It may have gone unnoticed but there were a couple of games in the Oceanic qualifying group tonight. Papua New Guinea v New Caledonia (finished 1-0) and New Zealand v Fiji (finished 4-0).
It may have gone unnoticed but there were a couple of games in the Oceanic qualifying group tonight. Papua New Guinea v New Caledonia (finished 1-0) and New Zealand v Fiji (finished 4-0).
Win puts New Zealand through to the Semi-Finals of their Group as have already beaten Papua New Guinea 1-0 - Fiji vs Papua New Guinea is the big one, as the winners join New Zealand in the next round.
The other Group is an absolute mess due to COVID ... Four of the Six Group games have been cancelled, Solomon Islands vs Tahiti is the second and last game.
Tahiti only need to avoid losing 3-0 and they'll go through with the Solomon Islands - Otherwise who knows what'll happen, as Cook Islands will get second, but they're one of the sides with a COVID outbreak.
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti) And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti) And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
Yes, you're right, I'd missed a round. NZ play the loser of Solomon Islands v Tahiti in a semi, with the winner of that game playing the winner of Fiji v PNG in the other semi. Final round of group games on Thursday, semis on Sunday, final next Wednesday. Or alternatively, whichever squad manages to avoid getting Covid gets the place in the global playoff.
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti) And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
Yes, you're right, I'd missed a round. NZ play the loser of Solomon Islands v Tahiti in a semi, with the winner of that game playing the winner of Fiji v PNG in the other semi. Final round of group games on Thursday, semis on Sunday, final next Wednesday. Or alternatively, whichever squad manages to avoid getting Covid gets the place in the global playoff.
If as expected NZ win this tournament - do they want to play Panama or Costa Rica? Who would they have a better chance again?
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti) And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
Yes, you're right, I'd missed a round. NZ play the loser of Solomon Islands v Tahiti in a semi, with the winner of that game playing the winner of Fiji v PNG in the other semi. Final round of group games on Thursday, semis on Sunday, final next Wednesday. Or alternatively, whichever squad manages to avoid getting Covid gets the place in the global playoff.
If as expected NZ win this tournament - do they want to play Panama or Costa Rica? Who would they have a better chance again?
Costa Rica aren't as strong as they once were but you'd pick Panama 100% of the time I think.
- Costa Rica world ranking 42. - Panama world ranking 63. - New Zealand world ranking 111.
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti) And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
Yes, you're right, I'd missed a round. NZ play the loser of Solomon Islands v Tahiti in a semi, with the winner of that game playing the winner of Fiji v PNG in the other semi. Final round of group games on Thursday, semis on Sunday, final next Wednesday. Or alternatively, whichever squad manages to avoid getting Covid gets the place in the global playoff.
If as expected NZ win this tournament - do they want to play Panama or Costa Rica? Who would they have a better chance again?
Costa Rica aren't as strong as they once were but you'd pick Panama 100% of the time I think.
- Costa Rica world ranking 42. - Panama world ranking 63. - New Zealand world ranking 111.
Oceania is in chaos, at least in one of the two groups. After delaying qualification so long due to Covid, two of the competing nations have been forced to withdraw after their squads caught Covid.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti) And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
Yes, you're right, I'd missed a round. NZ play the loser of Solomon Islands v Tahiti in a semi, with the winner of that game playing the winner of Fiji v PNG in the other semi. Final round of group games on Thursday, semis on Sunday, final next Wednesday. Or alternatively, whichever squad manages to avoid getting Covid gets the place in the global playoff.
If as expected NZ win this tournament - do they want to play Panama or Costa Rica? Who would they have a better chance again?
Costa Rica aren't as strong as they once were but you'd pick Panama 100% of the time I think.
- Costa Rica world ranking 42. - Panama world ranking 63. - New Zealand world ranking 111.
There was some interest in the NZ matches. Attendances depend on the team, there are 3 maybe 4 'big' clubs here that can get up to 10k a couple of times a season, but in general the numbers are fairly low for the league, Cup finals are usually full though. Too many Barca, ManU supporters here and everything is shown live on tv.
There was some interest in the NZ matches. Attendances depend on the team, there are 3 maybe 4 'big' clubs here that can get up to 10k a couple of times a season, but in general the numbers are fairly low for the league, Cup finals are usually full though. Too many Barca, ManU supporters here and everything is shown live on tv.
Besides Qatar, do you expect Saudi Arabia to have a big turnout in numbers at the tournament? I know it’s a neighbouring country but wasn’t too sure if there was much following for the international side in the region at all.
Lebanon lost to Syria, so desperately need Iraq to beat United Arab Emirates to avoid elimination; Syria were already out
Solomon Islands have beaten Tahiti 3-1 - So it looks like Tahiti will face New Zealand in the Semi-Finals, whilst the winners of Papua New Guinea vs Fiji will face the Solomon Islands - Of course that could all yet change, as New Zealand havent mathematically won their Group.
But c'mon, they really have done.
Strangely, the Solomon Islands could possibly prove harder opposition for New Zealand (if they face off in the Final) than we realise. The last two times they've faced each other in the Nations Cup; New Zealand have only won by a single goal, one of those games they won 4-3
There was some interest in the NZ matches. Attendances depend on the team, there are 3 maybe 4 'big' clubs here that can get up to 10k a couple of times a season, but in general the numbers are fairly low for the league, Cup finals are usually full though. Too many Barca, ManU supporters here and everything is shown live on tv.
Besides Qatar, do you expect Saudi Arabia to have a big turnout in numbers at the tournament? I know it’s a neighbouring country but wasn’t too sure if there was much following for the international side in the region at all.
Not sure there's much love lost between Saudi and Qatar.
There was some interest in the NZ matches. Attendances depend on the team, there are 3 maybe 4 'big' clubs here that can get up to 10k a couple of times a season, but in general the numbers are fairly low for the league, Cup finals are usually full though. Too many Barca, ManU supporters here and everything is shown live on tv.
Besides Qatar, do you expect Saudi Arabia to have a big turnout in numbers at the tournament? I know it’s a neighbouring country but wasn’t too sure if there was much following for the international side in the region at all.
Not sure there's much love lost between Saudi and Qatar.
I notice sky sports seem to be showing the game so that’s bound to subscription only but S4C has the game as well and that seems to be a free to air channel which has the added bonus of everybody talking in Welsh so the likelihood of getting wound up by inane comments by numpty pundits is going to be pretty low.
I notice sky sports seem to be showing the game so that’s bound to subscription only but S4C has the game as well and that seems to be a free to air channel which has the added bonus of everybody talking in Welsh so the likelihood of getting wound up by inane comments by numpty pundits is going to be pretty low.
I don't care about the commentary. I want Wales to lose. I have no more affinity to Wales than I do to Austria. Most importantly we don't have complete lazy wasters of Austrians in the Charlton team.
I want Wales to win but I won't be devestated if they don't. Much like Gunter's attitude with Charlton I suspect. With such high stakes, I am looking forward to the game.
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The other Group is an absolute mess due to COVID ... Four of the Six Group games have been cancelled, Solomon Islands vs Tahiti is the second and last game.
Tahiti only need to avoid losing 3-0 and they'll go through with the Solomon Islands - Otherwise who knows what'll happen, as Cook Islands will get second, but they're one of the sides with a COVID outbreak.
Vanuatu reported that most of their squad tested positive in the tests done before their first game, then Cook islands had to withdraw from their second. New Zealand looking comfortable in the other group, they will play the winner of Tahiti vs Solomon Islands for the place in the global playoff.
I believe NZ will need to play a semifinal first, right? (either Solomon Islands or Tahiti)
And then a final on 30th March, where the winner will go to the playoff vs. number 4 in Concacaf for a spot at the WC 2022.
- Costa Rica world ranking 42.
- Panama world ranking 63.
- New Zealand world ranking 111.
Panama - 3 wins, 2 draws (still to play Canada & Honduras)
Costa Rica - 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss (still to play USA & Canada)
Panama home results:
1-0 win vs USA
1-1 draw vs Mexico
0-0 draw vs Costa Rica
2-1 win vs El Salvador
3-2 win vs Jamaica
Costa Rica home results:
0-1 loss vs Mexico
1-0 win vs Panama
2-1 win vs El Salvador
1-1 draw vs Jamaica
2-1 win vs Honduras
Although I imagine it cant have been held in New Zealand what with their strict COVID regulations?
Out of interest, what kind of attendances do Qatari league matches get?
Attendances depend on the team, there are 3 maybe 4 'big' clubs here that can get up to 10k a couple of times a season, but in general the numbers are fairly low for the league, Cup finals are usually full though. Too many Barca, ManU supporters here and everything is shown live on tv.
Which'll probably end up being the United Arab Emirates, as they'll basically secure their spot if they beat Iraq today
The problem is the fact they'll then have to play the fifth placed team from South America
Which is currently Peru, but could yet be one of six teams
Going to be funny if New Zealand go to the World Cup, and Australia dont.
Solomon Islands have beaten Tahiti 3-1 - So it looks like Tahiti will face New Zealand in the Semi-Finals, whilst the winners of Papua New Guinea vs Fiji will face the Solomon Islands - Of course that could all yet change, as New Zealand havent mathematically won their Group.
But c'mon, they really have done.
Strangely, the Solomon Islands could possibly prove harder opposition for New Zealand (if they face off in the Final) than we realise. The last two times they've faced each other in the Nations Cup; New Zealand have only won by a single goal, one of those games they won 4-3
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/euro2016/wales-chris-gunter-refuses-to-apologise-for-celebrating-england-s-euro-2016-last16-defeat-to-iceland-a3283491.html
Don’t know why they bother tbh. It’s like England being asked to qualify from a group containing only San Marino, Liechtenstein and Andorra.