About 70-80% of the Soceroos windows are taken up with either Asian Cup qualifying or World Cup qualifying.
The other 20-30% of windows the FA want them playing bigger nations, for football's profile in Australia, and likewise Arnie wants to test his players against big teams, to improve. Find out which players can step up, and which can't. They don't really want to play the AWs at all.
But we have had a little feast of games against them in the last 2 years. Twice in 2022 & once last year. None of the games were that memorable, the AWs barely firing a shot on target over the 3 matches. Arnie won't be in rush to play us again for the Soccer Ashes (trophy that was refound after many years lost). Playing the likes of 94th ranked NZ, he learns very little as he's openly said over here in Oz.
I enjoyed watching these 2 games Stateside, even if $%#@&$ FIFA+ was unavailable. Friendly time zone for once, reminder of what's coming in 2026, and an encouraging performance this morning.
NZF have done bloody well since the AWs reformed post Covid in 2021. Regular games each FIFA window, and since Peru in 2022 plenty of quality, FIFA top 50 opponents. The matches you really learn from. Not just your Gambias & Curacaos.
If NZF can continue that into 2025 & 2026 I'll be happy. Not that easy with most Confeds busy with WC qualifying into late 2025. Canada & Japan I'm guessing as 2 possibilities already from June next year onwards. Will be 6 AFC teams already qualified by June next year. Probably won't include the Socceroos, who will likely it seems need to go into the AFC next round qualifying. Sth Korea & Japan would be two juicy games for September next year, likely as usual in Asia, but at least in a fairly favourable time zone.
The other 20-30% of windows the FA want them playing bigger nations, for football's profile in Australia, and likewise Arnie wants to test his players against big teams, to improve. Find out which players can step up, and which can't. They don't really want to play the AWs at all.
But we have had a little feast of games against them in the last 2 years. Twice in 2022 & once last year. None of the games were that memorable, the AWs barely firing a shot on target over the 3 matches. Arnie won't be in rush to play us again for the Soccer Ashes (trophy that was refound after many years lost). Playing the likes of 94th ranked NZ, he learns very little as he's openly said over here in Oz.
I enjoyed watching these 2 games Stateside, even if $%#@&$ FIFA+ was unavailable. Friendly time zone for once, reminder of what's coming in 2026, and an encouraging performance this morning.
NZF have done bloody well since the AWs reformed post Covid in 2021. Regular games each FIFA window, and since Peru in 2022 plenty of quality, FIFA top 50 opponents. The matches you really learn from. Not just your Gambias & Curacaos.
If NZF can continue that into 2025 & 2026 I'll be happy. Not that easy with most Confeds busy with WC qualifying into late 2025. Canada & Japan I'm guessing as 2 possibilities already from June next year onwards. Will be 6 AFC teams already qualified by June next year. Probably won't include the Socceroos, who will likely it seems need to go into the AFC next round qualifying. Sth Korea & Japan would be two juicy games for September next year, likely as usual in Asia, but at least in a fairly favourable time zone.