See that the new host (to replace China) of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, will be announced today/tomorrow. Two horse race now between Qatar & South Korea. Australia & Indonesia have both pulled out as contenders.
The Asian Cup will be held from 16 June to 16 July 2023. Might be some opportunities for AWs friendlies early June next year against some of the AFC teams, especially those who draw the Socceroos in their pool?
Or same the March window next year, if Asian Cup draw has been done by then. Presumably yes.
Qatar & it's high tech air con, wins the bid to replace China as AFC Asian Cup 2023 host. As with the World Cup, timing of event likely to be switched to cooler months of late 2023/early 2024.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will see the two confederations work together for the further development of football.
As part of the MoU, both parties undertake to strengthen their cooperation and dialogue, with an aim to develop football in their respective territories and to focus on matters of common interest.
This will include sharing knowledge and experience on areas such as administration/management, development of competitions, training camps, women’s football, coaching, refereeing, education, corporate and social responsibility.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will see the two confederations work together for the further development of football.
As part of the MoU, both parties undertake to strengthen their cooperation and dialogue, with an aim to develop football in their respective territories and to focus on matters of common interest.
This will include sharing knowledge and experience on areas such as administration/management, development of competitions, training camps, women’s football, coaching, refereeing, education, corporate and social responsibility.
How often do we see things like this but nothing happens where it matters, on the park eg Kingz and Knights tie ups with Chelsea etc back in the day.
memorandum of understanding is meaningless unless something actually comes from it, my bet is that Concacaf understand that we will just do as we are told to get games, Our understanding might be different but we'll have no power in this relationship
In the short term perhaps having Herdman at Canada as well as Priestman and Humphies in the womens scene. Also Hudson in the USA set up may lead to something. Time will tell. Although Concacaf do seem very busy with there own international schedule Gold cup etc. Still may have benefits for age group competition which we also lack. U23 with olympics coming up next and womens football. Anything is better than current dire situation. (Like sending our U17 girls to a world cup with zero lead up games)
Maybe I'm a bit too pessimistic, but I doubt there's any real chance of us being invited to compete in any Gold Cup/tournaments. If there was an open spot, then surely it would go to an actual CONCACAF side, after all it isn't really the rest of the world's issue that NZ doesn't play as often as we should. I doubt Cuba/Nicaragua etc would be happy if they saw New Zealand play their tournament instead of them.
Even in friendlies, we probably aren't that hot property. Just as we don't see any benefit playing the islands, the big CUM trio (Canada, USA, Mexico) would rather play better teams, and probably the other World Cup-tier teams too. Since 2000 we have played CUM 9 times, losing 8, and being outscored 7 to 22. Our level is more the likes of Curacao, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, and if it was just away games, then I'm sure the players would prefer the Middle East, than weather/pitch/facilities akin to the OFC games.
Now that Qatar have been given the next Asian Cup, and the tourney is likely to be moved from mid next year to early 2024 - yes now highly unlikely the AWs will get a Gold Cup invite in 2023.
Qatar are invited to compete in next year's Gold Cup, and initially that was going to clash with the Asian Cup - possibly leaving door slightly open for the AWs, Socceroos or whoever to replace Qatar at the Gold Cup. But that ain't gonna happen now.
But AWs have played alot in the past Stateside. And that could happen again in the lead up to WC 2026.
I'm guessing all 3 of Mexico, USA & Canada as hosts won't be participating in the normal CONCACAF Hexagonal WC qualifying program. So all 3 will be looking for friendlies to play, much like Qatar has been playing UEFA teams on a bye, last few years.
But for the three 2026 hosts, UEFA/CONEMBOL teams won't always be free to play. Making the AWs a prospect.
Bit surprising to see a few international matches on this morning; the scores app I have had at least 56 teams not at the World Cup playing this week, both against World Cup participants and each other. From looking at the squads they are fairly standard, full-strength squads too. In October, after the NZH articles about the senior All Whites writing to NZF about playing in November and being shot down, NZF responded with this article stating that this window was not official. If that's the case, then how are all these other teams, spanning all confederations except OFC, managing to do it?
What's more, what does it do to the relationship between the players and NZF if this was the reason given to players as to why they can't play now? The Herald article stated that Reid, Wood, Tuiloma and Bell (ie leadership hierarchy) wrote the letter. Obviously Reid has since retired, but Wood (Scotland, Paraguay), Tuiloma (Colombia) and Bell (Paraguay) all have club teammates playing this window, and it's likely many others do too. These guys could well see their teammates jetting off and think "Why not us?" and rightfully ask for a please explain from NZF. Of players who would have been in contention, only the English lower league and NZ National League players would probably be unavailable with club games, everyone else is on break or the off-season.
If the players were given another reason, then surely the public would be able to deal with that too? If they didn't want to use an interim coach like they did in 2014, say that. If they want to use funds towards the Ferns ahead of their World Cup when it's four years away for the men, say that. But saying it's not a real window while full-strength Nigeria are able to play Portugal, Paraguay are able to play Peru and Colombia, Ireland are able to play Norway etc, (should) raise a few questions, when these guys are club teammates of our All Whites who aren't able to play (supposedly).
Qualifying for the Qatar was worth $USD9M, plus another $USD1.5M for each team to prepare.
I'm sure the main reason the AWs ain't playing this November is financial. Think NZF responded in the negative to Reid, Wood & Co even before Hay re-signed.
But Pragnell has promised a virtual full AWs schedule in 2023, with an announcement on games before Christmas. Pressure on him to deliver that.
But first an announcement on newly appointed Technical Director & then AWs coach to follow.
If AWs play virtually in every window from 2023 up to 2026 (with some quality home games), I think we can forgive NZF this blip 3.5 years out from the next WC. Would still be a huge improvement on past WC cycles.
Doesn't look like any of the big East Asian teams (Socceroos, Korea, China or Japan) have locked in March friendlies yet. I imagine for the Arab/West Asian teams NZ is too far away. Though maybe a chance of Uzbekistan after the planned game in UAE got Covid canned January this year.
Ferns have played Sth Korea, 4 times in friendlies (2 in Korea & 2 in NZ) in the last 12 months. So would be a relationship now between the Korean FA & NZF. Sizeable expat Korean community in NZ. Even without their big Euro stars like Heung-Min Son, they would still draw a crowd.
But wouldn't surprise if we got a double act of Malaysia & Thailand or similar level.
Though qualifying has been finalised, the draw for the next Asian Cup (now likely postponed until Jan 2024 in Qatar), hasn't been made yet. So too early for All Whites to fulfil their traditional role as pseudo Socceroos.
Pragnell also confirmed two home fixtures have been locked in for the March international window, which runs from the 20th to the 28th. He said further details would be announced when the coach was, but it is understood the matches will be against Asian opposition.
Doesn't look like any of the big East Asian teams (Socceroos, Korea, China or Japan) have locked in March friendlies yet. I imagine for the Arab/West Asian teams NZ is too far away. Though maybe a chance of Uzbekistan after the planned game in UAE got Covid canned January this year.
Ferns have played Sth Korea, 4 times in friendlies (2 in Korea & 2 in NZ) in the last 12 months. So would be a relationship now between the Korean FA & NZF. Sizeable expat Korean community in NZ. Even without their big Euro stars like Heung-Min Son, they would still draw a crowd.
But wouldn't surprise if we got a double act of Malaysia & Thailand or similar level.
Though qualifying has been finalised, the draw for the next Asian Cup (now likely postponed until Jan 2024 in Qatar), hasn't been made yet. So too early for All Whites to fulfil their traditional role as pseudo Socceroos.
Pragnell also confirmed two home fixtures have been locked in for the March international window, which runs from the 20th to the 28th. He said further details would be announced when the coach was, but it is understood the matches will be against Asian opposition.
Look forward to seeing the opposition/venues for these games. I think it'd be better crowd-wise if they took the games to two different cities, unlike how they played both FF-Korea matches in Christchurch. That way you don't worry about people attending one and then not the other a couple days later. Also will be interesting to see where they are, as Auckland got 35k against Australia which is a big windfall, but Christchurch have only had one All Whites game since 2006 (Tahiti in 2012), not to mention Wellington will want one too.
As for stadium commitments, Eden Park has Blackcaps vs Sri Lanka on Sat 25th and the Blues on Sun 26th, Mt Smart has Moana Pasifika on the 25th, Sky Stadium currently has none, Orangetheory has the Crusaders on Fri 24th (7pm) and Forsyth Barr has the Highlanders on the 25th (4:35pm). Wherever it is, it'll just be good to have a local crowd and games on at a reasonable watching hour.
I'd be surprised if any of the World Cup participants came down, but I feel Korea would be slightly likelier, given the relationship and also more of their squad is East-Asian based than the others, so the travel wouldn't be so extensive down from Europe/Middle East. Outside of the WC participants, it probably doesn't matter much, there's no need for 'high-level' opposition at this stage. There likely isn't much difference in marketability between Vietnam (who made the final round of Asian qualifying and even beat China) and Myanmar (who finished bottom of second round qualifying), we even played Myanmar in 2015 and drew with them. Maybe they'll even go for a team like India, where a large expat community will help sell tickets and they'd be motivated to test themselves away against better opposition.
Based on some of those fixture clashes above, unlikely either March game will be at Eden Park. Though NZF have most often used Albany for home games in Auckland, as most opponents haven't had the pulling power of the Socceroos.
Good chance I'd say there will be a match at Sky, AWs not having played in Welly since Nov 2017.
NZF could take a match to Dunedin. Students will be in town, and Forsyth Barr is a host WWC stadium. But there hasn't been a big football game there for years, so NZF could be keen to test the facilities there ahead of the WWC.
Hamilton & Albany will host the 10 team WWC playoff inter-confederation play tourney in February, todetermine the final three qualification spots. Has been plenty of big football games in recent times at the other WWC host venues Sky & Eden Park. But yes been awhile since any major football game was played under the roof in Dunners.
Doesn't look like any of the big East Asian teams (Socceroos, Korea, China or Japan) have locked in March friendlies yet. I imagine for the Arab/West Asian teams NZ is too far away. Though maybe a chance of Uzbekistan after the planned game in UAE got Covid canned January this year.
Ferns have played Sth Korea, 4 times in friendlies (2 in Korea & 2 in NZ) in the last 12 months. So would be a relationship now between the Korean FA & NZF. Sizeable expat Korean community in NZ. Even without their big Euro stars like Heung-Min Son, they would still draw a crowd.
But wouldn't surprise if we got a double act of Malaysia & Thailand or similar level.
Though qualifying has been finalised, the draw for the next Asian Cup (now likely postponed until Jan 2024 in Qatar), hasn't been made yet. So too early for All Whites to fulfil their traditional role as pseudo Socceroos.
Pragnell also confirmed two home fixtures have been locked in for the March international window, which runs from the 20th to the 28th. He said further details would be announced when the coach was, but it is understood the matches will be against Asian opposition.
Look forward to seeing the opposition/venues for these games. I think it'd be better crowd-wise if they took the games to two different cities, unlike how they played both FF-Korea matches in Christchurch. That way you don't worry about people attending one and then not the other a couple days later. Also will be interesting to see where they are, as Auckland got 35k against Australia which is a big windfall, but Christchurch have only had one All Whites game since 2006 (Tahiti in 2012), not to mention Wellington will want one too.
As for stadium commitments, Eden Park has Blackcaps vs Sri Lanka on Sat 25th and the Blues on Sun 26th, Mt Smart has Moana Pasifika on the 25th, Sky Stadium currently has none, Orangetheory has the Crusaders on Fri 24th (7pm) and Forsyth Barr has the Highlanders on the 25th (4:35pm). Wherever it is, it'll just be good to have a local crowd and games on at a reasonable watching hour.
I'd be surprised if any of the World Cup participants came down, but I feel Korea would be slightly likelier, given the relationship and also more of their squad is East-Asian based than the others, so the travel wouldn't be so extensive down from Europe/Middle East. Outside of the WC participants, it probably doesn't matter much, there's no need for 'high-level' opposition at this stage. There likely isn't much difference in marketability between Vietnam (who made the final round of Asian qualifying and even beat China) and Myanmar (who finished bottom of second round qualifying), we even played Myanmar in 2015 and drew with them. Maybe they'll even go for a team like India, where a large expat community will help sell tickets and they'd be motivated to test themselves away against better opposition.
Count India out. When I went to the AW games there in 2018 the whole country did not give the slightest shark even when their start player made his 100th cap against us.
They are no better then an island team and would get sweet FA fans turn up. There is only one sport in India that Indians care for. We'd be better off playing Samoa or Fiji.
Based on some of those fixture clashes above, unlikely either March game will be at Eden Park. Though NZF have most often used Albany for home games in Auckland, as most opponents haven't had the pulling power of the Socceroos.
Good chance I'd say there will be a match at Sky, AWs not having played in Welly since Nov 2017.
NZF could take a match to Dunedin. Students will be in town, and Forsyth Barr is a host WWC stadium. But there hasn't been a big football game there for years, so NZF could be keen to test the facilities there ahead of the WWC.
Hamilton & Albany will host the 10 team WWC playoff inter-confederation play tourney in February, todetermine the final three qualification spots. Has been plenty of big football games in recent times at the other WWC host venues Sky & Eden Park. But yes been awhile since any major football game was played under the roof in Dunners.
I think Dunedin is a huge risk unless the stadium offers us free access. Otago has always been weak football-wise and both NZF and the Nix have been stung there in the past with rubbish turnouts.
Banking on students to turn up is dreaming, I should know as I was involved with The Knights and marketing free tickets to Uni students in Auckland at the very start of the A League. Very few were interested, and that was before we all found out how crap the club was run and performed on the park.
Based on some of those fixture clashes above, unlikely either March game will be at Eden Park. Though NZF have most often used Albany for home games in Auckland, as most opponents haven't had the pulling power of the Socceroos.
Good chance I'd say there will be a match at Sky, AWs not having played in Welly since Nov 2017.
NZF could take a match to Dunedin. Students will be in town, and Forsyth Barr is a host WWC stadium. But there hasn't been a big football game there for years, so NZF could be keen to test the facilities there ahead of the WWC.
Hamilton & Albany will host the 10 team WWC playoff inter-confederation play tourney in February, todetermine the final three qualification spots. Has been plenty of big football games in recent times at the other WWC host venues Sky & Eden Park. But yes been awhile since any major football game was played under the roof in Dunners.
I think Dunedin is a huge risk unless the stadium offers us free access. Otago has always been weak football-wise and both NZF and the Nix have been stung there in the past with rubbish turnouts.
Banking on students to turn up is dreaming, I should know as I was involved with The Knights and marketing free tickets to Uni students in Auckland at the very start of the A League. Very few were interested, and that was before we all found out how crap the club was run and performed on the park.
But it's a pretty dumb comparison, the Otago Uni student scene verus the one in Auckland. You literally have thousands of Dunedin scarfies living within walking distance of Forsyth Barr. A huge part of why it's such a popular Uni for out of town kids. All your mates close by in the ghetto.
That's a world away from the student setup in big bad far flung Auckland. Especially if you were trying to flog tickets to games all the way out in Albany. Many students don't even have a car.
The scarfies in Dunners love a night out on the piss, if it's good fun - and cheap!
Anyway football fans need to turn up to Forsyth Barr in 2023. It's down to host 6 WWC pool matches. That includes the big NZ verus Switzerland game.
I imagine whoever is managing the Dunedin games for the NZ WWC hosting committee, will be trying to come up with ideas to get the students along. A AWs game in March would be a chance to test some of those thought bubbles.
With a new coach and apparently a couple of March games coming in hot, I'm keen to do some speculation about what could be our best xi.
Surely with Reid retiring we give up on 3 at the back. We don't have 3 good CBs. If we play 3 bang average centre backs then that's one less place for all our decent midfielders/forwards.
Speaking of the midfield, it's very early days but could we see Thomas and Singh in the same side?!
And up front, I'm keen to see more of Marco before he gets too old.
My xi for March, provided Singh and Thomas are fit and back in form (and if Thomas even wants to bother to make himself available this time) would be:
Stefan; Elliot (given that I think Kirwan will still be out?), Boxall, Pijnaker, Cacace; Bell, Thomas, Stamenic; Singh, Rojas; Wood.
I think you could argue that Sail, Payne, Garbett, Lewis, Grieve, Kosta, Waine and Just could be in the best xi also, will be interesting to see who is in form in 2 months' time.
I wouldn't completely give up on a back 5 if it allows Cacace to bomb forward frequently. He's 1 of our best players, and one of our best attacking players.
People smarter than me have frequently explained that a back 5 is not an overly defensive setup, especially if your wingbacks are attacking weapons. And in a AWs side of few if any guys scoring frequently at club level, you want Libby going forward as much as possible. AWs still managed 68% possession against Costa Rica with a back 5. Though if Bell, Stamenic, Garbett, Thomas, Lewis & Singh are all available, yes you do suddenly have midfield riches.
Oh and I can see Rojas being unavailable. It's long way from Chile to anywhere, and he's still trying consolidate himself as a starter at Colo Colo. He might not make it to 2026. Same Kosta. I'd be tempted to bypass them both for a look at younger players in the March window anyway (Rogerson, Collier, De Jong, Old etc).
Is the time to experiment, and give experience to younger players. It's a long time before the AWs will play a WC qualifier.
I don't think it is the case that one must play a back 5 to enable fullbacks to have significant attacking influence. It is probably the most significant change to the game in recent memory that fullbacks have far greater attacking influence, and the vast majority of the most notable examples play in back 4 systems. I don't need to list them here, we all know the names. It's a false dichotomy, that we play a back 5 or Cacace can't attack. Cacace was hugely influential going forward as part of Des' back 4 system at the u20 world cup. I've had enough of this back 5 bullshark and the fallacious reasoning for it. We looked like we were playing Hudsonball whenever Hay played a back 5. We played both a back 4 and a back 5 for large parts of the Tokyo Olympics and we looked miles better when playing a 4. I also think you need two exceptional wingbacks and two exceptional central midfielders to play a back 5 in a way that doesn't cede all possession and territory and we have maybe 1 of those 4 in Cacace.
And FFS, enough with citing 68 percent of unthreatening possession vs Costa Rica. They happily let us have the ball. They had the lead they were happy to sit on from minute 1. It doesn't mean shark
Oh wow, we are in such esteemed company. We must be pretty good to have 68 percent of ineffective possession against Costa Rica. Let's give Danny Hay a knighthood and play a back 5 forever.
Someone didn't like Hay. So you state I also think you need two exceptional wingbacks and two exceptional central midfielders to play a back 5 in a way that doesn't cede all possession and territory and we have maybe 1 of those 4 in Cacace.
Then go on about us having 68% of possession against CR, was some sort of pointless stat anyway.
Which is it? But as pointed out by others we lost against CR mostly because we didn't make more of a string of half chances created. I'm sure Hay could have done better, but the formation wasn't the hugely critical factor you are making it out to be. Especially when the team was sans Singh & Thomas it's 2 best midfielders, and Stamenic had a bad case of the nervous yips, froze and blew his audition against Peru. He couldn't be risked as a starter against CR, based on his poor Peru game.
Oh and El Salvador are FIFA ranked 74. NZ are 105. I imagine the El Salvadorons probably have a collection of players around the world at a similar level to us. It won't be that hard to visualise that, with football being their no 1 sport & all. So honestly why should we be majorly better than them.
Fair enough, my thoughts were poorly expressed. Of course you can have the lion's share of possession when playing with 5 at the back if the other team has no interest in controlling the midfield or pressing high and is happy to park the bus and play on the counter.
I'm just firmly of the opinion that we do not have the players for a back 5, it means playing an extra mediocre player and leaving out a much better midfielder or forward. I hope we don't see it again, or if we do, we play some great stuff and I'm proven wrong, though I very much doubt it.
I can at least agree with you that it would be good to see Rogerson get a go in an All Whites front 3, had forgotten about him.
Random idea: Why not push for U23 Football at the commonwealth games? Might be a good way to get more games on the NZ calendar. No one watches them anymore anyway so might also provide TV ratings boost. There are some top teams for example:
Africa: Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa Americas/Carib: Jamaica, Canada Asia: India, Australia (asia, lol) Europe: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Oceania: NZ, Solomons (Seriously).
Who do you think would win? Pretty sure not England. Would probably go for Ghana.
Random idea: Why not push for U23 Football at the commonwealth games? Might be a good way to get more games on the NZ calendar. No one watches them anymore anyway so might also provide TV ratings boost. There are some top teams for example:
Africa: Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa Americas/Carib: Jamaica, Canada Asia: India, Australia (asia, lol) Europe: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Oceania: NZ, Solomons (Seriously).
Who do you think would win? Pretty sure not England. Would probably go for Ghana.
The trouble with the Commonwealth Games is they sit in the same four-yearly cycle as the World Cup, so would possibly get skipped as a result. This year's tournament wouldn't have overlapped with the World Cup, but would have with the beginning of the European season. For 2026, the games are scheduled for March, so during the split-year season and given the low prestige that the football tournament would have, it's unlikely many/any professionals would be released. As it is, the Olympics get little respect, Commonwealth could genuinely be relying on amateur players to fill out most teams' squads.
If it were added, I would not at all be surprised if England/Scotland/Wales/NI all just skipped it due to lack of players to make a worthwhile squad, and the European complement instead being filled with countries such as Malta, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Jersey. Even the African countries would, if at all, just be naming fully domestic squads. Though they already have the African Nations Championship tournament which is just for domestic players, which would also fall in the same years as Commonwealth Games, so probably wouldn't give it much consideration either. It could be a somewhat fun tournament seeing a full National League team compete against other countries' amateurs, but I don't see it happening.
That is why you make it U23. You may find tye likes of the home countries only playing amateurs perhaps.carlind
Ted Striker
Random idea: Why not push for U23 Football at the commonwealth games? Might be a good way to get more games on the NZ calendar. No one watches them anymore anyway so might also provide TV ratings boost. There are some top teams for example:
Africa: Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa Americas/Carib: Jamaica, Canada Asia: India, Australia (asia, lol) Europe: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Oceania: NZ, Solomons (Seriously).
Who do you think would win? Pretty sure not England. Would probably go for Ghana.
The trouble with the Commonwealth Games is they sit in the same four-yearly cycle as the World Cup, so would possibly get skipped as a result. This year's tournament wouldn't have overlapped with the World Cup, but would have with the beginning of the European season. For 2026, the games are scheduled for March, so during the split-year season and given the low prestige that the football tournament would have, it's unlikely many/any professionals would be released. As it is, the Olympics get little respect, Commonwealth could genuinely be relying on amateur players to fill out most teams' squads.
If it were added, I would not at all be surprised if England/Scotland/Wales/NI all just skipped it due to lack of players to make a worthwhile squad, and the European complement instead being filled with countries such as Malta, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Jersey. Even the African countries would, if at all, just be naming fully domestic squads. Though they already have the African Nations Championship tournament which is just for domestic players, which would also fall in the same years as Commonwealth Games, so probably wouldn't give it much consideration either. It could be a somewhat fun tournament seeing a full National League team compete against other countries' amateurs, but I don't see it happening.
Does anyone know when the purported Auckland game in March might happen? I'm in ultra saving mode as I'm taking the family to Italy in May but I have free accommodation in Auckland and if I could get an early jet star ticket before it was announced I might make it
Dang so no point in getting an airplane ticket until something has been announced eh? Was really hoping to hack my way into this game on the cheap for a change
Dang so no point in getting an airplane ticket until something has been announced eh? Was really hoping to hack my way into this game on the cheap for a change
If it is 2 home games, I’d say good chance one game will be at the ROF
"The All Whites have secured two home matches in March, with an old adversary set to come to New Zealand for the first time since 1990.
The Herald understands that New Zealand Football has agreed terms for two matches with China in the next Fifa international window, which falls between March 20-28.
The games will be staged in Auckland and Wellington, fulfilling NZF’s recent pledge to bring the team back every year, after a long drought between 2017 and 2022.
The series will also be the start of a new chapter — under the next All Whites’ coach — with Danny Hay’s successor expected to be appointed in the next two weeks.
It will be the first time the All Whites have played China since 2014, early in Anthony Hudson’s tenure, when a Chris Wood goal secured a 1-1 draw in Nanchang.
That match was notable as Wood’s first bow as captain, while Ryan Thomas, Marco Rojas, Kosta Barbarouses, Bill Tuiloma and Michael Boxall also featured in the starting XI.
The upcoming games will continue a long history between the two teams, dating back to a three match series in New Zealand in 1975.
The most famous encounters centred around the 1982 World Cup qualifying campaign. After two tight contests in the group stages — a 0-0 draw in Beijing followed by a 1-0 win at Mt Smart — the teams met again in the unforgettable playoff game in Singapore, with the All Whites prevailing 2-1 to secure the last golden ticket to Espana 82′. Overall there have been 14 matches since 1975, with New Zealand recording six wins.
China reached the third round of qualifying for the 2022 Fifa World Cup. They didn’t advance from a group that was headed by Saudi Arabia and Japan but managed draws against Australia, Oman and Saudi Arabia as well as beating Vietnam.
They are currently ranked 80th by Fifa, 25 places ahead of the All Whites (105). Most of their squad are drawn from the Chinese Super League.
Despite some issues, that 18-team competition has grown steadily since its formation in 2004 and the financial rewards available have attracted the likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Paulinho and Carlos Tevez, while Guangzhou were champions of Asia in 2013 and 2015.
China achieved an historic qualification for the Fifa World Cup in 2002 but haven’t been close to returning to that stage since.
However, there has been a renewed push and emphasis around football in the country over the last few years, since the expansion of the men’s tournament to 48 places, which will see Asia allocated eight direct entries to the 2026 tournament, increased from four.
The matchup also makes sense for NZF. The massive Chinese community in Auckland should ensure a large expat following, while the game in Wellington could also draw thousands of locally based Chinese keen to support their team, which will mean healthy gate sales and a great spectacle.
It will also be beneficial on other levels, as NZF tries to build a broader base of formal and informal support among the relevant government departments and funding providers.
Football is one of the few sports — along with basketball — where New Zealand can engage properly with the world’s most populous nation, with such contests in rugby, cricket or netball not feasible.
They should also be competitive games, as the last three matches (all in China) ended in 1-1 draws.
All Whites v China
First match: July 20, 1975, Auckland - 2-1
Last match: November 14, 2014, Nanchang - 1-1
Overall All Whites record: Played 14, won 6, drawn 5, lost 3"
Good team relative to us, but also one that could/should be winnable. Their record in AFC qualifying wasn't great, but they also didn't get to play any of their matches at home, instead playing them in the UAE, which also makes the nominal 'home' draw against Saudi more impressive. They'll also want to play us as much as we want to play them, which hasn't always been the case with some of the one-sided friendlies New Zealand plays, across both the AWs and FFs.
The Chinese Super League has taken a few stumbles recently with the financials, and barely crawled to its finish last month with forfeited results, but it's still a decent league in AFC terms and their players will be reasonable tests. Ignore their clubs' recent AFC CL results as they were played using youth players due to China's lockdowns/quarantine requirements. However, in 2019 they managed to have three out of four teams get out of the group stage - for reference both A League teams finished dead last in their groups with no wins between them from 12 games.
Their players probably won't be household names here, but they do have their own Chris Wood in Wu Lei. He just rejoined the CSL last year, bagging 11 goals in 12 games to take him to 113 all-time CSL goals to close the gap to 10 off the all-time record. More significantly, he spent the previous three years at Espanyol in La Liga, making 126 appearances and scored 16 goals.
They might have Elkeson - now Ai Kesen - the naturalised and capped Brazilian who holds the CSL scoring record, who despite returning to Gremio kept his Chinese passport and thus his eligibility. Aloisio - Luo Guofo since gaining citizenship - is another naturalised Brazilian in the Brazilian Serie A who could play, debuting in 2021.
Former Everton, Sunderland and England U21 international Tyias Browning - Jiang Guangtai - and former Arsenal, Brentford and England U19 international Nicholas Yennaris - Li Kie - are two other recently capped dual nationals that have played beyond the CSL.
Adding on to the mention in the article that there would be a decent ex-pat community to get away support from, playing China is also logistically smart. One of the issues with getting 'top' opposition to play in New Zealand is that their players will invariably be European-based. Japan is just as far away as China, but if their squad are all European-based, then they might as well be bordering Germany in terms of costs and time to get them to New Zealand. If the squad is solely in the CSL, then that will makes things easier for NZF, as Auckland takes direct flights from several Chinese cities, so they can be one and done, as opposed to flying two squads back from Europe.
Maybe we could get another 2 home games against another AFC team before their 2026 WCQ starts in November.
Think AV has written previously, that NZF will target UEFA teams that have the bye round in Euro qualifying pools, later in the year. If that happens those friendlies would be in Europe.
Good team relative to us, but also one that could/should be winnable. Their record in AFC qualifying wasn't great, but they also didn't get to play any of their matches at home, instead playing them in the UAE, which also makes the nominal 'home' draw against Saudi more impressive. They'll also want to play us as much as we want to play them, which hasn't always been the case with some of the one-sided friendlies New Zealand plays, across both the AWs and FFs.
The Chinese Super League has taken a few stumbles recently with the financials, and barely crawled to its finish last month with forfeited results, but it's still a decent league in AFC terms and their players will be reasonable tests. Ignore their clubs' recent AFC CL results as they were played using youth players due to China's lockdowns/quarantine requirements. However, in 2019 they managed to have three out of four teams get out of the group stage - for reference both A League teams finished dead last in their groups with no wins between them from 12 games.
Their players probably won't be household names here, but they do have their own Chris Wood in Wu Lei. He just rejoined the CSL last year, bagging 11 goals in 12 games to take him to 113 all-time CSL goals to close the gap to 10 off the all-time record. More significantly, he spent the previous three years at Espanyol in La Liga, making 126 appearances and scored 16 goals.
They might have Elkeson - now Ai Kesen - the naturalised and capped Brazilian who holds the CSL scoring record, who despite returning to Gremio kept his Chinese passport and thus his eligibility. Aloisio - Luo Guofo since gaining citizenship - is another naturalised Brazilian in the Brazilian Serie A who could play, debuting in 2021.
Former Everton, Sunderland and England U21 international Tyias Browning - Jiang Guangtai - and former Arsenal, Brentford and England U19 international Nicholas Yennaris - Li Kie - are two other recently capped dual nationals that have played beyond the CSL.
Adding on to the mention in the article that there would be a decent ex-pat community to get away support from, playing China is also logistically smart. One of the issues with getting 'top' opposition to play in New Zealand is that their players will invariably be European-based. Japan is just as far away as China, but if their squad are all European-based, then they might as well be bordering Germany in terms of costs and time to get them to New Zealand. If the squad is solely in the CSL, then that will makes things easier for NZF, as Auckland takes direct flights from several Chinese cities, so they can be one and done, as opposed to flying two squads back from Europe.
BJ Guoan striker Yuning Zhang is another name. He wasn't involved in China's last three games against SK, Japan, and HK due to injury, but he finished 3rd top goal scorer in the CSL this season with 19 goals in only 30 games so it's highly likely he will be returning.
He's 26 and played for Vitesse's U19 team before going on to make appearances in the Eredivisie for their 1st team and before they were relegated, ADO Den Haag. He thwith Wynton's Werder Bremen but he had quite a bit of injury problems and never actually made an appearance, on the bench for 2 games in the Bundesliga.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure him and Wu Lei are the most recent players in the current China squad to play in Europe.
Edit: Oh wait never mind, there's Shaocong Wu, a young centre back currently with Istanbul Basakeshir in the Super Lig, though he only just joined. Lei only left Espanyol at the end of last season while Zhang left ADH around the latter stages of 2018/19.
