I thought we were pretty lucky actually. First half the All Whites gave us far too much respect. Emerton played well, consistently turned Lines, but I thought Okon was unfit. The whole team looked flat in the second half, and as the Kiwis upped the tempo we were troubled a few times. Nice cross from Stanley for the first goal, especially after I've been bagging him senseless for his crossing during the Confed Cup. Stupid challenge from Tiatto - it looks worse in slow motion, but there was no real need for it...
Team reminds me of the Eddie Thomson days though - very boring to watch.
written by Adrian Smith
I thought the second half was a bit more interesting.
first half I thought Emerton was very good, as was Vidmar and Popovic, and Okon too.. I thought Corica should have ran at players a bit more, and his first touch seemed to let him down a bit early on.
Definitely powder puff up front early on, and sorry, he may have scored against France, but I'm afraid Clacka didn't inspire me tonight. A satisfactory and workmanlike performance though, and the Kiwi second half comeback probably helped bring us back down to earth a wee bit.
I thought Danny's challenge was, and I choose my word carefully...stupid. I don't think he made contact with the opposing player, indeed I am 100% convinced that he was not going for the player, but, a referee would give a red card for a challenge like that nine times out of ten if the player who was attacking the ball(as Danny was) ended up landing anywhere near an opposing player. (If I can work that out as a punter, why can't Danny as a pro fitba player?)
Schwarzer did everything he had to, and hopefully the 2-0 ghost won't make an appearance on Sunday..8-).
written by Fred Legget
I have just watched 90 minutes of football during which I can't remember a single shot on goal by an Australian forward - I refuse to call them strikers - that would be an oxymoron. Frankie MUST persuade Harry & the Duke to turn out when we play some genuine opposition.
As for Okon - couldn't one of the sponsors buy him a pair of boots - I'm sick of those silly "sandshoes" he wears. Good player that he is though - I wish he was as good as he seems to think he is. He is far too casual for my liking and gives the ball away too often - though he's not alone in that regard.
written by Groundskeeper Willie
I don't think we were ever at great risk.
Before endless other WC qualifiers, Joinery Warren would always say how different WC football is. It was ever so - tight, nervous, etc. Much different to confed cup games, esp. with FIFA always dumping us into 2 legged cup ties. Also, I think we are always better underdogs than the superior team.
We triumphed (as predicted by moi) despite lack of firepower, because the Kiwis are well below us in ability.
written by Mark Bowman
I agree, Mark.
Australia must have found it difficult to lift its game against a fairly pedestrian opponent, compared to the teams it played in Japan and Korea. Not to disparage NZ too much as they were still a chance of getting a draw until the second goal went in and still a chance of getting a goal to head across the Tasman with no more than one down, but I feel this Australian team would be much better motivated against its South American opponents and will play at a faster tempo, or at least a greater level of intensity, when they meet them later in the year.
Barring any unforseen circumstances on Sunday, of course.
A stronger NZ side would benefit Australia and give us more sharp match preparation, so I really think the Kingz team is a big help to our region. I thought Tiatto looked good when he came on fresh and it was a matter of poor timing and the wrong option by him personally rather than any vicious action or aggressive approach by him when he joined the fray. He may have been more motivated than those already out there and unable to adjust to the temper of the game. He was always seen as a bit of a rash character in the past, but has redeemed himself in recent times. I'd forgive him this indiscretion.
Zane was just Zane. I thought everyone did well, with Schwarzer the stand out, as he did need to make several crucial saves and I was very comfortable knowing he was there whenever NZ got a move on and found any holes in the Aussie defence.
written by Paul Goodwin
There's been some good analysis here of the game last night people. I felt Shaun Murphy deserved a mention too for his resilience as well as Popovic and co. Not a pretty win but at least it was professional and that's something we really could have done with in those old campaigns against Scotland in 85 and Argentina in 93 etc.
Good first 20 by us and the kiwis did pretty well in the second half but their penetration is as bad as ours. I'm surprised that Johnny Warren didn't mention those pathetic deep crosses that we put in. If your attack can't get over the top of a packed defense go around it. Emerton and Lazo did that early on then lapsed into the old 'lazy cross from the deep' trap.
The team can play better and in terms of luck it makes up for dominating Japan in Yokohama then getting hit by that sucker punch free kick.
I bet 'our' Kiwis are shitty about Grant Batty though!
written by Warren Green
Just a few random opinions. I wonder if, despite the harping about not taking NZ too lightly, that we didn't do that? This did not look like the same side that did some class things in the Confed Cup.
I thought, with the exception of the one that lead to the first goal, our crossing was absolutely diabolical. Time and agian we made good position wide and wasted it. Good sides don't. Remember Argentina in Sydney? I don't know if was the fault of the forwards for not being where they should have been or the crossers. It was very bad. As usual, at international standard, you must not give the ball away so easily. Not a big problem ultimately last night, but against the South American side (if we can protect our lead on Sunday) it will be curtains.
When Stan the Man cuts in he is devastating until he releases the ball, than he is virtually always crap. He seem NEVER to construct anything from those runs towards the box. Out wide and behind the full back, he is still very effective.
Hooray for the Grape - another yellow! Do yellows and reds in this carry on into the next stage?
Where was the sellout crowd? Lots of yellow seats on view. Anyone know if we are going to put on a similar sad show of vast open spaces on Sunday? Brings the game into disrepute IMHO. Will our strong position be likely to improve the gate or otherwise? I can see arguements either way.
Okon played more bad passes in that game than in the whole of the Confed. Is he unfit, or did he just have an off night? I suppose if the latter, there could be worse occasions to get it off his chest. Overall, it will do.
written by David Marshall
I have read with interest the comments on the list about last nights game so thought I would bore you with mine. As one of only 3 active Kiwis on the list (after Grant & Colin) the other point of view may interest or bore you since I think most of these comments I am sure you will agree with at least "deep down" if not openly on the list.
1) This was a match between a team of professional footballers and a team of triers. The 1st half hour was quite frankly embarrassing for me. How we (NZ) were still in it at that stage was nearly miraculous
2) My point last week about Australia lack of firepower was proven I think. Did an Aust striker have a shot? At all? Thats why we were still in it after half an hour
3) The 2nd half was nearly a procession towards the Oz goal. I thought NZ played quite well during this period. We created 3 or 4 excellent chances but couldn't finish. Despite Austs first half possession and territory dominance you didn't really create any clear cut chances ie its not like you missed sitters. We did.
4) I agree with Adrian. Australia were lucky. On numerous counts.
5) Vidmars tackle on Coveny. Definite penalty AND Red card (as last man). Please go to the replay and watch the BALL. Vidmar isn't close to it. The "behind the goal view" proves this and noticeably Paul Williams and Johnny warren stopped mid-sentence when it came on. The ball doesn't change its path or pick up any speed which it would do had Vidmar touched it.
6) popovic should have had a red card for his professional foul on Coveny in the second half. Johnny Warren alluded to this as well
7) Danny Tiattos tackle was NOT mistimed. It was a calculated attempt to break a fellow professionals ankle. He Has no intention whatsoever of taking the ball. Two footed studs up from 2 metres away...mistimed? My A*se. I don't know whats happened at Man City but its clear that tiatto doesn't like Killen
8) How the F*** can Harry Ngata NOT get in the NZ team? The class he has could have made the difference between a loss and a draw
9) the second goal. What can you say? Shit happens. Frankly i wasn't impressed with Batty with the 1st goal. I felt any ball into that area (good cross though it was) is a keepers ball. Batty stood still watching as Emmerton came in. Best to play without a keeper if he's the best we've got.
10) I thought - honestly - we deserved a draw. 2-0 was a very unjust result IMO
11) finally, the 2nd leg could be a thumping. effort only goes so far and i think class will tell well and truly in Sydney. 4-0.
written by David Paton
The Evening Post (W'ton) rated the members of the All Whites out of ten. Batty got a 2, with the comment, "lost us the game."
Others have spent large ammounts of prose on the game, so I will dispense with my verdict, suffice to say that I was NOT bored at all, and am pleased with the result. (Although, I hated seeing that last goal. Reminded my too much of the Olympics). Mucho Sympathy to the Kiwis, esp after their wonderful hospitality (Grant & Cathy, Bruce, Russ and the whole Bloc 5 gang) Hope you do come over for the Sunday game.
WestpacTrust stadium is brill! Very modern, and despite being a circular shape, very intimate. The noise generated by the crowd was huge, if the Kiwis had scored, it would have knocked the hats of people. I compere it to SFS, not as good, but better than most other grounds in OZ for accoustics and atmosphere. Think colluseum (sp?). Perth Glory should take a look.
Managed to get some great photos :) thanks to Grant and the Sitter! know-how. Out in the centre on the pitch the noise was reverberating like waves, and the Kiwis were trying to lift themselves to take advantage of the support.
Might have snapped the first goal, waiting the photo development.
Counted 3 other Aussies supporters in the ground last night, out of 18,000. The NZS honcho is dissappointed in the walk up crowd. Walking around the city centre yesterday, lots of people commented on the socceroos top, and many were going. Thought there might have been 20-25k but s.hit happens. Speaking of walk-ups, ran into Johnny Warrenopolus outside the Ferrymans, but the hairpiece was running late for the pre-production meeting, so he couldn't stay for a beer. Seemed genuinely interested though, and friendly.
I have a small ammount of spare programmes, interested parties can email me. Alan, yours has been put aside already.
Still recovering from the game, and the shock of seeing Charlie Dempsey greeting the players with Labbo, McGowan and Baz. Thought he was in stasis awaiting a treatment to be invented for incompetence. Tried to get closer to him on the pitch before the game to ask him a few pointed questions, but the national anthems got in the way, and there's no way I'm ruining the 'song' talking to Charlie. Was listed on the team sheets as 'Commissioner'. Still got the FIFA job then? Anyone?
written by Kasey Puyenbroek
Result seemed never in doubt, OZ were a class above NZ, although they did struggle in parts.
NZ gave a workmanlike performance, they weren't really ever in the game because as soon as the inevitable first went in it was all over from my stance...
Okon never quite settled into the rhythm of the game, but Vidmar and Emerton both took on the brunt of the workload and they comfortable.
Kingz-bound Vaughn Coveney looked dangerous, and he would have scored had TV not have placed the best tackle since Franz Beckenbauer swooped the ball away from Johan Neeskens in the 1974 world cup final, when Neeskens looked certain add a second and indeed immortalise total football.
Reasonable crowd looked around 20/25k (???) on TV although I am unaware of the specs of the Caketin.
Thank god SBS gave us some coverage, was enjoyable even if the delightful Paul Williams was at the microphone....
NZ would have given no goals away had Mark Atkinson been starting and had Sean Douglas been on I reckon he would have cut through the Aussie midfield like ALA David Paton during his early days with Auckland City under 11's.
written by Sebastian Hassett