2014 Friendly Discussion - China & Thailand in Nov

He was best on the park at left wingback against Honduras a few years ago IIRC

Played well there v Jamaica at Mt Smart too.

Panama?

Your go to question, TV

But is he even eligible for NZ any more? I hope he and NZF have done their homework.

Also, if he's renounced his NZ nationality as suggested below, he won't fit NZF's new requirement that 50% of ASB Premiership matchday squads be eligible to play for the All Whites. 

Tamati Williams says he has just acquired a Dutch passport through having a Dutch grandparent (to make it easier to play overseas).

But the Netherlands don't allow dual nationality - they were always tough on it and recently got even tougher. Similar to Japan with the Michael Fitzgerald thing.

My dad is Dutch and I was born in NZ - my understanding was that I could get a Dutch passport but I would have to give up my NZ one.

So Tamati Williams has been named in an All Whites squad but surely no longer has a NZ passport?

I hope he and NZ football are aware of the implications....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/football-soccer/news/art...

"I'm proud to be an All White wherever I'm playing, but I'd still like to become a fulltime professional. I've got to keep banging on doors - I've just got a Dutch passport (through a grandparent) so I'm hoping that can help."

BUT:

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2012/03/mini...

"Ministers Agree to Get Tough on Dual Nationality, Also for the Dutch"

Friday 02 March 2012

"Ministers on Friday decided to press ahead with legislation aimed at reducing the number of people with dual nationality, despite widespread opposition.

The legislation will require everyone who becomes Dutch to give up their original nationality if legally possible. Dutch nationals who take a second nationality will also automatically lose their Dutch passports."

Wow. That could be a potential facepalm because you need to be a passport holder!!!

One passport thing is just retarded

We's bro's now eh?

Not sure if anyone else heard it mentioned during the Uzbek game but we have a game lined up with Iran as well as China and Malaysia supposedly.  Fingers crossed.

Was rumours floating around on twitter about Uruguay coming to play Aussie & NZ in March.

if Uruguay game ever did happen, they should frame it as Ivan Vicelich farewell game, play him for some of it as final AWs appearance, as Uruguay was his debut back in 1995... would be fitting tribute, which many of our top players have not really had in the past

Great idea. 1995 ... 2015. Twenty years an AW!

Brilliant to see so many Internationals organised and lined up this season. China and Malaysia will be two good work outs and another opportunity for Hudson to get to know the players.

Awesome if the Uruguay rumour is true as well. I'd also like to see perhaps a couple of away friendlies against the likes of New Caledonia and Tahiti to give this group of youngsters experience playing against the Pacific Islanders.

Oh and an away game against Wales or N Ireland too (selfish reasons).

The china and Malaysia games are on FIFA website. I know this has been mentioned as doubtful in the past, but looks good. 

http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/teams/country=nzl/matches/index.html

ivan doesn't play for aw's anymore

Would be some good matches against China and Malaysia - good to test out the youngsters a bit more to see were they stand. 

But I'd much rather hear an announcement of these fixtures directly from NZF. FIFA website is notoriously unreliable. I'm sure at one stage I saw Palestine v New Zealand lined up for 14/11/2014 (months and months and months ago). Where the bloody hell would they play that?

I think the FIFA website is a bit like FFA, announces stuff before its confirmed.  I really hope Iran happens as they the second best team in Asia after Japan.

Malaysia game is off now apparently but China game is still going ahead in November.

Trying to arrange another Asian side:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/10540079/Hud...

"NZ Football are close to announcing two away friendlies for the November international window.

A game against China has been confirmed and a second Asian opponent is almost locked in although it won't be Malaysia as previously suggested."

Iran?

Japan?

locked in? Gotta be Nth Korea.

Id travel there !!

You might not travel back.

China and Thailand confirmed.

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=3208&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=2d8a7b211c

Dammit, I'm going to be in Bangkok the week after that

So you going to Bangkok?

Thank God I'm only watching the game. Controlling it.

Thai danger man:

Interestingly, Thailand have one striker who is currently playing in la Liga in Spain, Teerasil Dangda.

He signed a one year loan deal at U.D. Almeria from his Thai club earlier this year and has made three appearances in la Liga so far this season.

He was previously at Manchester City and Grasshoppers Zurich.

Scored for Thailand in a friendly vs. Barcelona in August last year. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teerasil_Dangda

He scored twice against the All Whites in Thailand's 3-1 home win in March 2009.

29 goals in 60 internationals

123 goals in 258 senior club games.

Aged 26.

Could be a good one for the Phoenix to keep an eye on if he doesn't sign permanently in Spain.

Rumour that New Zealand will play Iran in December. Anyone know anymore?  

John Key negotiating with Hezbollah atm.

Is China NZ Football's default option? 

China beat Thailand last night 3-0.

Looks like China dominated play for most of the game

Wolfman - any news from Thailand on this? Looks like a weak squad was sent over and coach was a no-show for the media.

Flights to Nanchang from Sydney begin at $899 AUD return on China Eastern, while flights to Bangkok return begin at $530 AUD. Tempting. If only they had announced this a while ago, would make it easier to travel.

Having booked tickets to Adelaide for the Nix game there on the 15th, and then to Perth for the Nix game there on the 21st, I am totally gutted...

Think the team is being named today.

Named at 11:10am.

Not expecting to see Eagar there