I think we/NZF should forget the 2022 WC.
The team has had no meaningful time together in years and even the games in 2019 were not all of our best players.
We will (hopefully) represent Oceania in the playoffs but will be completely undercooked unlike the rest of the playoff teams who played through Covid.
Sounds super negative but "thems the breaks" I think.
The team has had no meaningful time together in years and even the games in 2019 were not all of our best players.
We will (hopefully) represent Oceania in the playoffs but will be completely undercooked unlike the rest of the playoff teams who played through Covid.
Sounds super negative but "thems the breaks" I think.
Ridiculous. The way the Olywhites went is far more relevant than those 2 games in 2019 (when Hay literally had only 3-4 training sessions before they played), and they finished very promisingly against Japan at the Olympics. Draw a CONCACAF opponent and a real chance I reckon. AFC less so, and CONMEBOL will be very tough.
Early days WC qualifying other Confederations but these are the teams the AWs would face as at today in the Intercontinental Playoffs, if they won through OFC.
Panama (FIFA ranking 68) are currently 4th in CONCACAF. Definitely beatable. Don't think they would fancy a night game in NZ in June much. Canada (51) are 2nd in CONCACAF (on GD from USA & Panama), but yeah only 3 games into 14 rounds of qualifying.
UAE (69) & Japan (26) currently 3rd in each of the AFC pools. 3rd placed pool teams playoff to grab the AFC Intercontinental Playoff spot. Japan obviously tough. UAE less so. Another Bahrain?
Colombia (16) currently 5th in CONMEBOL. Obviously very tough whoever it is. Won't be Brazil (8W from 8) nor likely Argentina (5W 3D). But we pushed Peru closer than nearly everyone thought, and this is much better AWs midfield than 2017. But yeah big longshots if draw a Sth American side.
For sure the AWs need games, and not just against the Islands. They will be under dogs whoever they play June 2022.
But as above a night home tie in June in NZ could be interesting!! Not sure if AWs would want a cold, wet icy, windy night or not. With their best midfield ever now, not sure those conditions would suit. But the Bahrainis struggled in the Welly wind, so any advantage I guess.