All Whites' Dead End Road To Russia 2018

Russia 2018 not Russia 2012

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/10367789/All-Whites-plan-for-continental-shift-in-buildup

So this article says we will definitely be playing off with Asia again.... but my only question is... says who? I cannot find any reliable sources confirming this. I hope NZF haven't forgoten that CONMEBOL are also involved in the inter-continental play off process ... 

It won't be decided/confirmed until (I think) December when the exco meets.

I must admit I thought that was an interesting thing to say. Its lots from the bag but one could suggest that perhaps OFC have been given a nod?

With FIFA's technical and tactical analysis of the 2014 FIFA World Cup finished, I cant see why the would reward the AFC with a play-off against the OFC. CONCACAF and CONMEBOL surely did way better with there (FIFA funded) resources.

Although there was no OFC team, And Mexico made it to the 2nd round - I doubt FIFA would make us play off with Sth Americans as I once believed - I think it would pretty much be the same deal as last time.

TV rights Money wise for the play-off just might change things.

So if we get direct rout to Russia will everyone complain or jump for joy. As New Zealand football (soccer) said after Australia fail in 2002 "If your not good enough to beat the 5th best Sth American side you not good enough to go to the world cup.

If that was the bench mark, half the teams at the last world cup shouldn't have been there.

to be honest we are a long shot at any world cup we make it too, so the play off game will usually end up being more exciting and memorable for us.  as much as i want us there, i want us to earn it

But there is more money just to qualifying directly and being part of the World Cup then a two leg play off against a team that's had 3 to 4 chances at qualifying.

You really think the rest of the OFC national sides would stay at the level there at? Or hire drips like Farina to help take on the All Whites?. It would change the confederation big time. Then again we can send teams into the cup to get thrashed.

I don't care for this 'we have to earn it' mumbo jumbo. Scraping through 1-0 on aggregate against a 5th placed Asian side is hardly earning it. And we're not going to be any better off in the WC having played these 2 extra games. 

In my honest opinion there is much MUCH more to gain in getting a direct path, getting a windfall pay day of $20m odd, and guaranteeing a good string of quality build up matches prior to the WC (like we did in 2010 against Aussie, Chile, Slovenia, Serbia...). With the expectation (and not just the 'off chance') of qualifying, we will obtain more money, we will play more games, we will keep more players in the game. Its a no brainer, I really do not understand this idea of not wanting a direct path.

Probably the most common sense post you have ever made AJ

Did anyone catch the Omni-Sports show where they said UFEA may play off against AFC for Russia 2018?. Sounds fair to me and would make the OFC have a full place.

it would be sad to lose the excitement of a WC playoff at home. But being at the World Cup would more than make up for that. 

Play island nations would be meaningful, Why they can get over 20k for WC matches and the All Whites get sub 3k is because they seem unimportant however that would change (I think).

Depends how its all decided really. If it comes down to a final home and away play off between 2 nations, then with marketing and all the rest I don't see why 20k isn't a reality. If its decided on a 4 way format and we end up qualifying with 2 games in hand then yeah it could be a bit lacklustre 

or better as the fans will see momentum.

Lets get direct entry for 2018 and then join Asis for 2022.

10,000 at All Whites v Tahiti World Cup qualifier, AMI Stadium Christchurch October 2012.

I was one of them.

Just play them in Christchurch...

10,000 at All Whites v Tahiti World Cup qualifier, AMI Stadium Christchurch October 2012.

I was one of them.

Just play them in Christchurch...

Was that Nelsen's last game?

Remember being surprised he graced himself with our presence vs Tahiti. 

Though it did have a personal significance to him as being a final homecoming

Same MO

You're a funny guy.

First and last time nelsen played for all whites in his home town iirc

And only the second All Whites game in Christchurch during his All Whites career.

The other was a friendly vs. Malaysia in 2006 at QE II using mostly NZ-based players.

There have been only three AW's internationals in Chch in the last twenty-three years - there was a friendly vs. Australia in 1995 as well.

Looks like the proposal above for a different Stage 3 has been given the green light......

It then approved the format for the 2016 OFC Nations Cup which will double as 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Qualifying.

The 2016 OFC Nations Cup begins with a Preliminary competition that features the four Polynesian countries in March 2015. The winner of the Preliminary will be drawn into one of two groups of four teams at Stage 2. Stage 2 will comprise Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.

The top two teams in each section advance to Stage 3 in a final group of four teams. The World Cup™ Qualifying draw for Russia 2018 will take place at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg on 25 July 2015.

This is the link for the latest OFC decisions reached over the weekend which are pasted above by 2nd Best:

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticl...

Playing home and away in a group format at least means we don't have to play a tournament in a Pacific hell hole like last time.

But the long gaps between matches mitigates against building and maintaining any interest on the part of the public.

There's five months between Matchday 2 and Matchday 3 for the All Whites (October 13 2015 and March 21  2016

plenty of time for T Smith to change his mind - then change again.

when do cards get wiped this time round?

With such lag time between the games they should get wiped after 12 months.

FIFA allowed one instance for OFC to choose when to wipe cards, and they did so after round fucking one when Samoa asked them to. Fools.

It should  be done either at the start, or at completion, of the final round of OFC qualifying before the intercontinental play off.

Hudson interviewed on TV3 show tonight (3rd Degree) - last item I think.

Hudson fancies giving Ryan De Vries a run in the next FIFA window now his citizenship has come through:

http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/de-vries-on-verge-of-...

http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/article.asp?ID=...

"Just before I put my list in before the last FIFA window, he had just got his citizenship," said Hudson.

"We hadn't really seen a lot of him, but I've heard great things and after obviously these games, he's definitely someone that we want to get involved."

He's done okay in the World Club Championship but I think his finishing seems pretty average.

(Also based on what I've seen of him in the ASB Premiership)

I watched an Auckland City game at Kiwitea a little while ago (can't remember who they were playing) but Hudson came and stood next to me and he was telling one of his mates that he was very keen to get Ryan involved.

Nothing against Ryan but I don't think he's another Ryan T or Marco. About same level as Tyler B imo.

Would Tade be there abouts?