There's also an argument for playing that game over in Aussie. Shorter trip (marginally) for US and Europe based players and only a 3-hour flight for the small Nix contingent...
2018 International Friendlies
I see that Uzbekistan play South Korea in an international friendly in Brisbane on 20th November. Can't see any other fixtures for Uzbekistan in that international window, surely an opportunity to bring them over to NZ for a game?
Australia also play South Korea and Lebanon on 17th and 20th November at home.
What would make a lot of sense is AWs playing Lebanon on 17th Nov, in Western Sydney.
Sydney has a very big Lebanese population.
An AWs squad of A League players plus all the guys from the USA who will have finished up, and probably holidaying around NZ anyway.
Even guys like Brockie, Rojas, Lewis, Woud, Mitchell (injured I wonder?) could be keen to fly back from Europe - as getting so few playing minutes with their clubs at the moment.
A year now into 4 year WC qualifying cycle, is staggering really that nearly all of the first choice squad have never met the new AWs coach. What’s his name again?
There's also an argument for playing that game over in Aussie. Shorter trip (marginally) for US and Europe based players and only a 3-hour flight for the small Nix contingent...
That has happened a few times in the past, like when we sent a scratch team of our national leagues best over and played Saudi Arabia in the early 90s
I don't see the issue with sending a full team to play in Aussie if it makes financial sense.
Don't get me wrong - I want as many games to be played in NZ as possible - but if it's either playing in Aussie or not playing at all, I favor the former option.
I don't see the issue with sending a full team to play in Aussie if it makes financial sense.
Don't get me wrong - I want as many games to be played in NZ as possible - but if it's either playing in Aussie or not playing at all, I favor the former option.
Given the amount of games we currently have lined up (0), I'd take a game anywhere with anyone and like the India games would be happy if it's only the second stringers called up.
I still DON'T UNDERSTAND how hard it would be to piggy back on one of the Aussie friendlies and play a game there?!
Moved comments here from Qatar 2022 thread.
Australia host first South Korea (Brisbane) and then Lebanon (Sydney) in the Nov window. From Oz, South Korea head off to Ubekistan - but Lebanon only have the Socceroos game.
So obvious idea would be to play Lebanon in a small Western Sydney ground like Campbeltown or Penrith (Australia's Maltildas play there later this month) that has hopefully cheap ground hire costs etc. As before Sydney has a very large Lebanese popn, so why not play them there prior to them playing Socceroos.
Basically seems NZF have taken a big financial hit (employee payouts, lawyers etc) this year. Plus compared to the huge 2013 Mexican TV money, the 2017 Peru playoffs wouldn't have brought in the same TV dollars. So wouldn't be surprised if it's back to smelly oily rag days, plus are there any staff left now at NZF to organise AWs games. Think ex AWs manager Rob Pitstock had a FIFA match agent licence (required to organise matches between teams of different confederations). Could be yet another problem, if no one at NZF has one of those.
Meanwhile don't expect to see the MLS contingent available again for AWs games, until Nov 2019. Be interesting to know what coach Schmid is doing/thinking.
I'll go as far as saying that I would support another 'behind close doors' game - as long as they get the sodding team together and have a hit out!
Sometimes it feels like I support the likes of Monserrat or the Palau NT - teams that struggle to get together often and can go years between playing games!
Actually Monserrat are now in the CONCACAF Nations League, so ironically they'll be getting more games than us!!!
I always enjoy Nick Robinson's weekly wrap up of Kiwi footballers overseas 'Flying Kiwis'.
Nick probably had a bit of spare time this week, due to the November FIFA window and so few overseas Kiwis in action.
Anyway he's penned this very tongue in cheek, review of the AWs verus Socceroos.
http://theniche-cache.com/football/2018/11/20/reca...
Remiss of Schmid not to give Elliott Collier a debut.
What a legend!
Great stuff
"it was decided against unnecessarily disrupting the top level of domestic football in Aotearoa, risking the integrity of a beloved institution."
Gold