Surely they won’t just nominate a team, I’d be wild if I was a footballer from another OFC nation and that happened. Theoretically they are two big wins away from a World Cup - for the likes of Fiji the pathway could be beating two small OFC teams (easy-ish), then a one-off win against NZ (hard but not impossible), then a one-off win against Panama (very hard but not impossible). All in one-off games on neutral territory. It’s the best shot they’ve had for decades and it would be so unfair if they’re not even given an opportunity.
But that has become a distinctly realistic prospect over the course of the last week, with a final decision from the Oceania Football Confederation due ahead of the qualifying draw, which is set to take place at 9am on Tuesday.
In that instance, his preference – and Hay’s – would be for three rounds of knockout fixtures to be played across a window extended by one day, as many have been for other confederations in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the other option on the cards – and the one understood to be favoured – is for a tournament to begin before the start of the window on March 22 and finish inside it.
If that was to happen, the All Whites would be disproportionately affected, as they have dozens of players at professional clubs, while their regional rivals have very few.
“We're not talking about a low-level competition, we're talking about the World Cup, and to potentially jeopardise that and punish us because we've got players playing at a professional level, I just can't get my head around it,” Hay said on Saturday from Denmark.
“It would be extremely disappointing, not just for me, but for the players. You're robbing them of a true chance to try to qualify for a World Cup. We've got so many players operating at a professional level and clubs are simply not going to turn around, at what is going to be the business end of the season for most of them, and say here you go, just feel free to take our players.”
Hay has been busy over the past week visiting clubs in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden that are home to players he has called up in recent months, for the All Whites’ wins over Curaçao, Bahrain, and The Gambia, and some he might need to call on if the format for World Cup qualifying rules others out.
“The reality is we'll just have to deal with whatever cards we're dealt, but it would make things extremely difficult, to try and bring in a group of players we haven't worked with,” he said.
I'd say with that last statement talking about guys like the Torslanda crew, Dalton Wilkins, Joel Stevens, Jesse Edge, Logan Rogerson etc. Oscar Obel-Hall is in youth system at some Danish club? Some other Kiwi youngsters in youth systems in neighbouring Holland?
Guys 'in season' come March who I reckon would definitely not be released by their paymaster clubs outside that window, would include - Thomas, Singh (Jahn R chasing promotion), Just & McCowatt (Helsingor chasing promotion), Kirwan (Padova chasing promotion), Woud (Burnley in fear of the drop), Mikey Boxall & Tuiloma from the MLS. Reid also if at a new club. Smith's Colchester could be near the League Two drop zone. Maybe Pijnaker if still at Helsingor. Bell if at a Championship type new club (should be okay if he's still in Norway).
You would be missing a fair chunk of your current squad, for likely 1-2 games of the OFC tourney if starts outside the window. And A League gaffers would be similarily reluctant to let guys go any longer than needed, getting near the business end of that season.
Do 2 qualifying rounds. Rd 1 in Jan with NZ seeded direct to Rd 2 in March. Top 3 island teams from Rd 1 join NZ in one group in March. 3 games each over the 9 day window with top of the table advancing to intercontinental playoff.
I think we're getting a bit too far ahead of ourselves around here.. FIFA.png650.23 KB
Yipe likely, but AWs are miles ahead in their prep compared to Islands.
They are dealing with suspended domestic leagues, bringing in new coaches and naming early training squads. Plus any overseas players like a David Browne for PNG not likely to join them until March. Solomons of course a real mess last few days.
They are at a huge disadvantage compared to Hay running a pretty solid Overseas based squad with plenty of contact time, starting in Japan.
And the Middle East will be all new to them. The AW setup ME vets in comparison.
It’s no wonder they seem to still be arguing over best tourney schedule, to at least make Island teams competitive. Maybe some Jan window OFC pool games, to give them some prep. Knock outs in March, Qatar. AWs straight through to March knockouts. Who knows
Several other OFC nations have extended squads together training.
Do 2 qualifying rounds. Rd 1 in Jan with NZ seeded direct to Rd 2 in March. Top 3 island teams from Rd 1 join NZ in one group in March. 3 games each over the 9 day window with top of the table advancing to intercontinental playoff.
No one has to play outside a window.
Boom.
Yipe to me this is good solution. Problem is Jan window less than 2 months away, and some Island nations (even without heavyweights NZ in their way) will struggle to be ready.
Pandemic bad in PNG. Riots in Solomons. New foreign coaches just arriving in, getting to know the landscape. Can teams travel freely between the OFC nations, ie are the borders even open enough yet? Jan mini tourney could be too early for them. Nov 22, 2021 https://www.oceaniafootball.com/png-women-begin-training-mens-wider-squad-named/ The squad is subject to change ahead of new head coach Marcos Gusmao arriving in the country later this month, while PNG’s premier men’s competition, the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League, currently remains suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Nov 12, 2021 https://www.oceaniafootball.com/champions-crowned-in-new-caledonia-as-pandemic-ends-season/ Hienghene Sport have been crowned the 2021 Super League champions and AS Universite awarded the 2021 Super League Futsal title, after both seasons were officially concluded this week by the New Caledonian Football Federation in the wake of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in the territory.
Both teams sat atop their respective competitions at the point of the forced suspension of the seasons.
President of the Caledonian Football Federation Gilles Tavergeux said with no clear path out of current restrictions around sport in New Caledonia, it was a decision that had to be made.
I think we're getting a bit too far ahead of ourselves around here.. FIFA.png650.23 KB
Yipe likely, but AWs are miles ahead in their prep compared to Islands.
They are dealing with suspended domestic leagues, bringing in new coaches and naming early training squads. Plus any overseas players like a David Browne for PNG not likely to join them until March. Solomons of course a real mess last few days.
They are at a huge disadvantage compared to Hay running a pretty solid Overseas based squad with plenty of contact time, starting in Japan.
And the Middle East will be all new to them. The AW setup ME vets in comparison.
It’s no wonder they seem to still be arguing over best tourney schedule, to at least make Island teams competitive. Maybe some Jan window OFC pool games, to give them some prep. Knock outs in March, Qatar. AWs straight through to March knockouts. Who knows
Several other OFC nations have extended squads together training.
Not the same as quality international games together, back effectively to Tokyo aka the AWs, plus in PNG & New Calendonia the local comps have been suspended, so they are not even playing football.
Other suggestion. Give top x ranked teams a bye in the first round (including NZ) which is played outside window and then rest of games played inside window.
Do 2 qualifying rounds. Rd 1 in Jan with NZ seeded direct to Rd 2 in March. Top 3 island teams from Rd 1 join NZ in one group in March. 3 games each over the 9 day window with top of the table advancing to intercontinental playoff.
No one has to play outside a window.
Boom.
You think OFC will choose a format that is (deservedly) fair to the All Whites? Lol you must be new round here.
Section 20. Paragraph 12 "The dates of the matches shall be set by the associations concerned and/or by the confederation in compliance with the international match calendar and subject to the approval of the FIFA Organising Committee. The FIFA general secretariat shall be informed in accordance with the deadline stipulated in the relevant FIFA decision. If the associations cannot agree on the dates of the matches, the FIFA Organising Committee shall make the final decision. The FIFA Organising Committee shall ensure that matches in the same group are played simultaneously when the situation demands this for sporting reasons."
Not sure if that means we have an appeal opportunity?
Why do we think we are so much better then the islands? Tahiti and NC have players in France who would be match fit and experienced in pro footie. Let's not forget Roy Krishna, David Browne and others. Players who could impose a Horror in Honiara MK2.
It's disappointing that games are outside of official windows but if we make the WC we will likely be the least rated team there. I relish a tough qualifying tournament to harden up our team for those WC games.
If we end up with Panama or Costa Rica, their footie is going to be more of a Latin style then Canada, USA etc so I hope NZF have some Latin America friendlies arranged (eg Nicaragua) as well as a game or two agisnt Jamaica, Barbados etc.
Do 2 qualifying rounds. Rd 1 in Jan with NZ seeded direct to Rd 2 in March. Top 3 island teams from Rd 1 join NZ in one group in March. 3 games each over the 9 day window with top of the table advancing to intercontinental playoff.
No one has to play outside a window.
Boom.
Yipe to me this is good solution. Problem is Jan window less than 2 months away, and some Island nations (even without heavyweights NZ in their way) will struggle to be ready.
Pandemic bad in PNG. Riots in Solomons. New foreign coaches just arriving in, getting to know the landscape. Can teams travel freely between the OFC nations, ie are the borders even open enough yet? Jan mini tourney could be too early for them. Nov 22, 2021 https://www.oceaniafootball.com/png-women-begin-training-mens-wider-squad-named/ The squad is subject to change ahead of new head coach Marcos Gusmao arriving in the country later this month, while PNG’s premier men’s competition, the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League, currently remains suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Nov 12, 2021 https://www.oceaniafootball.com/champions-crowned-in-new-caledonia-as-pandemic-ends-season/ Hienghene Sport have been crowned the 2021 Super League champions and AS Universite awarded the 2021 Super League Futsal title, after both seasons were officially concluded this week by the New Caledonian Football Federation in the wake of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in the territory.
Both teams sat atop their respective competitions at the point of the forced suspension of the seasons.
President of the Caledonian Football Federation Gilles Tavergeux said with no clear path out of current restrictions around sport in New Caledonia, it was a decision that had to be made.
Somehow it seems to me that these restrictions are for many years to come... It embarrasses me, it embarrasses me very much. https://www.oceaniafootball.com/png-women-begin-training-mens-wider-squad-named-bp - this link is not as straightforward as it may seem. The lineup doesn't always have to change, but the coach can. Nevertheless, I agree that covid restrictions have their place.
2 pools of 4 teams re OFC tourney, so 3 pool games, semi & final. First 2 pool before FIFA window starts.
We await the draw. Tonga/Cooks will be a joke fixture. Hopefully they are drawn in the AWs pool, and one of the first two games.
However get 3 pool teams from Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu with 2 of those games outside FIFA window and nerves for Hay for sure. Lose those 2 early pool games without some of the stars, WC dream likely over then & then.
Why do we think we are so much better then the islands? Tahiti and NC have players in France who would be match fit and experienced in pro footie. Let's not forget Roy Krishna, David Browne and others. Players who could impose a Horror in Honiara MK2.
It's disappointing that games are outside of official windows but if we make the WC we will likely be the least rated team there. I relish a tough qualifying tournament to harden up our team for those WC games.
If we end up with Panama or Costa Rica, their footie is going to be more of a Latin style then Canada, USA etc so I hope NZF have some Latin America friendlies arranged (eg Nicaragua) as well as a game or two agisnt Jamaica, Barbados etc.
You list 2 names from the other 7 teams! One coming from the giddying heights of top flight Finnish football. Plus his new club season by late March will have barely started. HJK won't stop him leaving early for Qatar.
Of course AWs will be massively hindered in comparison to the other mostly domestic based OFC teams.
And NZF are at a beggars table re finding friendly fixtures. If you followed CONCACAF at all you'd see Jamaica are in final stage qualifying themselves. Top 100 FIFA ranked Haiti plus Trinidad & Tobago maybe targets for the January window, but suspect NZF are now busy figuring out this OFC announcement, before committing to anything in Jan.
If AWs do draw Cooks/Tonga in their pool, can an A League/NZ based AWs selection fly into either of those countries in the Jan window? Hammer in 10 goals (joke game that it would be), and you have one of those outside of March FIFA window games dealt with. Plus a little PR exercise re football in Tonga or Cooks.
Unknown yet which those first 2 pool games will be outside the official FIFA window dates, when Hay could be without maybe a dozen topline players.
He's going to be a busy boy talking to Euro club managers. Plus suddenly making ph calls maybe to very fringe guys like Musa, Themi, Kyle Adams, Max Mata, Deklan Wynne, Logan Rogerson, Jesse Edge, Joel Stevens, Torslanda crew - what are you up to March next year. Bit of a nightmare.
Plus A League coaches like Talay. Plus watching border rules re NZ & Aus. Though looks like by March all the A League contingent would be based in VIC or NSW (not NZ) and maybe able to travel freely in & out of Qatar without any MIQ requirement upon return to Aus.
Hopefully doesn't stop NZF's focus on getting some valuable friendlies in the January window. Which Hay could now use to at least look at fringe dudes.
A case of keep calm and deal with it as best as possible. Whether NZF have a possible appeals case re those 2 non window games, I have no idea. Surely FIFA rubber stamped that decision. But AWs couldn’t afford to lose both with an under strength team, WC dream likely over then and there.
Unknown yet which those first 2 pool games will be outside the official FIFA window dates, when Hay could be without maybe a dozen topline players.
He's going to be a busy boy talking to Euro club managers. Plus suddenly making ph calls maybe to very fringe guys like Musa, Themi, Kyle Adams, Max Mata, Deklan Wynne, Logan Rogerson, Jesse Edge, Joel Stevens, Torslanda crew - what are you up to March next year. Bit of a nightmare.
Plus A League coaches like Talay. Plus watching border rules re NZ & Aus. Though looks like by March all the A League contingent would be based in VIC or NSW (not NZ) and maybe able to travel freely in & out of Qatar without any MIQ requirement upon return to Aus.
Hopefully doesn't stop NZF's focus on getting some valuable friendlies in the January window. Which Hay could now use to at least look at fringe dudes.
Yeah the January window could be pretty crucial for pulling in players who will definitely be available in March.
Unknown yet which those first 2 pool games will be outside the official FIFA window dates, when Hay could be without maybe a dozen topline players.
He's going to be a busy boy talking to Euro club managers. Plus suddenly making ph calls maybe to very fringe guys like Musa, Themi, Kyle Adams, Max Mata, Deklan Wynne, Logan Rogerson, Jesse Edge, Joel Stevens, Torslanda crew - what are you up to March next year. Bit of a nightmare.
Plus A League coaches like Talay. Plus watching border rules re NZ & Aus. Though looks like by March all the A League contingent would be based in VIC or NSW (not NZ) and maybe able to travel freely in & out of Qatar without any MIQ requirement upon return to Aus.
Hopefully doesn't stop NZF's focus on getting some valuable friendlies in the January window. Which Hay could now use to at least look at fringe dudes.
A case of keep calm and deal with it as best as possible. Whether NZF have a possible appeals case re those 2 non window games, I have no idea. Surely FIFA rubber stamped that decision. But AWs couldn’t afford to lose both with an under strength team, WC dream likely over then and there.
What a trash group, legit the three worst teams ended up in the other group...
Unknown yet which those first 2 pool games will be outside the official FIFA window dates, when Hay could be without maybe a dozen topline players.
He's going to be a busy boy talking to Euro club managers. Plus suddenly making ph calls maybe to very fringe guys like Musa, Themi, Kyle Adams, Max Mata, Deklan Wynne, Logan Rogerson, Jesse Edge, Joel Stevens, Torslanda crew - what are you up to March next year. Bit of a nightmare.
Plus A League coaches like Talay. Plus watching border rules re NZ & Aus. Though looks like by March all the A League contingent would be based in VIC or NSW (not NZ) and maybe able to travel freely in & out of Qatar without any MIQ requirement upon return to Aus.
Hopefully doesn't stop NZF's focus on getting some valuable friendlies in the January window. Which Hay could now use to at least look at fringe dudes.
A case of keep calm and deal with it as best as possible. Whether NZF have a possible appeals case re those 2 non window games, I have no idea. Surely FIFA rubber stamped that decision. But AWs couldn’t afford to lose both with an under strength team, WC dream likely over then and there.
What a trash group, legit the three worst teams ended up in the other group...
It should be recognised that Fiji, PNG & NC have had to deal with Covid far worse than NZ.
League in PNG suspended & NC bought to an early halt. Sure they are running large domestic training camps, and I guess running almost club teams with lots of weekly contact sessions - but nothing like playing actual games together. Hay meanwhile has had tough quality games going back to Tokyo.
Be interesting to see if the Islands can organise friendlies amongst themselves pre March, but they must have lots of border closures going on.
But yeah getting that gimme game against Cooks/Tonga would have really dropped the nerve levels a notch. I'll guess we'll find out in March.
Disappointing decision. Ok Covid has wrecked havoc and made things really tough but are any of the other Confederations playing WCQ outside a window? Imagine the outcry if England had to play a qualifier outside a window. Result of being in the smallest Confederation FIFA don't care about I guess.
So what players are we going to be able to call on for those first 2 games in March? Any of the leagues in their off season then? Obviously all the top leagues are still going, plus A League and looks like MLS starts late Feb.
Might have to call on NZ domestic players (Howieson, Brotherton etc) and some of the Scandinavian players. Def feel for NZF and Hay here - hope we've got some good negotiators! Time to call in the favours.
We failed to beat, or even score for that matter, PNG or New Caledonia the last time we played either of them. They might not be playing but they probably still have had more contact time together than we have, especially if the first two games feature mostly players not involved in the previous two windows.
Bit stitched up with the group to be honest, if I was a conspiracy theorist, and who doesn’t love one, I’d say it’s OFC doing their best to make it as difficult as possible for the All Whites. I’d be actually slightly worried if the two out of window games are PNG and NCL, even Fiji if they get Krishna could be iffy. They’ll of course be worse than last month’s teams, but good chance to have none of those starting 11s bar maybe Pijnaker, Kalua, Garbett or De Vries. Other group has the Cook/Tonga game, which we’ve seen an U23 B team put a dozen on vs Tonga at the Pacific Games, and Vanuatu which even Hudson put five past inside 45 minutes. Either way, sounds like some balls were put in the freezer before before in bowl for the draw.
More seriously, Hay should be targeting the A League guys if he needs to take people outside of the window, given he allowed the Phoenix guys to stay during the last window, one would hope Talay would return the favour. The A League doesn’t stop for windows this season so they’d miss games regardless, so might as well get them when most needed.
Okay so OFC tourney is due to start 14th March next year. Over 3 months away, so I'm sure a bit fultile to speculate yet, who & who may not be available for the first 2 pool games outside official March FIFA window.
But for some fun I'm gonna try.
Guys 'in season' come March who I reckon stand high chance of NOT being released by their paymaster clubs outside that window, would include - Thomas (important juncture at PSV), Singh (Jahn R chasing promotion), Just & McCowatt (Helsingor chasing promotion), Kirwan (Padova chasing promotion), and Woud (Burnley in fear of the drop).
Probably Cacace out as well. Reid also if at a new club, re-establishing his career. Smith's Colchester could be near the League Two drop zone. Bell if at a Championship type new club establishing himself (should be okay if he's still in Norway).
Marinovic in Israel no idea at all. Lets say no with Woud in a league (Dutch 2nd tier) with no relegation, he'll do. Champness obviously an off the bench goal threat for his Turkish club, who apparently will be around the relegation dogfight all season long. So no to him.
MLS guys Mikey Boxall & Tuiloma who knows. MLS 2022 to start late Feb 2022. So being only a few weeks into the new season they may just let them go, knowing World Cups only come around every 4 years. Coach Heath at Boxy's Minnesota spat the dummy a little about him being being picked for the Olympics, but that was more mid season this year. And both clubs have had a pretty uninteruppted run with them until now, with AWs barely playing 2018-2020.
Swedish top tier will start around March 2022, but I reckon Francis de Vries would be okay.
With the A League guys I have some blind faith, that between the APL and NZF they could work something out. Hay picking any A League guys, would see Nix most heavily affected. Sail, Payne, Mcgarry, Sutton, Fenton, Elliot, Rufer, Lewis and Waine will all be in Hay's thoughts. Even Ben Old.
Have some sort of faith APL & Paramount would agree to rejog the draw to in March to allow Hay to call up guys from the Nix, without ruining their season. If the Nix are going to be based in NSW until at least 30th April as seems likely, surely there is room to play some mid week fixtures, against other NSW based A League teams, so trying to create some NIx byes from March 14th??
Talay's a reasonable human. He knows all his Kiwi guys have had their AW chances screwed somewhat by Covid, and how all of them would love to go to Qatar if the AWs make it. Same Corica re Barba, and Poppa re Rojas.
Maybe Hay/NZF do a deal that A League guys are in Qatar for pool games only, before Hay can call upon all his big guns in the official window. With A League guys returning to their Aussie clubs early, unless Hay really needs them for the 2 knockout games hopefully AWs make. I guess OFC would then need to signoff on NZ effectively running a large 30 man type squad, over the whole tourney??
So I'm gonna guess Hay will be able to roll out an 11 like this, for first 2 pool games.
Sail Payne (RB), M Boxall/Tuiloma, Pijnaker, Francis de Vries Stamenic, Garbett, Lewis Barba, Rojas, Andre De Jong
Full bench something like - Woud, Searle, M Boxall/Tuiloma, N Boxall, Kalua, Dalton Wilkins, one of Mcgarry/Sutton, Musa, Owen Parker-Price/Rufer, Collier, Logan Rogerson, Waine
Again bit pointless this early on, and who knows what will happen between now and March. There are a few other fringe guys around likes of USL and Europe - but at least most of the above names have a likely AWs future, if you try turn this little mess into a longer term NZ football giving guys valuable experience, positive.
But potentially not the worst AWs squad ever picked at all, especially if Hay can call up the A League guys (I've got about 8 in there). Lots of phone calls to be had, and ideally he wants contact also with those ALM guys in January window (24th Jan-1st Feb). But that could just be too much to ask of the Nix and Talay especially.
Alternatively some sort of 2-3 day training camp in Aussie with those guys, around their ALM club commitments. Embedding them in how AWs will play. Noting many of them were at the Olympics anyway, so not coming in blind. Hay can fly over to Aus post his 2 weeks NZ Dec MIQ, early Jan and return NZ post Jan 15th without having to MIQ in NZ.
Edit - not sure if double vaccinated non Australian citizens (so Kiwi ALM players) can currently fly into NSW/VIC sans 2 weeks hotel MIQ, or is just Aussie citizens?? Again March is awhile away to look at that.
Lots of moving parts to this. NZF staff and Hay are going to be busy bees.
If this isn't a case for us to push to at least looking at moving confederations to Asia, then I don't know what is. These guys have no farken clue, but clearly they don't want us around. Or at the very least they want to just make it as difficult as they can.
I hope we bloody well mash them come March.
Attention now turning to pulling a squad together. Who will be available, who will be in off season? I hope we can negotiate a few pros to get over there for the first couple of games. But my god what a shark show this is...
We failed to beat, or even score for that matter, PNG or New Caledonia the last time we played either of them. They might not be playing but they probably still have had more contact time together than we have, especially if the first two games feature mostly players not involved in the previous two windows.
Bit stitched up with the group to be honest, if I was a conspiracy theorist, and who doesn’t love one, I’d say it’s OFC doing their best to make it as difficult as possible for the All Whites. I’d be actually slightly worried if the two out of window games are PNG and NCL, even Fiji if they get Krishna could be iffy. They’ll of course be worse than last month’s teams, but good chance to have none of those starting 11s bar maybe Pijnaker, Kalua, Garbett or De Vries. Other group has the Cook/Tonga game, which we’ve seen an U23 B team put a dozen on vs Tonga at the Pacific Games, and Vanuatu which even Hudson put five past inside 45 minutes. Either way, sounds like some balls were put in the freezer before before in bowl for the draw.
More seriously, Hay should be targeting the A League guys if he needs to take people outside of the window, given he allowed the Phoenix guys to stay during the last window, one would hope Talay would return the favour. The A League doesn’t stop for windows this season so they’d miss games regardless, so might as well get them when most needed.
Phoenix absolutely need to release players this time, even if just for the first two games. If it gets us low on players, can negotiate with the APL to have them moved.
It's a sharkshow no doubt, and yeah once again, an OFC draw that doesn't favour us in the slightest... get those conspiracy theories racing.
However, I figure we may have salvation from: - First team players in season, but who Hay and the AWs have a good relationship with. Think Helsingor and Torslanda - Reserve/youth team players like Garbett - Nix/AL players of which there are a plenty
It's a sharkshow no doubt, and yeah once again, an OFC draw that doesn't favour us in the slightest... get those conspiracy theories racing.
However, I figure we may have salvation from: - First team players in season, but who Hay and the AWs have a good relationship with. Think Helsingor and Torslanda - Reserve/youth team players like Garbett - Nix/AL players of which there are a plenty
Let's not panic yet.
Yipe lets not panic yet. Getting AL guys shaping as absolutely key. I've chucked about 8 ALM guys, into an early 23 man squad, for 2 non FIFA window games.
They'll be match fit, in season, and many of them have already played under Hay's system(s) at the Olympics.
Hay/Pragnell on the phone to Dome/Talay who are on the phone to the APL/Paramount to rejig the ALM draw, and create Nix byes mid March to early April.
The other clubs/APL know the huge struggle the Nix are facing being based in Aussie, and keeping a 12 team comp going. Hopefully that's seen as worth a favour or two in return.
If this isn't a case for us to push to at least looking at moving confederations to Asia, then I don't know what is. These guys have no farken clue, but clearly they don't want us around. Or at the very least they want to just make it as difficult as they can.
I hope we bloody well mash them come March.
Attention now turning to pulling a squad together. Who will be available, who will be in off season? I hope we can negotiate a few pros to get over there for the first couple of games. But my god what a shark show this is...
So true. All due respect to the Island teams, NZ is really the only team who has a realistic shot of getting to the World Cup and being competitive. We don't want a repeat of 2013 Confeds Cup..
The fact they've made it this difficult is mind boggling. I guess all the other OFC members were pushing for this format as it'll be their best chance to upset us (in theory). Still don't get how FIFA could sign off a qualifying campaign outside a window.
Same time, i also understand their perspective, where the cost of coming for potentially one game in a knock out format isn’t worthwhile for them.. i see both sides here..
Yeahcoulddo
YoungHeart
If this isn't a case for us to push to at least looking at moving confederations to Asia, then I don't know what is. These guys have no farken clue, but clearly they don't want us around. Or at the very least they want to just make it as difficult as they can.
I hope we bloody well mash them come March.
Attention now turning to pulling a squad together. Who will be available, who will be in off season? I hope we can negotiate a few pros to get over there for the first couple of games. But my god what a shark show this is...
So true. All due respect to the Island teams, NZ is really the only team who has a realistic shot of getting to the World Cup and being competitive. We don't want a repeat of 2013 Confeds Cup..
The fact they've made it this difficult is mind boggling. I guess all the other OFC members were pushing for this format as it'll be their best chance to upset us (in theory). Still don't get how FIFA could sign off a qualifying campaign outside a window.
Do we know if the rules around squad sizes for this have been released?
My concern is that it could be a 23 man squad with no swap outs allowed, in which case we would be stuck with the 16/17 men we need play in the initial 2 games, then only able to bring in 6 or 7 players who would only be released for the window.
Do we know if the rules around squad sizes for this have been released?
My concern is that it could be a 23 man squad with no swap outs allowed, in which case we would be stuck with the 16/17 men we need play in the initial 2 games, then only able to bring in 6 or 7 players who would only be released for the window.
Complete stitch up from FIFA and the OFC
No real idea but Arnold was able to pick a large 31 man Socceroos squad for the AFC 1st round qualifying tourney, earlier this year held in Kuwait. Some of it outside FIFA window.
Socceroos had 4 games in a condensed period to finish 1st round AFC qualifying delayed by Covid.
Surely sets some world precedent re WC qualifying, and by rights AWs can do same??
Only first two groups games out of window... we will qualify out of the pool so this want matter too much.
Will have our strongest squad for the semis and final and thats what matters.
We lose both first 2 pool games, from two of PNG, New Caledonia or Fiji and it will matter.
Likely won't make it out of the pool with only 1 win. Yeah it's unlikely, but it can happen.
Hay may not want it that early on, but you feel him and his team are gonna get a proper feel for high stakes nerve tangling buildup, winner takes all football - well in advance of any CONCACAF playoff game.
Still rather be him than Roberto Mancini or Santos the Portuguese coach. One of them definitely won't be taking a team to Qatar 2022. That's proper rough.
Do we know if the rules around squad sizes for this have been released?
My concern is that it could be a 23 man squad with no swap outs allowed, in which case we would be stuck with the 16/17 men we need play in the initial 2 games, then only able to bring in 6 or 7 players who would only be released for the window.
"Participating nations must submit their squads 24 hours before each game but will have the flexibility to pick players from an “extensive” list throughout the duration of the tournament."
Should be taken to international arbitration for sport. How can you sanction WC qualifiers outside of FIFA windows. It should be up to the confederations to change their tournament set up to suit the windows not have the countries make sacrifices that put them at below strength.
I think people are underestimating the likes of PNG, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. These teams are no longer push-overs like they once were. NZF should be up in arms over this as the schedule could spell our WC hopes over before the FIFA windows even open.
I can see Talay releasing bench players for this - i.e. the likes of Fenton, Old, potentially Waine, and 1-2 first team players at a real push.
I think people are underestimating the likes of PNG, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. These teams are no longer push-overs like they once were. NZF should be up in arms over this as the schedule could spell our WC hopes over before the FIFA windows even open.
I can see Talay releasing bench players for this - i.e. the likes of Fenton, Old, potentially Waine, and 1-2 first team players at a real push.
No longer push-overs, but still nowhere even close to the ability to challenge New Zealand on neutral ground
And we are no longer a team that can be beaten by these sides either, anywhere.mrsmiis
Ninja
I think people are underestimating the likes of PNG, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. These teams are no longer push-overs like they once were. NZF should be up in arms over this as the schedule could spell our WC hopes over before the FIFA windows even open.
I can see Talay releasing bench players for this - i.e. the likes of Fenton, Old, potentially Waine, and 1-2 first team players at a real push.
No longer push-overs, but still nowhere even close to the ability to challenge New Zealand on neutral ground
