Intersting that they are using a rugby tune (World in Union) to sell footie!
New Zealand U-23s - Quali Whites
I'm switching onto the stream to avoid Dennis Fred and Dewhurst
The symbolism of London as a door is sublime.
Musa? They must be hoping the Japanese will think he's Winston Reid.
A huge crowd of Japanese chanting and waving big flags... my grandfather would probably be having flashbacks if he were still with us.
Closeup on Nelsen's hairy fist!!!
Is it just me or does it appear that this is a different strip to the recently released strip with the fern design?
I want whatever was in that yellow can that the closeted man with his wife and random guy in store were so excited about.
Why in the name of blithering heck are the crowd singing "The Entertainer"?!?
(double post)
OHHH so close. Good run, Kosta. These Japanese are fast.
Ian Hogg pushes someone over!
Ouuuch. Last time a team was carving us up like this out in front, Ricki offered one of them a job.
We are on form tonight!
Nice getting back on defence from Kosta, but seriously... carved up down the right.
Ouuuch. Last time a team was carving us up like this out in front, Ricki offered one of them a job.
Well that was the last game most of the players out there played in! We're maintaining our ONC form.
So is Origami or whoever the Japanese no. 10 is going to be the Nix's foreign striker? PLEASE?!?
Our first injury may be Nelsens vocal cords.
Gleeson has touched the ball probably more than the rest put together. Meanwhile, the Japanese keeper brought a book to read.
Should we have taken Ivan instead of Shane? We're getting owned here
Well, at least they can't blame this on Ricki, although probably Danny Hay will find a way. Perhaps Ricki is puppeting Neil Emblen via Japanese mental radio or some such.
wow, that would have been some goal
Balls, Nelsen almost gave away a penalty for handball off that bicycle kick. Good reaction from Gleeson, though.
For the "Hogg for Nix" battallion, he's getting owned seven ways from Sunday out there
Ohhhh, I get why Japan keep doing short corners - to neutralise our height advantage. Clever.
OHHHH! Ultra-rare Japanese mistake gives us a clear chance, a Japanese has to take out Smeltzy from behind to save.
cracker of a shot, who was that?
Cracker of a save too. Good to see the Japanese keeper earning his pay a bit.
That was decent, think it was Payne...
Nay, was McGlinchey
HT 0-0. The Japanese were beginning to make a couple of errors in midfield there, so maybe they've worn themselves out shooting just wide of goal for 45 minutes straight.
Well, we are lucky to not have conceeded yet. Team will get stronger with the likes of Smith and Wood but will need to step up quite a bit here in the UK to avoid 3 defeats.
I am preparing for defeat at the olympics at the moment. Ugh. Brazil
Gleeson MoM, easily. I know what it's like to feel like you're goalkeeping in the highlights.
Good ol' Nelsen, monstering a tiny little Japanese kid and taking a yellow for the team.
This reminds me of the 3 games he started last year for the Timbers, won Save of the week twice in a row as well. Quality he is, sadly can't see what he's like for their reserves, but he did help the Timbers reserve team to an undefeated streak in their last seasn in the NSL, got like 5 clean sheets with 3 of those in a row or something crazy.
Yes, he's playing a lot better then a month ago.
Of concern for me is the fact that up front we have 3 AW regulars (wee mac, Smeltz and Kosta) that are being played out of the game by players who have yet to play for their national team.
Yeah, but I bet those Jap U23 defenders play for clubs of A-League standard or better.
Looking at their team on Wiki, pretty safe to assume that.. If this list is correct. Few German clubs, one Dutch, but prodominently J-League.
JESUS WEPT Nelsen, don't get your arse sent off!!!
That was a very long time coming.