https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/124575100/all-whites-to-walk-qualifying-tightrope-on-the-road-to-the-2022-fifa-world-cup
Not much news, I'm afraid, but confirmation they are still open to matches at the end of the year, including potentially in Australasia, and that there will be nothing before the the OlyWhites assemble in Japan in July.
Not much news, I'm afraid, but confirmation they are still open to matches at the end of the year, including potentially in Australasia, and that there will be nothing before the the OlyWhites assemble in Japan in July.
"Before those windows are the Tokyo Olympics in July, where Hay’s OlyWhites squad is set to have a heavy All Whites presence, even though he is allowed just three players born before 1997 at what is predominantly an under-24 event.
Nine members of the only All Whites squad Hay has selected to date fall into that age bracket, while there are seven other eligible players have earned senior caps, and several more beyond that who will be firmly in the frame, both for the Olympics and beyond.
There are no plans for any OlyWhites activity before the team arrives in Japan ahead of the Olympics, but Hay will be hoping the time the team spends together there will pay dividends once World Cup qualifying finally gets underway."
From memory for the Olympics, clubs don't have to release their players. The football schedule at Olympics is 21st July-7th August. That's mid season in Norway (Bell), and MLS/USL (Billingsley, Mata). Then you have someone like Singh who will likely be at a new club in Europe, and in the midst of pre season trying to establish himself. Maybe will be the same with others like Cacace (will always be rumours about an Italy move), Pjinaker (loaned out by Rio Ave?) etc who could move to a new pro club over the Euro summer.
Plus over age candidates like Wood, Thomas & Reid - who I'm guessing have all, already played at an Olympics?? may just all give Tokyo a swerve. Been there done that. Plus this year doesn't seem to have the normal excitement of an Olympics due to Covid. Reid could be preparing for season in the EPL with Brentford. Thomas & PSV busy with early season UCL qualifiers.
In summary there could be host of both U24 players, and over age guys - that are unavailable for the Oympics. It maybe a weakened side that goes to Tokyo, with little real value re being a 'shadow' AWs squad.
Feel Hay & NZF really need to focus on securing some quality friendlies for those Sept/Oct/Nov windows.
There are no plans for any OlyWhites activity before the team arrives in Japan ahead of the Olympics, but Hay will be hoping the time the team spends together there will pay dividends once World Cup qualifying finally gets underway."
From memory for the Olympics, clubs don't have to release their players. The football schedule at Olympics is 21st July-7th August. That's mid season in Norway (Bell), and MLS/USL (Billingsley, Mata). Then you have someone like Singh who will likely be at a new club in Europe, and in the midst of pre season trying to establish himself. Maybe will be the same with others like Cacace (will always be rumours about an Italy move), Pjinaker (loaned out by Rio Ave?) etc who could move to a new pro club over the Euro summer.
Plus over age candidates like Wood, Thomas & Reid - who I'm guessing have all, already played at an Olympics?? may just all give Tokyo a swerve. Been there done that. Plus this year doesn't seem to have the normal excitement of an Olympics due to Covid. Reid could be preparing for season in the EPL with Brentford. Thomas & PSV busy with early season UCL qualifiers.
In summary there could be host of both U24 players, and over age guys - that are unavailable for the Oympics. It maybe a weakened side that goes to Tokyo, with little real value re being a 'shadow' AWs squad.
Feel Hay & NZF really need to focus on securing some quality friendlies for those Sept/Oct/Nov windows.