With Rufer out and Retre just returning from his injury do we all see the seasoned Retre coming straight into the XI as probably the closest like for like swap? Or do we look to go with Al-Taay, hell perhaps even spring a surprise with someone like Corban Piper (natural position being a 6, and at a pinch, an 8. Huge ask though) who would bring every ounce of the physicality that Ruf's usually brings, although we would lose a fair bit in terms of distribution and having that quality, controlling presence in the heart of midfield.
Absolutely gutted we won't be seeing a Rufer v Verstraeten matchup though - That was going to be a tasty battle in midfield, and now you sort of feel like they have that edge in the middle of the park. Verstraeten has been excellent for Auckland so far, their best player by a mile.
Absolutely gutted we won't be seeing a Rufer v Verstraeten matchup though - That was going to be a tasty battle in midfield, and now you sort of feel like they have that edge in the middle of the park. Verstraeten has been excellent for Auckland so far, their best player by a mile.
Close. Verstraete. Copy & paste job.
But yeah of all the matchups tomorrow I was most looking forward to Rufer verus the Belgian, who I think is going to be a great pickup for Auckland. Maybe even better than Sakai. Of course we haven't seen Moreno yet.
Such a bugger Rufs is out. Two very good DMs battling in midfield. Hopefully it happens with the return match in December.
Still picking a low scoring draw. Both attacks still in scratchy early season mode - both defences really solid. Ishige's quality dead ball deliveries definitely give the Nix an attacking option they didn't really have last season.