New Zealand on track for the World Cup finals
Roar Pro By drew777, 16 Oct 2009 drew777 is a Roar Pro
A while back I posted an article talking up New Zealand’s prospects of making the football World Cup for 2010. I copped a lot of flack for it. And I also said that I will come back and post another article rescinding my comments if they were to be proven wrong. Or telling you all that I told you so, if I were right.
It may be premature, but after the 0-0 draw they had with Bahrain away, they are on track to qualify.
They now get to play at home, and we all saw the advantage the home crowd has on a result in the famous 2006 WC qualifier between our Aussies and Uruguay.
It may be all too early to put all my eggs in this basket, but I stand by my comments, particularly the formation set up I named (not the players, in particular).
My predictions is that the Kiwis win it 1-0 in extra time, thanks to a Smeltz goal, set up by Bertos and McGlinchey.
Recommend this story.
October 16th 2009 @ 8:31am
dasilva said | October 16th 2009 @ 8:31am | Report comment
the main problem i had with your previous article was that you pretty much just said that new zealand is a stronger side to the bahrain and saudi arabian team without justifying your answer.
“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.”
Since at no time in your article did you ever go through in detail the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian players, I don’t know how you can make that claim. Unless you are going to do an individual comparison with the two teams, you shouldn’t be making comments like that. How did you make that conclusion? Is it because you just never heard of the player therefore just assumed they are not as good as the NZ players?
What are the few names in Bahrain who do you think offer threat then? You mention there are a few names but you didn’t mention them
What are the few flaws of Saudi Arabian national team? You stated they have some but you didn’t mention them.
It was rather superficial analysis
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In any case good luck with the kiwis. this is their best chance they are going to get.
However getting a draw away from home is no guarantee to go through. Just ask the Saudi Arabian who were knocked out by away goals at injury time against the Bahraini or most socceroos fan around 1997.
October 16th 2009 @ 8:57am
AndyRoo said | October 16th 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
I predict NZ go out on the away goals rule but I wish them well.
Would be good for the A league if they get up.
October 16th 2009 @ 9:15am
Jameswm said | October 16th 2009 @ 9:15am | Report comment
NZ must make defence their main priority. Concede a goal, and you must score two. NZ should start conservatively and take control of the game, then gradually build towards pressing for a goal.
How come the Aussies s Oceania winners always had to play South American opposition to get through? I guess we did have Iran once…infamously…
October 16th 2009 @ 9:41am
Tom said | October 16th 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
The original article was ridiculous. People objected to it because it was breathtakingly dismissive of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. You didn’t even name a single player from either country.
There’s no vindication for unfairly talking down teams you don’t know anything about. Its always a stupid thing to do.
October 16th 2009 @ 2:08pm
Greg Russell said | October 16th 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
I agree NZ could hardly be in a better position, but what’s the old line about not counting your chickens before they are hatched?
There’s a lot of psychology and tactics that go into two-leg ties, which really have to be seen more as one complex match played over 180 minutes, possibly more. Bahrain were 0-0 after the first leg at home in their tie against Saudi Arabia, so they will not be too uncomfortable with their present position: basically all they will need to do is to score a goal in Wellington, because it’s hard to see NZ scoring two. In fact in some ways it’s hard to see them scoring even a single goal. Ricki Herbert-coached teams have gone 0-0 in their last four matches (3 Phoenix, 1 NZ). Yes, Smeltz, Fallon and Killen is as potent a strike force as NZ has fielded for many a long while, but where’s the creative forces in the midfield that any goalscorers require?
Of course I wish the All Whites all the best, but the prevailing attitude in NZ that they have their foot in the South African door is not only wrong, it’s extremely dangerous. Anyone who doubts that should just think back to Australia-Iran in 1997, an encounter that still haunts Australian football.
In some ways I’m inclined to think that NZ’s best chance is to play for another 0-0 and go for penalties. That’s when the Bahrainis would become exceptionally nervous.
October 16th 2009 @ 2:11pm
Pippinu said | October 16th 2009 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Greg
timely comment.
If I’m not mistaken – Bahrain were in the Asia vs Nth America play off last time (that eventually went the way of T&T).
It’s a very good position NZ find themselves in – but no better than the position Australia found itself in back in 1997 against Iran.
Don’t be surprised if this leg goes beyond 90 minutes (and the longer it goes, probably the more it will suit Bahrain).
But I hope NZ make it – it would be fantastic for both of us to be in SA (a bit like a tri-nations reunion!!)
October 16th 2009 @ 2:28pm
Greg said | October 16th 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
In fact it’s a worse position Pip than us in 1997. We had an away goal in our pocket, NZ do not. Shane Smeltz is the “wild card” for NZ, but I don’t think they will play positively and that will play into Bahrain’s hands. NZ will look for pens, Bahrain 1-0 in regular time is my tip.
October 16th 2009 @ 2:31pm
AndyRoo said | October 16th 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
If it’s a scored draw NZ can replicate our achievement of not qualifying for a World Cup despite going through the whole campaign undefeated (assuming NZ didn’t lose to an Island team)
…turns out they did lose one.
October 16th 2009 @ 2:40pm
Pippinu said | October 16th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Greg/AndyRoo
correct on the score draw observation.
NZ is going to face the problem we used to face – meeting a country that has been battle hardened through a long qualifying process, playing plenty of decent opposition along the way.
Their one saving grace is that Bahrain isn’t exactly Iran – still tough opposition as far as NZ is concerned (look no furhter than the Oman game the other night), but certainly beatable.
Will Nelson play for NZ? That’s a bit of a bonus – Bahrain wouldn’t have a defender at his level.
But yeh – definitely the time for Smeltzy to pull one out of the hat.
October 17th 2009 @ 12:51pm
gazz said | October 17th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
In these two-legged ties, a 0-0 home result isnt bad. In fact it means if that side score away from home they’ve got a huge advantage. Sure, Bahrain have got to travel a long way in November, but they are a good side. The Socceroos saw that in the WCQ, when he fluked a late goal to beat them in Manama. I’d still back Bahrain.