October 11, 2025 • 10 mins
Good but not good enough is the verdict from All Whites coach Darren Bazeley, after their one-nil friendly loss to Poland.
Bazeley feels his side were overly affected by Poland's goal early in the second half and they have to be mentally sharper, as well as better at finishing their chances.
New Zealand next play Norway in Oslo on Wednesday morning.
All Whites defender Finn Surman joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from news Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Your Whites have lost narrowly to Poland in the first
of two friendlies in the latest FIFA window in Europe,
and there is the full time we saw Barren beazes
Man go down by one golds and now that was
on Friday morning, a one nil loss to thirty sixth
ranked Poland. Your Whites incidentally are currently one hundred and
(00:35):
third in the world for what that's worth, So a
narrow loss to a much more highly ranked opponent. Your
Whites have now relocated to Oslo where they will meet
world number thirty one Norway on Wednesday morning. All Whites
defender finn sermon is whether thanks for joining us, Finn,
appreciate your time. What are the main things the review
(00:56):
of that narrow one nil loss to Poland has thrown up.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Thanks having me on Barny the review we looked at
a few different things. One of them was that we
kind of we're continuing to get the ball forward and
progress the ball. We just need to be better and
better in the final third, create some better or clearer
chances and and honestly just yeah, try to shoot more
(01:23):
and create more opportunities for us to actually put the
ball on the back of the neck, because that's almost
the one thing that's kind of missing right now, is that.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I mean, I know your brief as a defender really
so I guess you'll leave that to the guys further
up the pitch. But for those players, the players in
the opposing penalty area, is that something that is I
don't know, challenging to work on. How do you work
on being more clinical in front of goal?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Yeah, I think it's partly it's both a team thing
and a kind of individual thing. I think it's up
to the team to, you know, kind of progress the ball,
and it's up to especially defenders to help us progress
the ball.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I'm forwards up the pitch, and then.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I guess when it comes into the attack third sort
of stuff, that's uh, those players with the with the
talent and creativity, they kind of they kind of take
over and that's kind of that's where they shine. And
listen to the thing is these guys are all all
our players in that attacking third have got quality and
and creativity and have goals in them and so it's.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Just about.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Us working and working as a team to to put
players in the best vision to score and then getting
the ball there.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Do you feel as though, you know, once that sort
of thing clicks at the attacking end, that you'll be
able to turn these these close losses into into draws
or even wins, which of course you'll need if you're
going to get out of the group at the World
Cup next year.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, I definitely think so, because we've shown that we can,
you know, I like, someone can control games with both
with the ball and without the ball, and we're we're not.
It's not like where we lost five mil against Poland.
You know, so one nil, we score a goal earlier
in that game or before they score, and the result
(03:05):
could be completely different. So yeah, I have full I
have full confidence that when we do start turning these
these kind of games and moments into into some more goals,
it'll it will only help our results positively.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Apart from the goal. You can say that, how did
you write the defensive performance against Poland?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah, I mean I thought I thought we were decent.
I think that it's always difficult. I mean, any national
team game is difficult because you're kind of not used
to playing with each other and when you get limited
time on the training on the training training ground. But
I honestly think that we as a kind as a
back forward, as a defense, as a team, we we
we do understand each other quite well. And you know,
(03:45):
we defended. I think we defended decent. We limited them
to kind of mainly mainly shots outside the box and
and and low kind of opportunity chances. The goal they took,
they took tickel extremely well. You know, bar down is
not a bad finish. So that was a little bit disappointing,
But honestly, I don't think it was the bad performance defensively.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
You talked about the combinations that you're forging there and
and you're limited time together. You've partnered both Michael Boxel
and Tyler Binden in recent matches for New Zealand. How
different are they as central defensive partners.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
They're a little bit different.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
It's kind of hard to hard to explain it. Tyler
is probably a little bit more use to playing on
the left than box he is, but he does. Boxy
does a great job when he does play there. Anyway,
I think box He's probably got a little bit more
I don't know how say, like speed and physicality than Tyler,
So there's that kind of aspect to it. But I
(04:49):
mean they're both fantastic players and I enjoyed playing with
both of them. And I know that bays Or he
always tells us that it's a difficult decision of who
kind of who plays out of the three or four
or five of us center backs. So yes, it's kind
of it's up to him, not to me, indeed.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
And no Nando Pineker on this two of course, as
he recovers from a from a knock. But there is
a new face in the squad. Another center about George Stranger,
who's playing his football in Scotland. I'm not sure you've
ever played alongside George, so how do you integrate him
into your defensive system so if he's needed, he's ready
to go.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, I've not played with George before and I've not
met him before, so it was it was called meeting
him and he's a real nice guy. So I've enjoyed
training with him and hanging out with him. Yeah, I
think it's just we do have a limited time on
the pitch, but when we do get on the pictures
is talking to him and kind of explaining I guess
how I play and how we kind of try to
(05:52):
defend as a team, and just just talking communicating with
him kind of what we've been doing and what we've
been doing as a group for the last two three years,
and then also understanding what he likes and how he defends.
So's it's always good to get a perspective and and
just try to all get on the same page about
(06:12):
what we're trying to do.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
So you look forward to Norway now on Wednesday, you
have the task of trying to contain one of the
world's best strikers in Earling Harland. How much do you
relish a challenge like that?
Speaker 4 (06:26):
I think I think all of us relish that challenge.
I think from a personal point of view, it's it's
only it's only.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Really an opportunity. Like I say, a challenge is a
good thing. It's one of the best strikers in the world,
and so that's that's gonna be a challenge for any defender.
You know, you can see you see what it does
to Premier League and Champions League defenders. So it's kind
of not not that there's no pressure on it, but
it's it's kind of a yeah, like I said, just
(06:56):
the opportunity to go up against a fantastic player and
and someone that.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
You probably don't go up against every every single week.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
And in that regard, was it a little bit disappointing
you didn't get the chance to test yourself against Polish
superstar Robert Lewandowski on on Friday. He just he was
an unused substitute for Poland.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, it would have been cool to play against him,
whether he's he played a full ninety or just came
off the bench. So that was, I guess a little
bit disappointing. But you can only play who's who's in
front of you, right, so whoever they put out is
always as a good challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
The team obviously has has eyes on the World Cup
next year. Every time you get together, I presume there's
a bit of edge there, you know. Do you do
you talk much about the World Cup next year when
you're together in camp?
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Yeah, we we talk about it as a team.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I think it's it's it's always in the kind of
I don't know, has that in the back of our
minds because that is what we're kind of what we're building,
what we're building towards and where we're where we're headed,
So kind of all of this, all of these tours,
all of these international windows are a lead up to
that will cut. So yeah, we talk about it, and
(08:11):
then amongst the amongst the boys, there's starting to be
a little bit more and more more chat about it
and kind of excited to see the draw and see
where we might be playing and that sort of stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Indeed, and at club level, fin you've played ninety minutes
and pretty much every game this season for Portland Timbers.
You've been well, I rusted on starter pretty much for
the team. How do you evaluate your growth as a
player since your move to the US, and in particular
in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
I mean, I've absolutely loved it this year. To be honest,
I felt like I do feel like I've grown week
to week, month to month at the club that I'm at.
You know, I love playing for Portland and I've got
fantastic staff there who look after me well and also
continue to push me every single week to continue to improve.
(09:05):
I think in twenty twenty five, like you say, I've
I've played a lot and that's that's been great for
my my my development, and you know, throughout the year,
I started to get more and more kind of responsibility,
and I don't know if onus is the right word,
but like there's more pressure on my performances and more
just yet more responsibility, which.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Has been awesome for me.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know. I love that and I want to take
that on. So you know, it's it's been great. It's
been a good year so far.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
From Portland.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
We're heading into the playoffs, so the next the next
few games are going to be big for us.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Good stuff and the new A League season about to
start back here. I know you've got other other things
on your mind with the MLS playoffs and such like,
but will you still keep an eye on what happens
at Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yeah, I think I always will. I think I always will.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
I'm excited to watch the first game against Perth because
obviously my got my Wellington Wellington mates and then also
a few boys in the Perth team who I'm quite
close with, like Sutzon Scottie.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
So yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited to watch that and
see how the next go the season.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Great to get the chance to chat, Thanks indeed for
your time. I look forward to seeing you take on
Earling Harland and Norway on Wednesday morning, New Zealand Time.
Really appreciate the chat.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Thanks Barny, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
No, I appreciate you joining us fun. Thanks to date
Finn summon there out of the All Whites camp. So
five am Wednesday morning, New Zealand Time is when they
have their next match up against, as I say, Norway
and Earling Harland.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from news Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Your Whites have lost narrowly to Poland in the first
of two friendlies in the latest FIFA window in Europe,
and there is the full time we saw Barren beazes
Man go down by one golds and now that was
on Friday morning, a one nil loss to thirty sixth
ranked Poland. Your Whites incidentally are currently one hundred and
(00:35):
third in the world for what that's worth, So a
narrow loss to a much more highly ranked opponent. Your
Whites have now relocated to Oslo where they will meet
world number thirty one Norway on Wednesday morning. All Whites
defender finn sermon is whether thanks for joining us, Finn,
appreciate your time. What are the main things the review
(00:56):
of that narrow one nil loss to Poland has thrown up.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Thanks having me on Barny the review we looked at
a few different things. One of them was that we
kind of we're continuing to get the ball forward and
progress the ball. We just need to be better and
better in the final third, create some better or clearer
chances and and honestly just yeah, try to shoot more
(01:23):
and create more opportunities for us to actually put the
ball on the back of the neck, because that's almost
the one thing that's kind of missing right now, is that.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I mean, I know your brief as a defender really
so I guess you'll leave that to the guys further
up the pitch. But for those players, the players in
the opposing penalty area, is that something that is I
don't know, challenging to work on. How do you work
on being more clinical in front of goal?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Yeah, I think it's partly it's both a team thing
and a kind of individual thing. I think it's up
to the team to, you know, kind of progress the ball,
and it's up to especially defenders to help us progress
the ball.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I'm forwards up the pitch, and then.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I guess when it comes into the attack third sort
of stuff, that's uh, those players with the with the
talent and creativity, they kind of they kind of take
over and that's kind of that's where they shine. And
listen to the thing is these guys are all all
our players in that attacking third have got quality and
and creativity and have goals in them and so it's.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Just about.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Us working and working as a team to to put
players in the best vision to score and then getting
the ball there.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Do you feel as though, you know, once that sort
of thing clicks at the attacking end, that you'll be
able to turn these these close losses into into draws
or even wins, which of course you'll need if you're
going to get out of the group at the World
Cup next year.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, I definitely think so, because we've shown that we can,
you know, I like, someone can control games with both
with the ball and without the ball, and we're we're not.
It's not like where we lost five mil against Poland.
You know, so one nil, we score a goal earlier
in that game or before they score, and the result
(03:05):
could be completely different. So yeah, I have full I
have full confidence that when we do start turning these
these kind of games and moments into into some more goals,
it'll it will only help our results positively.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Apart from the goal. You can say that, how did
you write the defensive performance against Poland?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah, I mean I thought I thought we were decent.
I think that it's always difficult. I mean, any national
team game is difficult because you're kind of not used
to playing with each other and when you get limited
time on the training on the training training ground. But
I honestly think that we as a kind as a
back forward, as a defense, as a team, we we
we do understand each other quite well. And you know,
(03:45):
we defended. I think we defended decent. We limited them
to kind of mainly mainly shots outside the box and
and and low kind of opportunity chances. The goal they took,
they took tickel extremely well. You know, bar down is
not a bad finish. So that was a little bit disappointing,
But honestly, I don't think it was the bad performance defensively.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
You talked about the combinations that you're forging there and
and you're limited time together. You've partnered both Michael Boxel
and Tyler Binden in recent matches for New Zealand. How
different are they as central defensive partners.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
They're a little bit different.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
It's kind of hard to hard to explain it. Tyler
is probably a little bit more use to playing on
the left than box he is, but he does. Boxy
does a great job when he does play there. Anyway,
I think box He's probably got a little bit more
I don't know how say, like speed and physicality than Tyler,
So there's that kind of aspect to it. But I
(04:49):
mean they're both fantastic players and I enjoyed playing with
both of them. And I know that bays Or he
always tells us that it's a difficult decision of who
kind of who plays out of the three or four
or five of us center backs. So yes, it's kind
of it's up to him, not to me, indeed.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
And no Nando Pineker on this two of course, as
he recovers from a from a knock. But there is
a new face in the squad. Another center about George Stranger,
who's playing his football in Scotland. I'm not sure you've
ever played alongside George, so how do you integrate him
into your defensive system so if he's needed, he's ready
to go.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, I've not played with George before and I've not
met him before, so it was it was called meeting
him and he's a real nice guy. So I've enjoyed
training with him and hanging out with him. Yeah, I
think it's just we do have a limited time on
the pitch, but when we do get on the pictures
is talking to him and kind of explaining I guess
how I play and how we kind of try to
(05:52):
defend as a team, and just just talking communicating with
him kind of what we've been doing and what we've
been doing as a group for the last two three years,
and then also understanding what he likes and how he defends.
So's it's always good to get a perspective and and
just try to all get on the same page about
(06:12):
what we're trying to do.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
So you look forward to Norway now on Wednesday, you
have the task of trying to contain one of the
world's best strikers in Earling Harland. How much do you
relish a challenge like that?
Speaker 4 (06:26):
I think I think all of us relish that challenge.
I think from a personal point of view, it's it's
only it's only.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Really an opportunity. Like I say, a challenge is a
good thing. It's one of the best strikers in the world,
and so that's that's gonna be a challenge for any defender.
You know, you can see you see what it does
to Premier League and Champions League defenders. So it's kind
of not not that there's no pressure on it, but
it's it's kind of a yeah, like I said, just
(06:56):
the opportunity to go up against a fantastic player and
and someone that.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
You probably don't go up against every every single week.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
And in that regard, was it a little bit disappointing
you didn't get the chance to test yourself against Polish
superstar Robert Lewandowski on on Friday. He just he was
an unused substitute for Poland.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, it would have been cool to play against him,
whether he's he played a full ninety or just came
off the bench. So that was, I guess a little
bit disappointing. But you can only play who's who's in
front of you, right, so whoever they put out is
always as a good challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
The team obviously has has eyes on the World Cup
next year. Every time you get together, I presume there's
a bit of edge there, you know. Do you do
you talk much about the World Cup next year when
you're together in camp?
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Yeah, we we talk about it as a team.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I think it's it's it's always in the kind of
I don't know, has that in the back of our
minds because that is what we're kind of what we're building,
what we're building towards and where we're where we're headed,
So kind of all of this, all of these tours,
all of these international windows are a lead up to
that will cut. So yeah, we talk about it, and
(08:11):
then amongst the amongst the boys, there's starting to be
a little bit more and more more chat about it
and kind of excited to see the draw and see
where we might be playing and that sort of stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Indeed, and at club level, fin you've played ninety minutes
and pretty much every game this season for Portland Timbers.
You've been well, I rusted on starter pretty much for
the team. How do you evaluate your growth as a
player since your move to the US, and in particular
in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
I mean, I've absolutely loved it this year. To be honest,
I felt like I do feel like I've grown week
to week, month to month at the club that I'm at.
You know, I love playing for Portland and I've got
fantastic staff there who look after me well and also
continue to push me every single week to continue to improve.
(09:05):
I think in twenty twenty five, like you say, I've
I've played a lot and that's that's been great for
my my my development, and you know, throughout the year,
I started to get more and more kind of responsibility,
and I don't know if onus is the right word,
but like there's more pressure on my performances and more
just yet more responsibility, which.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Has been awesome for me.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know. I love that and I want to take
that on. So you know, it's it's been great. It's
been a good year so far.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
From Portland.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
We're heading into the playoffs, so the next the next
few games are going to be big for us.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Good stuff and the new A League season about to
start back here. I know you've got other other things
on your mind with the MLS playoffs and such like,
but will you still keep an eye on what happens
at Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yeah, I think I always will. I think I always will.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
I'm excited to watch the first game against Perth because
obviously my got my Wellington Wellington mates and then also
a few boys in the Perth team who I'm quite
close with, like Sutzon Scottie.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
So yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited to watch that and
see how the next go the season.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Great to get the chance to chat, Thanks indeed for
your time. I look forward to seeing you take on
Earling Harland and Norway on Wednesday morning, New Zealand Time.
Really appreciate the chat.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Thanks Barny, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
No, I appreciate you joining us fun. Thanks to date
Finn summon there out of the All Whites camp. So
five am Wednesday morning, New Zealand Time is when they
have their next match up against, as I say, Norway
and Earling Harland.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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