Trialist
94
·
120
·
about 11 years

Will NZ even play a game in 2018? The international fixture list is quickly filling up for the March window with very few teams now without a game. 

Interestingly Australia are playing two games in Europe in March, away to Norway and against Colombia in London. With the UEFA Nations League due to kick off in September fixtures against European teams will be almost impossible after that except for in the summer. Amazes me that we haven't played in London more after that friendly against Australia at Fulham 12 years ago. 

Shame we didn't get an invite to Thailand's annual Kings Cup tournament in March, where they'll host Gabon, Slovakia and UAE. Even Fiji have an away game against Malaysia scheduled later this year. 

Iceland clock up some incredible air miles playing away internationals. They went to Indonesia earlier this month and have games against Mexico (in the USA) and Peru in March. Last year they played in China, Qatar and USA as well. Maybe they'd fancy a couple of games down under? 

Starting XI
550
·
2.4K
·
over 14 years

NZF have no money/no coach and no care in the world for the All Whites atm.Football Ferns will get top billing this year.

Starting XI
2.5K
·
2.4K
·
over 8 years

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/58262

First friendly of 2018 is booked in, as well as an indication that we will have a head coach appointed by then.

Playing against Canada in Spain, unfortunately behind closed doors.

Early retirement
3.1K
·
34K
·
almost 17 years

Can't let the facts get out.

First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years

does that just mean no crowd, or is it also no TV? cos that would suck...

Early retirement
3.1K
·
34K
·
almost 17 years

My bet is no nothing.

Starting XI
2.5K
·
2.4K
·
over 8 years

I doubt it will even be live tweeted. Hopefully they at least announce the line ups and the result!

Marquee
3.7K
·
5.4K
·
over 11 years

It means the benches will be cleared - everyone will et a run and it will be more of a training game than anything.

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

"The World No 120 New Zealand side will play the World No 95 Canada"

"By mutual agreement the match will be a closed door affair. Both teams are at the beginning of a new cycle and will have new coaches, and this will be the first time that the coaches and players will meet and work together."

First good news that AWs have secured a friendly in this window, and sounds like the new coach will be definitely be appointed and ready to go by then. 

But don't get the logic of having game with no spectators. Why not let the good folk of Murcia have a looksee, no doubt with a tiny contingent of Kiwis/Canucks living in Europe? 

Who would be spying on the world's number 95 & number 120 sides, so early in the next qualifying cycle?

WeeNix
390
·
900
·
almost 11 years

aren't the football ferns in Spain around that Time? No coach a the heraf will step in and take the team as he will be in the area. 

Thanks John Herdman for jacking the game up!

Marquee
5.3K
·
9.5K
·
over 12 years

coochiee wrote:

"The World No 120 New Zealand side will play the World No 95 Canada"

"By mutual agreement the match will be a closed door affair. Both teams are at the beginning of a new cycle and will have new coaches, and this will be the first time that the coaches and players will meet and work together."

First good news that AWs have secured a friendly in this window, and sounds like the new coach will be definitely be appointed and ready to go by then. 

But don't get the logic of having game with no spectators. Why not let the good folk of Murcia have a looksee, no doubt with a tiny contingent of Kiwis/Canucks living in Europe? 

Who would be spying on the world's number 95 & number 120 sides, so early in the next qualifying cycle?

It's probably a cost thing. If you open the stadium you have to pay for security staff, people taking tickets, people Manning food stalls, and cleaners to clean up afterwards. Doubt there'd be enough local interest in buying tickets to cover the costs. Just booking the field and the changing roooms would be way cheaper
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

coochiee wrote:

"The World No 120 New Zealand side will play the World No 95 Canada"

"By mutual agreement the match will be a closed door affair. Both teams are at the beginning of a new cycle and will have new coaches, and this will be the first time that the coaches and players will meet and work together."

First good news that AWs have secured a friendly in this window, and sounds like the new coach will be definitely be appointed and ready to go by then. 

But don't get the logic of having game with no spectators. Why not let the good folk of Murcia have a looksee, no doubt with a tiny contingent of Kiwis/Canucks living in Europe? 

Who would be spying on the world's number 95 & number 120 sides, so early in the next qualifying cycle?

It's probably a cost thing. If you open the stadium you have to pay for security staff, people taking tickets, people Manning food stalls, and cleaners to clean up afterwards. Doubt there'd be enough local interest in buying tickets to cover the costs. Just booking the field and the changing roooms would be way cheaper

Yes that would make some sense. I wonder if the game will even have international status? 

Are there limitations on how many subs you can have for a friendly international? Can you basically treat it like a training run, change your whole team at half time, and it still qualify as an international?

Be interesting to see who makes themselves unavailable, for really just a training camp, and meet the new gaffer.

Obviously easy to get Spain for all the big guns playing in England/Holland - even if they don't actually strip to play Canada.

As per another post there maybe a few MLS guys reluctant to attend - as the MLS doesn't break for this window. If you fighting hard to break into a matchday MLS squad, you may think twice about jeopardizing that by missing a club game so early in the season, just to have a little 1 week holiday in Espana with your AWs mates.  

Lastly does anyone know what that Kiwi Canadian Ben McKendry is doing club wise? Was loaned by Vancouver to Edmonton FC (NASL side). But I think NASL league is in a messy legal dispute with US Soccer, and Edmonton FC have folded??

Of course in the USL, Vancouver II (McKendry's previous side) have also now folded, and been replaced by Fresno FC. Lower American leagues are complicated.

Marquee
5.3K
·
9.5K
·
over 12 years

coochiee wrote:

coochiee wrote:

"The World No 120 New Zealand side will play the World No 95 Canada"

"By mutual agreement the match will be a closed door affair. Both teams are at the beginning of a new cycle and will have new coaches, and this will be the first time that the coaches and players will meet and work together."

First good news that AWs have secured a friendly in this window, and sounds like the new coach will be definitely be appointed and ready to go by then. 

But don't get the logic of having game with no spectators. Why not let the good folk of Murcia have a looksee, no doubt with a tiny contingent of Kiwis/Canucks living in Europe? 

Who would be spying on the world's number 95 & number 120 sides, so early in the next qualifying cycle?

It's probably a cost thing. If you open the stadium you have to pay for security staff, people taking tickets, people Manning food stalls, and cleaners to clean up afterwards. Doubt there'd be enough local interest in buying tickets to cover the costs. Just booking the field and the changing roooms would be way cheaper

Yes that would make some sense. I wonder if the game will even have international status? 

Are there limitations on how many subs you can have for a friendly international? Can you basically treat it like a training run, change your whole team at half time, and it still qualify as an international?

Be interesting to see who makes themselves unavailable, for really just a training camp, and meet the new gaffer.

Obviously easy to get Spain for all the big guns playing in England/Holland - even if they don't actually strip to play Canada.

As per another post there maybe a few MLS guys reluctant to attend - as the MLS doesn't break for this window. If you fighting hard to break into a matchday MLS squad, you may think twice about jeopardizing that by missing a club game so early in the season, just to have a little 1 week holiday in Espana with your AWs mates.  

Lastly does anyone know what that Kiwi Canadian Ben McKendry is doing club wise? Was loaned by Vancouver to Edmonton FC (NASL side). But I think NASL league is in a messy legal dispute with US Soccer, and Edmonton FC have folded??

Of course in the USL, Vancouver II (McKendry's previous side) have also now folded, and been replaced by Fresno FC. Lower American leagues are complicated.

No limits on subs in international friendlies
Trialist
2
·
2
·
over 7 years

More than six substitutes may be used as long as the competing teams reach an agreement on a maximum number and the referee is informed. If these criteria are not met, no more than six are allowed.

Lawyerish
1.7K
·
4.8K
·
about 13 years

I was actually thinking the other day that short of playing USA or Mexico again, the next best thing for NZ football would be to get a game against Canada, with so many kiwis in the squad playing in North America.

Didn't however anticipate it being played in Spain behind closed doors.

Don't think anything behind closed doors should count as a full international 

Life and death
2.4K
·
5.5K
·
almost 17 years

Its a claytons game, i'd even go as far to say its an expensive waste of time. Both teams would achieve the same thing by staying at home and having an intra squad scrimmage. The international you have when you're not having an international. No guarantee we'll even have a coach for the bloody thing.....

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

We constantly decry the lack of quality AWs games, but yes if a new coach is not in place for this Canada game, the whole exercise will look rather pointless.

I really hope it is being organised on the cheap. Sounds like is going to all be based at some local academy setup (good facilities), with maybe some affordable accommodation onsite. Short Easy Jet plane trips for the European based players.

Still location choice seems a bit odd. Two teams that would both have a large number of MLS players in their first choice squads, scheduling a game (somewhat meaningless friendly at that, so early in next qualifying cycle) in Europe - when MLS season has just started, and doesn't break for this March FIFA window.

The training camp and Canada game are scheduled 19-25th March. At the moment this will overlap a number of MLS games as below

24th March - New York RB v Minnesota (M Boxall)

24th March - Dallas v Portland (Gleeson & Tuiloma)

25th March - Vancouver (Marinovic & Bevan) v LA Galaxy

25th March - Colorado (Smith, Colvey & Wynne) v Sporting KC (Musa)

Six of the above nine players, were in AWs squad verus Peru. Eight (all except Gleeson) have played for AWs in last 12 months.

Yet as a guess at the moment, only Marinovic and Boxall would be first eleven/match day squad certainties at their MLS clubs, right now? That's a guess, having no idea what other players their clubs have signed in the off season (I think Vancouver signed a new keeper to replace Ousted - keep Marinovic honest?).

Point being many of MLS contingent could be reluctant to leave their clubs for a week, to basically shake the new coach's hand, and listen to an Andy Martin speech - whilst putting their short term future club playing prospects at risk. Time for the younger guys (Tuiloma, Colvey, Wynne etc to be a bit selfish). I hope the AWs hierachy are keeping in touch with the various MLS coaches for feedback, on which players they are better to leave alone come late March. Bevan is probably one guy who won't be near a MLS squad anytime soon, ie will solely play USL for Fresno FC in 2018.

I'm sure the other MLS guys can find a few hours to tune in via Skype, to say hi to the new coach, their AWs mates etc.

Better I think to make it pretty much solely a European based AWs squad, fleeced out with A League players (Nix season will be dead by then), Brockie and maybe some U20's kids (dare I say Dyer).

Time to experiment and have a good look at a group of younger players like Crocombe, Woud, Adam Mitchell, Brotherton, Ridenton, Rufer, Nikko Boxall, both Inghams etc. Perhaps also bring Henry Cameron back in for a look. Definitely invite Boyd (if available). Also invite Joe Champness (ie try sneak him off Australia). Others like Luke Adams & Tyler Lissette (both playing in Sweden) and even Niko Kirwan are worth considering. They are all at pro club environments after all, and a good chance to keep them in touch with NZF.

If short on numbers, you'd have a few Kiwi "journeymen" in Europe like Old, Draper, Tamati Williams and Chris James (harsh tag maybe) possibly floating around. But really their time has been & gone - money better spent looking at Generation Next.

There will be some value for sure in having likes of Mitchell & Brotherton spend a few quality days training/talking, to Winnie Reid & Themi (if can understand him). Same re Lewis & Ridenton hanging out with Thomas & Rojas, or Woud learning off Glenn Moss, Wood rooming with young Bevan etc. Get Rory over for some board games/team bonding sessions.

I wouldn't even play the big guns (Reid, Wood, Thomas) in the Canada 'game'. What's the point - unless they were needing some match fitness, re club seasons.

I'd mostly play kids, and not give the game international status. Time to experiment, and see who stands out at the next level. Also there will be the odd European scout watching, so could assist some of these younger guys get a club gig somewhere if they catch the eye. All about thinking about the longer term AWs vision, and trying to build much needed depth.

Some the above youngsters will definitely be required in 2 years time, at the next Oceania Cup Confed tournament. Let’s not forget we won the last one on pens, and were knocked out of the previous one in semis. So let’s give them some international exposure now, so in 2 years time they are well prepared if needed.

In mean time, I hope NZF are targeting some WC 2018 bound teams - seeking pre Russia friendlies later in May/June. If so at that point, bring in the MLS players and make it a stronger more 1st choice AWs squad.

Life and death
2.4K
·
5.5K
·
almost 17 years

great bit of analysis

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

Thanks NP. Long Sth American bus ride, so had plenty of time to think

WeeNix
300
·
570
·
over 10 years

If its behind closed doors why not grab a few of the young Handy players and do what the league is advertised to do (make All Whites). Leave the MLS players as they are trying to fight it out bring maybe a few European based players. Its only Canada and some of them should be reasonably fit at this time of the year and would hopefully challenge the NZ Prem players to lift their game to another level and bring that experience back to National League.

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

Sancho wrote:

If its behind closed doors why not grab a few of the young Handy players and do what the league is advertised to do (make All Whites). Leave the MLS players as they are trying to fight it out bring maybe a few European based players. Its only Canada and some of them should be reasonably fit at this time of the year and would hopefully challenge the NZ Prem players to lift their game to another level and bring that experience back to National League.

Your idea has merit and agree to a point, but only if done also with a plan, that would be looking to promote any young guys - from the amateur Handy - in front of European football scouts, ie try to help them get a pro gig overseas. Andre de Jong is yes one player comes to mind. Maybe Heraf has that in mind for this AWs camp, as he has been involved in something a bit similar with the Future Football Ferns Programme, and that’s had success getting some younger Ferns pro gigs.

However the Handy players would mostly be already, being watched regularly in NZ, by NZF staffers. I'm talking more about bringing into this AWs camp young guys like Mitchell who have been overseas for a 1-2 years, and may not have been viewed up close for awhile, ie what level are they at now.

I think you should be in a pro club environment first, to make the AWs - even a downgraded wider training camp - like I'm hoping this March window will be.

Phoenix Academy
100
·
370
·
about 9 years

coochiee wrote:

Sancho wrote:

If its behind closed doors why not grab a few of the young Handy players and do what the league is advertised to do (make All Whites). Leave the MLS players as they are trying to fight it out bring maybe a few European based players. Its only Canada and some of them should be reasonably fit at this time of the year and would hopefully challenge the NZ Prem players to lift their game to another level and bring that experience back to National League.

Your idea has merit and agree to a point, but only if done also with a plan, that would be looking to promote any young guys - from the amateur Handy - in front of European football scouts, ie try to help them get a pro gig overseas. Andre de Jong is yes one player comes to mind. Maybe Heraf has that in mind for this AWs camp, as he has been involved in something a bit similar with the Future Football Ferns Programme, and that’s had success getting some younger Ferns pro gigs.

However the Handy players would mostly be already, being watched regularly in NZ, by NZF staffers. I'm talking more about bringing into this AWs camp young guys like Mitchell who have been overseas for a 1-2 years, and may not have been viewed up close for awhile, ie what level are they at now.

I think you should be in a pro club environment first, to make the AWs - even a downgraded wider training camp - like I'm hoping this March window will be.

Players who aren't really on the radar. 

Marquee
2.7K
·
7.2K
·
almost 17 years

Italy just announced that, as they search for a new coach, the U21 gaffer will take the team for two matches in the upcoming FIFA window...wonder if we'll do something similar in the end.

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/101733190/all-whites-programme-to-be-influenced-by-intercontinental-playoff-draw

Marquee
2.7K
·
7.2K
·
almost 17 years

I've just been thinking about the next year or two, with the limited amount of opportunities we'll get for meaningful games, I wonder if there's any merit in the idea of splitting the AWs into two separate teams, with one group made up ofHandy and some Nix players competing in friendlies with the likes of Pacific island teams.  Another group would be made up of the senior AWs/professionals playing overseas and would compete in more challenging games, arguably further away from home.

Every single game I imagine would take place during FIFA windows of course.

This would give us the opportunity to increase our depth and to play more games.  Anyone shining in the 'B-side' could then be brought intoto the A-side.

Thoughts?


EDIT: Can't spell for sharke today.

Starting XI
910
·
2.3K
·
almost 12 years

I've just been thinking about the next year or two, with the limited amount of opportunities we'll get for meaningful games, I wonder if there's any merit in the idea of splitting the AWs into two separate teams, with one group made up ofHandy and some Nix players competing in friendlies with the likes of Pacific island teams.  Another group would be made up of the senior AWs/professionals playing overseas and would compete in more challenging games, arguably further away from home.

Every single game I imagine would take place during FIFA windows of course.

This would give us the opportunity to increase our depth and to play more games.  Anyone shining in the 'B-side' could then be brought intoto the A-side.

Thoughts?


EDIT: Can't spell for sharke today.

Could this kind of happen by default? With Schmidt also having the u23/Olympic side I imagine that will be a big focus for the next year or two, and that could be a bit of a de facto B team. Most (maybe not all) players over 23 are probably known quantities, I imagine the coach will spend more time building the Olympic team, with a view to adding the more experienced senior players more consistently in the second half of the World Cup cycle. 

Pure speculation of course. 

Trialist
130
·
49
·
about 6 years

Canada announced it's squad today. It's missing some of the better attacking talent, but generally much stronger than I expected.

Do you have any idea when the All Whites will name their squad? Hopefully it will be a useful friendly for both of us.

CANADA SQUAD

GK- Milan Borjan | SRB / Red Star Belgrade

GK- Jayson Leutwiler | ENG / Blackburn Rovers

GK- Simon Thomas | NOR / FK Bodø/Glimt

CB- Derek Cornelius | SRB / FK Javor Ivanjica

CB- David Edgar | Unattached / sans club

CB- Dejan Jaković | USA / Los Angeles FC

CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest

FB- Samuel Adekugbe | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball

FB- Marcus Godinho | SCO / Heart of Midlothian FC

FB- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC

FB- Michael Petrasso | CAN / Impact de Montréal

M- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas

M- Scott Arfield | ENG / Burnley FC

M- Jay Chapman | CAN / Toronto FC

M- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Impact de Montréal

M- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK

M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Los Angeles FC

M- Liam Millar | ENG / Liverpool FC

M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC

M- Samuel Piette | CAN / Impact de Montréal

F- Cyle Larin | TUR / Beşiktaş JK

F- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC

Marquee
2.7K
·
7.2K
·
almost 17 years

Wow that's an interesting bunch of players - don't know many of of them, but some appear to be playing in some solid leagues like Turkey, EPL and in Scandinavia.

Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years

Also a good number at Toronto,  as we should have at the Phoenix

RR
·
Bossi Insider
9.2K
·
33K
·
over 15 years

martinb wrote:

Also a good number at Toronto,  as we should have at the Phoenix

We are losing 4 according to Piney. Singh, Ridenton, Doyle and McGlinchey
Appiah without the pace
6.4K
·
19K
·
over 16 years

juneof86 wrote:

CB- David Edgar | Unattached / sans club

Nice

Trialist
130
·
49
·
about 6 years

2ndBest wrote:

juneof86 wrote:

CB- David Edgar | Unattached / sans club

Nice

Unattached FC is one of our top clubs. lol 

Edgar was hit by a car and is just returning to the field. I thought he was signing with Vancouver (he started their last pre-season friendly), but they brought in another player. I hope he catches on somewhere. I'd like to see him end his career on his own terms.

Starting XI
2K
·
4.7K
·
almost 17 years

Canadian football seems to have a lot in common with kiwi football (ignoring the fact that they have more pro clubs due to population size etc), varied playing level being especially evident.

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

Marto wrote:

Canadian football seems to have a lot in common with kiwi football (ignoring the fact that they have more pro clubs due to population size etc), varied playing level being especially evident.

Both overshadowed domestically, by bigger more dominant sports in ice hockey and rugby union. 

Still isn’t Canada seen as a bit of an under achiever football wise? 

Only one World Cup appearance from a reasonably weakest CONACAF (spp)?

First Team Squad
520
·
1K
·
over 10 years

When is our squad being named?

Starting XI
280
·
2.7K
·
over 16 years

CONCACAF has a lot of tiny Caribbean nations, but at the top end you have several ex-Spanish colonies with reasonable populations and football as a major, if not the major sport. 3.5 World Cup spots shared between the likes of USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and Jamaica is pretty tough. Including Panama's appearance this year, 11 different CONCACAF nations have been to the World Cup. 

Does Canada underperform? Maybe. They don't have a national league of their own, though of course several teams in American leagues are based there. They have plenty of professional players but only have one in a first-team squad in a top-4 European league, which is fewer than Costa Rica, Honduras, and even New Zealand. 

Appiah without the pace
6.4K
·
19K
·
over 16 years

JamesBo wrote:

When is our squad being named?

Today sometime. 

Early retirement
3.1K
·
34K
·
almost 17 years

Piney saying midday

First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years

yeh, out but embargoed till midday

Early retirement
3.1K
·
34K
·
almost 17 years

Yeah.  It's interesting.

You’ll need an account to join the conversation!

Sign in Sign up