Pasted, how many times over the last few cycles have we been pasted and at what levels? I really think this tosh about all of these meaningful games is just that. We are currently in a good position with an almost guaranteed place in World Cup finals and the financial windfall and opportunities it brings to NZF, players and coaches. There are nations that would bite their arms off to be in our position. Much like Nix and West Ham fans moaning about the shape of their stadia, there are copious teams that play in round stadiums (and with a running track) and the fans are quite happy and the atmosphere intense. Instead of everyone lamenting our dearth of ‘meaningful’ games or how far away they have to sit from the sideline - control what you can - increase the crowd numbers, get excited about your national team.Marto
I think this is the best bit of news I've heard out of Asia in a long time.
For those with short memories, remember it was the Bahraini leader of AFC at the time who banned kiwi sides from playing Asian football. I'm sure Japanese, Chinese and Korean clubs would far prefer playing in AKL, WLG, or CHC over Baghdad or Islamabad.
If this were to happen I genuinely think we'd make more money going down this route then banking FIFA slush funds every 4 years. Our standard of football in the men's and women's game would also climb dramatically.
The current WC qualification format means we make it easily to the WC at all levels but often get pasted. Going through this route and qualifying should mean that sides do well at the WC, hopefully getting out of the group stage comfortably.
Anyone in NZ against this proposed move is mad, pure and simple, even within NZF.
OFC nations have a better chance of qualification via OFC and either getting past NZ or accompanying them to the WC. How many votes do they have? Turkey’s dont usually vote for Xmas but graft and corruption have a strong history in FIFA and Oceania, so who really knows?coochiee
Apart from vote at FIFA presidential election time. Remembering whether you are Germany or Fiji you get a vote.
I would be surprised to see the island nations vote in favour of leaving, but I suppose it depends on the financial packages.
Right now after the generally poor OFC tournaments, 1 or 2 Pacific teams get to go to the age group world cups, but they typically get hammered there. They will know their chances of reaching any World Cup will evaporate by merging with East Asia (okay maybe apart from Tahiti in beach soccer), but they'll get the opportunity to play in better qualifying competitions, AFC club competitions, a better/longer WCQ process too.
There is also discontent in the OFC with NZ dominating nearly everything and getting to host the final WCQs for mens and womens, so maybe a change would be welcomed.
Ultimately it probably depends on the financial side.
Having a quick look on how this change would look you would end up with an west Asian confed of around 25 nations and an east Asian/Oceania Confed around 33 nations. Currently the Asian Confed get 8 direct entries into thw WC and Oceania get 1. So the split would mean sharing the 9 direct WC slots probably 4/5. I would argue the east Asian/Oceania confed should get 5 slots. It has 3 Fifa top 25 nations to 1. Top 100 rated nations, East has 6 and west has 8. Either way the AWs should be able to finish top 4 in the new east confed. We would probably be competing for that fourth slot against China, Indonesia, Vietnam or Thailand.
Pasted, how many times over the last few cycles have we been pasted and at what levels? I really think this tosh about all of these meaningful games is just that. We are currently in a good position with an almost guaranteed place in World Cup finals and the financial windfall and opportunities it brings to NZF, players and coaches. There are nations that would bite their arms off to be in our position. Much like Nix and West Ham fans moaning about the shape of their stadia, there are copious teams that play in round stadiums (and with a running track) and the fans are quite happy and the atmosphere intense. Instead of everyone lamenting our dearth of ‘meaningful’ games or how far away they have to sit from the sideline - control what you can - increase the crowd numbers, get excited about your national team.Marto
I think this is the best bit of news I've heard out of Asia in a long time.
For those with short memories, remember it was the Bahraini leader of AFC at the time who banned kiwi sides from playing Asian football. I'm sure Japanese, Chinese and Korean clubs would far prefer playing in AKL, WLG, or CHC over Baghdad or Islamabad.
If this were to happen I genuinely think we'd make more money going down this route then banking FIFA slush funds every 4 years. Our standard of football in the men's and women's game would also climb dramatically.
The current WC qualification format means we make it easily to the WC at all levels but often get pasted. Going through this route and qualifying should mean that sides do well at the WC, hopefully getting out of the group stage comfortably.
Anyone in NZ against this proposed move is mad, pure and simple, even within NZF.
Have a look at some of the young ladies results and last men's Olympics.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
No thanks. The 11 ASEAN members - Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia and new entrant Timor Leste
This tourney was last played in January. Major change seems to be that it will now be played in a FIFA window(s).
I mean if they invited in Australia, China, Sth Korea, Japan & us (so 16 teams) and it was played in the longer June window, a bit like CONCACAF's Gold Cup it would have some value. ie max 6 games - 3 pool games, QF, SF & final.
But I doubt Football Australia would be interested. The complaint in Aussie, is the Socceroos already play too much in Asia - with both AFC WC & Asian Cup qualifying games taking up 2 years each 4 year WC cycle. They want to play more bigger UEFA teams in friendlies outside of AFC.
'does NZF know Wellington exists'? Drolly, yes a place south of Levin.
such a drop kick of an answer! when itr was pretty clear what was meant.
Overly sensitive much.
I found it a little funny, and it was at the end of 15 mins of pretty straight laced dullish answers, so human nature to try drop in a little moment of levity. He then want on to offer some praise for Wellington's role in the NZ football landscape.
There were other questions/posts in the Twitter feed where NZF setup this Q&A session, bemoaning that NZF is very Auckland centric and the AWs never play elsewhere. Pragnell has obviously read & heard this criticism a few times before.
The good news is it sounds like the criticism is being heard, and the AWs will finally play again in the Sth Island later this year.
the fact that he hasnt said anything about a game been played in Wgtn suggests the complaints are being ignored. respnding "oh we'll play a game in the sth island soon" doesnt answer the "when are we getting a game in Wellington?" question.
