half time. I like GZ, his game is so refined. He is a little of a waste on the wing, he needs come more inside. Love his proving passes between the gaps, that is the kind of game Rubin likes.
Love it. Rubin, Hyndman, Zelalem bossing it. What is it they say about players that always seem to have time on the ball? Zelalem has that.
We are dominating this match in every way. Shots, SOG, possession, dangerous passes. I am getting excited about this team.
Love the attacking fervor in the first half. The quartet of Jamieson, Zelalem, Rubio and Hyndman has been very impressive. I thought Arriola and Payne have also had their moments. Both have displayed very workmanlike efforts...and Payne reminds me a bit of Tim Chandler. Delgado is way out of his league...this team would be so much better with Acosta as the destroyer, and Requejo at LB.
New Zealand felt the pressure. After the tie vs. Ukraine, they planned to use this game to get full points. Big mistake. Attacking is not their style. They're playing a terrible game, with lousy tactics. If they lose this one, I wouldn't be surprised if Myanmar beats them in the last one. When they're pressed to attack, the Kiwis are terrible. As for us, the Ukraine is in a good position after today's win. They'll come out calm, waiting a bit. Then we'll see our mettle.
I'm a little worried now, remember how Argentina bossed Panama by shots? Yet they somehow tied it up. I don't want that happening to this team.
Zelalem is also SO silky with the rock at his feet. Incredibly composed, tidy, and has great vision. Dude is exceptionally gifted with the ball.
i am quite liking his passes, but he tries to get too cute at times. needs to try fewer and higher percentage killer balls.
I'm going to be the voice of dissent here, but I'm not impressed with Zelalem. Doing nice feints and tricks was ok in the 70s, not in the modern game. He needs to get over that stuff fast.
I do expect the Kiwi defense to be a little more organized in the second half. Don't care if we get a blowout. Just want to win and get into the Round of 16.
I don't know how other people feel but I am all in on Gedion Zelalem. He's Pirlo. I don't know how many balls he played that bypassed five opponents and set up a dangerous opportunity. The first goal started with him finding Arriola wide open. Every other player is a classic American hustle guy. Zelalem just glides in, usually makes a good decision, and usually ends up with a guy in space. The only mistakes he makes is when he "tries sh!t" to use the Arena lingo. At 18, I can live with that. Fantastic young player.
There's a lot of quality on this team in terms of potential senior team players.... From my count: Carter-Vickers, Miazga, Payne, Steffen, Acosta, Hyndman, Rubio, Jamieson, Zelalem, Arriola. That's not even including Tall, Novakovich, Yomba, etc.