The Unused Subs

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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Chris Wood versus Mehdi Taremi, New Zealand against Iran, and All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley mulling over his Starting XI for our first FIFA World Cup match in 16 years!

Goran, Iffy and Oli return to preview NZ's opener in Group G, and we reveal the All Whites Starting XI - so Baze doesn't have to! All the contentious calls are made, including who will support Chris Wood in attack. SPOILER ALERT: Sarpreet Singh misses out.

PLUS: What will the result be at the end of 90 minutes? The boys make their predictions!

COME ON YOU ALL WHITES!!

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Kiwis talk football too!

#football #soccer #newzealand #allwhites #iran #fifaworldcup

What is the All Whites Starting XI? Will they escape Group G at the FIFA World Cup?

The answers to those two pertinent questions will present themselves in the coming days, because the wait is almost over - the FIFA World Cup for 2026 is so close we can almost taste it! On today's episode THE GODFATHER of New Zealand football arrives at Tyler St Sport. Yes that's right, it's none other than IVAN VICELICH. With Goran, Iffy and Oli Sail the awesome foursome predict who's in and who's out of the All Whites Starting XI... and the selection is clouded somewhat by the form, injury and rehabilitation of some key squad members.

Who takes the gloves - Alex Paulsen or Max Crocombe?

Does Libby Cacace start at left back despite missing huge chunks of Wrexham's season?

Will Tim Payne's superior crossing give him the advantage over Callan Elliot?

Has Sarpreet Singh played himself out of the XI?

The Unused Subs also talk about the past... their favourite memories of World Cups gone by, and Ivan puts himself in the shoes of the current crop of players - how will they deal with nerves and anxiety leading into the biggest game of their lives? The Godfather knows a thing or two about that, given his exploits in South Africa 16 years ago.

Oli Sail is one of Tim Payne's great mates. Has he had much success in contacting Payney since his phone blew up? And what would Ivan do if he were to become a viral social media sensation overnight? Jacob uses his phone to send a video message from the States, but sadly can't join the show today.

BRING ON THE FIFA WORLD CUP! Let's go All Whites!

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Kiwis talk football too!

#football #soccer #newzealand #fifaworldcup #allwhites