The All Whites to play Scotland in the first match in the build up to the FIFA Confederations Cup has been named. New Zealand play Scotland at Tynecastle in Edinburgh at 7am Wednesday 28th May (NZT). With the game fast approaching, Head Coach Mick Waitt reports a lift in intensity around the squad: “There is a big buzz around the squad with a great deal of anticipation ahead of tomorrows clash. The atmosphere has clearly changed with the players well and truly up for the match in Edinburgh.” In naming his team Waitt has made it clear that goalkeepers Michael Utting and Jason Batty will share the goalkeeping duties, with Mark Paston also named on the bench should he be required. Waitt has an eye on two objectives. “Our primary focus has to be a positive result from this game. Having said that, we must also have an eye on the greater prize and be aware of giving players game time at this early stage of our preparation, I will look to find the balance between the two,” said Waitt. Danny Hay is one of 7 substitutes named, with Waitt conscious of easing the Walsall defender back into action after an ankle injury. “Danny has trained well and made excellent progress but we felt it wise not to start him in this match,” said Waitt. Ivan Vicelich, Shane Smeltz and Gavin Wilkinson were not considered for this match due to club commitments, while Brent Fisher has been ruled out of the tour through injury and his replacement Michael Wilson is yet to arrive in camp. Chris Killen was not considered and will join the squad after the Scotland international. MICHAEL UTTING GOALKEEPER FOOTBALL KINGZ DAVID MULLIGAN DEFENDER BARNSLEY FC CHRIS ZORICICH DEFENDER NEWCASTLE FC AARAN LINES MIDFIELD RUCH CHORZOW MARK BURTON MIDFIELD FOOTBALL KINGZ CHRIS JACKSON MIDFIELD FOOTBALL KINGZ RYAN NELSEN DEFENDER DC UNITED VAUGHAN COVENY STRIKER STH MELBOURNE SIMON ELLIOTT MIDFIELD LA GALAXY GERARD DAVIS DEFENDER TAMPERE UTD NOAH HICKEY MIDFIELD TAMPERE UTD *** Substitutes *** JASON BATTY GOALKEEPER CAVERSHAM AFC DUNCAN OUGHTON DEFENDER COLUMBUS CREW DANNY HAY DEFENDER WALSALL FC CHRIS BOUCKENOOGHE STRIKER KSK RONSE RAF De GREGORIO MIDFIELD FOOTBALL KINGZ SCOTT SMITH DEFENDER KINGSTONIAN MARK PASTON GOALKEEPER NAPIER CITY ROVERS Crowdie.
ALL WHITES SECURE 1-1 DRAW ALL WHITES SECURE 1-1 DRAW New Zealand started nervously in front of approx 10,000 mainly Scottish supporters at Tynecastle this morning but soon found their feet in the first match in preparation for the Confederations Cup to secure a 1-1 draw. Dunfermline Striker Stevie Crawford opened the scoring with an unchallenged header from a right wing corner in the 11th minute, giving Michael Utting no chance in goal. New Zealand soon overcame the early nerves however and created chances of their own with Gerard Davis and Ryan Nelsen having the best opportunities before the break. The second half was just 2 minutes old when Ryan Nelsen equalised for the All Whites, ghosting past defenders to get on the end of an Aaran Lines delivery to score from 8 metres past Douglas in the Scottish goal. It was end to end with both sides having chances to win the game in a battle that was friendly in name but fierce in nature. Numerous challenges incurred the wrath of the officials as both sides looked to exert dominance. Aaran Lines went close to winning the match for New Zealand midway through the second half but his shot was well saved by Douglas. New Zealand Head Coach Mick Waitt rated it an excellent team performance first up: “The first 10 to 15 minutes was typical for us in that we took time to adjust to the pace of international football but I thought we adapted quickly and were right in the game at the break. This was a good team effort with everyone pulling together to overcome an obvious lack of match fitness for the majority of the squad. Those that have been playing regularly worked extra hard but everyone dug deep. We achieved all we set out to achieve in the sense of a result but also giving as many players as possible time on the park as we look ahead to bigger matches.” New Zealand Assistant Coach Ricki Herbert was also pleased with the end result: “There was a degree of uncertainty given the long break for most players going in to this but our preparation has been excellent in the time together so far. It was important that we played this match in a positive fashion and the players certainly accepted that challenge. We have worked hard on movement through midfield and up front to create openings and for our first-up effort both Mick and I are delighted.” New Zealand wasn’t without support with 2 to 300 fans in good voice every time New Zealand pressed the Scottish defence. Scotland 1 S Crawford 11th New Zealand 1 R Nelsen 47th NZ: Michael Utting (J Batty 45), D Mulligan (D Oughton 45), C Zoricich (S Smith 67), A Lines (C Bouckenooghe 83), M Burton, C Jackson (R de Gregorio 53), R Nelsen, V Coveny, S Elliott, G Davis, N Hickey. Subs not used: M Paston, D Hay Scotland: Douglas, Ross, Naysmith, Webster, Pressley, Dailly, Devlin, McNamara (B Kerr 85), Kyle (A Gray 57), Crawford, McFadden. Subs: Neil Alexander, Stephen Caldwell, Graham Alexander, Gary Caldwell, Murray, Arthur. Referee: Martin Ingvarsson (Sweden).
Good away result for New Zealand. I have a question about a player from New Zealand who is with my local club (Ottawa Wizards). What do you know about Simon Eaddy? I think he played for the Kings in the NSL and more recently with North Shore United in New Zealand. Is he a good keeper?
Simon Eaddy did play for the Football Kingz in the NSL and for North Shore in the National League (New Zealand's top league). At National League level he was very good. He struggled at NSL level but when he was playing for the Football Kingz they were struggling so he didn't always get the best of support from his defence. Simon was always just below national level but he was competing with Micheal Utting (fantastic keeper) and Jason Batty (also a very good keeper). Keep in touch as to how Simon goes. Crowdie.
How old is Simon? Simon has played in two preseason games so far this year... both vs A-League clubs (one level below MLS). Ottawa lost 4-0 to Montreal and 3-1 to Syracuse. I will keep you updated on how he does this year.
Name: Simon Eaddy Height: 180cm Weight: 87kg Age: 31 Place Of Birth: New Plymouth, New Zealand Previous Clubs: New Plymouth City, Waikato Utd, Ngaruawahia AFC, North Shore Utd, Takapuna AFC, Melville AFC, Central United, Football Kingz In Simon's only year at the Football Kingz he played 8 games conceding 10 goals (1.25 goals per game) with 1 clean sheet. That stat of 1.25 goals per game was the second lowest for the Kingz that year. Some press on Simon Eaddy: "The Glory gradually worked their way back into the match but found Simon Eaddy in the Kingz goal in sparkling form." - http://www.angelfire.com/pq/kappa/reports/kingz.html "Play was held up for some minutes but both teams soon resumed their contest and Simon Eaddy showed his class with a great save from Danks while, at the other end, Liam Meenan missed a sitter with the goal at his mercy." - http://www.ecbafc.com/pages/matchreports2002.html "Some great interchanges between Daniel Rattray and Shane King saw Shane put away for a one on one, only for Simon Eaddy in the Waitakere goal to make a good save." - http://www.geocities.com/hamiltonwanderers/1stsRepts.html "Bruce Hill was the guilty party on both occasions for Central, firstly slicing wide from Germann Costabel's cross, then forcing Simon Eaddy to pull off a superb reflex save to thwart his far post effort, after Daniel Aliaga had broken down the left and whipped in a cross which whizzed across the bows of Glenn Eie's near post run." - http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~colcook/nl2002_game15.html Crowdie.
Wow, thanks for all the links Simon might be in tough for the starting position because Ottawa has a good keeper from Burkina Faso (played for their Olympic team). It will be interesting to see who starts the first game next weekend.
Images from the New Zealand vs Scotland game can be seen at http://www.soccernz.co.nz/index.cfm?PageGroupID=1&articleid=518. Radio interview with All Whites coach Mick Waitt - http://xtramsn.co.nz/musicandvideo/0,,6081-2405633-25,00.html Radio interview with All Whites midfielder Aaron Lines - http://xtramsn.co.nz/musicandvideo/0,,6081-2405630-25,00.html Next Game: All Whites vs Virginia Beach Mariners in Virginia, USA next Wednesday. Crowdie.
Simon had his first start for the Wizards this afternoon (fourth game of the season for the Wizards). Ottawa beat Durham 8-1. Simon didn't see a lot of action, but he did make three solid saves. One save was outstanding. He was close to a shutout but Durham scored on the last play of the game (basically). I noticed that Simon is also a very vocal keeper. There wasn't a second during the game when he wasn't communicating with his players.
Always disappointing when you let one past in the last minutes but it sounds like Simon had a good game. Most keepers in New Zealand are very vocal as they have the best view of the opposing attack and the defence. Normally the only exception to this rule is when the team captain is a defender. Crowdie
I know every game i have seen for the Glory Jason has been barking out instructions to the players so every keeper would have the best view of the ground! Yes other than that most keepers in games i have seen they have been very vocal! Great result for the All Whites but unlucky in th Confed cup
Simon played the second half of a friendly tonight against the Charlotte Eagles (A-League). Ottawa lost 2-1, but were unlucky to do so. Again, Simon didn't have that much work. Good to see him getting a little game time. It is tough because Ottawa has two keepers who are about the same in terms of talent.
Simon has been the starting keeper for Ottawa over the past few months because the other keeper got injured. Ottawa only gave up two goals at home in 12 games this year. They also finished with a record of 14 wins, 0 losses and 5 ties. I think they only gave up 10 goals all year. Simon is also the captain of the Wizards, and is one reason why they have done so well this year. Ottawa plays in the playoff semi-final this Saturday. The final will be played on Sunday.
NZ's poor form going into this match will result in another loss. 1 win, 1 draw 7 losses i do believe. (Aus & Sco) The positive results. Tough match but they can do it but Iran too tough at home.