New Zealand seem poised to make it to the FIFA World Cup of 2010 in South Africa. The only hurdle that remains is a play off against either Saudi Arabia or Bahrain. So let’s take a look at the New Zealand team.
Several names immediately pop up: Bertos, Sigmund, Smeltz, Brockie, Christie, Paston, Moss, Lochhead, Old, Mulligan, Killen, and Brown.
That is a quality side. All these players are world class, particularly Moss, Bertos, Smeltz, and Killen.
New Zealand have a good squad for the first time in a long while. If Vaughn Coveny were to be added to that list, a spot in South Africa might well be assured.
To add to their chances, they will be potentially playing against two of the weaker teams in Asia – Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.
Let’s look at the Bahrain squad.
Apart from a few names, it’s nothing too impressive. We all saw recently how they play, and I firmly believe that the Kiwis would beat them.
Bahrain lack cohesion and any real flair. Yes, there are one or two players who stand out, but nothing special.
Now to Saudi Arabia.
Very strong historically in the Asian Cup, very weak at World Cup level, the Saudis will prove the tougher of the two possible opponents.
The Saudis are by no means a second rate side, but having said that, they also have their flaws, and the current New Zealand squad stand more than a chance of knocking them over.
Pit these three sides head to head, and you will see that every Kiwi is equal to, or better, than any Saudi or Bahrain player.
The Kiwis, lead by Rikki Herbet, a proven coach, will qualify for South Africa. But it could come down to how Herbert decides to play.
With all that potential, I was thinking this:
………………..Moss……………….
………………Lochhead……………..
……..Old……………….sigmund……
………………Mulligan……………..
………..Christie……..Brown………..
Oughton…………………………Bertos
……………Killen………………….
…………………..Smeltz…………..
This would involve Lochhead hanging free, Sigmund and Old man marking, with Mulligan filling any defensive hole, whilst also supplementing the midfield.
Bertos and Oughton would play as wide as possible, getting forward into the flanks on every occasion, with Brown and Christie directing traffic through the centre, much the same as Grella and Cullina do for Australis, with Kewell and Bresciano working the wide spaces.
Finally, Killen would play just behind Smeltz and do all the leg work, making holes for Smeltz to exploit. Killen is a centre forward, not a centre attacking mid, and thus will not be defending.
His role is to play off Smeltz and create space.
I want to see New Zealand at the World Cup with us Aussies and I believe this formation holds the key.
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August 19th 2009 @ 3:05am
Ben Somerford said | August 19th 2009 @ 3:05am | Report comment
“Several names immediately pop up: Bertos, Sigmund, Smeltz, Brockie, Christie, Paston, Moss, Lochhead, Old, Mulligan, Killen, and Brown. That is a quality side. All these players are world class, particularly Moss, Bertos, Smeltz, and Killen.”
this is a joke, right?
August 19th 2009 @ 4:04am
Viscount Crouchback said | August 19th 2009 @ 4:04am | Report comment
Can we expect an article entitled “Can New Zealand Win the World Cup?”
August 21st 2009 @ 4:09pm
Greg said | August 21st 2009 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Maybe. It’s probably as credible as “can any of the Brits” squeeze past the first round? Hands OUT of your pants sir.
August 19th 2009 @ 5:54am
Tifosi said | August 19th 2009 @ 5:54am | Report comment
id be stunned if NZ made it.
August 19th 2009 @ 6:44am
Roo Star said | August 19th 2009 @ 6:44am | Report comment
Did the author not watch the Confederations Cup? The kiwi’s were lucky to scrape a nil-nil draw with a very poor Iraq after some very embarrassing performances earlier in the tournament!! Quality side they are not.
If you are going to name top line New Zealand players why have you left out Blackburn’s Ryan Nelsen???
August 19th 2009 @ 8:50am
drew777 said | August 19th 2009 @ 8:50am | Report comment
None of you can possibly say that the current New Zealand side is weak. Most of their players are in the A-League, granted, but so are some of the socceroos. If you are insinuating that they are crap because of the league they play in, then doesn’t that put Cullina, Sterjovski, Rukavysta, Moore, and the likes in the same boat?
Smeltz- best striker in the A-League. Killen- plays very well for Celtic. Nelsen (as roo said)-plays for blackburn. Sigmund, Old, and Lochhead have all proven themselves in the A-League. Glenn Moss is the first choice keeper for Victory. Bertos, Christie and Brown all have proven themselves in teh A-League as well. THE SAME LEAGUE THAT MANY SOCCEROOS PLAY IN!
Sorry I had completely forgot about Nelsen, he would be a starter.
Obviously NZ won’t win the world cup, because they would be playing us Aussies in the final
But in all seriousness, New Zealand are more of a chance of making the finals this year than any other. Anyone who denies that are pissing in the wind. Especially because they only have to play either Saudi Arabia or Bahrain. Out of all the Asian nations, their opposition could be a lot harder.
When the qualifier comes around, I will write another article. If they lose, I will rescind my comments, if they win I will reinforce them.
August 19th 2009 @ 8:53am
David V. said | August 19th 2009 @ 8:53am | Report comment
It’s not like Iran or Saudi Arabia have improved in the last decade- they’ve gone backwards if anything while Australia, and for that matter Japan and South Korea, have forged ahead and other Middle Eastern nations are slowly catching up. Bahrain are beatable too- and were lucky to even make the intercontinental play-offs of the 2006 series.
August 19th 2009 @ 8:56am
Derryn said | August 19th 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
I hope they do make it, would be a massive achievement. They have their work cut out though, Bahrain caused the Socceroos plenty of problems especially in Manama. I’d be surprised if NZ beat either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia over two legs but it’s not impossible.
August 19th 2009 @ 8:56am
drew777 said | August 19th 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Also. Roo-NZ might have had a poor confederations cup, but didn’t we (aus) also bomb out in the ACL? You don’t need to be a superstar squad to make the WC, you just need to play better than the other team on the day. When the other team is Bahrain/Saudi Arabia, NZ have more than a chance.
August 19th 2009 @ 8:57am
drew777 said | August 19th 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
sorry, not the ACL, the asian cup.*
August 19th 2009 @ 9:16am
Tom said | August 19th 2009 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Be careful about talking down Saudi Arabia. They’ve made the last four world cups. Al Ittihad and Al Hilal are two of the strongest teams in Asia, and stronger than any A-league team. All but a handful of their players are Saudi.
And playing in Riyadh will be much tougher for the All Whites than playing in Wellington will be for the Green Falcons.
New Zealand would start as big underdogs.