New Zealand All Whites vs Slovakia: As it happened

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By Tony Tannous, 15 Jun 2010 Tony Tannous is a Roar Expert

Tagged:: 2010 World Cup, All Whites, football, New Zealand, new zealand all whites, Slovakia, World Cup

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New Zealand's Shane Smeltz reacts during their friendly soccer match against Serbia in Klagenfurt, Austria, Saturday, May 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

After the Socceroos’ humiliating hiding at the hands of Germany on Monday morning, attention now turns to the New Zealand All Whites, who make their first appearance at the World Cup in 28 years.

It will be against Slovakia, a nation making its first ever appearance at the World Cup, so it’s a coming out party for both nations, much as it was for Australia in 2006.

Both are undoubtedly keen to have fun and make an impression and, in a group also involving Italy and Paraguay, there will be a battle to see who goes through alongside the favoured Azzurri.

While the defending champions haven’t looked in great nick of late, one can never write them off. They find a way to get through, so the battle is to see who joins them.

While I’m expecting New Zealand, with Ryan Nelsen at the heart of the defence, to be more competitive than they were at last year’s Confederations Cup, for mine it will be a battle between Paraguay and Slovakia. My money’s on the Slovaks.

I’ve made no secret on my admiration for the Czech and Slovak football cultures on this and other forums, and it’s just been just brilliant seeing the likes of Sydney FC and now North Queensland Fury invest in football expertise from that part of the world.

They know their stuff, and our part of the football world has much to learn.

Naturally then I’m really looking forward to seeing a Slovak side full of quality little midfielders in Miroslav Stoch, Marek Hamsik and Vladimir Weiss, son of the manager with the same name.

Throw in mobile striker Stanislav Sestak and you have a dynamic team expected to move the Kiwis around. Slovakia will get on the front foot, get the ball down, and play. Can the Kiwis cope?

In physical terms, it will be a real David vs Goliath battle. The All Whites dish-up a more archaic brand of direct football, looking to hit the head of monster striker Rory Fallon and play off him.

Ricki Herbert’s men proved against the Socceroos and beyond, that it can be effective. Maybe for those not prepared for it. Knowing the Slovak’s, they will have done their homework.

To that end, a fit Martin Skrtel would help them deal with the likes of Fallon, Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz. It will be fascinating seeing if they can.

Join me here at 9.15pm EST for a running analysis of the game in the comments section below and be sure to share your thoughts before, during and after the game.

Follow Tony on Twitter @TonyTannousTRBA

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The Crowd Says (101) | Page 1 of Comments

David said | June 15th 2010 @ 9:05am | Report comment

I hope New Zealand can do well but in all seriousness they are going to get smashed this is a friendly this isnt some weak side.

Slovakia 3 NZ 0

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- Paul Williams said | June 15th 2010 @ 10:08pm | Report comment
  
  David, wash your mouth… four nil it won’t be…
  
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- katzilla said | June 15th 2010 @ 11:22pm | Report comment
  
  Owned
  
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Al said | June 15th 2010 @ 9:17am | Report comment

Ricki Herbert is a decent manager and can get his team up for this game, they’ll probably lose but they wont be disgraced.

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Australian Football said | June 15th 2010 @ 9:19am | Report comment

Tony,
I have a gut feeling that NZ will make the world sit up and blush and make a lot of people eat humble pie.. I just feel it in my bones (Gawd knows why?). But all bodes well for the A-Leaguers in a surprise attack.. C’mon you sheep herders. Bah-Bah-Bah..
_____
AF

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- Al said | June 15th 2010 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
  
  After the Australia game, this is the one game that I have been waiting for more than any other, mainly due to the fact that I would love to see the kiwis, a team comprised mainly of A-League players and an A-League manager do well. A New Zealand team that performs admirably will also be a big boost for the sport in that country. I also rate Ricki Herbert highly, I think he is quite underrated and I’m sure he’ll get the best out of his squad.
  
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Tony Tannous said | June 15th 2010 @ 12:04pm | Report comment

I’ve always wondered about managers who give away any little possible advantage by naming their side in advance of a serious international, and that’s exactly what Ricki Herbert has done some 24 hours ahead of tonight’s clash.

The NZ line-up is;

1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH.

What’s more, Herbert has given away all his trade secrets by confirmimg that Ivan Viceleich will partner Simon Elliott in central midfield. Whatever happened to keeping the opposition guessing?

The team will shape up as such;

————-Paston——————-
—————————————
————–Nelsen——————
——Reid—————-Smith——-
——————————————
Bertos—–Elliott–Vicelich—Lochhead
———————————————
——–Killen—————Smeltz——
—————Fallon———————

It might be the norm in the rugby codes, league and union, to name your team in advance, but in the football world, where tactics and strategy are invariably kept close to the chest, I think it’s a touch naive to be naming your 11, especially in a world cup match.

It used to irk me no end when Frank Farina did it, for seven years.

Anyway, all the best to Herbert and the Alll Whites, but if I was Vladimir Weiss, I’d be scratching my head, and licking my lips.

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- AndyRoo said | June 15th 2010 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
  
  Clearly pandering to the media and trying to get press out of the news cycle … I hate it too because it removes all the fun of speculation.
  If you have something interesting surely for egample “Tommy Oar may start” is better for the media.
  
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- Australian Football said | June 15th 2010 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
  
  Tony,
  I remember when Mourinho was once asked to name his starting XI in a pre-match media interview and he obliged with no problems—then continued to name the oppositions starting XI. You have to take your hat off to the guy—he sure new his business. I don’t think by holding back the names makes that much of a difference. As every coach has a fair idea what the opposing opposition’s starting XI is going to be.
  
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  - AndyRoo said | June 15th 2010 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
    
    Great story AF
    
    Reply
  - Tony Tannous said | June 15th 2010 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
    
    Not always AF. Weiss may have been wondering who would sit alongside Elliott, and Herbert has given him a freebie…
    
    He now knows NZ aren’t as mobile in central mid without Tim Brown, and with Viceleich choosen ahead of McGlinchey, he now knows exactly that if he surrounds his midfield with little quick guys like Hamsik, Stoch, Weiss and Sestak, he’s likely to control it.
    
    He also now knows that NZ are unlikely to offer any penetration from central midfield. McGlinchey may have provided that.
    
    He now knows NZ will sit with two defensive screeners in front of the 3 man defence. Herbert has made a conservative selection with Viceleich in midfield, suggesting they’ll try to defend.
    
    It’s all detail AF. Herbert has played some of his cards and Weiss can now decide his.
    
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    - Australian Football said | June 15th 2010 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
      
      Tony,
      we are not speaking of Brazil here who could field 4 national teams all equally as good tryng to decide who to start. This is NZ with barely a team that can field a competitive XI. I don’t think Ricki has that luxury or option but to put out his fittest, strongest starting XI, to win lose or draw on the park, with his limited resources.
      
      I guess that is why I am not a manager, as it wouldn’t be my concern holding back my team sheet 24hrs before kick off––like Ricki who has only one option ie to survive the group stage with the best you have. However, I’d love to have Mourinho’s arrogance or confidence to name all the 22 players to take the field. That was one of his classic pre UCL interviews I saw (pre UCL match I think against Chelsea).
      
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- Al said | June 15th 2010 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
  
  Props to Herbert for sticking with his 3-4-3, at least they’re giving themselves a chance to get on the scoresheet, unlike us.
  
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Michael said | June 15th 2010 @ 12:18pm | Report comment

Now come on Tony dont be like that. I guess what I would like to say is that I saw more purpose and determination with the nz team in 45 mins with the game with aussies than I saw in 90 mins the other day with the socceroes . I have to put my hand up but I think Nz x will come up with a hard fought and surprise win tonight… go the kiwis…..

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Tony Tannous said | June 15th 2010 @ 12:31pm | Report comment

What I did enjoy from the press-conference was Ryan Nelsen having a dig at his “many mates in the Socceroos squad” – just couldn’t resist the dig. Love it.

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betty b said | June 15th 2010 @ 1:47pm | Report comment

go the kiwis. With their on field eagerness I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they score a goal or two in the first round, and maybe that will give them a win or two. I just hope someone in the FFA learns from them – A League manager and several players, some youth and little fear – and I hope our 10 to 15 year olds watched the Socceroos demise, and vow to make amends in 2022 (on home soil).

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James W said | June 15th 2010 @ 5:54pm | Report comment

Here’s hoping they do the A-League proud. Bg moment for them. I’ll be cheering for them.

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TammyS said | June 15th 2010 @ 6:19pm | Report comment

Yeah…Go the Kiwis!!!

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Tony Tannous said | June 15th 2010 @ 9:00pm | Report comment

9.10pm; Good evening and welcome to The Roar’s Live running analysis of the New Zealand All Whites vs Slovakia Group F clash being played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg.

After an absence of 28 years from this stage, it’s a great opportunity for Ricki Herbert’s men to get back on the big stage and make an impression, and, if they are at the peak of their powers, they have a chance against a team making their first ever appearance at the World Cup.

Herbert’s squad is certainly blessed with some attacking talent and it’s been great seeing him stick to his ideals and employ a 3-4-3 with three strikers, as apposed to one striker and two wingers.

As per my comment earlier in the day, Herbert announced his starting side 24 hours early, with Tommy Smith slotting into the defence and Ivan Viceleich moving into midfield.

Here it is;

Paston; Reid, Nelsen, Smith; Bertos, Elliott, Viceleich, Lochhead; Killen, Fallon, Smeltz.

In my comments I noted that Herbert had played his cards early, giving Vladimir Weiss Snr a chance to counter.

He has done exactly that, naming three forwards himself. Weiss has made no secret that he will be on the offensive, and his selection backs that up, with wide midfielder Miroslav Stoch, who has been suffering from a knee injury, not risked. Into the team comes striker Erik Jendrisek, normally Slovakia’s super-sub.

The other news is that Skrtel has recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Costa Rica and resumes his spot the heart of the defence alongside Jan Durica.

Slovakia’s line-up;

Mucha; Zabavnik, Durica, Skrtel, Cech; Weiss, Straba, Hamsik; Sestak, Vittek, Jendrisek.

The inclusion Jendrisek, another quick player, is an interesting move from Weiss and playing three up front (the other strikers are Sestak and Vittek) might now force Herbert to push Lochhead back into the defence, thus making it a four man back line.

The tactical battle will be intriguing, and we will see how Herbert compares with Weiss. Stay tuned for regular live analysis and be sure to share your thoughts throughout and after the game.

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