Sensational news last week that Dutch legend Guus Hiddink who took the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup with current coach Grahan Arnold as his assistant, has accepted Arnold's offer to come Down Under and help the team prepare against the All Whites!
Hiddink is living in retirement with his wife in the south of France but, as we know, is not one to sit around not working for long!
13 days until the game in Brisbane, so the squad naming must be just around the corner. At least two guys from the Costa Rica squad won't be there given Kirwan and De Vries both suffered ACL injuries. It'll be interesting to see if any extra changes occur though. I don't expect we'll have much revolution in moving out older players, though that might happen in March next year.
Deklan Wynne could probably be up against Sutton to deputise for Cacace, but his out-of-sight-out-of-mindedness might work in Sutton's favour. Dane Ingham was the third right-back in the June squad, but, given the Jets weren't in the Cup past the playoff, he won't have played a competitive match since the start of May. What alternatives exist though? Payne doesn't play much there (he'll still be in the squad of course), so Elliot? Kalua? Tommy Smith might also miss it given he hasn't been fit to play for Colchester. Nikko Boxall has been next centre-back in line since October last year, but is either injured as well or massively out of favour in San Diego, so maybe there's a chance for Kyle Adams, or possibly a recall for one of the Auckland City guys (Brotherton/Mitchell).
Max Mata could be a guy with a possible claim to a spot, he's done a reasonable job, and considering Pijnaker will probably start, the level he's at shouldn't count against him. Joey Champness (remember him) you'd think would also be on very thin ice, given he's only played 200 minutes of football (club and country) this year, and has been without a club since March 31st. If he wants to stay in Europe he's missed any pre-season, and it's even getting late for an A League gig. Gould might be another to miss out, but he was never going to play so it's little consequence.
We shouldn't have to worry about the players being fatigued at least. Neither Cacace nor Garbett have a minute this season, Wood's only had one PL start, the A League hasn't started yet, Stamenic and Just barely have 90 Superliga minutes between them, Greive has 37 minutes since August etc. In fact, of the available overseas guys who were picked in June, only McCowatt, Pijnaker, Boxall, Tuiloma, Bell, Marinovic and Rogerson have played more than 50% of league minutes this season.
Anyway, as long as they do a better job against Australia than the cricketers.
Good point about a holiday next day. Could encourage a few more along. I'm "transaction" number 6956, purchased 7th June. Is that the PAX? If so, not a bad number for that long ago. Also a good result in Brisbane could have a huge effect on the gate.
It's been so long that I can't remember.....does the FIFA anthem play at friendly internationals?
And, this I can remember, is the FIFA anthem the most dribbly, boring, piece of shark music ever? They could update it, for fudges sake. Just throw a billion at someone to come up with something better.
Tokyo 2020 Olyroos’ squad members Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Ryan Strain and Tyrese Francois, will also join the Socceroos’ squad for the first time
CB is actually looking like a bit of a weak spot for the future. With Reid, M Boxall and Smith ageing, Pijnaker (23) and Tuiloma (27) are the standouts. Beyond those two though, your options under 30 are very limited. Kyle Adams (25) and Finn Surman (18) are probably the next best options. Beyond them you’ve got George Stanger (22) and I guess Jesse Edge (27), plus amateurs like Schrijvers, TAHW, Brotherton and Mitchell, as well as the US College contingent.
Could also potentially coax Jack Iredale (26) at Bolton to represent us, but he’s naturally a LB. He’d be absolute class but isn’t as good as Cacace so would be a LCB in a back 5, mayyybe in a back 4 at a push.
Hate the snake but damn would it be nice to have Stensness right about now.
Hi all, For those going to the game, join as pre and post game at the Morningside Tavern. The are putting on a Bao Bun Station, $10 off jugs of Emmersons Reverb IPA and Super Quench , and have live music.
Winston Reid has confirmed he will retire from international football after the two games against Australia, playing his final All Whites match at @edenparknz this Sunday 🇳🇿
Hi all, For those going to the game, join as pre and post game at the Morningside Tavern. The are putting on a Bao Bun Station, $10 Jugs of Emmersons Reverb IPA, and have live music. unnamed.png61.37 KB
Just want to clarify (for the purposes of my hangover on the Monday), is this jugs or pints for $10?
And if jugs, what size of course, as there are a variety! Most NZ craft beer jugs are around a UK pint or at least not much more…but then craft beer can be 7 or 8% compared to some lagers in the 4-5% range… as you say a pint for $10 in the city would be rare enough. If it’s a 1.5 litre jug of Emerson’s that’s a freakn steal…
Supposedly there are some meet and greet sessions before the Eden Park game, being announced on social media at some stage, I dont use Facebook, Inst, Twitter etc... can anyone advise? Day/Time/Venue?
Supposedly there are some meet and greet sessions before the Eden Park game, being announced on social media at some stage, I dont use Facebook, Inst, Twitter etc... can anyone advise? Day/Time/Venue?
Come to down Aotea Centre and meet your favourite All Whites!
24th September 2022 Doors open at 11am
Hunua Rooms Aotea - Te Pokapu Aotea Centre Level 1 50 Mayoral Drive Auckland
Supposedly there are some meet and greet sessions before the Eden Park game, being announced on social media at some stage, I dont use Facebook, Inst, Twitter etc... can anyone advise? Day/Time/Venue?
Come to down Aotea Centre and meet your favourite All Whites!
24th September 2022 Doors open at 11am
Hunua Rooms Aotea - Te Pokapu Aotea Centre Level 1 50 Mayoral Drive Auckland
Once Arnold goes I reckon gianni may regret his decision also Friar Tuck
Elemenop
Squad announced. Nothing too surprising...
Good to see Storm back. Dont we have better options than Kylie Adams?
CB is actually looking like a bit of a weak spot for the future. With Reid, M Boxall and Smith ageing, Pijnaker (23) and Tuiloma (27) are the standouts. Beyond those two though, your options under 30 are very limited. Kyle Adams (25) and Finn Surman (18) are probably the next best options. Beyond them you’ve got George Stanger (22) and I guess Jesse Edge (27), plus amateurs like Schrijvers, TAHW, Brotherton and Mitchell, as well as the US College contingent.
Could also potentially coax Jack Iredale (26) at Bolton to represent us, but he’s naturally a LB. He’d be absolute class but isn’t as good as Cacace so would be a LCB in a back 5, mayyybe in a back 4 at a push.
Hate the snake but damn would it be nice to have Stensness right about now.
Football’s coming home!… for @NZ_Football. All Whites and Newcastle Utd striker Chris Wood has just touched down with the team in Auckland, ahead of Sunday’s re-match with Australia @1NewsNZpic.twitter.com/J7Wc6eGwb7
EP stadium manager is confident the surface will be okay for Sunday
Once dates of Bledisloe and this centenary Aus v NZF football series worked in as they have, AWs were always going to play at EP, as part of this rare TT sports double header. And doubt NZF had any power to stop NZ Rugby adding the women’s game.
And anyway in this day & age likely not a good look trying to stop a women’s sports fixture being played on ‘NZ’s National Stadium’ in front of a big crowd on the Saturday
EP stadium manager is confident the surface will be okay for Sunday
Once dates of Bledisloe and this centenary Aus v NZF football series worked in as they have, AWs were always going to play at EP, as part of this rare TT sports double header. And doubt NZF had any power to stop NZ Rugby adding the women’s game.
And anyway in this day & age likely not a good look trying to stop a women’s sports fixture being played on ‘NZ’s National Stadium’ in front of a big crowd on the Saturday
Well, we will wait and see. I note that Danny Hay has his doubts about the two preceding games and the impact that they will have on the pitch.
NZ Football had no power to stop NZ Rugby who are arrogant (Rugby is dying and they say that all is well) but they had the option of moving it elsewhere. Wellington would have had a full stadium.
unfortunatley the Bledisloe cup was due to be played in Auckland, it gets sghared around the cities. Primarily Wellingotn, Auckland and Hamilton since CHch hasnt had a stadium for aaaages. Can't remember Dunedin gettig a game either. NZF didnt need to go to Eden Park, they could have sold out Sky Stadium in Wellington easily.