from McGing, a defender that we have let go off some time ago, than from our front line. 

 We had Liam McGing - brother of MacArthur's Jake McGing

How’s Ball did he travel? On the evidence of today Ball > Kosta. Kosta’s chance to prove himself in the second. 

We’re playing some good stuff, but they have more consistently good players. Fortunately Arzani isn’t yet showing the smarts of Davila or we’d be stuffed. Good scramble defense, but we should have done better with our attacks.

Think we might be seeing Sasse? 

I’d bring Sasse on for Kosta at some point and move Kraev up top

That really was a reality check 45 minutes for some of the dreamers on here - won't be anywhere near winning the league playing like that. 

lthomas20

That really was a reality check 45 minutes for some of the dreamers on here - won't be anywhere near winning the league playing like that. 

 
Tbf 4/5 players are out from that 11 who you’d think will be in our strongest team.

lthomas20

That really was a reality check 45 minutes for some of the dreamers on here - won't be anywhere near winning the league playing like that. 

The worst we've looked so far this pre-season. Though there were signs of this in the last 30 v City. Macarthur have us sorted out so far. Quicker and better. And negated us pretty much.
 
Let's see how Uffie gets the guys responding. 

lthomas20

That really was a reality check 45 minutes for some of the dreamers on here - won't be anywhere near winning the league playing like that. 

Our sixth and final off-season signing definitely feels a but premature now. Couldn't tempt you guys into shoring up the defence with maybe just one more signing

they have nullified our midfield and forcing our defenders to be the ball players which is just not working for us. to counter it we are trying to play wide, but our ball movement is to slow. 

Ominous start there from Sasse. Looking to see what he can do next

That’s better from Kosta. 3 good touches and we get a good chance.

Kosta should’ve had two!

Waines set up Kosta twice there.. and Kostas bottled it twice 

Aghhh Kosta!

Kosta is just as frustrating as he's always been. Sotirio is genuinely a better finisher than him.

Good subs and we've lifted. But Macarthur still a handful. 

valeo

Kosta is just as frustrating as he's always been. Sotirio is genuinely a better finisher than him.

 That's just mean!

Pennington has given the ball away under no pressure far too often.

Damn, Davilla is good...

Yellows a flowin

I think Sass likes to shoot...

Sasse looking good but man there could be some decision making issues, a couple of times he's dribbled/shot when there were better options.

Sails been watching Neur highlight videos all off season hasn't he? 

Waine has been very impressive with his ability to provide for others. wish the others would do better

Fudge we looked good there