OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 (Vanuatu)
Nah you don't piss about with keepers. You need a set #1.
Thanks mate
Definitely on the improve which is good for the confederation. Excellent scouting of the diaspora too. It's made a difference over these past couple of years.
Some big tackles and late tackles sliding in early too. Wouldn't be the OFC if there wasn't a bit of niggle and physicality, would it?
Tuesday verus Solomons.
As someone else said expect a full strength lineup. Hopefully after a win, Bazeley to mix it up for the Vanuatu game, as both teams will already be confirmed semi finalists
The work continues in Vanuatu 🇻🇺💪 pic.twitter.com/Lnx09srdA4
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 16, 2024
Senior fullbacks Tim Payne and Liberato Cacace are favoured to join Wood as the over-age players, though selection decisions are only due to be finalised later this month, ahead of a (Olympics) squad announcement on July 2.
The Vanuatu and Solomon Island coaches this week acknowledged New Zealand was the benchmark for rival OFC nations, but OFC President Lambert Maltock was quick to remind everyone that the gaps are closing.
It was also a bit of a furnace in Honiara. Seems the most steamy hot of the OFC major cities.
And from memory Herbert gambled a bit with playing Killen in midfield or something. But on paper it was a pretty strong AWs squad, most had been to the 2010 WC. Far more full strength than 2016 or this time. Reid & Nelsen the only big names missing??
No doubt in 2012 they were ill prepared, and a bad sign leading into the Mexico playoff games in 2013. Little wonder after those games Tommy Smith got the sharks with how piss poor NZF were with preparing the team properly, and made himself unavailable until a Hudson charm offensive.
Edit - That was the best legacy of the maligned Huddo reign. A far better prepared AWs team going into games, than the mess post Mexico, that Herbert left. Hudson had to fight tight arse NZF from memory, using the media to make threats - but he got his way with more resources. And his players seemed to respect that.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2012/06/08/oceania/ofc-nations-cup/new-zealand/federation-caledonienne-de-football/1289156/
2012 starting eleven for 2-0 semi final loss to New Caledonia -
J. Gleeson, T. Lochhead , B. Sigmund, T. Smith, M. McGlinchey, I. Vicelich, C. Killen, L. Bertos, K. Barbarouses, S. Smeltz, C. Wood.
No Weenix Academy, and a national team coach not known for giving young players much playing time. Certainly if you are fit & younger you are less likely to wilter in the heat, than someone fit & older. But from hazy memories it was yes the lack of preparation (esp for the hot conditions), and some arrogant over confidence that were the main issues.
Maybe it's word filtering through to AV (and other journos) that Singh will bypass the Olympics to focus on finding a new club. Then having a full uninterrupted pre season with that club, so he is prepared as he can be for what again is a crucial next move in his career. That's just a complete guess.
If it's no Singh, then really Payne & Libby are the 2 standout overage candidates alongside Wood.
Some pretty lush vegetation sideline training, in Vanuatu. As golfers often say about the rough on Aussie courses. 'Snaketastic'. I'll just take the penalty shot
https://publish.twitter.com/?url=
Matchday minus one in Vanuatu 🇳🇿⚔️🇸🇧
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 17, 2024
Game one of the All Whites OFC Nations Cup campaign kicks off tomorrow 🔜
🎥 Watch live and free from 4pm NZT on FIFA+ pic.twitter.com/Thv1DVvusB
Sail and Crocombe would have to up their games now to usurp him.
If Payne, Surman, Bindon, Cacace are to be the back 4 in France (yes it maybe a back 3/5) then makes sense to have the Olympics keeper Paulsen behind them, for minimum 2-3 games in Vanuatu.
Who starts in goal for the AWs against Mexico in Pasadena on 6th Sept, that will be very interesting. That's if Crocombe is available. He may not be if Burton Albion have some games over that Sept window. But by then we will also have some idea of what Bournemouth have planned for Alex P in season 2024/25. It could be Cherries U21s or something not that exciting to start with, as he settles in.
MATCHDAY MINUS ONE 🇳🇿⚔️🇸🇧
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 17, 2024
The All Whites kick off their OFC Nations Cup campaign with a clash against Solomon Islands tomorrow afternoon 🏆
Watch live and free on FIFA+: https://t.co/XCuXkvRcwP pic.twitter.com/F4GpY3ygGQ
Sail and Crocombe would have to up their games now to come here.
Sun is shining in SE England (thank god) and it’s actually warm and summer like, Crowded House is about to play and I have the joy of watching the AWs in exactly 12 hours time. Life is sweet 😀
If only I had a Waikato Draught, Speights or Macs Gold to hand 😉
Sun is shining in SE England (thank god) and it’s actually warm and summer like, Crowded House is about to play and I have the joy of watching the AWs in exactly 12 hours time. Life is sweet 😀
If only I had a Waikato Draught, Speights or Macs Gold to hand 😉
Sun is shining in SE England (thank god) and it’s actually warm and summer like, Crowded House is about to play and I have the joy of watching the AWs in exactly 12 hours time. Life is sweet 😀
If only I had a Waikato Draught, Speights or Macs Gold to hand 😉
Wake up time isn't too bad for us UK lot either, all things considered
For someone as rich as Fifa you would think their streaming platform would be a bit more advanced
For someone as rich as Fifa you would think their streaming platform would be a bit more advanced
Ahh what a pain
How long do you think for the full replay to be uploaded?
For someone as rich as Fifa you would think their streaming platform would be a bit more advanced
Ahh what a pain
How long do you think for the full replay to be uploaded?
Of course both Smith & Cacace unavailable for this opening game.
The starting lineup is in 🇳🇿🇸🇧
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 18, 2024
🫡 Kosta Barbarouses captains the All Whites for the first time
👏 Alex Paulsen and Sam Sutton make their senior debuts
🎥 Watch the All Whites vs Solomon Islands live and free on FIFA+ pic.twitter.com/y5Z5Qbfz7h
Him & Mata should really be standing out at this level.