And with that the Confederations Cup tour is over. It concluded with the All Whites’ toughest test and also their biggest defeat. Probably not a coincidence, that. It was Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo
It is not entirely clear what happened in between the All Whites’ game against Mexico and the rest of their Confederations Cup tour... but wasn't it great to watch?
That was probably about what we should’ve expected. A couple goals, a comfortable loss but with a couple half-chances that might have changed something.
He’s a large lad, old Chris Wood. Still only 25 years old but 191cm tall and built like a Minotaur in ballet shoes, a striker who can bulrush a defender and yet is somehow still capable of some sublime bits of finishing.
Man… that kinda sucked. Sloppy at the back, overrun in the middle and couldn’t hardly get a thing going in attack. Too many long balls, not enough controlled possession. Some dumb mistakes and some terrible touches.
The All Whites have confirmed their squad for the Confederations Cup and… it’s exactly the same as the squad they already have, preparing for the Confederations Cup. Sweet as, that means nobody tweaked an ankle or said anything mean about Huddo’s mum.
Pick a random rumour. Ignore the clickbait headlines and find the actual, tangible information/claims within. Take that info and ask yourself: Where did this come from? Who does it benefit?
Folks, we have our new gaffer. And… it’s the one we thought it would be. Bosnian/Dutch football genius (that last part is mostly hopeful subjection) Darije Kalezic will helm the Wellington Phoenix from now until eternity... unless the FFA kick us out.
It goes to show once again that there’s so much more in sports that we never hear or see. Kosta Barbarouses returned to the Wellington Phoenix as a marquee player but he’s left after only one season. A mutual decision after Kosta requested an early release.
They all said they were treating this game like the first game of the Confederations Cup but it’s a good thing it wasn’t because we flippin’ lost.
It’s probably safe to say that the match against Portugal will be the All Whites’ last at the Confederations Cup but don't just assume they'll come out and thrash us.
The Confederations Cup marks a rare opportunity to play against the world’s best as a reward for having beaten Papua New Guinea on penalties. Part of that deal means we have to play Mexico... again.
It’s an Under-20 World Cup, right? Things need to be kept in context and the Young All Whites had already exceeded expectations – or at least met them – in making their way into the knockouts.
The Confederations Cup is pretty much a dress rehearsal for the next World Cup host. That would be Russia and the All Whites were lucky enough to draw the Russians in their group – although the Russians were also lucky enough to draw the New Zealanders.
Coming into this tournament, the aim would’ve been for the Junior All Whites to find their way out of their group. No dramas how it happened but after doing so on home soil in 2015, it was time to get there on foreign soil in 2017.
The Premier League has become an especially feisty division lately. Blame Leicester City. They caught the lot of them sleeping at the wheel and the resulting wake-up call has seen pretty much every other title-relevant team snap to attention.
Get it in ya, mate. The All Whites squad for the Confederations Cup build up has been named and she’s an interesting beast, that’s for sure.
It was a season that began as open as any in recent history. New managers in Manchester, with Chelsea and Liverpool coming off terrible campaigns the time before. Spurs carrying the damage of their poor finish in the last title race...
Exactly what we’ve been waiting to hear, gotta love it. And who, you may ask, is this new manager? Yeah that’s the thing… they’re not saying.
They signed the right manager and they bought the right players. Even Michy Batshuayi, hardly a factor all campaign, was able to pop up with the goal that secured the title.