I'm not sure if this deserves its own thread or not. I guess it depends on the answer to this question: does anyone know if Oughton and Elliot are going to be called up for New Zealand's 5 world cup qualifiers? Here's NZ's schedule: Saturday May 29 Australia v NZ Monday May 31 NZ v Soloman Islands Wesnesday June 2 NZ v Vanuatu Friday June 4 NZ v Tahiti Sunday June 6 Fiji v NZ Looking at that ultra-compact schedule, I'd guess that NZ will want to call up as many quality players as they can.
DC United announced that Nelsen would be gone, and that came out about two weeks ago. I haven't been able to find a list of who they're bringing in, and I even emailed two email addresses with the New Zealand federation. I see no reason why they wouldn't call in both Elliott and Oughton.
I haven't found anything on NZ's team yet. Minor addition to the schedule: After the 6-team round robin, the top 2 (presumably Australia and NZ) will meet this fall in a home-and-home series to determine the Oceania Nation's Cup champion (and thus the representative to the 2005 Confederations Cup), and then they'll meet again next year to determine the half spot for World Cup qualifying. I can't find the specific quote, but I think I remember reading that the fall series would be in September, so we'll be short-handed for a few more league games.
Whoever the hell DC has for their color guy on FSN (Rongen??) when the Crew were there said that all three would be playing for the Kiwis. He could have just been blowing smoke, but having Elliott makes sense seeing as how he has spent a lot of time at the national level... Kiwi Report
Australia beat New Zealand 1-0. Elliot played the full 90, and Oughton came on in the 78th. According to one of the posters on the Oceania board, much of NZ's attack went through Elliot, and the radio announcers said he was the best Kiwi on the pitch.
I just got off the phone with a friend in New Zealand. He said St Dunc got into a huge row with the manager. The manager wanted St Dunc to start, but Dunc said that his priority is obviously club before country because he plays for the worlds biggest club, Columbus Crew. Dunc eventually agreed to go on in in the 78th minute and hit the woodwork 3 times. The Oceana Football federation is currently checking to see if the goals were actually regulation size since St Dunc is not known to miss the target like that too often. Regardless, its good to hear his priorities are still in the right place.
NZ's second match is underway. Oughton once again starts on the bench. Elliot starts on the field. Now that they're done with Australia, NZ's next 4 matches are against the Oceania "minnows", meaning that they're all essentially "must-wins" for NZ.
Elliot played the first 85 minutes. Oughton only came on in the 80th minute. But then Dunc scored in the 81st. Gotta love it when the coach looks like a genius. The final was 3-0 over the Solomon Islands.
Honestly, are the Solomon Islands that bad? St Dunc has walked 40 years in the desert with the Crew and does not have a goal to his name, yet after one minute he scores against the Solomon Islands. Clearly St Dunc issending a emssage to Greg, "I am ready to lead the Bonanza, play me up top with Cunny and I will part the defense like its the sea."
Apparently NZ lost to Vanautu (whoever the hell they are) 4-2 pretty much screwing up there chances. But I haven't seen any lineup at all.
According to fifa.com, Duncan played all 90 minutes, but Elliot wasn't even listed on the bench. A shock result to be sure. But NZ still have a fair shot at finishing in the top 2. Of course, they'll need to win their last two. I hope Elliot isn't injured.
New Zealand beat Tahiti 10-0. Duncan played the full 90 and got a goal. Elliot played the final 45 minutes.
i'm gonna say it was I'd also like to point out to all the Saint Dunc bashers, he has more international goals than Cunny and Buddle combined.
I can't tell you who the hell they are, but I can tell you this: While we all recognize that the FIFA rankings are pretty much irrelevant, still it's worth noting that Vanautu is currently tied with Equitorial Guinea at number 161, just below Eritrea and Chad, two places where there isn't anything to eat. There needs to be a new rule: if you can't beat Vanautu, you're out of the tournament forever.
Granted, nobody here knows anything about Vanautu. And there are stranger things that have happened in soccer. But usually its of the 1-0 variety courtesy of a goal by Joe Gaetjens or someone similar. But to give up 4 goals? It might just be time to install the new rule.
New Zealand beat Fiji 2-0 in their final match. Oughton played the full 90, while Elliot watched the whole time from the sidelines. Now NZ's fate is in Australia's hands.