There may be be some question marks in a month's time over the All Whites playing in Oman and Bahrain as the Coronavirus spreads rapidly through the Middle East.
Bahrain is one country hit in recent weeks:
'Bahrain's number of infections rose to 26 after three Bahraini women who arrived from Iran were confirmed to have the coronavirus, according to the health ministry."
That's the highest number of cases in the world after China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Singapore:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/countries-confirmed-cases-coronavirus-200125070959786.html
Only two cases reported in Oman so far.
33 Coronavirus cases already in an island nation the size of Canterbury. Sadly just don't see this game happening now. Flights from Dubai to Bahrain are suspended.
There are some things way more important than a game of football. Don't imagine many of the AWs players, would be keen at all now to fly there just for a friendly.
Even the Oman game must now be in serious doubt. Probably too late to reschedule to an alternative venue like London?
Qatar? - lots of European club teams were having training camps there over the winter break.
Poor old NZF can't get a trick. Finally get some quality fixtures after 2 years with virtually nothing, and a world pandemic comes along.
Hopefully they can still continue with a training camp at worst - Hay & co need time with the playing group.
I see Qatar, as well as Australia are part of the Copa America in June. If I was NZF I would be keeping a very close eye on the Coronavrus situation in the Gulf States. AWs could be an outside chance of a very late invite to the Copa America, if travel in and out of the gulf region becomes too hard. It's probably miles from a reality a very small chance, but that would be something.