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History for Big Pete 65

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Posted June 27, 2015 23:36 · last edited June 27, 2015 23:36

For all the questionable selections the bigger issue is what a joke OFC is holding a tournament like this in a compressed timeframe in PNG. Like the all new O-League, like Honiara.

As long as there is money for David Chung's ego stroking presidents cup, fudge having a credible and professionally run qualifying process for major tournamants.

I assume that the other OFC members are fine with all this - it saves them money on travel etc and gives their teams a greater chance of beating NZ. NZF is the only OFC member with an interest in sane qualifying paths to global events like the World Cup, Confeds Cup, or Club World Cup. The others would rather have it as random as possible to increase their own odds of qualifying.

Those of us a bit longer in the tooth remember the play-off between NZ and Australia on the path to qualify for the 1994 World Cup which was scheduled for mid May 1993 at the height of the European season resulting in no European stars being available for either side (apart from Fred de Jong who was released by his Dutch club Sittard - clubs didn't have to release players back then, so that was a really generous gesture) .

Wynton Rufer was keen to board a flight to Auckland but was told by the All Whites coach to stay for Werder Bremen's title decider against Bayern or risk being sacked by Bremen. (Bremen beat Bayern and won the Bundesliga).

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Big Pete 65 edited June 27, 2015 23:36

ConanTroutman wrote:

Hard News wrote:

For all the questionable selections the bigger issue is what a joke OFC is holding a tournament like this in a compressed timeframe in PNG. Like the all new O-League, like Honiara.

As long as there is money for David Chung's ego stroking presidents cup, fudge having a credible and professionally run qualifying process for major tournamants.

Those of us a bit longer in the tooth remember the play-off between NZ and Australia on the path to qualify for the 1994 World Cup which was scheduled for mid May at the height of the European season resulting in no European stars being available for either side (apart from Fred de Jong who was released by his Dutch club Sittard - clubs didn't have to release players back then, so that was a really generous gesture) .