they look like a Sunday pub league team
Recall reading somewhere they were a very young team - students?
Meanwhile, based on the pic below from their FB page, guessing it will be a strong walk up croud? And I wonder what the temp and humidity readings will be for 6-745pm?
anyone going to give some score updates?
is that grounds roof built properly or is it falling down?
2-0 win
https://www.facebook.com/search/137242056449683/lo...
I note the local councillor's comment "Tonight Western Pride vs NZ Mens Team. Go Western Pride!"
They must mostly play friendlies against International Women's Teams.
The Western Pride boys must be chuffed with that scoreline as at least I expected our national team to destroy a small club team by quite a few goals. A win's a win though, glad we kept a clean sheet.
Apart from Patterson who scored?
And on the point of Patterson do you think him and Tommy discussed the Cup prior to signalling their intentions?
It's just a warm up friendly, is common to see the best team win only by a goal or two. I'm happy just with the fact the AW were capable of winning, not like in 2013 when they drew with Chivas USA and Ventura County Fusion. NZF coverage was extremly poor though, they twitted: Full report to come (hopefully), hopefully!!
Unconfirmed reports that the pitch in PNG is fudged.
Unconfirmed reports that the pitch in PNG is fudged.
Unconfirmed reports that the pitch in PNG is fudged.
like in Honiara?
well with a win at least we go up in the world rankings eh ;) ;)
Unconfirmed reports that the pitch in PNG is fudged.
AHAHAHA
y'all who expect detailed coverage of what is effectively a training game (and one that I would imagine would have been behind closed doors in n ideal world) are nuts
y'all who expect detailed coverage of what is effectively a training game (and one that I would imagine would have been behind closed doors in n ideal world) are nuts
This was the only one of the three that wasn't behind closed doors though...
Which is why I think it's clear that the AW would have preferred the whole trip to be out of the spotlight. Having a media guy there for 90 minutes for one unlimited subs game just isn't realistic.
Which is why I think it's clear that the AW would have preferred the whole trip to be out of the spotlight. Having a media guy there for 90 minutes for one unlimited subs game just isn't realistic.
Specially when the team is rated 161 in the world. Maybe when we hit the top 50 we might just get a media guy covering, say, the last 10 mins.
Which is why I think it's clear that the AW would have preferred the whole trip to be out of the spotlight. Having a media guy there for 90 minutes for one unlimited subs game just isn't realistic.
Specially when the team is rated 161 in the world. Maybe when we hit the top 50 we might just get a media guy covering, say, the last 10 mins.
"When"? I admire your optimism.
Which is why I think it's clear that the AW would have preferred the whole trip to be out of the spotlight. Having a media guy there for 90 minutes for one unlimited subs game just isn't realistic.
Specially when the team is rated 161 in the world. Maybe when we hit the top 50 we might just get a media guy covering, say, the last 10 mins.
"When"? I admire your optimism.
sarcasm
there absolutely should have been coverage
every hit out is an opportunity to increase exposure and get the fans to buy in to the cause
we get morning and afternoon tweets about training sessions last week and only because these training sessions took place outside the front door of the office
it's not good enough and symptomatic of a dysfunctional organisation
there absolutely should have been coverage
every hit out is an opportunity to increase exposure and get the fans to buy in to the cause
we get morning and afternoon tweets about training sessions last week and only because these training sessions took place outside the front door of the office
it's not good enough and symptomatic of a dysfunctional organisation
100% right. If small clubs around NZ can tweet live updates of games then any 1 of the hangers on travelling with the team can put their phone to good use. Currently the All Whites have the lowest profile they've ever had apart from the diehards on this forum so any opportunity to talk about the game needs to be taken. And it makes me laugh that the other 2 games are behind closed doors. For what reason exactly? The island nations know what we are going to do - lump it long and hope for the best. NZF is currently staffed by a bunch of people who make Chris Turner look good - if we win this it will be close to a miracle
The guy who was meant to fax out live score updates was on holiday and the other guys couldn't work out how to use the system
agreed, it's shambolic. The fact people are defending NZF on here is a disgrace.
agreed, it's shambolic. The fact people are defending NZF on here is a disgrace.
I'd rather they spent money getting decent games than on sending someone to cover these ones.
I'd also rather they spent the money on making Antony Hudson and Andy Martin redundant.
so would I. But they already have enough people there to get one of them to send a few tweets
I was just looking at other teams' squads and thought it would be interesting to talk about them. New Caledonia's squad looks solid, definitely a strong contender again. Great stats on paper. Some to look out for: Bertrand Kaï still going and looking good; Gope-Fenepej no doubt will score at least 4 or 5 and Ligue 2 player César Zeoula. Also a couple of other players having 20+ caps at age 26.
Hopefully Krishna does well for Fiji, that'd be great to watch. It would be kinda hilarious if he knocked us out; I wonder how well he'd be received coming back to the Phoenix for preseason.
Benjamin Totori and Henry Fa'arodo, haven't heard those names in a while! Obviously another player that deserves a mention for the Solomons is Lea'alafa, what a great ASB Premiership season he's had.
Anyone want to shed some light on other players to look out for from other nations? It would be cool to discuss other countries as well.
Hopefully Krishna does well for Fiji, that'd be great to watch. It would be kinda hilarious if he knocked us out; I wonder how well he'd be received coming back to the Phoenix for preseason.
I imagine most supporters would be happy for him. People wouldn't hold New Zealand's incompitence against him.
I was just looking at other teams' squads and thought it would be interesting to talk about them. New Caledonia's squad looks solid, definitely a strong contender again. Great stats on paper. Some to look out for: Bertrand Kaï still going and looking good; Gope-Fenepej no doubt will score at least 4 or 5 and Ligue 2 player César Zeoula. Also a couple of other players having 20+ caps at age 26.
Hopefully Krishna does well for Fiji, that'd be great to watch. It would be kinda hilarious if he knocked us out; I wonder how well he'd be received coming back to the Phoenix for preseason.
Benjamin Totori and Henry Fa'arodo, haven't heard those names in a while! Obviously another player that deserves a mention for the Solomons is Lea'alafa, what a great ASB Premiership season he's had.
Anyone want to shed some light on other players to look out for from other nations? It would be cool to discuss other countries as well.
I've found the Solomon Islands squad to be quite good. They have some good players in Fa'arodo, Totori, Lea'lafa, Naka, Feni but still lack of some pros. For that reason maybe the NC squad seems better.
On the other hand, some teams look weak. Vanuatu and PNG with almost everyone from their local leagues. IMO either of both will get through group stage. Fiji did terrible in 2012 with a similar squad, now the main difference is Farina has called 5 or 6 kids from the U20s and U23s. One thing is to suceed at age level, but another totally different is to do so against stronger oposition.
And then is Tahiti. From the 2012 squad there's Roche, Caroine, Chong Hue, Bourebare, Simon, Alvin Tehau and Vallar. Not as many as I expected. Still they should do good, considering new players like Heck, Lucas, Tissot and Teaonui Tehau.
So considering how unpredictable the Islands teams are and how little we know about them, IMO NC and the Solomon Islands have the better squads, followed by Fiji and Tahiti. Can't see Vanuatu or PNG getting any better than 3rd in their respective groups. And Samoa, which squad I haven't been able to found, will loose the 3 matches by large margins.
I'm surprised Vakatelesau isn't playing for Fiji - he has 17 goals from 17 caps.....maybe injured? Seems like a big bugger too. And I was impressed with Saula Waqa at the U20 WC, no mention of him.
PNG could have called up some players to make their side stronger on paper - Brad McDonald at CCM, Harrison Delbridge plays in the USL and, of course, David Browne at PEC Zwolle. Wasn't there also a midfielder who played for Wellington or Waitakere, who also played in England?
Newcastle player Mitch Cooper for Vanuatu?
New Caledonia could have called upon some new players too - Josh Sotirio at WSW, Jean-Michel Joachim who plays in Luxembourg (I know....), and Vadaine Oliver at York City in League 2.
Samoa could get Tahj Minniecon and James Meyer, playing in the Philippines and Hong Kong respectively.
So it seems like the Island players aren't casting their nets too wide either. I'm sure there'd be a number of others playing in Australia's NPL.....especially PNG/Vanuatu/SI eligible players
Reg Devani? Played for ACFC about 5 years ago. He's the PNG assistant coach.
I'm surprised Vakatelesau isn't playing for Fiji - he has 17 goals from 17 caps.....maybe injured? Seems like a big bugger too. And I was impressed with Saula Waqa at the U20 WC, no mention of him.
PNG could have called up some players to make their side stronger on paper - Brad McDonald at CCM, Harrison Delbridge plays in the USL and, of course, David Browne at PEC Zwolle. Wasn't there also a midfielder who played for Wellington or Waitakere, who also played in England?
Newcastle player Mitch Cooper for Vanuatu?
New Caledonia could have called upon some new players too - Josh Sotirio at WSW, Jean-Michel Joachim who plays in Luxembourg (I know....), and Vadaine Oliver at York City in League 2.
Samoa could get Tahj Minniecon and James Meyer, playing in the Philippines and Hong Kong respectively.
So it seems like the Island players aren't casting their nets too wide either. I'm sure there'd be a number of others playing in Australia's NPL.....especially PNG/Vanuatu/SI eligible players
PNG could also call up Quivi Fowler plays for Vitesse in Holand, Probably money issue here not wanting to fly players over. they were supposed to go to Korea on pre tournament tour but apparently showed up at airport with only 7 tickets for 23 man squad so stayed in Moresby for a "training camp" sounds like another team we know.
PNG could also call up Quivi Fowler plays for Vitesse in Holand, Probably money issue here not wanting to fly players over. they were supposed to go to Korea on pre tournament tour but apparently showed up at airport with only 7 tickets for 23 man squad so stayed in Moresby for a "training camp" sounds like another team we know.
Wowsers. Coupled with the Women's Olympic team fiastco.
Hahahaha.......only 7 tickets for 23 players plus staff.....bunch up lads, and no one order anything onboard!
I'm surprised Vakatelesau isn't playing for Fiji - he has 17 goals from 17 caps.....maybe injured? Seems like a big bugger too. And I was impressed with Saula Waqa at the U20 WC, no mention of him.
PNG could have called up some players to make their side stronger on paper - Brad McDonald at CCM, Harrison Delbridge plays in the USL and, of course, David Browne at PEC Zwolle. Wasn't there also a midfielder who played for Wellington or Waitakere, who also played in England?
Newcastle player Mitch Cooper for Vanuatu?
New Caledonia could have called upon some new players too - Josh Sotirio at WSW, Jean-Michel Joachim who plays in Luxembourg (I know....), and Vadaine Oliver at York City in League 2.
Samoa could get Tahj Minniecon and James Meyer, playing in the Philippines and Hong Kong respectively.
So it seems like the Island players aren't casting their nets too wide either. I'm sure there'd be a number of others playing in Australia's NPL.....especially PNG/Vanuatu/SI eligible players
Problably in many cases those players make themselves unavailable to focus on their club carrers, especially the pros, though I'm surprised with the Brad McDonald's case, considering he has already played a friendly for PNG and the A-League season's been over for a while.
I'm surprised Vakatelesau isn't playing for Fiji - he has 17 goals from 17 caps.....maybe injured? Seems like a big bugger too. And I was impressed with Saula Waqa at the U20 WC, no mention of him.
PNG could have called up some players to make their side stronger on paper - Brad McDonald at CCM, Harrison Delbridge plays in the USL and, of course, David Browne at PEC Zwolle. Wasn't there also a midfielder who played for Wellington or Waitakere, who also played in England?
Newcastle player Mitch Cooper for Vanuatu?
New Caledonia could have called upon some new players too - Josh Sotirio at WSW, Jean-Michel Joachim who plays in Luxembourg (I know....), and Vadaine Oliver at York City in League 2.
Samoa could get Tahj Minniecon and James Meyer, playing in the Philippines and Hong Kong respectively.
So it seems like the Island players aren't casting their nets too wide either. I'm sure there'd be a number of others playing in Australia's NPL.....especially PNG/Vanuatu/SI eligible players
Problably in many cases those players make themselves unavailable to focus on their club carrers, especially the pros, though I'm surprised with the Brad McDonald's case, considering he has already played a friendly for PNG and the A-League season's been over for a while.
From what I've read on PNG fan page all overseas pros were available for selection
Just incase the pitch wasn't going to be bad enough they have slipped another 3 games in during nations cup
Wow. That's going to be an interesting cultural experience for the US girls.
