Cool, thanks. Here's to hoping we go back to playing an Asian team.
It will almost certainly be the same as it has been the last couple of cycles - a random draw with OFC/5th CONMEBOL/4th CONCACAF/5th ASIA in the hat.
Out of 6 two legged playoffs covering WC qualification 1986-2006 WCs, Socceroos I’m pretty sure drew a South American side 4 times (Argentina and Uruguay), plus Scotland and Iran. Lost 5 of those.
So if we can somehow make it next time (Asia or CONCACAF will do - Mexico won’t fudge up again), would have a better playoff history than Oz.
Still that old chestnut, NZF needs to just join Asia. AWs are the shop window to NZ football and how to give the game a local profile. We have some players doing well in Europe and people want to see them in big games regularly playing for the AWs. The profile will now be depressing for the next 3.5 yrs. Profile is sorry not built by the Football Ferns, or age group teams. FF probably good enough to qualify for Olympics and World Cups through Asia anyhow.
Basketball Tall Blacks now have a new Asian qualifying path. Basketball NZ have just announced new sponsorships leveraged off this!!
I hope NZF are watching closely. Of course do FIFA want NZ to join Asia like Australia??
NZF should be at least be asking the question, and watching how Asia works for Basketball!