The Unused Subs

The All Whites will play no further part at the 2026 FIFA World Cup - needing a win in their final pool game they have been humbled 5-1 by Belgium, and denied access to the Round of 32.

So let the review begin! While the gulf in quality was evident against the Red Devils, there is so much to be proud of from a kiwi point of view. Goran, Iffy & Oli look at the standout performers across the entire campaign for New Zealand: Finn Surman, Marko Stamenic & Elijah Just. With 3 goals to his name, where on earth will Eli wind up?! Is he destined for the Premier League, or is there another top European competition that is better suited to his skills?

Having claimed just a solitary point in the group phase, ultimately what went wrong for the All Whites? How did they let leads slip - twice against Iran, once against Egypt? What part did injuries or a lack of fitness play... and did head coach Darren Bazeley get his team selection (and subsequent substitutions) right or wrong?

Who were the unlucky members of the squad to see little, or no gametime? Did Lachie Bayliss have the skills required, or was Kosta Barbarouses incredibly unfortunate not to see minutes given his history with missing selection for the 2010 World Cup, and his red card in the 2022 playoff?

There is SO MUCH to discuss, debate, dissect... and The Unused Subs do it all for your viewing pleasure! Don't forget to subscribe, and tell your kiwi football mates about us!

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The All Whites final group stage game at the FIFA World Cup is against Belgium at BC Place Vancouver, and for both teams it's a must-win match.

The Red Devils are stacked with talent: Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku... the list goes on. But New Zealand have shown across the first two matchdays that they are capable of footing it with the best in the world. How will they fare against a Top 10 nation in the FIFA World Rankings? Will a strong team effort from the kiwis overcome a side seemingly reliant on individual efforts?

Goran, Iffy & Oli preview the action and identify key areas where the All Whites will likely be stretched. Will Darren Bazeley change his starting side, or simply go to his subs bench earlier to be more proactive?

And most importantly: WHO WILL WIN?

A first win for NZ, and progression out of the group are in the offing. Come on you All Whites!

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Egypt has defeated New Zealand's All Whites at BC Place Vancouver, securing their first-ever World Cup victory and in the process, robbing the kiwis of theirs.

Goran, Iffy & Oli look back at what might have been for Darren Bazeley's side who were given an early lead through an unlikely source; centre-back Finn Surman rising high in the 15th minute to power a header into the Egyptian net.

And then came halftime.

Out of the sheds came a very different Egypt side, and New Zealand couldn't live with them - conceding 3 daggers to the heart and leaving their chances of progressing to the Round of 32 on life support.

The boys on The Unused Subs bench rave about Marko Stamenic (surely the Premier League will come calling again?), Finn's goal, the containment of Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, Oldie's shorts and was the ref all good... or nah?

And of course, how do we pick ourselves up before an all-important clash against Belgium?

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We can bill it as Mohamed Salah versus Elijah Just as New Zealand's All Whites face Egypt at BC Place Vancouver! And on the undercard, Emam Ashour against kiwi captain Chris Wood - whatever way you slice it, this FIFA World Cup Group G clash is going to be special!

To preview the action, Goran, Iffy & Oli wonder how the New Zealanders can handle the pace of Omar Marmoush, and the absolute top-draw talent of Salah... is it going to be a tough day at the office for Libby Cacace, and if so, who will be enlisted to help?

Will there be any changes to the All Whites Starting XI? Did the likes of Max Crocombe in goal do enough to start again?

We hear from the midfield general Marko Stamenic as well, as Jacob & Goran sat down with him for McDonald's NZ - just a wee taster of the All In On Football series which you can see on the McDonald's NZ YouTube channel.

And we make our predictions... are we about to witness the All Whites first World Cup victory?

So who have you got: Egypt or the All Whites?

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An Elijah Just brace, some fabulous Chris Wood hold-up play, and a wonderful team performance has given New Zealand plenty to be proud about as the All Whites produced plenty of highlights in a 2-2 draw with Iran!

After the match, Goran, Iffy & Oli Sail got together at Somm Wine Bar in Auckland to review the performance:

The chance creation
The expert finishing of Just
The superb captain's knock of Wood
Sarpreet Singh finding his best form
Marko Stamenic was an absolute workhorse

The trio discuss some work-ons too, because you're never the complete article, right? What needs addressing before the team meets Egypt?

AND CAN MAX CROCOMBE PLEASE NOT GIVE US A HEART ATTACK LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN?! Oh man, we thought he'd given away a penalty!

The All Whites remain undefeated at World Cups... so look at Mo Salah, Aotearoa is coming for you next!

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#football #soccer #newzealand