All Whites forced to make changes to settled front six against Egypt
Friday, 22 March 2024
International friendly:** All Whites v Egypt; Where: New Administrative Capital Stadium, Cairo, Egypt; When: Saturday, 9am (NZ time); Coverage: Live on FIFA+, live updates on Stuff**
Injuries to Chris Wood and Joe Bell will force All Whites coach Darren Bazeley to make changes to his front six this month.
They play Egypt on Saturday (NZ time), then either Croatia or Tunisia next Wednesday (NZ time).
Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Old and Max Mata are the leading contenders to come into the starting XI.
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley looked to have found a settled front six at the end of 2023, as his side drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
But as they resume their journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Egypt in Cairo this weekend (kickoff Saturday 9am NZ time), injuries will force a reshuffle.
English Premier League striker Chris Wood and midfielder Joe Bell are the two incumbents from the front six who aren’t with the team this month, having suffered respective quad and thigh strains on the eve of the international window.
Wellington Phoenix forward Kosta Barbarouses and midfielder Ben Old have earned places in the wider squad thanks to their form in A-League Men, while Max Mata’s impact off the bench against Ireland should also have him in the starting conversation.
Bazeley confirmed on the eve of the match that left back Liberato Cacace would captain the All Whites for the first time, but offered little as to how he would set up his midfield trio and front three.
“We've got good options. We've had a few days training where we've had a look at different people in different scenarios, and ultimately, we'll have to make some selection decisions.
“Everybody that starts or comes on has an opportunity to stake a claim for the second game. We're in a position now where you have to perform.”
Mata shapes as the best like-for-like replacement for Wood, having turned in his best All Whites performance to date when he replaced him for the final half-hour in Dublin, even if he didn’t take the chances he had to score a winner.
Barbarouses would be the form option, thanks to his 11 goals in 21 matches for the table-topping Phoenix in A-League Men, but he is also a chance to start in either of the wide forward roles.
In November, those were occupied by Callum McCowatt and Sarpreet Singh, but one of them might move into a central midfield role alongside Marko Stamenic and Matt Garbett in the absence of Bell.
Old will also be vying for a start, either centrally or wide, and has caught the eye of Cacace, who left the Phoenix at the end of the 2019-20 season, the first campaign where his younger team-mate had a taste of first-team training.
“I could see that he was something special and he's shown this week that he's come a long way.
“He's muscled up a lot, which is one thing that has impressed me. If he gets the opportunity in these two games, I'm sure he will stake his claim.”
Clayton Lewis and Alex Rufer – who was called up only once Bell was ruled out – are the other midfielders in the squad, and could be options if Bazeley takes a more cautious approach, while Elijah Just and Ben Waine are the others available to start in the front three.
Singh’s outing against Ireland was his first 90-minute showing for the All Whites since November 2021. Drifting around from his starting position on the right flank, he turned in a display that served as a reminder of how important he is to the team’s attack.
This week he was even-handed when assessing whether he was best used from the right or more centrally.
“When I start as a winger and then drift into the middle, I think it's harder for the opposition to pick up, than if I was playing as a central midfielder.
“Every position has its pros and cons. I can bring strengths in both areas. At the end of the day, I'm just happy to play.
“I have freedom to be able to move and create spaces and get in pockets. I'm just really enjoying the freedom in the set-up and the way the team wants to play.”
The All Whites’ match against Egypt is part of the ACUD International Football Cup, with Croatia and Tunisia meeting in the other first round match a day later.
The winners and losers of those two matches will then play each other on Wednesday (kickoff 9am NZ time).
All Whites – ACUD International Football Cup
Squad
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Oli Sail
Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Dane Ingham, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman
Midfielders: Matt Garbett, Clayton Lewis, Callum McCowatt, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Elijah Just, Max Mata, Ben Waine
Fixtures (NZ time)
Saturday, March 23, 9am: v Egypt; New Administrative Capital Stadium, Cairo
If they lose…
Wednesday, March 27, 9am: v loser of Croatia v Tunisia; Air Defence Stadium, Cairo
If they win …
Wednesday, March 27, 9am: v winner of Croatia v Tunisia; New Administrative Capital Stadium, Cairo