Interesting game. NZ really struggled to build anything while New Caledonia, at times, looked like a very decent outfit. Ricki Herbert should have a lot to answer for after that performance but I'm sure NZF won't say a word. However it must be said that the officiating was a disgrace.
If Herbert didn't get fired for crashing out of the OFC Nations Cup, he won't get fired for this. A draw wouldn't have done much good for New Caledonia either way. They wouldn't be eliminated but they'd still depend on NZ losing their last game. They had to win.
well we lost the first game to Honduras 2-1 and everyone is acting like it's the end of the world. In all likelihood it won't be but even Mexico could only draw their opening game at home in the hex, so it could really be anybody... and places like Honduras and Costa Rica are most definitely NOT easy places to go - we regularly lose there.... I would hate to have to play any of those guys in a winner-takes all playoff match to qualify for the WC...
Either way, USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica or T&T are tough opposition to have a home and away playoff with. I rather not play USA or Mexico as we may not have much of a home ground advantage as we may have against the other three teams.
Actually after two rounds, the 4th placed team currently is.... Mexico! Of course, of course I don't expect them to stay there (as a US supporter I hope they finish dead last - just kidding of course) no but seriously, Mexico should eventually qualify and tbh, I'm not totally against them qualifying as it will be a boost to the CONCACAF federation in general to have all our best teams do well there and Mexico will add something to a world cup in South America I think.... Actually, if it's the away game you're worried about the US might be one of the easier opponents. Assuming it's not playing in a blizzard, our venues are probably nowhere near as intimidating as some of the Central American teams. However, we will probably be a much stronger opponent back in Aukland...
Honduras currently sits in that play-off spot against New Zealand. idk if New Zealand would be up to the task of playing in 112 degree weather down in San Pedro Sula.
Trinidad and Tobago was eliminated two rounds ago. You named four of CONCACAF's final six with the others being Panama and Jamaica. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2050015/index.html is titled "Dranam and emotion on Oceania's Brazil 2014 path."
and you guys missed all discussion of the this "missed" red card??? http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/socce...ltz-kicked-face-world-cup-131922806--sow.html
Well what is there to say but it was a very terrible decision by the ref to not reward a red card and penalty kick but that is the poor standard of the referees for the OFC games. The refs in this section of the qualifiers are always at a low standard. I never seen a clean record by the refs in this corner of the world for a important tournament. Ricki Herbert should have made a comment and not worry about any fines that may come his way. However, these do come up in the match and captain/coach reports as feedback. Lucky NZ was able to score a goal in the dying stage of that match to get through with a game in hand.
funny thing, apparently the ref was from Australia and Australia left Oceania in order to join Asia quite a number of years ago but in times like this you pay the price of having them in your backyard...
Strebre DELOVSKI, the ref is one of the best ref in the A - League but it seems that it is a high step up to do WCQs because there is always something crazy happening in such games. The refs has to be on their game more, even tho it was in the weaker OFC region. I tend to find that the OFC has more problems to handle while refereeing because it is at a lower standard with amateurs and these players are not use to the referees that comes from a professional set up. They are not used to refs not picking up on small things in the LOTG. But amateur things such as the kick to Smeltz face is usually missed by professional refs in the later part of the game because it was so unexpected and he was looking for the usual professional misconduct of the game not the amateur clumsy stuff. Anyway I hope nothing like that will happen in the playoffs but dumb things always happen as a rule. . .
a quick roundup on Oceanic qualification. http://prezi.com/1pyoga6qdras/untitled-prezi/?utm_source=prezi-view&utm_medium=ending-bar&utm_content=Title-link&utm_campaign=ending-bar-tryout might have to click around and use the keyboard to get through it Pretty fun to put together, don't know if it flows perfectly yet. Isn't American Samoa's coach the guy who contributes on Fox Soccer News? that blew my mind. the passion in the game between the two Samoa's was fun to see in literally the lowest level you can get from Brazil and still have a chance
Just a heads up for NZ, its looking like the battle for the playoff spot is going to be between Honduras and Panama...though its not set in stone yet and other teams could rise or fall (specifically Mexico who are still struggling), that looks like the likeliest scenario as of now. Those two places are extremely tough to play. Hot, humid, and passionate fans who will intimidate.