Youth the way forward for the All Whites
Danny Hay’s first tour in charge of the All Whites will be remembered as one of opportunity – both by those who seized theirs and those who didn’t.
The names that stand out in the first column are those of debutants Joe Bell, Elijah Just and Callum McCowatt, who all showed promise in the 3-1 loss to the Republic of Ireland – the first two looking at ease despite the major step up from where they play most of their football; the latter marking the occasion with a goal.
That trio were joined by a host of established players in looking comfortable on the ball, whether in that match or the 1-0 loss to Lithuania that followed, and look set to be heavily involved in Hay’s plans moving forward, as he plots a course towards the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
When you throw in Liberato Cacace and Sarpreet Singh, who also started against Ireland and are, like Bell, Just and McCowatt, aged 20 or younger, the senior national team suddenly has a very youthful appearance, but that might just be what’s needed to bring Hay’s possession-based playing style to life.
A-League midfielders Matt Ridenton and Alex Rufer are two who didn’t put their hand up when given the chance, and after they were substituted at halftime against Lithuania, it is hard to see them returning in March, especially when Clayton Lewis, James Musa and Gianni Stensness will be eager to stake their claims behind the firstchoice trio of Bell, Singh and Ryan Thomas.
Up front, it will be intriguing to see whether any of Elliot Collier, Andre de Jong and Max Mata remain, especially as Kosta Barbarouses should come in to join Just, McCowatt, Marco Rojas and Chris Wood, while there will also be a number of fullbacks wanting to join Cacace and Storm Roux – the likes of Louis Fenton, Dane Ingham, Dan Morgan and Deklan Wynne.
The Ireland and Lithuania matches served as a reminder that Hay’s vision for the All Whites is one that comes with plenty of risk attached. It’s not like he would have forgotten, given how often he’s used the words brave and courageous since taking the job, but the dropoff in ability from his first-choice XI to his second was notable.
There are enough players around for his plan to work, but the critical mass required to make it a comfortable approach isn’t there just yet.
Hay is already suggesting his focus will narrow in March, when it is hoped the All Whites will have another pair of friendlies, making the most of a window where there are plenty of potential opponents, with the OFC Nations Cup to follow in June, and World Cup qualifying to start in September.
To turn the patches of creative, short-passing football seen against Ireland – and less often against Lithuania – into long stretches a core group of players will have to spend plenty of time together, something that’s easier said than done.
Winning physical battles was a clear work-on to emerge from the pair of losses, as was the need to better protect against counterattacks.
Hay will continue to explore his options, but there is unlikely to be another opportunity for fringe players to impress like the one he handed out against Lithuania. Contenders will have to stake their claims at club level, then in training – as you’d expect – and he will be keeping a close eye on youngsters coming through, because that’s where he’s most likely to find those with the technical ability required.
There are four months between now and March, a period which takes in most of the European and A-League seasons, as well as the South African one, lest we forget de Jong (who sadly broke his foot against Lithuania) and potential team-mates Jeremy Brockie and Morgan. Players’ fortunes will rise and fall and Hay will be hoping he has headaches as the next international window approaches.
From chief executive Andrew Pragnell on down, NZ Football has made it clear it expects to have matches for the All Whites in March, and it will be ready to talk to European nations as soon as Euro 2020 qualifying ends this week, while there will also be options in North America (Mexico and the United States are both free) and in the Middle East (Bahrain, Jordan and Oman are available).
After fans and players put up with a 525-day wait for this month’s matches, it’s exciting to have the team back in action above all else.