Certainly a conversation starter, its feels odd. No idea which of the three keepers will start, and weirdly for once our midfield might be our strongest area on paper - Hoping not to see McGlinchey get too many minutes though, would rather we get a look at the young guys. Same goes for Brockie and Themi
Probs move chat to the match thread now
https://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/all-whites-and-other-nz-international-teams/topics/all-whites-vs-canada-sun-25-march-4-00am
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.
I would agree with this. Canada has under-performed, but CONCACAF qualifying isn't easy either. The top teams are good and away matches are difficult. The pitches are usually terrible, the heat can be extreme and then the officiating can be maddening (particularly for players who play in Europe) and then if you're Central America the crowds are extremely hostile. Canada should have done much better in the 2000s, but in the last six years or so we just haven't had the talent. However, we have some solid young talent coming up and a few potentially great players, so hopefully we're back to being competitive in the region.
Conditions and circumstances akin to us and Oceania then?
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.
I would agree with this. Canada has under-performed, but CONCACAF qualifying isn't easy either. The top teams are good and away matches are difficult. The pitches are usually terrible, the heat can be extreme and then the officiating can be maddening (particularly for players who play in Europe) and then if you're Central America the crowds are extremely hostile. Canada should have done much better in the 2000s, but in the last six years or so we just haven't had the talent. However, we have some solid young talent coming up and a few potentially great players, so hopefully we're back to being competitive in the region.
I think Canada had a very good side in the early 2000's when they won the Gold Cup in 2000 against Colombia after beating Mexico in the semi (a very strong Gold Cup with Peru and South Korea joining Colombia as guests). Still the only country outside Mexico and the USA to have won the Gold Cup I think? The side drew with soon-to-be world champions Brazil in the Confeds Cup in 2001.
Finished third in the next Gold Cup in 2002 (beating South Korea in the 3rd/4th play-off).
Craig Forrest was a legendary goalkeeper and had a long career with Ipswich and West Ham in the Premier League.
Paul Stalteri must be one of Canada's all-time greats and went on to win the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen and play several seasons with Spurs in the Premier League.
The coach of that Canadian side of the early 2000's was Holger Osieck who went on to coach Australia 2010 - 2013 where he was also successful (runner-up Asian Cup 2011 to Japan, beat Germany on their own soil, qualified for 2014 World Cup with only two losses in 14 games) but a bad run in friendlies in the year before the 2014 World Cup led to his sacking.
I think Haiti won the Gold Cup at some point.
It's interesting that they didn't manage to get to Japan/Korea in that era. Definite underachievement there at least.
I think Haiti won the Gold Cup at some point.
It's interesting that they didn't manage to get to Japan/Korea in that era. Definite underachievement there at least.
Probably because they are poverty stricken dirt poor. Have had a succession of shark presidents, coups etc. Then they had a massive earthquake (I think was post 2002), that to this day they are still struggling to recover from. Tragic country really. I imagine if you are a decent young footballer, you try emigrate as quickly as you can.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/...
"The pinnacle is an eight-team mini tournament of teams from five continents......."
"Infantino, who hosted talks on the new competitions with officials from football's six continental governing bodies on Monday (Tuesday NZT), said the Nations League will "strengthen and enhance" international football with more competitive matches."
"Should the confederations show their willingness to move forward, an extraordinary Fifa Council meeting would be called around mid-May to finalise Fifa's position on the strategic matters impacting this project."
So what would this mean for AWs and Oceania? OFC nations, be lumped in with AFC, and given 'competitive' matches via Asia?
I see Infantino has met with all 6 confederations, but teams from only 5 confederations can qualify for the finals (eight-team mini tournament).
This old article from Nov 2017, says Oceania teams would play in the 4th division level - so I guess they couldn't initially qualify for the eight-team mini tournament. Still with promotion/relegation it's feasible (if unlikely) AWs could get to the big dance top 8 finals.
https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/11/03/global-nation...
Most important development, would seem to be a guaranteed cycle of meaningful international games - and hopefully some outside the OFC shark hole, esp with some sort of pro/rel system. Looks on face of it very good news for AWs and AWs fans, hoping to see big games in NZ long term.
Another article from November 2017, that speculates Oceania teams would play at a 4th division level.
http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/marcottis-musings/...
Apologies if someone has already posted these previously.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/...
Sounds like opposition will be more directed at the proposed 4 yearly expanded 24 team CWC - will be seen by some in Europe, as a direct competitor to The Champions League.
The proposed Nations League, which will hopefully benefit the AWs and AWs fans with more competitive games (inlc some in NZ) - may face less opposition.
Infantino has already mentioned, there maybe possibility of doing one but not the other. Sounds like by mid May, will be clearer what the future will be.
https://www.ft.com/content/71bbe454-59d8-11e8-b8b2...
Uefa cries foul over Nations League
Fifa’s proposal of expanding the Club World Cup has grabbed the headlines. But it is the alleged power grab over a second competition — a global “Nations League” — that shows how it is increasingly at odds with Uefa.
Uefa last year launched its own Nations League contest for European countries, intending to replace some “friendlies” with competitive games. These matches would be played outside the period when nations play qualification games for tournaments such as the World Cup or European Championships.
Fifa’s proposals build on the concept. Each of its federations, from South America to Africa, will be instructed to create their own Nations League. The winners of these continental competitions will play in a global “final eight” tournament every four years.
The consortium has promised $13bn in revenues for four editions of the Nations League, up until 2033. But according to a letter seen by the Financial Times, Fifa will require Uefa to “transfer the commercialisation” of Nations League games in return for about $560m every four years.
Uefa is angered by the prospect of handing over financial control of a concept it invented.
“We had an idea about a possible Global Nations League,” Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin said In a recent interview with German magazine Kicker. “We first presented it to the Fifa president, then to national associations and to clubs. And all of a sudden Fifa comes and says they are ready to sell it, our idea, to a fund without any explanations. It is really a strange offer.”
Looking a bit into the future, I hope there is someone at NZF reaching out to FFA and Graham Arnold.
At the moment the Socceroos have no games confirmed for the September, October & November FIFA windows.
They have been drawn to play 3 ME teams (Palestine, Syria & Jordan) in their Asian Cup pool early January 2019. You would think with those teams, Australia would boss possession, and the ME teams would rely on counter attacking.
So not a million miles from how AWs would probably go, against a Socceroos midfield of Rogic & Mooy. If game was in London with our full strength side (MLS players & European pros) - we would give them a very good workout.
At least Arnold has a had past relationship with the AWs, and will know a bit about NZ football - unlike some of other Socceroos coaches who appeared to be pushing FFA to only play bigger teams. Go on Arnie give us a game!
FFS is now 7 years since we last played Australia!
Have I missed something - is Arnold the Socceroos coach?
Have I missed something - is Arnold the Socceroos coach?
Appointed months ago. To coach Socceroos post World Cup.
Now since the Intercontinental cup has finished, we should now be trying to find some games for the first team. We still have three windows left. We should be able to get some good games as the world cup will be finished and it doesn't matter who they play as the next major tournament is a while away. A game or two against Australia would be nice or even some against Japan or Korea could be easy to get. Otherwise we should look at Canada or the US or some lower European sides like Sweden and Scotland. Hpefully we could land a team like Germany or France as well.
Every year on ANZAC we should have All Whites V Aussie, Silver Ferns V Aussie Netball, All Blacks V Aussie and a Kiwi's League Test V Aussie. Both Men's and Women's teams. Help re-create that ANZAC spirit Either a full on day or spread over 2 days. Imagine the TV ratings and decent crowds. One year here, one year over there.
A couple of immediate problems there I think:
1. A number of those match ups would be in competition with each other for spectators and TV/Media dollars.
2. Aussie are unlikely to agree to match ups where they think they are far superior to us - ie. football.
But what an organsmic sports heaven that would be if it all happened.
A couple of immediate problems there I think:
1. A number of those match ups would be in competition with each other for spectators and TV/Media dollars.
2. Aussie are unlikely to agree to match ups where they think they are far superior to us - ie. football.
But what an organsmic sports heaven that would be if it all happened.
Unfortunately a pipe dream esp re football. FFA will sadly only agree for Socceroos to play AWs if there are no teams, in say worlds top 60 or so unavailable. One hope for such a game now, could be Graham Arnold. He’s always been a reasonable friend of NZ football, but FFA ambitiously target much bigger sides for Socceroos to play in friendlies.
They have played Brasil, France, Germany, England and Holland all in last 5-6 years in friendlies.
A couple of immediate problems there I think:
1. A number of those match ups would be in competition with each other for spectators and TV/Media dollars.
2. Aussie are unlikely to agree to match ups where they think they are far superior to us - ie. football.
But what an organsmic sports heaven that would be if it all happened.
Unfortunately a pipe dream esp re football. FFA will sadly only agree for Socceroos to play AWs if there are no teams, in say worlds top 60 or so unavailable. One hope for such a game now, could be Graham Arnold. He’s always been a reasonable friend of NZ football, but FFA ambitiously target much bigger sides for Socceroos to play in friendlies.
They have played Brasil, France, Germany, England and Holland all in last 5-6 years in friendlies.
The only thing that makes it marginally more likely imo is the fact that the A-League now breaks for FIFA windows. That could increase the possibility of a trans-Tasman fixture featuring mostly local players, which would give both managers the chance to have a look at the wider squad (and an excuse to bring them together). Obviously this would mean we’d see a B team, especially for Australia.
I think we should target south east Asian opposition, no matter how 'small' (e.g. including Guam, Myanmar, Singapore etc) as I think they will all give us a challenge.
Also, playing somewhere in the 'middle' of European and Oceania-based players can only be a good thing - not overly fair on the MLS contingent, but something's gotta give!
Otherwise we should look at Canada or the US or some lower European sides like Sweden and Scotland. Hpefully we could land a team like Germany or France as well.
Sweden and Scotland are 'lower' European sides?
Otherwise we should look at Canada or the US or some lower European sides like Sweden and Scotland. Hpefully we could land a team like Germany or France as well.
Sweden and Scotland are 'lower' European sides?
Both would give us a pasting, and on its current form Australia might struggle against them too.
Scotland past a full a strength AWs? Define a pasting?
They just lost a friendly in Lima 2-0. Admittedly a bit of an experimental Scottish side, against a Peru side (sans Guerrrero) saying goodbye to their hone fans pre Russia.
Scotland past a full a strength AWs? Define a pasting?
They just lost a friendly in Lima 2-0. Admittedly a bit of an experimental Scottish side, against a Peru side (sans Guerrrero) saying goodbye to their hone fans pre Russia.
That was Scotland B or C. I'd say if we're talking full strength for both sides, in a game that has some importance for both (or is viewed as such for whatever reason), I'd say Scotland by 2.
Scotland past a full a strength AWs? Define a pasting?
They just lost a friendly in Lima 2-0. Admittedly a bit of an experimental Scottish side, against a Peru side (sans Guerrrero) saying goodbye to their hone fans pre Russia.
That was Scotland B or C. I'd say if we're talking full strength for both sides, in a game that has some importance for both (or is viewed as such for whatever reason), I'd say Scotland by 2.
It was effectively a Scotland C side, they went on to lose 1-0 to Mexico at the Azteca, I'd agree with el grapadura's view
Scotland past a full a strength AWs? Define a pasting?
They just lost a friendly in Lima 2-0. Admittedly a bit of an experimental Scottish side, against a Peru side (sans Guerrrero) saying goodbye to their hone fans pre Russia.
That was Scotland B or C. I'd say if we're talking full strength for both sides, in a game that has some importance for both (or is viewed as such for whatever reason), I'd say Scotland by 2.
It was effectively a Scotland C side, they went on to lose 1-0 to Mexico at the Azteca, I'd agree with el grapadura's view
Okay so we’d likely be competitive, lose by a couple (maybe less if Heraf tells Schmid to park da bus), but not really get pasted.
Scotland are a mess and they are starting over. I don't think anyone really knows how much of an A B or C team it really was
Peru walked past Croatia 2-0 the other day (who are far better than Scotland), goes to show you can’t judge friendlies. That being said I’d take Peru to win by 2 if Scotland don’t park the bus like we did
Peru have been impressive with their form in friendlies since beating us. 4 wins & a draw. Talisman Guerrero suspension over turned.
Their game verus Socceroos is going to be a beauty.
Peru have been impressive with their form in friendlies since beating us. 4 wins & a draw. Talisman Guerrero suspension over turned.
Their game verus Socceroos is going to be a beauty.
Anything other than a comfortable win for Peru would be a pretty big surprise really.
Peru have been impressive with their form in friendlies since beating us. 4 wins & a draw. Talisman Guerrero suspension over turned.
Their game verus Socceroos is going to be a beauty.
Since the beginning of January 2016, they've played 29 games and lost only 3. This is almost entirely World Cup qualifiers and Copa America games, so all against great opponents.
Unbeaten in 15 games (since December 2016).
Conceded one goal this year and scored ten.
Can't see them not going through to the R16, will be the surprise of the tournament for me and reach the semis
I think people underestimate how well we did, even if we did go out with a more defensive mindset than most of us would have liked. Peru should make the quarters, and from there who knows.
They are probably worth a lazy $10.
Peru have been impressive with their form in friendlies since beating us. 4 wins & a draw. Talisman Guerrero suspension over turned.
Their game verus Socceroos is going to be a beauty.
Since the beginning of January 2016, they've played 29 games and lost only 3. This is almost entirely World Cup qualifiers and Copa America games, so all against great opponents.
Unbeaten in 15 games (since December 2016).
Conceded one goal this year and scored ten.
Can't see them not going through to the R16, will be the surprise of the tournament for me and reach the semis
It's interesting. They definitely seem like a team on the mission, and their performances in the friendlies have shown the hunger not usually seen in those types of games. I do wonder if that will come to haunt them at the World Cup though. The Frenchies are a class team that could go all the way, and the Danes too had a storming finish in European qualifying (including thumping Poland 4-0 and Ireland 5-1), and will be feeling a lot more at home in Russia than the Peruvians. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if they're going home after the group stages.
I got the impression the Peruvians were bricking themselves about us before the first game, but our powder-puff effort put them at ease.
We were very well organized in game one, but didn't really push them much. Game two, we were very poor
Yeah, they were scared of what Wood might do to them. A fit Wood.
Peru have been impressive with their form in friendlies since beating us. 4 wins & a draw. Talisman Guerrero suspension over turned.
Their game verus Socceroos is going to be a beauty.
Since the beginning of January 2016, they've played 29 games and lost only 3. This is almost entirely World Cup qualifiers and Copa America games, so all against great opponents.
Unbeaten in 15 games (since December 2016).
Conceded one goal this year and scored ten.
Can't see them not going through to the R16, will be the surprise of the tournament for me and reach the semis
It's interesting. They definitely seem like a team on the mission, and their performances in the friendlies have shown the hunger not usually seen in those types of games. I do wonder if that will come to haunt them at the World Cup though. The Frenchies are a class team that could go all the way, and the Danes too had a storming finish in European qualifying (including thumping Poland 4-0 and Ireland 5-1), and will be feeling a lot more at home in Russia than the Peruvians. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if they're going home after the group stages.
Call me clairvoyant, Part 1
https://www.ft.com/content/71bbe454-59d8-11e8-b8b2...
Uefa cries foul over Nations League
Fifa’s proposal of expanding the Club World Cup has grabbed the headlines. But it is the alleged power grab over a second competition — a global “Nations League” — that shows how it is increasingly at odds with Uefa.
Uefa last year launched its own Nations League contest for European countries, intending to replace some “friendlies” with competitive games. These matches would be played outside the period when nations play qualification games for tournaments such as the World Cup or European Championships.
Fifa’s proposals build on the concept. Each of its federations, from South America to Africa, will be instructed to create their own Nations League. The winners of these continental competitions will play in a global “final eight” tournament every four years.
The consortium has promised $13bn in revenues for four editions of the Nations League, up until 2033. But according to a letter seen by the Financial Times, Fifa will require Uefa to “transfer the commercialisation” of Nations League games in return for about $560m every four years.
Uefa is angered by the prospect of handing over financial control of a concept it invented.
“We had an idea about a possible Global Nations League,” Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin said In a recent interview with German magazine Kicker. “We first presented it to the Fifa president, then to national associations and to clubs. And all of a sudden Fifa comes and says they are ready to sell it, our idea, to a fund without any explanations. It is really a strange offer.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1419881
"Over the years, I’ve seen that some national teams play only four matches a year. How can you improve your skills if you don’t play? We have to create meaningful games."
Hope Nations League gets off the ground, should only be good for AWs and AWs fans.
Sounds UEFA's main problem, was FIFA trying to rush it through before World Cup, and thew lack of transparency - ie Infantino being strangely secretive and refusing to disclose info on the backers putting up the purported $25 Billion.
Sort that out, and it could all be approved
Yusuf also confirms that they had secured an international match against the All Whites in Hamilton in November this year but before they could sign the agreement, NZ Football’s CEO resigned.
http://fijivillage.com/sport/Fiji-FA-working-hard-to-secure-matches-against-All-Whites-and-Socceroos--k92rs5/
Any news or updates on friendlys coming our way. We could get a game Vs Australia in November after they play Sth korea with the FIFA window break still open.
Heard decent rumours of a game in Asia in November prior to the NZF management mess, maybe still on, who knows.
I see Japan & Sth Korea, have obviously worked together to both play 2 games each at home, against Costa Rica & Chile in the September FIFA window (7-11th Sept).
These games would cost money to host, but would hope FFA & NZF sometimes have talks about trying to do something similar. I remember a few years ago, South Africa played in both Oz & NZ.
I guess little motivation to schedule international games in Sept window downunder, as interferes with pre season build up for various A League teams.
