A European based Olyroos teams (minus any A League contenders), is to play four matches during the upcoming international window (May 31 – June 15). Games in Marbella, Spain.
Australia v Republic of Ireland (U-21) 2 June 2021
Australia v Saudi Arabia 5 June 2021
Australia v Romania 8 June 2021
Australia v Mexico 12 June 2021
Why hasn't NZF sought to organise any games for a OlyWhites Euro team over this same window May 31st - June 15th? I don't know how travel restrictions work within Europe now, but they must be easing, especially if you are vaccinated and can produce a negative Covid test?
Following Euro based NZ players will have finished their club seasons by 31st May. oa is overage -
Woud, Jamie Searle, Tzanev (oa), Pijnaker, Stanger, Smith (oa), Reid (oa), Elliot, Kirwan (oa), Cacace, Stamenic, Sean Bright, Singh, Just, McCowatt, Wood (oa).
That's enough players for a camp, and game against someone. Invite Thomas in to be an observer, if he is up to walking around. Bring in some other Kiwi kids from age group teams at various Euro clubs (some in Holland from memory), to increase the numbers.
You also have some guys in season in Scandinavia like Bell, Owen Parker-Price, Garbett, Rogerson who would have to be released by ther clubs being an international window. Though you might only bring them in for a few days so as not to upset their clubs.
Same for M Boxall, Tuiloma and Collier from the MLS. That's if MIQ free travel between USA and Europe is possible. CONCACAF are having international games over this 2 week window. Now I check, and see that MLS is basically taking a 2 week break over this window, so the 3 MLS Kiwis would be available, travel permitting. It's rare that the MLS stops for a FIFA window, so bit of missed opportunity to get these guys into an AWs camp?
What is Hay actually doing at the moment? Why isn't he in Europe (travelling via US to meetup with MLS & USL guys) now?
Time on the grass with OlyWhite/AWs contenders is now badly needed. He hasn't done any hands on coaching since November 2019. Olympic opponents South Korea, Romania & Honduras for sure will be having warmup games over this window. The June 2022 intercontinental playoff games will also come around very fast.
I'd wager that Des Buckingham wouldn't be content sitting in Albany watching endless football videos. He would have worked hard to try organise some sort of Euro camp and/or game(s). Minimum a trip to US & Europe to catch up with the players. Even if he had to fly at his own cost, and end up in NZ MIQ for 2 weeks upon return.
Fritz Schmid (remember him) managed to get a meaningless fixture organised against Canada, plus camp somewhere in Spain back in 2018. Surely NZF could have found a similar type setup at a time when it really matters.
Australia v Mexico 12 June 2021
Why hasn't NZF sought to organise any games for a OlyWhites Euro team over this same window May 31st - June 15th? I don't know how travel restrictions work within Europe now, but they must be easing, especially if you are vaccinated and can produce a negative Covid test?
Following Euro based NZ players will have finished their club seasons by 31st May. oa is overage -
Woud, Jamie Searle, Tzanev (oa), Pijnaker, Stanger, Smith (oa), Reid (oa), Elliot, Kirwan (oa), Cacace, Stamenic, Sean Bright, Singh, Just, McCowatt, Wood (oa).
That's enough players for a camp, and game against someone. Invite Thomas in to be an observer, if he is up to walking around. Bring in some other Kiwi kids from age group teams at various Euro clubs (some in Holland from memory), to increase the numbers.
You also have some guys in season in Scandinavia like Bell, Owen Parker-Price, Garbett, Rogerson who would have to be released by ther clubs being an international window. Though you might only bring them in for a few days so as not to upset their clubs.
Same for M Boxall, Tuiloma and Collier from the MLS. That's if MIQ free travel between USA and Europe is possible. CONCACAF are having international games over this 2 week window. Now I check, and see that MLS is basically taking a 2 week break over this window, so the 3 MLS Kiwis would be available, travel permitting. It's rare that the MLS stops for a FIFA window, so bit of missed opportunity to get these guys into an AWs camp?
What is Hay actually doing at the moment? Why isn't he in Europe (travelling via US to meetup with MLS & USL guys) now?
Time on the grass with OlyWhite/AWs contenders is now badly needed. He hasn't done any hands on coaching since November 2019. Olympic opponents South Korea, Romania & Honduras for sure will be having warmup games over this window. The June 2022 intercontinental playoff games will also come around very fast.
I'd wager that Des Buckingham wouldn't be content sitting in Albany watching endless football videos. He would have worked hard to try organise some sort of Euro camp and/or game(s). Minimum a trip to US & Europe to catch up with the players. Even if he had to fly at his own cost, and end up in NZ MIQ for 2 weeks upon return.
Fritz Schmid (remember him) managed to get a meaningless fixture organised against Canada, plus camp somewhere in Spain back in 2018. Surely NZF could have found a similar type setup at a time when it really matters.