Next In Line…

June 15th, 2010 | by: ChrisS |

Comments Off

The All Whites are ready for launch as their turn with Slovakia has come in this still forming World Cup. Coach Herbert is still opaque about his line-up choices with only a few hours left to go. Meanwhile, the other couple of F teams had a damp encounter, as neither Paraguay nor Italy impressed greatly beyond succeeding in getting on the scoresheet. Italy definitely seemed vulnerable in the back, especially in the first half, but still got its usual goal. Paraguay’s keeper Justo Villar joined the growing pack of howlers, and his tendencies will certainly be duly noted.

Villar's Superman Act Doesn't Work this Time

So this brings us to the opening game. Will the All whites stick with the 3-4-3? Will the relative youngsters of Reid and Smith start with Nelsen in the defence in place of Sigmund and Vicelich, or perhaps be brought on as substitutes, will Jeremy Brockie and Chris Wood have a similar situation up front? Slovakia is a physical team, and a bone cruncher of a match not unlike the Australia “friendly” is well within the realm of possibility. Yet friendlies with Serbia and Slovenia also provided valuable preparation, as these squads also have a number of Serie A players like Slovakia’s Marek Hamsik, and many similarities in attack. The 28 wait will soon end, and many of these questions will be answered. rest up, there will soon be a lot of running.