The All Whites. Road to South Africa 2010

Starts this weekend!


Fuck rugby! Let just quit it and send all our athletes into a sport where we can truly measure ourselves on the world stage


PS STICKY!

all games will be live on tv1 also

amen!

who is going to the game on Sat?

source?

TV1 or SKY TV coverage, don't give a shit, as long as I can see most of the games I wanna see

still fucking 3 years away, why are they playing these qualifiers so early?

Ugh. I hate it when the free to air channells win games. It means they'll play them once and then block SKY from replaying them.

Only filthy disease ridden peasants and girls dont have SKY anyway

Pretty sure a 3 year campaign to the greatest show on earth is standard. minty?

Yes vadz...I know where i stole that from

TV1 will also show replays later that night/next day

plus highlights show on the weekends (like for the U-70/U-20's + womens world cups)

plus replays will also be shown on freeview for those that have that.

world cup qualis (like the world cup) get given first option to the world cup host (which has to be free to air, unless onsold to paid tv providers) when it comes to the host nation playing.

The U-70's is that like an open age catagory?

hmm, yeah I think I should start supporting NZ in competitions we have 0 chance of winning

Well fuck we may as well call oursleves American and invent some sports shall we

NZ: World Champs in Gumboot Throwing and beatingupthemissus

Id take NZ making the 2010 FIFA finals and losing all our games when we get there, over winning the RWC any day
(not the CWC tho)

Im going. Have they decided who we play if we win Oceana group? I heard 5th placed Asia and 6th South America bandied about.

People put too much emphasis on winning over enjoyment of the game itself.

Well, maybe I was one of those... but after having my heart broken 3 times this year (well, 3.5 if you count the Twenty20), I'd really like to see something where I know we're not going to win... low expectations is the key...

Does NZ have a Soccer side ???

tvnz are also showing the Phoenix vs Beckham match live

Well I would have to say, even tho Beckham is a great player, I can't see him holding off a whole Phoenix team on his own... really, you have to wonder about the organisers, why did they just bring Beckham to play against Phoenix, why not a team of 11 + subs like every other side?

Tomorrow's game has been called off due the Fijian Goalkeeper not getting an entry visa.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10469517

His father in law is in the Fijian military and since the coup, NZ has been very strict on anyone who has a military connection coming into NZ.

Always a bit of a shame when politics interfere with sport.

there goes my weekend

its going to be an even tougher match in fiji next week now.

MOTHERFUCKER!!!

I was so looking forward to this game!

and now got cancelled, pathetic!

what the fuck are you on about? ouch, my head hurts!

it's Phoenix vs LA Galaxy, not 11 vs 1, ffs

well admittedly I was drunk when I posted that, but just thought it's funny how it's "Phoenix vs. Beckham"... it's more like "Phoenix vs. Galaxy, starring Beckham"

haha, I blame Zenith's bad english typing at the first place

anyway should be a good one

I wonder why NZF still persist with Auckland, the Phoenix have proven Wellington is clearly the best venue for any and all football games. Surely we want a good size boisterous Wellington crowd rather than a couple of hundred silent Aucklanders? Sure they moved one game to Wellington but honestly Auckland has proven it doesn't give a fuck about football and Westpac Stadium is clearly the best option as a home base for NZF.

Now that I've read the background of the decision not to allow the Fijian goalkeeper a visa I must express my disgust. This has potentially cost us the chance to qualify in what is our best chance at qualification ever, given that the winner of Oceania plays of against the 5th placed Asian side.

The government should now stump up the $2 million costs we are facing due to their decision. In an effort to hurt Fiji they have fucked NZ. The worst part is that this decision goes right to the top, Helen Clark and Winston Peters were closely involved in this decision. Helen Clark must now relinquish her role as honourary president of the organising committee for the Woman's U17 World Champs.

Not to mention the damage to our players who have flown out from Europe, why should they bother next time?

From stuff.co.nz:

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, has already said that NZ Football could be entitled to compensation, claiming that Fifa's decision was "very disappointing, and is a complete U-turn by them."

He said New Zealand handled the matter in accordance with existing policy and it was Fiji that had chosen to make the matter political.

Fuck you Winston, die in a fire.

The New Zealand government has had sanctions against Fiji for over two years, and the status of this individual was well known to the New Zealand soccer people long ago.

The democratically elected sovereign government of New Zealand decides who gets visa's for this country, not a bunch of corrupt FIFA soccer officials in Europe. Otherwise what if Iran wants to send a team of Taliban terrorists to play New Zealand - what should we do then? Do a yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir to FIFA and Give them visas, the best hotel in town and all the Halal lamb they can eat?

he game should have been played in a neutral venue, which is what typically happens apparently. Of course, Australia has exactly the same sanctions against Fiji as New Zealand, so the game couldn't be played there either. Maybe New Caledonia, I don't now. The point is - FIFA doesn't tell the New Zeland government what to do.

Dude, in this country we play rugby, not some effete foreign game.

Australia isn't part of Oceania Footballs confederation anymore, being a world cup qualifier all matches must be played in the country's confederation.

1st = perfect sense, and pretty much what i couldnt be bothered typing

2nd and 3rd = blatent wind ups

NZ Soccer are bleating and pointing fingers to attempt to divert attention from the fact their pants are around their own ankles

Damn you sir, don't ruin my fun!

The reason the visa was denied was because the goalkeepers wife's father is a military policeman. Fair enough if he was a member of the military himself, but his wife's father, FFS... That's starting to border on friend of a second cousin twice removed.

As for your Taliban reference... Two bigoted comments in two days...

he isnt even married to her, its his fiance. Also, the player in question has played in NZ for the last 2 years (Waitakere i believe).

from www.nzsoccer.com



ALL WHITES AHEAD AT HALFTIME
October 17, 2007

AUCKLAND - A 32nd minute Ivan Vicelich goal has given the All Whites a slender one-nil lead at halftime of their crucial 2010 World Cup Qualifier in Lautoka, Fiji.

Latching on to a ball played over the top of an advancing Fijian defence, Vicelich also took advantage of some confusion caused by a retreating Chris Killen before lobbing the ball over Simone Taminisau.

Mark Paston has not been stretched in the New Zealand goal, although a Fiji did cause some trouble for the All Whites defence either side of the half-hour mark though Roy Krishna’s shots were both blocked by New Zealand defenders.

Full report to follow at fulltime.

Halftime: New Zealand 1 Fiji 0

Churchill Park, Lautoka

Referee: Jair Marrufo (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Charles Morgante (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Wienckowski (USA)
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo (USA)

Fiji: 1-Simione TAMANISAU (gk), 4-Samuela VULA, 5-Ronil KUMAR, 7-Roy KRISHNA, 10-Osea VAKATALESAU, 11-Pita RABO, 12-Peni FINAU (c), 13-Taniela WAQA, 15-Salesh KUMAR, 16-Malakai TIWA, 17-Malakai KAINIHEWE
Substitutes not used: 2-Avinesh SUWAMY, 3-Shalen LAL6-Apisalome TURUVA, 8-Pita BALEITOGA, 9-Maciu DUNADAMU, 14-Tuimasi MANUCA, , 20-Shamal KUMAR (gk).
Coach: Juan Carlos BUZZETTI

New Zealand : 1-Mark PASTON (gk), 2-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 7-Ivan VICELICH, 5-Andy BOYENS, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-David MULLIGAN, 8-Tim BROWN (c), 16-Duncan OUGHTON, 11-Leo BERTOS, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN
Substitutes not used: 12-James PRITCHETT, 13-Jarrod SMITH, 14-Chris JAMES, 15-Ben SIGMUND, 17-Jeff CAMPBELL, 18-James BANNATYNE (gk).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

heh This Fijian commentator is hilariously terrible and biased

I only caught one glimspe of the goal, but it looked fine to me? Anyone else see a replay? He 's still carrying on about it and questioning any good play or decision to the All Whites like its an outrage in a high queralous voice

all his talk about sugar canes sent me to sleep..

2-0 good result in fiji.

saw the replay, we dominated for periods, but our defense was broken all to easily. We really need Nielson in the middle there to shore things up. Good start though, lol at the press going on about the danger to the team etc, there was hardly anyone at the game

Well Aussie and Japan are through already with Bahrain holding 3rd spot in that group, looks like we might face them or maybe Saudi Arabia/Iran from the other group

Would be sweet if it was Saudi Arabai...good memories of pounding them 5-0 in the penultimate game of the 81 campaign

where did u get that from?

we are more likely to play north korea at this stage

I must have misread the fifa page, it was pretty complex and I was 4-tabling poker at the time :p

My impression is the 3rd place from each Asia group play off to play us? Jap and Aussie are miles ahead and already through and Bahrain is 3rd in their group

The other group is close.. but I went for Saudi cos some article I saw mentioned them

Actually we are more likely to play Bahrain or Saudi

Bahrain is likely to finish third unless something terrible happens to them.

North Korea was held 0-0 with Iran the other day...which means...

if Saudi Arabia beat South Korea, then it will come down to the Saudi Arabia vs North Korea match for second spot.

we dont want to play North Korea, they play or artificial turff and our boys haven shown earlier in the year they couldnt handle it. i think we'd come out of a match there either 2 or 3 down

Saudi and Bahrain im pretty confident we could comfortably come away with a draw.

if we do well in the confeds cup, we will be sky high..

i think we'll lose to spain 4-1, South Africa i think we will draw 1-1 (South Africa have been terrible lately) and Iraq i think we can beat 2-1

who the fuck are Bahrain?

I thought they're good at Athletics and shit like that?

I'd rather see AW play them than Saudi, Saudi has been a regular at the WCs

agreed, but they did recently hold aussie to a draw. (i think), so i'd put my money of south africa to beat NZ

I can't believe I'm saying this

NZ 1 Italy 0 13 mins in

Smeltz with a great header, keeper can only helped it into the net

even though it's like a second stringer Italian side, it's mighty tough to play against the world champions

wow

WTF?!

sorry fell asleep

it was then 1-1

then 2-1 to NZ at HT

3-2 NZ now lead, crazy, just crazy!

Italy wins 4-3.

NZ will probably be gutted at the moment. But they did well to come close.[/b]

just fkn WOW

Gutted, but well done to them!

to score 3 goals against the world champions must still be buzzing, the result is not ideal but this will give the boys a lot of confidence heading into Confed Cup with Spain

Result not ideal? I think it's an excellent result Minty... most would of expected the Italians to run over NZ, even with a 2nd string team.

Will make Spain a bit less complacent too, expect close to a full strength line up

awesome result!

i went to the Auckland City FC vs Koloale FC match at Kiwitea st a couple weeks ago which had some of the All whites playing (e.g Ivan Vicelich). I remember i was thinking how shitty the skill level looked compared to the top european football ya see on TV.


just shows how little i know..

In winning the 2006 World Cup Italy conceded a whole 2 goals all tournament

yes those fucking cheating Italian bastards they'll use every way to concede as least goals as possible, sorry Juve

I know. Fuckers costs me over a grand as I had put $100 on France at 11-1 to win it all before they played Brazil I'll fkn hate them forever! (never liked the greasy pricks anyway)

To be fair, it was an appalling World Cup in terms of the quality of the football. When defensive football is the way to succeed, Italy are at their best.

My old fulla stood to make over a grand if Australia won the WC. It was a cheating Italian prick diving in the box which knocked them out in the semis.


As much as I laughed (and loathe Australian sports teams) at the time, I was forced to shut up as I watched the Socceroos make their way through each successive round heh.

I'll look at the good side of that statement minty

Do you know what the word "ideal" means??

over a grand? What did he bet? $10? lol sif Aussie would ever win the WC. Well not thta year anyway

it was a horrible dive youre right. At the time I called it a totally fair penalty, of course. Later ...when crying about my missing $1100..... I umm changed my mind a litle

fkn aussies. fkn wogs. fkn sports betting. fkn Zidane fuck. fuck. fuck!

I pretty much quit sports betting shortly after

I can't believe you said that "greasy pricks"

It was an epic dive, no way a penalty... The funny thing for me is Australians on football forums I frequent still complain about it and like to think that without the penalty they would have made the semis at least, or even won the whole thing... It was 0-0 there's no guarantee they would have even got past Italy. But they're convinced it was the greatest injustice in football history, which probably shows that none of them followed the sport during the 2002 World Cup when first Italy and then Spain were knocked out by South Korea by a series of appalling decisions (not just one) that were bordering on corrupt. Or Michael Owen's dive to beat the Argies and effectively knock them out.

so its either Bahrian or Saudi Arbia..after this mornings performance we dont have a hope.

hopefully Bahrain comes thru.

I'd rather play Bahrain than Saudi

Agree on that, Saudi just have too much World Cup experience. Hopefully Ryan Nelsen is fit for the play off, not sure the extent of the injury but I saw the game where he did it and it was bad enough that they brought him off just before half time (usually they wait to half time if it's possible), but he walked off so that's encouraging. Just a strain rather than a tear I hope.

There was contact.

welington grrrrr

i'm keen to fly down for the weekend, who's keen?

Atmosphere in Wellington will be infinitely superior and the players wanted the game there. NZF have done the smart thing and listened to the players requests rather than bottling it and putting it in a half full Auckland stadium with non existent atmosphere. I think the Phoenix have well and truely shown the Wellington is the home of football in New Zealand, whereas the attendances at Kingz/Knights games was often embarassing.

TAB ODDS

Bahrain $1.50

Draw $3.45

NZ $7.00!!!


Sick. Are we really that far behind them?

Roll on Sunday Morning anyway

+ Yet another excellent Rattue article today

What times KO?

430

sunday morning.

can't wait, if we can get a score draw, we could be in for a chance, in saying that Bahrain could get away goals when the match is played in Wellington, hopefully it's a tight contest

think before you post.

Got them at $7.60 on Betfair

Odds should slim with Nelsen ruled 100% fit??

Odds on draw have risen a little, but no movement for 2 days on NZ win. I got them at 7.6, but they've been at 7.2 for 2 days.

TABs odds will be purely based on rankings, where we are way behind Bahrain... Although it's very surprising for the TAB to have such long odds as the majority of special occasion betters (those that bet on one off events from time to time and bet with their heart) will be backing New Zealand so they might stand to lose a lot if NZ win, usually they look to protect their loses in these situations.

However those odds are for the first leg not the overall tie, might jump on Betfair later and see what the odds are like in the 'To Qualify' market.

we are not way behind Bahrain thou jono.

wait... wtf did we drop to 100

touché

welcome news that Nelsen is fit for the tie, good thing was he missed the Arsenal game in weekend, just in case he does pick up a knock or two.

where are people watching the game?

we should get together

gonna a be in the city sat night, boys, where you watchin? Dont say sport billy's please

i guess foxes will be showing it?


minty - we'll meet you at skycity @ 4am.

I'm keen as to watch it in the city.

Will hopefully get to reinact my goal celebration from the Barcelona Chelsea CL semi.

so are you implying that cant watch it at sky city cos we aint special enough? faaark yoooooooo
Yeh Jono keen, as long as Zeniff isnt there

i actually prefer the irish bar down there instead of foxes.

hotter staff and better food options for breakfast

Apparently we're playing 3-4-3 with Fallon, Smeltz, and Killen all starting...

3 at the back

I'm not a fan of the formation, especially when we'll lin up with two target men as we're relying yoo much on the twi widemen to deliver crosses as well as defend the flanks. If Bahrain get their fullbacks to push forward and overload the flanks it could cause us a lot of problems.

Does anyone actually know anything about this Bahrain side/seen them in action at all? What sort of team are they? I see their media is decribing us as the "kiwi bruisers" so im assuming they are not a particulary physical or tall-big side. Or maybe thats just their media making an ill-informed reference to us being a rugby nation idk

So so amped for this game, cmon Smeltz! Be our Woodin!

Jaycee John is prob their best player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z08t1O6dNvQ

Yeah I must confess to knowing nothing about them apart from the highlights I saw of their triumph over Saudi. I'm just not a fan of 3-4-3 at all, especially given our personnel, it might work if the 3 attackers consisted of two wide men and a CF as that gives the wide midfielders the freedom to play the ball forward to another wide player and not be responsible for the entire flank. But with our front 3 it would most likely be two centre forwards and Smeltz in behind with the freedom to roam, which means if our wide midfielders are needing to get forward to put in crosses for the target men they will be vulnerable to the counter or find themselves overloaded if the fullbacks start overlapping.

For an away leg against a supposedly better side I'd much prefer to play a 4-2-3-1 with two defensive mids (Elliott and Vicelich) and Smeltz playing a Stephen Gerrard typ erole, dovetailing off Killen, with Fallon coming on at some point in the second half to smash into them off set pieces.

Hoping that Ricky's tactics (if they are confirmed and not media BS) prove me wrong though.

3-4-3?

has Herbert actually played that formation before?

I think we should be defensive, but not sit too deep otherwise Bahrain would just have most of the possession

4am at Skycity sounds good, is everyone going there?

no.

so you're not coming now

Jono, car pool?

NO, no ones going to skycity

well maybe another venue then?

Jono is coming