Im no fan of Hay but I remember watching the AWs at the 1999 Confeds cup and they were playing better than any side in the previous couple of years. One contributing factor was a run of games leading up to the confeds cup (9 or 11 I think?).
Anyway we have one of the more talented collection of players in recent years playing and they and Hay deserve as many games together as possible. No games in November is a huge missed opportunity.
Anyway we have one of the more talented collection of players in recent years playing and they and Hay deserve as many games together as possible. No games in November is a huge missed opportunity.
It will only be a huge missed opportunity if from March 2023 onwards it proves near impossible to find quality oppoents to play, ie is back to playing Oman, Thailand & Mynamar away. As sounds like for Nov-Dec there are some quality Euro teams available, even a top 20 side reportedly.
But in a recent AV article, he noted that with UEFA Euros qualifying draw coming up in October, there will be lots of groups that have 5 teams in 2023, and so hopefully teams looking for a friendly when they have a bye round next year. Just like Ireland & Lithuania in 2019. Think I have that right??
Also the above reponse by NZF to Wood & Co, highlighting in clear detail their financial Reserves plus cost of running international teams - shows how vital qualifying for future World Cups is - to fund all the internatiuonal team programs.
That alone should kill the 'move to AFC' agrument.
A combined East AFC/OFC Nations League comp would be great, a full move to AFC dumb.