looks like Solomon islands heading to malyasia instead...
Is confirmed as SI, on Malaysian FA Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/FAMalaysiaOfficial/
Press Release: Inaugural AIRMARINE Cup Can Boost National Team’s Ranking
AIRMARINE (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD – a leading logistics company – has stepped in to develop and present the AIRMARINE Cup 2019 between March 20 and 23 at the National Bukit Jalil Stadium.
The tournament’s first edition will feature the national teams of hosts Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and Solomon Islands which will correspond with the official FIFA International match calendar.
Read the full article at http://bit.ly/2GZcOnr
I find this the most depressing NZ football news of recent times (and there has been a bit of competition). Sure I know it’s not a high quality international tourney, but I just want to see the AWs play a game! This year the AWs have one game scheduled and I think the FFs have a min 10 games already. Of course both senior national teams should be playing regularly, but imagine the outcry if the roles were reversed. Maybe the Ferns players are just more committed to choosing country over club?
I presume since NZF have pulled out, and been replaced by a ‘poor’ Pacific nation it’s not because the tourney is expensive. Christ is embarrassing when likes of SI, Fiji play more regularly than us. So must be because NZF can’t get the Handy Prem clubs to agree on rescheduling of the semi finals. Who’s running this NZF competition?
Every regular season Handy Prem game remaining that doesn’t include ES, TW or CU - is essentially now of zero importance. Only games involving these 3 sides, have any relevance for sorting out the Semi Finals - spots 2 to 4. Just reschedule the important games (those involving TW, ES or CU) midweek or whatever over the next few weeks, so can bring dates of the Handy semis forward and avoid a clash with this Malaysian tourney. Handy Prem is already split rounds over next few weeks, so really only TW (OFC involvement) of the 3 relevant sides would have some potential tight 3 games a week scenarios. Too bad, suck it up.
Scheduling cluster fudge.
Surely a national team that barely plays, and giving some young upcoming players a taste of international football takes priority. A grand missed opportunity.
Please explain NZF.
By way of some comparison USA men’s team plays games in the FIFA windows, friendly or competitive, even though the MLS doesn’t break. MLS clubs just suck it up, having to release players.
The A League finally recognises FIFA windows and AWs have only 2 games in those windows over 2 years (Canada and Ireland)!! The Nix NZ players will end up now playing only 2 games in virtually the next 5 weeks! Can't tell me that playing say 1 AWs game in March window would have been too harmful.